South ParQ Vaccination Special

Last updated

"South ParQ Vaccination Special"
South Park episode
Nan Fang QYuan Yi Miao Jie Chong Te Ji .jpeg
Episode no.Season 24
Episode 2
Directed by Trey Parker
Written byTrey Parker
Featured music"Down by the Lazy River" by The Osmonds
Production code2402
Original air dateMarch 10, 2021 (2021-03-10)
Running time47 minutes [1] [lower-alpha 1]
Episode chronology
← Previous
"The Pandemic Special"		Next →
South Park: Post Covid
South Park season 24
List of episodes

"South ParQ Vaccination Special" is the second and final episode of the twenty-fourth season of the American animated television series South Park . [lower-alpha 2] The 309th episode overall of the series, it premiered on Comedy Central in the United States on March 10, 2021.

Contents

The episode centers on the efforts of South Park's citizens to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Of particular focus is Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski and Eric Cartman, who find themselves reevaluating their strained friendship and the consequent toll it has on their friend Kenny McCormick. Meanwhile, former President Garrison returns to South Park, but is met with hostility by the populace; his only support comes from QAnon adherents opposing the people's vaccination efforts. [5]

Critical reception to the episode was generally positive, with praise for its story, humor, and social commentary. [6] [7] [8] [9] It was one of the highest-rated South Park episodes in several years, premiering to 1.74 million viewers and reaching a total of 3.47 million viewers by the end of the night. It was the most-watched program of the night and as of March 2021, was at cable's number one telecast among young adults audiences of the year. [10] [11] [12]

Plot

Desperate for the COVID-19 vaccine, Mr. Mackey and Thomas Adler visit a Walgreens to find a long line outside. They and everyone else in line are denied entry, as only senior citizens are admitted. At school, Eric Cartman and Kenny McCormick play a prank on their teacher, Margaret Nelson, that involves her sitting on a packet of ketchup so that she appears to be menstruating. A humiliated Nelson quits when the prank is carried out, revealing that she has not been vaccinated.

Mr. Garrison, having finished his term as President, returns to South Park with his assistant, Mr. Service, to resume his profession as a teacher, being hired in Nelson's place. Many of the townspeople oppose Garrison's return; the White family are among Garrison's few supporters, and appeal to him about preventing vaccinations. Bob White interprets a dismissive remark by Garrison as a coded instruction to spread QAnon's conspiracy theories among children. Bob forms a private company, Tutornon, to indoctrinate the children, whose indignant parents hire them after withdrawing their children from Garrison's class.

Facing backlash over their prank, Cartman, Kenny, Stan Marsh, and Kyle Broflovski decide to make amends by obtaining vaccines for their teachers, under the pretense of forming the Kommunity Kidz. The boys gain entry to Walgreens by bribing an already-vaccinated elderly woman; upon being found out, they escape with a tray of vaccines, with several townspeople in pursuit. Cartman wants to sell the vaccines online, Stan wants the boys to take the vaccines themselves, and Kyle is pressured by his parents, Gerald and Sheila, to deliver some doses to them. The boys put aside their differences to deliver the vaccines to the school, but are impeded by the Lil' Qties, a group of children indoctrinated by their tutors. A fight ensues between the two groups, which is joined by members of QAnon and other townspeople wanting the vaccines.

Garrison confronts the White family, who tells him of QAnon and its conspiracy theories about the elite. Bob urges Garrison and Mr. Service to join him in opposing the elite. The three are inexplicably transported to a polar landscape, where Bob is toyed with by the elites. Garrison desperately calls out to the elites, pleading with them to return his life to normal; he is answered by Mr. Service's transformation into Mr. Hat. Meanwhile, Cartman, Stan, and Kyle start discussing a new plan to enter the school but are distracted into discussing increasingly elaborate schedule plans with Kenny, their friendship broken by mutual mistrust. Garrison returns and, having partnered with the elites, arranges for a plane to arrive with enough vaccines for everyone. Cartman, Stan, and Kyle finally enter the school with the teachers' vaccines. However, by that point, Nelson has contracted COVID-19 and dies from it. At her funeral, the townspeople celebrate being vaccinated, and life in South Park returns to normal.

