South Park goes for a big cliffhanger, altering a main character, and ending a marriage.
Last night's mid-season finale of Comedy Central's South Park is a potential game changer. The episode begins as Stan (Trey Parker) turns ten. Soon after, he starts to see the things he likes as crappy. Literally. But a strange thing happens when, instead of his tastes maturing, Stan finds everything crappy. This drives away his friends, who get tired to his diagnosed cynicism. Stan's father, Randy (also Parker), resisting getting old, pretends he likes the things the young kids do, even though they sound crappy to him. His wife, Sharon (April Stewart), says she isn't happy with Randy, and hasn't been in some time. He agrees. They divorce and sell their house. As of the end of the episode, Stan moves into an apartment with his mother, and Kyle (Matt Stone), Stan's life-long closest pal, is now best friends with Cartman (Parker).…
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— go to most recent comments26 - Derek Jones
(a VERY HUGE american investment). The real problem though is that we who make all this had ended up just selling ourselves short in the end, for $$$.We only pretend we did our best and everything is as authentic as it could be, when in fact all that we actually see is very much fake. Now this is what we got, "America, 2011", and more to come.
(...now possibly without a SP to dump on it all...)
27 - Roy
Thanks Ryan and Sad but true you're right on the money as well. Stan has always been the protagnist of this saga. Scientology episode he was trying to save money to buy a bike and then realizes hes unhappy and didnt even know it. Stan has the big breakup with Wendy and learns an important lesson about loved lost and moving on, Butters makes him realize that happiness cannot exist with sadness and to literally stop being such a p**** about it. It is stan who has the disturbing dreams about christmas critters and he also doesnt have a facebook nor wants one. When the bus is hanging off the ledge it is Stan who is having the dream of the dream of cartman and even states "I must be going through some emotional problems" when he tells kyle the story over the phone. Although it is unclear if he has awakened seeing how he asks Kyle to go to the happy burger at the end of the episode. It is Stan in bigger longer and uncut that rallies the masses to stop the execution of terrance and phillip, once again taking a journey to discover self worth. Stan can't even stand by Kenny when hes dying with cancer because he just cant face the reality that his friend is leaving. As I'm retracting all these memories I realize even more how amazing and deep this show really is. Stan and Kyle have had issues for a few seasons now (guitar hero anyone?).
Everyone pretends and nobody wants to realize that its time to part ways and move on.
28 - Roy
Its funny you mention that Derek. There is the SP episode "behind the blow". They even mention how a terrance and phillip episode aired as an aprils fools joke instead of the usual popular program. Being satirical they state how there were casualities and there was a riot outside the network. This is funny to us because it is US! If American idol suddenly cut off the first 5 minutes of the program and some new unheard of show aired instead, people would be OUTRAGED. Its like people take it as a personal attack, how dare they take away their favorite wednesday night programming?!?
29 - Luc
@ Ryan, I like what you said. I love the show and would like it to continue after wed. episode and knowing that Matt and Trey contract is up for renewed. I though it will be the end of South Park, but like you said, maybe this episode is to point a finger to everyone that are saying that the show is getting boring and not enjoying the humor in it.
30 - Luke
The ending just pissed me off, seems like trey and matt might be trying to tell us something? Have any of this current seasons episodes been remotely good to previous seasons? They're all...crappy
31 - RG
"and permanently killing off major characters. But this may be the biggest shift yet, with Stan's personality taking a dark turn, and a married couple dissolving their union" Huh? IMO killing off major characters is a way bigger deal than just making them split up....
32 - Michael
I thought it was great.
When Stan was with the doctor and he played Bob Dylan...and all Stan could hear was shit noises...I almost choked to death I was laughing so hard.
I am at 47 an older South Park Fan. I am in fact roughly the age of the "parents". That is what was so funny about that scene.
Bob Dylan IS shit...just as much as anything kids are listening to today. Yet for some reason this older 60's shit is somehow "classical"...as though Dylan were Beethoven or something. Same thing with "The Police" and our "New Wave" shit.
