There is an old saying that states it “is a dog eat dog world.” Space Dandy Episode 2: “The Search for the Phantom Space Ramen” is an example of that.
A woman’s role in the beginning of the episode is essentially that of a secretary: a secretary for captured aliens, but a secretary nonetheless.
There is also the theme of registration in this episode, which I will get to in the end.
Dandy then attempts to gain money giving them his fellow Betelgeuse alien Meow as a capture bonus when his recently captured alien receives no reward as a result of it already being identified, but receives no reward and receives Meow back again..
The fried dragon dish, is perhaps a reference to a dragon roll, demonstrating how some food is aesthetic, although unhealthy as it is fried, made of who knows what unhealthy substance.
The shots in Boobies has shots of different life forms being food or consumed. A breastaurant, a sci fi symbol of consumerism in Space Dandy.
SPOILERS:
DO NOT READ IF YOU WANT THE EPISODE TO BE RUINED.
The characters in Space Dandy are like that of the characters of Cowboy Bebop: Young. Poor. Hungry. Furthermore, Woolong are the currency in this continuity, making us ponder whether this is actually a Cowboy Bebop sequel, prequel, etc., while also being relevant to the theme of consumerism.
Then comes Scarlet, the first strong female presence in the film half way through the episode.
The Betelgeuse Meow ironically is revealed to have given away their location, giving a good reason why he should be thrown out, after free loading off the barely loaded Dandy. They were constantly being followed by the Golgos Empire. Apparently, Dandy doesn’t try to have Meow put through the space vacuum anymore.
The show has elements of Star Trek science fiction in it, with its use of seemingly impossible space phenomenon observed by the characters: access to a wormhole to figure out how that restaurant obtains alternate universe food is quite a sci fi experience, just like the space time warp thingama-cut in the first episode.
Even more Star Trek logic, is assuming that the food was from an alternate universe, rather than just cooking it a certain way.
Finally, the very philosophical debate, given by a wise being at the end of the episode:
What if you were a species or possibly just a being that can easily accidentally kill a person? Should you be killed off or jailed or given freedom? A life sentence?
It is implied Dandy lets the old man go, because he is also on the run from some sort of accident, being able to understand a man after traveling to him, meeting him, just for a couple of minutes, eating his food, literally feeling his tears.
Another excellently crafted episode. If you are interested in watching it, it is here.
Arthouse Anime 