If you don't have a rose get the FUDGE OUT of the South Park Thread

[Reply #560 on:]

Episode 5:

The Magic Bush

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Cartman and Butters get their hands on a drone and can't resist the urge to take it for a spin around the neighborhood.

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Oh, nice, it's been ages since we had a Cartman and Butters episode!

On a side note, this episode's title also could've applied to season 14's Sexual Healing.

[Reply #561 on:]

Isn't that the exact plot for an American Dad episode?

[Reply #562 on:]

Isn't that the exact plot for an American Dad episode?

I haven't seen the episode in question, but after looking it up there is a bit of a difference; for starters the drone in AD! is a weaponized military drone, the one in SP is just a harmless remote-controlled one with a camera on it.

Second, we know barely anything about the plot for this new SP ep, the only other bit of information I've seen is that it involves the boys filming a "graphic video" with the drone and uploading it to the web.

[Reply #563 on:]

Yeah, I'm guessing this'll be some sort of satire on the iCloud leaks.

[Reply #564 on:]

This episode really didn't do much for me. There were a few laughs, sure, but ultimately, they took two very serious topics - both of which could've potentially been ripe for satire had they been handled properly - and didn't really do much with either one. Even the Cartman/Butters interactions were a bit of a let down, and they're normally gold. I'm also still hoping this season returns to the more serialised approach of its first few episodes, because it really felt like it was rejuvenating the show to some extent.

Overall, this was a rather mediocre effort. Not bad, but nothing I'll be clamouring to rewatch any time soon.

[Reply #565 on:]

I enjoyed how the town eventually got populated by drones, also LOVED the amount of attention Kenny received in this episode.

The animation was really nice, too, but my main complaint is how the plot with Butters' dad and his fear of his drone was never really resolved.

I'm also still hoping this season returns to the more serialised approach of its first few episodes, because it really felt like it was rejuvenating the show to some extent.

The only continuity I saw in this ep was that the Cissy bathroom is still in SP Elementary.

[Reply #566 on:]

I watched a version on YouTube that was slowed down about 12% and I think that was funnier than the actual episode

[Reply #567 on:]

Overall, this was a rather mediocre effort. Not bad, but nothing I'll be clamouring to rewatch any time soon.

That's about right. There was many things satired and it was pretty funny episode, maybe similiar problems as the first one of this season.

[Reply #568 on:]

I agree that it was pretty average. Not bad, but it just sort of petered out without really making any point about any of the topics that it touched on and I agree that they were all topics ripe for satire. I'd say it was a step-up from "Handicar" but that's about it and I'm sad to see that they've basically given up on the continuity aspect of it all.

[Reply #569 on:]

A little bit of news on this week's episode:

Episode 1806 - Freemium Isn’t Free

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The kids are playing the new Terrance and Phillip mobile game. Stan is addicted to the latest app to hit the market. Meanwhile, Terrance and Phillip aren’t feeling so good about the fortune they’re making on their new mobile game.

[Reply #570 on:]

Nice to have an episode about Terrance and Phillip, they haven't really had a huge role since season 13.

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[Reply #571 on:]

That was a great episode, the best one of this season so far. I liked all the subjects, the plot was interesting and funny throughout.

It's also amazing how they're able to make good points every time.

[Reply #572 on:]

Lots of things I loved in the latest ep, such as: Canadian Satan, the return of regular Satan, Satan possessing Stan and the ensuing battle, the way Stan just appears in the middle of the basketball court, the small continuity nods (Randy's music career & gluten free stuff), the alcohol commercial, nice use of Terrance & Phillip.

Really great episode.

[Reply #573 on:]

It didn't necessarily make me laugh a whole lot all the way through, but I still thought it was a great episode. Freemium games were a ripe target, and Satan's conversation with and then possession of Stan was massively entertaining.

[Reply #574 on:]

I thought it was an interesting episode, more than anything, because there is no way that Trey Parker and Matt Stone haven't been approached about making a Simpsons: Tapped Out knock-off. It's nice to see that they want nothing to do with that sort of twattery. I can't stand games like Tapped Out and Tapped Out: Family Guy Edition and even stuff that pretends to be a real game a bit better like Candy Crush Saga.

And yeah, it was probably the best of this season so far, though I'd need to watch "Gluten Free Ebola" again to be sure about that. Another very good episode that just fell short of being absolutely great. It was nice to see their heavy continuity come back a bit, though they were just referencing "The Cissy" and "Gluten Free Ebola" again. I would have liked some mention of drones or Handicar - especially given how easy it would have been to work a mention of another successful, money-making app into that episode.

[Reply #575 on:]

I agree with all of the comments so far. I'm always a sucker for Canada episodes, and I loved the return of Satan (and introduction of Canadian Satan), and all the jabs at the freemium game industry.

The alcohol commercial was the absolute highlight for me, though. That was the hardest South Park has made me laugh in a long, long time.

[Reply #576 on:]

Pretty solid episode, definite improvement over last week. I really liked randy getting upset that he'd only have to write one song. So far, this has been a fairly decent season

[Reply #577 on:]

Episode 7:

Grounded Vindaloop

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Butters is convinced that he's living in a virtual reality. When he suddenly goes rogue and wreaks havoc at home and all over South Park, everyone struggles to figure out what's real.

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Damn, this looks awesome!

[Reply #578 on:]

Okay, I'm already in love with the premise of this episode. It's been ages since we got a really great Butters episode... Let's just hope this one makes up for The Magic Bush.

[Reply #579 on:]

Holy fuck, two butters episodes in one season, what is this, season six?