I thought this represented a wonderful satire of what the generations do to each other.
The fact that Stan can hear all of the shit of pop culture, from the crap of pop music, to Adam Sandler comedies, to the psycho babble coming out of Kyle's mouth, and identify as the shit it actually is represents much more than mere cynicism.
Stan is a very gifted child.
Now of course I was NOT laughing at the end.
Instead I asked myself all of the same questiosn that have been addressed so well on this forum.
What will become of Randy and Sharon's marriage? Hopefully Randy will buy yet another sports car and chase girls half his age. I really don't care enough about Sharon to speculate but perhaps her weight lifting machine is available again.
The biggest mystery however is how they will follow up on the Stan Kyle Cartman Bromance triangle.
Cartman is a master manipulator and would have little problem seducing Kyle into even more amoral adventures. Will he be able to drive a long term wedge between Stan and Kyle?
Riveting TV in my opinion. If this is supposed to be "shitty" writing then perhaps the rest of TV should get just a bit shittier.
33 - Rob
All things must come to an end. The shitty thing about this is that Matt and Trey can go on creating a great show. It's not us the fans who are letting it go, i.e. modern day Simpsons, it's Matt and Trey. I almost cried.
34 - Sam
Look, if Matt and Trey are done with the show, they can just tell us. In real life. This episode was like breaking up with someone over facebook. And I don't see the poignant aspects about it. Half the episode was things crapping all over the screen, followed by a really dull and quite frankly weird montage of depressing scenes.
The creators made an awesome show, something that stood the test of time and rarely faltered. They're not a couple of court jesters obligated to make us laugh. But at the same time that's why the viewers tune in - to laugh. Don't half ass it. It belittles the audience as well as all of the previous accomplishments of the show. I haven't liked many of the episodes this season, but this is the fist time I've truly hated an episode.
35 - Kali
This episode was amazing, im 30 years old, and I have been watching this show since the first season. This episode was amazing. I think of rap music and how shitty these new rappers are nowadayz, couldn't compare to the old guys!! What about movies, ya they said Avatar was a breakthrough and going to change movies? Has it? No, no ones even trying, because they can sell shit to you and you have to buy it. America used to be about doing something different. "Wow that's so different so cool" Now its "Oh I made this thing its just like this other thing" I was about to cry, maybe I feel just like Stan so it hit me harder. Keep watching!! I love it and I will!!!
36 - Kali
I went back and watched it again, you remember the first where Stan was getting presents and everytime he got a present Cartman got one? Thats like in real life now, hard workers of america are working hard and people in this country are getting the same benefits (in some cases more) than them. Always a deeper meaning. : )
37 - Jim
Great speculation here, I agree with the user who said Matt and Trey just want to focus on other projects now, namely their musical. If they do end South Park soon, I'll support them. I'd rather them cancel it while it's still good, instead of crashing it into the ground.
Also, it's depressing that some people here think cynical Stan sees the truth in the world and everything truly is shitty. I have a few friends like that and they are huge bummers to be around because they nitpick EVERYTHING. It's true there's a lot of shit "entertainment" but to literally hate everything is no way to live your life. Life is way too short to nitpick things to death and I feel very sad for the cynical Stan's out there.
38 - Kali
Jim
I do to, even know I'm one of them I do have alot of stuff I like and I get very excited about though. You have to keep searching harder and harder you will find stuff you like. Those people you talk about Jim may just give up to easy. I don't think they could crash it into the ground, theres always something to talk about and always a good way for them to make points of view!!!
39 - Andy
I trust them to make the right changes, and I hope that this was not a hint about ending the series.
40 - yoyomahhh
I do not know why some people say this show is going down hill. Id say the contrary; they just keep getting better and better. This season has been hilarious. I cannot fathom what direction the creators are going with the plot twist but perhaps that is their plan all along; leave people wondering. I have to say, i am intrigued.
