It Took 23 Years For Futurama To Finally Do Justice To A Beloved Season 3 Character

The following contains spoilers for Futurama season 12 episode 8, "Cuteness Overload," now streaming on HuluFuturama season 12 brought back one of the show's most underutilized characters, which should hopefully convince the creatives behind the animated comedy to use her more often going forward. The 31st century is a perfect comical setting for Futurama, allowing the series to shift focus and setting from episode to episode. The Planet Express Crew can visit several different worlds in a single episode, shifting tone along the way.

That's to say nothing of Futurama's expansive supporting cast, who help flesh out the universe in entertaining and colorful ways. Many of these minor characters have gotten multiple showcases, even while they largely flesh out the sidelines of the setting. One particularly memorable minor character who was introduced in 2001 was barely used after her debut. She plays an important role in one of Futurama season 12's episodes and should become a more recurring fixture on the show.

How Futurama Season 12 Makes Sally Important Again For The First Time In Decades

Sally's Friendship With Mandy Is One Of Futurama Season 12's Cutest Plot Turns

The cartoonishly adorable orphan Sally finally plays a prominent role in Futurama for the first time since her debut appearance, a fun development given her unrealized potential as a character. Sally is one of the children who lives at the same Orphanirum that Leela did as a child. She plays an important role in season 12's "Cuteness Overload," quickly befriending Amy and Kif's daughter Mandy. Sally and Mandy's childish friendship is one of the sweetest elements of the episode and ends up being the key to overcoming the villains of the episode.

"Cuteness Overload" even ends with Amy agreeing to let Mandy and Sally play more in the future. It's a fun episode for Sally, and proves the kind of impact Sally could have if she joined the Futurama cast on a more recurring form. Sally and Mandy are perfect little adorable contrasts to the other prominent children in Futurama's expansive cast of side characters, Dwight and Cubert. Her potential emotional connection to Fry, Leela, and Bender could make her an ideal addition to the show, which she proved with her first (and so far only prominent) episode from over twenty years ago.

Futurama Never Properly Used Sally After Season 3

Sally Had A Lot Of Great Unrealized Potential After "The Cyber House Rules"

Season 3's "The Cyber House Rules" set up Sally as an interesting addition to the larger world of Futurama supporting characters. Sally was one of the orphans briefly adopted by Bender, and her unique physical traits separated her from the other children. Leela saw the other children mocking Sally the same way she had been as a child, and came close to adopting her with her then-boyfriend Adlai. The idea of Leela empathizing and looking to form a bond with Sally was a cute idea that was never really referenced in the show again.

She's only ever had one other prominent role in the series alongside the other orphans, aspiring to follow Leela's example in season 8's "Yo Leela Leela." That episode didn't highlight her potential as well as "The Cyber House Rules" and "Cuteness Overload" do, however. Sally being more present in the series could be a good addition to the show's larger supporting cast, especially in light of her newfound connection to Mandy — and by extension, Amy and the rest of Planet Express.

Futurama Season 13 Needs To Bring Back Sally Again

Sally Could Bring A Lot Of New Emotions Out Of The Planet Express Crew

Sally is a great concept, and could bring a lot to Futurama if she appeared more often. Her similarities to Leela makes her a possibly great supporting character for Leela. Her prior connection to Bender could bring out his soft side in some comical ways. Her friendship with Mandy could easily allow her to appear in Amy stories. If she was more present around Planet Express, she and Mandy could offer a more youthful contrast to Cubert and Dwight. Her poor living conditions could give her a surprising bond with Zoidberg, and could be a source for consistent dark comedy.

She doesn't even have to appear too often, but her potential in season 3 and season 12 make a good case for future roles in episodes. "Cuteness Overload" even sets up an ideal way to play up that connection by having Sally visit the crew alongside Mandy. This could allow her to fade into the background when not needed for a plot, but allow her an easy way to interact with characters like Leela when it works. Hopefully, Sally's next focus episode won't be decades from now, and instead, Futurama can find a way to use Sally again soon.