Episode Overview
A bureaucratic mix-up sends the Planet Express crew on a fishing trip in the Atlantic Ocean, where their ship is pulled underwater by a colossal fish. Stranded, they discover the lost city of Atlanta, now inhabited by mer-people. Fry falls for a mermaid, Umbriel, while the crew navigates underwater survival and bizarre Southern-flavored adventures.
Act 1: The Fishing Trip
Setup: The episode opens at Planet Express headquarters in New New York. A bureaucratic error results in Nibbler, Leela’s pet, receiving a mandatory fishing license instead of a pet license. However, due to a bureaucratic mix-up, he receives a mandatory fishing license instead. This forces the crew Fry, Leela, Bender, Amy, Professor Farnsworth, Hermes, and Zoidberg to go fishing in the Atlantic Ocean using the Planet Express ship as a makeshift boat.
The Planet Express crew Fry, Leela, Bender, Amy, Hermes, Professor Farnsworth, and Dr. Zoidberg—board the Planet Express ship and fly to the center of the Atlantic Ocean. The crew takes the ship to the exact center of the Atlantic Ocean, deemed by Farnsworth as the “logical place for fish to congregate.” Bender confirms they’re in international waters and covertly arranges a shady deal via radio (code names “Falcon” and “Blue Raven”). A speedboat delivers a package, which Bender hides in his chest, hinting at smuggling but keeping it vague for comedic effect. On the ship’s roof, the crew sets up fishing gear. Leela enjoys the sun and sea, but Bender finds fishing dull and suggests a $5 betting pool to make it “interesting,” only to pocket the money himself. Fry brags about his fishing skills, claiming he once caught a huge fish, while Bender one-ups him with an exaggerated gesture. Leela reveals her harpoon, prompting Bender to mock it, leading to her harpooning his ass, sending him into the water. They anchor the ship with an Unbreakable Diamond Tether and begin fishing. Hermes debates bait options (crickets, squid, chicken necks), while Zoidberg offers to “critique” the bait by eating it. Hermes chases him off with a fishing rod for mooching. Bender shows off a laser-guided fishing rod, annoying Fry by shouting and scaring the fish. Fry claims he can hit a fish from 20 yards, but Bender’s laser-guided line hits Fry instead. Leela’s harpoon pulls up an old boot, mocked by Amy. Fry catches a tiny fish, ridiculed by Bender, while Leela pulls up a crate of boots. Farnsworth tries fish pheromones but sprays himself, attracting fish and a lustful Zoidberg. The crew struggles to catch anything. Hermes bemoans the loss of his vacation time, and Zoidberg is just happy to be near water. A bored, Bender crafts a giant fish hook from Amy’s beach umbrella, using Hermes’ Manwich sandwich as bait. He attaches it to the ship’s tether and casts it into the ocean.
As sunset approaches, The crew naps except Leela, who catches another boot with Zoidberg eating it. Frustrated, she decides to head home. Amy wakes, screaming about her sunburn and missing parasol, revealing Bender used it and wrote “Honk If Bender Is Great” on her back with sunblock. Bender’s line snags something massive, pulling the ship underwater. The crew prepares to return to New New York. Bender tries to reel in his line, but it’s caught something massive—a Colossal-Mouth Bass. The fish dives, dragging the entire Planet Express ship to the ocean floor. The hook slips free, and Hermes humorously loses his speedos in the chaos. Underwater, the ship’s depth gauge climbs past 5000 feet, exceeding 150 atmospheres of pressure. Farnsworth notes the spaceship can only handle 0-1 atmosphere, and the hull creaks. Water floods in, equalizing pressure, and Fry flushes the excess via the toilet, saving them.
Act 2: Sunk to the Bottom
The ship crashes on the ocean floor. Bender laments his escaped fish, while Leela assesses their dire situation: no food, three miles down, and the ship isn’t built for underwater travel. The ship survives the descent but is stuck at the bottom of the Atlantic, as its engines don’t work underwater. Hermes suggests cannibalism per a “Code of Conduct” book, eyeing Zoidberg, but Leela assigns tasks: she and Farnsworth repair the ship, while Bender, Zoidberg, and Fry (protected by Farnsworth’s experimental anti-pressure pill, a suppository) search for food. Professor Farnsworth reveals he has an anti-pressure suppository, which allows a human to withstand deep-sea pressure temporarily. Fry, Bender, and Zoidberg explore the ocean floor. Fry carries an air bag, struggling to communicate. Zoidberg collects fish, storing them in Bender’s chest, while Bender grabs an electric eel for a relaxing shock. Zoidberg eats a glowing lure, nearly got eaten by a pilot fish, and hides in a shell, jokingly calling himself a “homeowner.” Near a sunken wreck, Bender loots grog bottles, frustrated when the liquid floats away underwater. Zoidberg asks Bender to move a couch into his shell, leaving Fry alone. Fry spots a mermaid as he was shocked to see a real mermaid, Umbriel, who laughs and swims off. Bender and Zoidberg return, misinterpreting Fry’s blubbering as claims about lemonade or paid loans, mocking him. Later that evening, The crew eats the gathered food. Fry insists he saw a mermaid with a tube top and scaly tail, but everyone dismisses it as ocean madness (aka aqua dementia, deep-down crazies, wet willies, or screaming moist). Fry storms out, hurt that his friends never believe him, while Leela whispers “ocean madness” and Farnsworth calls Leela “That’s no excuse for Ocean Rudeness.”