41 - Matthew
This episode was amazing and was genuinely emotionally moving. The last 5 five seasons have been amazing, I dont think the concept of this episode is too wacky considering the constant evolution of the show... And hey, the next episode's gonna a Randy episode which cant be bad
42 - fabio moruzzi
I absaloutley love south park, i would like to be selfish and say keep the show running however i can only thank what they have done and they need to do what keeps them happy.
43 - Bruno
I don't understand why anyone would think this show has been going downhill. I thought last season was incredibly bad, and they are on the right path again. The whole point of this episode was to make you think. Think about how much of a cynical asshole anyone can be because they believe everything from their "time" is better than the older or newer times. Even some of you still don't get it, citing this episode as the creators talking about how everything is shitty nowadays.
I think you're looking way too much into it. I think the creators are trying to tell us changes will happen, if you want SP to keep going. This show has been running for a long time, I ran into it while trying to download some music online via Limewire and downloaded the south park movie. I was like, 12 years old? Now I'm 17 and I get a lot more now. This show is suppose to make you laugh, yes. But it's also suppose to make you think. This episode did that, it made you think.
44 - Michael
Jim Wrote
"Also, it's depressing that some people here think cynical Stan sees the truth in the world and everything truly is shitty. I have a few friends like that and they are huge bummers to be around because they nitpick EVERYTHING. It's true there's a lot of shit "entertainment" but to literally hate everything is no way to live your life. Life is way too short to nitpick things to death and I feel very sad for the cynical Stan's out there"
I for one do not think that everything is crap.
What I do believe is that the vast majority of pop culture is crap, including the stuff I like for nostalgic or base reasons.
What isn't crap?
Western European Music, Art and Literature...the Pyramids of Egypt, great philosophy....the love a devoted dog...
There are plenty of things that make life more than worthwhile.
Stan however was finding that just about everything in his world was no longer to his liking.
He wants to grow, to discover what rests beyond his current world.
Getting it back to Matt and Trey's use of Bob Dylan, the Police and Adam Sandler as examples of overrated crap:
Is this not true?
I am not saying that you can't like an out of tune over hyped folk singer if your tastes in music are that base, or that you can't giggle at the infantile antics of a Jerrry Lewis rip off artistic if that brings you joy...that is fine.
But at LEAST have the honesty to admit to the over all artistic quality of the material.
The very idea that comedians such as Sandler are called geniuses...or that Bob Dylan is considered a major artist of the 1960s, or that the Police are some sort of Gold Standard for superior craftmanship in music....c'mon...get out of your own ass.
I go as far as to call the much sanctified music of the Beatles crap. Fun crap, memorable crap...but crap nevertheless.
There are better things out there. Good for South Park in pointing that out.
You know...I love the Carl Jrs Dollar Fried Chicken sandwich...I KNOW that it is pure crap...but I love it. So I guess I love the crap that I love.
IF I can love that then some granola eating hippie douch has the right to love Bob Dylan...but ....it's crap. Don't try to call it anything other than that.
45 - Kali
Hale ya michael!!! Ifeverything is crap then do somethin about it!!' dont be mad at life because everything is crap, find somethin you love!!'
46 - Metaphors
The fact that many of you missed the metaphor says a lot about South Park viewers.
Read #21-Ryan if you haven't.
Matt and Trey have given us 15 years of brilliant television. They made an episode to tell us that they haven't been happy in years, and your response is "BORING!"
"I think you're kinda shitty too."
47 - Michael
Kali writes
"Hale ya michael!!! Ifeverything is crap then do somethin about it!!' dont be mad at life because everything is crap, find somethin you love!!'"
Yet I wrote
"What isn't crap?
Western European Music, Art and Literature...the Pyramids of Egypt, great philosophy....the love a devoted dog..."
thus showing what I actually love and do NOT find to be crap.
Not sure that you caught this
I do however find most pop culture to be crap.
I enjoy some of it even though I recognize it as crap.
So please before you tell me to get love read my comments carefully enough to see that I already named a bunch of things that I love and do not think are crap.
BTW: I love the last half season of South Park and do NOT think that it was crap.
