Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love?

"Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love?" is the eighteenth episode of Futurama, the fifth of the second production season and the ninth of the second broadcast sesaon. It aired on 6 February, 2000 on FOX. It's mating time for Dr. Zoidberg's species, and they travel to Decapod 10 for him to join in the frenzy. On Decapod 10, Zoidberg finds himself in a battle with Fry for the affection of Edna.

Act I: "Just 19 hours until the mating frenzy!"
The crew go to the gym to keep in shape but when Zoidberg is acting a bit crazier than usual they have to restrain him. The Professor figures out that it is mating season on Zoidberg's home planet. They all go to Decapod 10, so Zoidberg can participate in the mating frenzy. Fry, Leela and Bender accompany him in the Planet Express Ship.

Act II: "You're right, my stink gland is weak!"
After arriving on Decapod 10, Zoidberg sets up an erotic display on the beach and attempts to attract a mate. After a long day of rejection, Zoidberg is ready to give up. He then encounters Edna, a female he went to high school with. After she rejects him as well, Fry offers to help win her over by teaching him how to fake love. The plan works for a while, until Edna learns that Fry has been telling Zoidberg what to say. Edna falls in love with Fry, and makes a move on him. Zoidberg catches them together, and challenges Fry to Claw-Plach.

Act III: "How will I ever get rid of my male jelly now?"
Fry and Zoidberg begin their battle to the death in the recent and sacred tradition of Claw-Plach. Fry does well at first, but when he has Zoidberg at his mercy, he spares him. He starts to make a moving speech about friendship, but is interrupted when Zoidberg cuts his arm off. Fry retaliates by beating Zoidberg with his own severed arm, but the fight stops when the other Decapodians leave to perform the mating frenzy. Zoidberg misses out on the frenzy, while those who participate die and become a feast for seagulls.

Trivia

 * This is the first episode where Zoidberg is the main character.

Allusions

 * The window scene where Fry coaches Zoidberg is a reference to a similar scene from "Cyrano De Bergerac".
 * The story is based on the Star Trek episode "Amok Time", which is about the Vulcan mating time "Pon Farr". Some elements of the plot (namely Edna falling in love with Fry as he attempts to woo her for Zoidberg) also strongly resemble Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," although the writers have never acknowledged this as an influence.
 * The Decapodian Anthem is the distinctive fight music written by George Fried for "Amok Time", and the Decapodian Emperor's accent is likely a reference to the accent of the Vulcan officiant in that episode.
 * Robo-Rooter is a reference to Roto-Router which is a plumbing company.
 * Dr. Zoidberg marks Fry's T-shirt with a Z, referencing Zorro.

Continiuty

 * This is the second episode where a Decapodian other than Zoidberg appears, the first being "A Fishful of Dollars".

Censorship
When Fry's arm was cut off by Zoidberg, he states "You bastard! I'll kill you!" This was removed from the UK broadcast of the episode, but was put back at a later date in some airings.

Characters



 * Amy
 * Bender
 * Debut: Decapodian Emperor
 * Debut: Edna
 * Fry
 * Hermes
 * Leela
 * Larry
 * Prof. Farnsworth
 * Randy
 * Zoidberg

Episode Credits

 * Writer
 * Eric Kaplan
 * Director
 * Brian Sheesley
 * Voice Actors
 * Billy West
 * Katey Sagal
 * John DiMaggio
 * Tress MacNeille
 * Lauren Tom
 * Phil LaMarr
 * David Herman