That night, the mermaid Umbriel lures Fry out of the ship with a siren-like song. She gives him an underwater breathing apparatus (a sci-fi device allowing him to breathe like a fish). They swim off to explore the ocean’s wonders, with Fry smitten by her beauty and Southern charm. She introduces herself, and Fry compliments her tail, while she admires his “wiggly doo-dads” (pants). They relax by a volcanic vent, toasting shrimps. Umbriel asks about the surface, fascinated by rain, while Fry charms her by claiming to tame “land-sealions.” A montage to Donovan’s “Atlantis” shows them dating: riding a flatfish, watching a squid-whale fight, (referencing the American Museum of Natural History’s diorama) and Fry spelling “I ♥ U” with glowing fish. They kiss passionately.
Act 3: The Lost City of Atlanta
The next morning, the crew finished modifying the Planet Express ship to function underwater, using Farnsworth’s scientific know-how. Leela notices Fry’s absence, and Hermes assumes he’s chasing the mermaid, pitying the “demented honky.” Leela lists ocean madness synonyms, but everyone leaves, annoyed. Farnsworth organizes a search party, equipping the crew with oxygen masks from Bender’s chest (Bender jokes his ass is a flotation device). Zoidberg sniffs out Fry’s trail, leading to a sunken city. A sign reads “City of Atl,” revealed as Atlanta when Leela clears it. Following Zoidberg’s nose, the crew stumbles upon the lost city of Atlanta, an underwater metropolis inhabited by mer-people with Southern accents. They’re greeted by The Colonel, a hospitable merman, and Umbriel, who’s with Fry. The crew is stunned to realize Fry’s mermaid story was true. A merman, the Colonel, welcomes them, offering breathers and urging tourism spending. Bender hums “Dueling Banjos,” poking fun at Southern stereotypes. Fry and Umbriel exit a Krispy Kreme, and Bender bets Hermes $10 Fry’s alive. The Colonel introduces Umbriel as his daughter, calling Fry and crew “Yankees.” Umbriel explains Atlanta’s history: a vibrant metropolis, not just an airport (Fry thought it was only for nuts). She shows ruins like Turner Field and a Coca-Cola plant. The Colonel plays a Chamber of Commerce video narrated by Donovan, explaining The Atlanta Documentary about when the city of Atlanta moved offshore for tourism, became a Delta hub, but sank due to overdevelopment and Ted Turner’s statue. Quality people fled (Ted Turner, Hank Aaron, Jeff Foxworthy, Coca-Cola’s inventor, a magician, Jane Fonda), while others stayed, evolving into mermaids via caffeine from a leaking Coca-Cola plant. Overdevelopment made the city too heavy, causing it to sink to the ocean floor. Survivors evolved into mer-people, accelerated by caffeine leakage from a Coca-Cola plant, which mutated their biology. The Colonel and Umbriel give the crew a tour of the underwater city, showcasing its Southern hospitality, neon-lit skyline, and mer-people culture. A parody of Atlanta’s real-world landmarks, like the Coca-Cola plant and Delta hub, reimagined underwater. The mer-people’s laid-back, Southern drawl-heavy demeanor, contrasting with the crew’s New York cynicism.
