Futurama Season 12 Episode 4: Full Recap and Spoilers

Futurama has been on fire ever since it returned to Hulu with Season 12, and that trend continues with Episode 4. This season has focused on sending the Planet Express crew into a new series of wacky adventures, each highlighting a key member of the cast. Following a premiere episode that delved into Bender’s Mexican heritage, the latest episode sends Bender to Mars, throwing him into the world of bug fighting.

The new season has already offered plenty of fun moments for Bender, and Episode 4 is no exception. Bender takes center stage in his newest adventure, entering the sport of bug fighting. Not only does this episode explore new aspects of the Buggalo first seen many years ago, but it also offers a fresh and fun journey for Bender.

The Planet Express crew heads to Wong Ranch on Mars for a barbecue. There, they debate the intelligence of the Buggalo. Amy posits that there’s something special about them, despite their limited brain capacity. It’s also Bug Fighting season, so the crew decides to join in on the Running of the Buggalos. During the run, Bender spots a beautiful robot named Marquita with a hilariously long name, but loses her in the chaos of the stampede.

Abner Doubledeel, the owner of the bug fighting league, offers Bender a chance to become his new matador, requiring him to train under their best, who turns out to be Marquita. She impresses Bender by effortlessly eliminating a bull. Despite feeling an immediate connection, Marquita insists on patience until Bender learns the art of bug fighting and survives his first match.

Amy disapproves of Bender’s involvement in bug fighting, calling it violently unnecessary. Meanwhile, the Professor scans Amy’s Buggalo, Betsy, but finds her brain entirely empty, unable to think intelligently. The following day, during Bender’s first bug fight, Fry nearly falls into the arena, drawing the Buggalo’s attention with his red jacket. Bender saves Fry but is nearly gored in the process. Using quick thinking, he pulls a sword out of his head, impaling the Buggalo to win the fight.

Despite his victory, Bender feels uneasy. He confides in Marquita, wondering if the Buggalo actually have emotions, given the look in its eyes when he defeated it. She assures him otherwise, but Bender remains anxious. Late at night, he heads to the Buggalo barn and, meeting Amy there, admits his guilt over the fight. Inside the barn, the Buggalo start communicating with Bender in English, sharing their highest honor with him and allowing him to sleep soundly.

The next morning, Bender tries to convince the others that the Buggalo communicated with him and begins advocating to end bug fighting. Marquita, however, is set to fight and doesn’t believe him. Disguising himself as a Buggalo, Bender sneaks into the fight, intending to stop it by revealing his identity. Marquita attempts to kill the Buggalo Bender but realizes too late it’s him. Moved by his speech, she and the crowd agree to end the sport.

However, as the Wongs declare the ban, a herd of Buggalo storms in, speaking in unison. The Professor explains that while individual Buggalo are brainless, they form a hive mind capable of consciousness and emotions. The Buggalo express their love for bug fighting, considering it a noble tradition in their culture to kill matadors. They demand the fights continue, prompting Bender and Marquita to prepare for a final match.

The episode culminates with Marquita discovering Bender’s infidelity. Enraged, she teams up with the Buggalo to attack him, wrapping up the episode on a dramatic note.

All four episodes of Futurama Season 12 are now streaming on Hulu.