48 - Joe 12-pack
This is intriguing. I don't know if I can wait until October. I found it interesting that the four main boys were not in in Episode 6 "City Sushi". It was all Butters and the City Wok Guy.
I think Stan goes back to being a Goth.
49 - Kali
No micheal i was agreeing with you!! Just like you said if you find stuff crappy go find something you love!!
50 - Kali
I didnt like that sushi wolk episode (i dont like whenthe boys arent in south park i miss em like there old friends) but i loved all the rest specially the last episode and crack baby episode.
51 - Michael
Kali wrote
"No micheal i was agreeing with you!! Just like you said if you find stuff crappy go find something you love!!"
My mistake and apologies Kali
Yeah I think my least favorite was also the Sushi episode because it was particularly dark...but it still had a few good moments.
Crack Baby Basketball was my favorite, with this last one being my second choice... I also liked the thing with the Canadian Royal wedding
"...A fine day for Ganada, and..therefore the world."
My wife and I are Europhiles and we watched the real royal wedding about 5 times...an example of crap that I admit loving : - )
Nevertheless that thing with the ridiculous wedding ceremonies..."Now the Princess is spreading the pudding onto the Prince's arm...as is tradition..." was really funny...
Just like the coverage of the real wedding
52 - rex
I think that they should do what they did with Mr. Garrison and Kenny and have this plot line go on for a season or so and then have the marshes reunite, it will also be interesting to see how they develop Kyle and Cartman
53 - fatbatkid
derek jones hit the nail on the head
54 - Jermzy
I really want them to follow through with the divorce as an at least semi-permanent thing for at least a season. Stan's cynicism however has to go in the next episode- while it sets up Kyle and Cartman coming together nicely it doesn't leave Stan with anywhere left to go.
It's surprising how it takes a game changing episode to show me how bored I was with the premise of the show- well done Matt and Trey. Let's only hope you're ballsy enough to live up to your promises.
55 - Resolent
When the credits rolled I just sat there and thought, wow.
Brilliant.
56 - Butts Wagner
This episode wasn't about the typical laughs that South Park can generate. This episode was about re-thinking why you like this show and re-examining the message of the series. South Park was about more than the funny lines in the first 20 minutes of each episode. Stan's and Kyle's speeches in the last minute of each episode meant something. If you want to get crazy, each episode is about 22.5 minutes long. The end speeches come in the last minute or so. This is season 15, and at an average of 15 episodes/season, that's 225 episodes. The last minute of the series is the last 10 episodes or so. We are in the last minute of the series. This is the final speech.
57 - Alex
I watched this episode and thought it was a riot. Then I watched it again. All I can think of now is my 5 year old son coming of age like Stan and losing his child-like joy and perspective. Then I think about the fact that there is nothing I can do to prevent it. Then I remember myself as a child and wonder when I changed as well. Needless to say, I am a sobbing mess right now. Damn you South Park!
58 - iandme
I just saw this episode. There's definitely a message here. And I think #7 Harley nailed it. Honestly it seems like they lost interest in the show a couple of seasons ago.
59 - James Van Der Meme
South Park coming to an end? Now that sounds like a sticky situation..
60 - Jerome Wetzel
This is NOT the series finale. There will be at least 7 more episodes in the fall. It doesn't seem like Trey and Matt are ready to stop, but rather, ready to evolve the series somewhat. Which is fine. Not every animated show needs to be like The Simpsons and stay static for decade after decade.
61 - Vinboy
I with you too kertis I thought it was like a crazy dream i mean Stan is to me the main charecter and it wouldnt be right to kick him off the show but if they have another new show then hopefully it will give a good explaination
62 - Mark B
Stan has just become the most developed character in SP, why? Because he's growing up now and there's no going back, if Trey and Matt can work out a way to make them the four loveable, foul mouthed kids again then I will be amazed. I don't see Trey and Matt re-signing their contract in 2013 and weirdly....I'm fine with that! Every TV show reaches a point where it needs to end and I think South Park is almost there, we've had an AMAZING time over the years with Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman and we will continue to do so because it's not like the previous series' are going to disappear, it will always be there when we need cheering up.