Act 4: Fry’s Choice and the Escape
At dinner, the Colonel warms to Fry, calling him “Old Legs.” Hermes misses his wife and oxygen, and Farnsworth urges departure. Fry refuses, wanting to stay with Umbriel, despite Leela’s protests and Farnsworth’s warning that his body will adapt to the pressure, preventing surface return. Fry doesn’t care, hugging Umbriel. The crew leaves, and Zoidberg tries to say goodbye but is ignored. Outside, Zoidberg’s conch shell home mysteriously burns down, blamed on Bender’s cigar (a running gag, as fire underwater is unexplained and absurd). Zoidberg is heartbroken but joins the crew’s preparations to leave. Fry felt his happiest moment in the last 24 hours spending every moment with her. Fry and Umbriel prepare for intimacy, but confusion arises over merpeople reproduction. However, Fry soon discovers that the mer-people’s evolution has made them biologically incompatible with humans for sexual intercourse. Umbriel lays eggs and leaves, expecting Fry to fertilize them externally. Fry was horrified as it crushed his romantic dreams, fleed the house and wished she were a reverse mermaid (fish top, human bottom). Umbriel laments losing her Debutante Ball escort, and the Colonel suggests a dugong from Macon. Farnsworth completes the engine, now fish-tail-like, and the ship was ready to launched, while Fry’s Escape as he panicked and thought he missed the ship. Fry races to catch the Planet Express ship as it leaves, he grabbed the Unbreakable Diamond Tether, still trailing Bender’s giant hook, and is dragged behind the ship as it ascends. The Colossal-Mouth Bass reappears, swallowing Fry whole and getting hooked on the tether. The ship pulls both the fish and Fry to the surface. The colossal-mouth bass reappears, swallowing Fry.
Act 5: Resolution and Aftermath
Back on land, Bender’s Colossal-Mouth Bass is weighed and briefly sets an Earth fishing record, earning him a prize check. Mayor Poopenmeyer awards Bender $1000 for the record-breaking catch. The bass spits out Fry and Hermes’ Manwich. Fry explains he loved Umbriel but wasn’t “in love” (Amy whispers “trouble in bed”). Poopenmeyer reclaims the check for giant orphans when the bass’ weight drops. Bender chokes Fry, who chokes back, revealing Zoidberg sleeping inside the bass’ gills.However, Fry falls out of the fish’s mouth, reducing its weight and costing Bender the record. Furious, Bender begins choking Fry in classic cartoon fashion. The episode ends with the crew back in New New York, their underwater adventure a bizarre memory. Fry’s fleeting romance and the Atlanta discovery are left as another wacky chapter in their lives.
Key Characters and Their Roles
Philip J. Fry: The naive protagonist who falls for Umbriel and drives the episode’s romantic subplot. His impulsive decision to stay in Atlanta and subsequent panic highlight his optimistic but dim-witted nature.
Key Quote: “I’m gonna stay here with Umbriel! This is my chance to live in a magical underwater world!” (paraphrased).
Turanga Leela: The voice of reason, skeptical of Fry’s mermaid claims and focused on getting the crew home. She takes charge during the ship’s underwater modifications.
Bender B. Rodriguez: His reckless creation of the giant hook triggers the adventure. His cigar (somehow) burns Zoidberg’s home, and his fishing obsession leads to the record-breaking bass.
Key Quote: “I’m gonna catch me a fish so big, it’ll make Moby Dick look like a guppy!”
Dr. John Zoidberg: The comic relief, reveling in his underwater element. His conch shell home and later move to the bass’s corpse underscore his pathetic charm.
Key Quote: “A home! A real home! [sobs] And now it’s gone, thanks to Bender’s cigar!”
Amy Wong: Contributes her beach umbrella for Bender’s hook and provides sarcastic commentary throughout.
Hermes Conrad: His Manwich is sacrificed as bait, and his lost speedos add a humorous visual gag. He’s mostly grumpy about the trip derailing his bureaucracy.
Professor Hubert Farnsworth: Supplies the anti-pressure suppository and technical know-how to fix the ship, embodying his role as the eccentric inventor.
Umbriel: The Southern-accented mermaid who enchants Fry. She’s sweet and hospitable but ultimately unattainable due to biological differences.
The Colonel: A merman who serves as Atlanta’s welcoming figure, embodying Southern charm and pride in his city.
Donovan (Narrator): His folksy narration of Atlanta’s history adds a surreal touch, tying the episode to real-world cultural references.
Themes and Humor
- Satire of Southern Culture: The episode playfully mocks Southern stereotypes (accents, hospitality) while parodying Atlanta’s real-world identity as a Coca-Cola and Delta hub.
- Corporate Critique: The idea that Coca-Cola’s caffeine caused mer-people evolution is a jab at corporate overreach and environmental impact.
- Sci-Fi Absurdity: From the anti-pressure suppository to fire underwater, the episode embraces Futurama’s blend of plausible sci-fi and outright nonsense.
- Romantic Parody: Fry’s doomed romance with Umbriel pokes fun at fairy-tale love stories, with the biological incompatibility twist adding a crude but funny resolution.
- Bureaucracy Gone Awry: The fishing license mix-up for Nibbler sets the plot in motion, a nod to Futurama’s recurring theme of bureaucratic incompetence.
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