[Reply #580 on:]

Butters was technically the fourth boy in season 6 (at least for the first run of episodes, anyway), so I don't think it can quite be held to the same standards.

Either way, we normally get at least 2 or 3 episodes a year where Butters is heavily featured, even if they're not technically "Butters" episodes (a term I wouldn't say applies to The Magic Bush, seeing as it was more of an ensemble piece). I think this particular instance is just a little more noticeable because they're so damn close together.

[Reply #581 on:]

So what exactly is this episode ripping into? Oculus Rift?

[Reply #582 on:]

Obviously it's a set-up for a surprise crossover.

[Reply #583 on:]

Is there any chance of this explaining the deal with Butters burning down the school? I doubt it'll happen, but that'd be cool.

[Reply #584 on:]

Short preview:

[Reply #585 on:]

Well that was certainly interesting.

[Reply #586 on:]

Alright, this may be a dumb question, but I seriously need to clarify here: Was this episode an original idea on Matt & Trey's part, or a parody of something I've not seen?

Whatever the case, I LOVED it. The laughs weren't quite as frequent as they were last week, but this may be one of the most insanely clever episodes Matt and Trey have ever done. I think. It lost me somewhere in the second half... I definitely need to rewatch.

Anyway, I'd really like an answer to the initial question. Because if this was entirely Matt and Trey - HOLY SHIT. I wasn't aware they were capable of writing something like this. It felt far more along the lines of something that Futurama or Rick & Morty would do, and I would absolutely love to see M&T tackle this kind of thing more often.

[Reply #587 on:]

That was one of the best episodes in ages, and super confusing too! The"Oh fuck you!" joke was hilarious, plus there was that great ending with the live-action. Awesome stuff.

The customer service guy was funny, but I felt he was overused a bit too much by the end. As a Kenny fan, there still hasn't been enough of him this season, and they only have 3 more episodes left to squeeze in a Kenny death. Hoping they can do it.

[Reply #588 on:]

That was the best episode in this season so far. It was clearly parodying the Oculus Rift and I love how confusing things got as the episode progressed. The "Oh! Fuck you!" running gag was great! Thankfully, the customer service guy Steve ended up being used for the plot, rather than just a one note gag. The final scene gave me a huge laugh as I didn't see it coming at all. Easily one of their most clever episodes in quite a while.

[Reply #589 on:]

Fuck... you. Remember, when I said last episode was great week before. Well, this was actually a great episode. It did feel like it was a parody of something, but probably it's just the plot device of "twist within a twist". Even though it's already done before, I can't help but like it and say this has to be one of my favourite episodes ever.*

Yes, the customer service part was excellent and "It's pretty cool, but the graphics suck." was nice touch for the end.

*Similiarly to Murder on the Planet Express.

[Reply #590 on:]

So, it looks like this scene was cut from the final version of the episode:

[Reply #591 on:]

It was clearly parodying the Oculus Rift

Was this comment in response to my question above? Because if so, that was pretty obvious given that they referred to the product by it's actual name... Fuck, does that even constitute parody?

To clarify: I was asking if the storyline was a parody of anything, given that South Park will normally make fun of at least one big budget Hollywood movie every season, and I haven't been to the cinema in over a year (and have little to no knowledge of the recent "blockbusters" which have come out; it seems to be entirely comic book movies, reboots and remakes these days, so I pretty much checked out entirely in that regard).

However, I've looked into it a bit more, and it seems to be a general parody of paradox-based science fiction films (Inception, Source Code, Total Recall). So, hats off to Matt and Trey for pulling it of so well.

[Reply #592 on:]

Best episode since the Black Friday trilogy and, easily, the best this season. It's the only one I'd say qualifies as great so far.

And Beamer, there was also a bit of The Matrix in there - especially when Cartman first appeared in a suit to tell Butters that he was in a simulation.

[Reply #593 on:]

My favourite of this season would be a tie between this and The Cissy right now. The reveal that Randy Marsh IS Lorde is easily one of the most inspired things South Park's ever done, and still makes me laugh just thinking about it.

[Reply #594 on:]

It was clearly parodying the Oculus Rift

that was pretty obvious given that they referred to the product by it's actual name... Fuck, does that even constitute parody?

Took the words out of my mouth. I also wouldn't say it parodied the Rift because it didn't really even comment on or make fun of it (even the line of "the graphics sucked" seemed more like a self-deprecating jab at the show's animation), it mostly just used it as a plot device. Like you said, the episode felt much more like a parody of convoluted sci-fi movies like The Matrix or Inception, without any references to any specific one, at least not that I caught.

I think The Cissy was still my favorite episode of the season, but this was heavily entertaining.

[Reply #595 on:]

That was easily the best episode in years

[Reply #596 on:]

Episode 8:

Cock Magic

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Kenny excels at playing the game, Magic: The Gathering. He has the boys' full attention until a new, hard-core activity gets in the way. When Wendy tries to get Stan to pay attention to what she's doing, she realizes that what he does with his guy friends always comes first.

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Yeeesssssss, finally some Kenny love!

[Reply #597 on:]

I think the Kenny love has been pretty consistent the past few seasons, even the previous episode and  the magic bush featured him quite prominently

[Reply #598 on:]

These days he only speaks a few lines or barely appears at all (not counting episodes focused on him), so it's nice when he gets a plot mostly or entirely to himself.

I agree that season 18 has been using him a lot more, though.

[Reply #599 on:]

I'll agree that there's a bit of a disconnect between having him being the main character of an episode versus barely appearing at all, but they've also been doing that to the other three kids in the past few years, I think with the show being on for so long with so many characters, it's been kind of an all or nothing deal lately