63 - Jerome Wetzel
If you watch Try & Matt on The Daily Show this past Wednesday, it appears they are nowhere near ready to stop, and are confused at people taking the episode that way. They don't yet know where they are going with the story, but they are still enjoying the series.
64 - bob
i know they are getting tired of making new episode of south park, but come on i find that if they end the episode they are being selfish. they have millions of loyal fans and they are just going to quit on all of them just because they are tired of the show. I find that if they were going to quit on us like this then they shouldnt have even started it. If they quit they should at least sign over the right to make more episodes to comedy central.
65 - itsbouttime
In short the shows gone to sh!t.Please may matt or trey if you're reading this put the dying,limping rabies riddled dog the show has become since season 12 out of its misery.Its time to put her down.
66 - Kees
The episode is called "you're getting old" , I think that's what Matt and Trey are saying to South Park as a show. "south park is getting old" and it's the same formula every week, like sharon and randy say: it's some weird shit that doesn't make any sense every week.
Also, I feel that Stan is more the personification of Matt and Trey: They both have changed, grew older, and don't have the same idea's for the show, or humor as Kyle, Cartman and Kenny (the fans)
Altough it would be super hilarious if everyone is obsessing about this epi and it just turns out they wanted to spook us.
Unfortunatly, I guess they had enough. And to be completely honest, I didn't enjoy SP that much anymore. I mean, I love the satirical part and I really think it's great how they adress certain issues... but it's also bashing some celebs, and since Im from amsterdam, I don't even know half of them, and really couldn't care less about the other half. I'd rather watch Mr Garrison or Randy get involved in something, and what ever happened to Jimbo and ned? Big gay al? All those classic characters?
No, I don't want to just laugh for 30 mins, and adressing political issues can be good and funny at the same time. But making entire episodes about the BP oil spill, or Obama and Tiger Woods? Not really why I watch south park. Just really couldn't care less about those people, just doesn't interest me, if I want to read up about it I'll google. And I know that those episodes also have a political statement or something, but there are plenty of other ways to express it.
Still, I watched South Park from the very first episode and I'd hate for it to stop! They just need to get back to a point where they felt passionate, or reinvent the show to get back to that place.
67 - Sam
lol guys they're going on through SP 17 at the very least. It's hardly the first time they've ripped on SP itself.
68 - itsbouttime
it isn't renewed past season 15 and for the love of god don't encourage them or anyone else that 2 more season would be a good idea.
69 - Tom
Did you know that only 8% of the world population is thinking like the most of you guys here and have a good healthy discussion. The other 92% just couldn't care or think about it. I use it almost every week: ''People are just f*cking stupid!''
70 - Paul
This show wasnt all that fun for all the south park moments were going to be forgoten as the show will most likely have it completely turned around. this episode did make me want to cry a bit lol and the original dumbass show they use to play should still go on
71 - gezza
OMFG people wait and see what happens if you havent noticed something happens MAJOR every 5 seasons and although it may take a couple of seasons randy and sharon will eventually make up as it will be a big SHOCK at the time because they have been broken up for so long
72 - gezza
also stan= emotional topics kyle= discriminitory topics cartman = war topics kenny = controversial topics
73 - lm
Well, they're renewing the Show through 2013, so I guess that whole bit about them wanting to "move on" is an interpolation.
I love it when people read too deeply into stuff. Didn't they warn the audience of this with Scrotie McBooger Balls?
74 - Sonny
South park is my favorite show of all time. No one else has the ability to make me smile when i'm down. I love every episode and to me they they have never made a bad one. It does not always have to be haha funny. i like their messages they try to get across. Even this last episode was good and i get their point that they have been doing this forever and things start to look shitty. I hope this is just a phase because i live for south park and i think they will miss it if they stop.
75 - Brendansmiller
That's full of shit if you actually watched the show u would know they said an inter rue that southpark needed a change and it's not endin til another 3 years