Release

The episode was simulcast on MTV2, and released on the South Park Studios website and Comedy Central digital and on-demand platforms. [13] It became available on HBO Max in the United States on March 11, 2021. [14]

Reception

Alec Bojalad for Den of Geek gave the episode 4 out of 5 stars, writing that, "The South Park Vaccination Special is far superior to the Pandemic Special and is one of the better South Park episodes of the past few years." Bojalad praised the episode's focus on the children of South Park Elementary over the parents, though felt that the writers were not sure what to do with QAnon. [9]

Ben Travers with IndieWire gave the episode a B grade, and closed his review with the question "(Matt) Stone and (Trey) Parker can do whatever they want with 'South Park.' They have the power. But if America chooses to pretend everything can just go back to normal, what good is the power to pretend otherwise?" [8] Dan Caffrey with The A.V. Club also gave the episode a B grade, and stated in his review "The world feels a lot stranger than it did when 'Trapped In The Closet' aired back in 2005, and a more competent commander-in-chief and vaccine aren't going to magically transport everything back to better times right off the bat. That sad truth outfits the show's depiction of QAnon in the kind of resigned humor that made its way into the show during the Trump years—a recognition that you can't exaggerate what's already exaggerated." [7]

Jesse Schedeen for IGN gave the episode an 8 out of 10, saying "The second time proves to be the charm for South Park's new standalone special format. 'The Vaccination Special' toes that line between giving fans a pleasing throwback to classic seasons while also exploring the idea that you can't really ever go back to normal." [6]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Advertised in some countries as a one-hour special, which includes commercial breaks.
  2. ↑ Some sources, including Comedy Central's website, [2] listed the episode as part of the twenty-fourth season, [3] while others suggested that they were standalone specials. [4] [5] This conflict was resolved when Season 25 was officially announced.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Cartman</span> South Park character

Eric Theodore Cartman, commonly referred to by his last name, is a fictional character in the adult animated sitcom South Park, created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. He is voiced by Parker, and is one of the series' four main characters, alongside Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, and Kenny McCormick. He first appeared with the name Kenny in the short film The Spirit of Christmas (1992), and later appeared in the 1995 film of the same title before debuting in "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe", the first episode of the series, on August 13, 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny McCormick</span> Fictional character in South Park

Kenneth "Kenny" McCormick is a fictional character and one of the four main protagonists in the adult animated sitcom South Park, alongside Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, and Eric Cartman. His often muffled and incomprehensible speech—the result of his parka hood covering his mouth—is provided by co-creator Matt Stone. After early appearances in The Spirit of Christmas shorts in 1992 and 1995, Kenny appeared in South Park television episodes beginning August 13, 1997, as well as the 1999 feature film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, where his uncovered face and voice were first revealed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Broflovski</span> Fictional character in South Park

Kyle Broflovski is a fictional character in the adult animated sitcom South Park. He is voiced by and loosely based on series co-creator Matt Stone. Kyle is one of the series' four central characters, along with his friends Stan Marsh, Kenny McCormick, and Eric Cartman. He debuted on television when South Park first aired on August 13, 1997, after having first appeared in The Spirit of Christmas shorts created by Stone and long-time collaborator Trey Parker in 1992 and 1995.

Mr. Herbert Garrison is a fictional character and occasional antagonist featured in the American animated television series South Park, created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Garrison first appeared in South Park's pilot episode, "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe", which aired on August 13, 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clyde Donovan</span> Fictional character in the animated television series South Park

Clyde Donovan is a fictional character in the adult animated television series South Park. He is voiced by series co-creator Trey Parker. Clyde is a student at South Park Elementary School, and is a member of Craig Tucker's Gang. He debuted as an unnamed background character in the series premiere "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe" on August 13, 1997, and first spoke in the next episode "Weight Gain 4000".

"Douche and Turd" is the eighth episode of the eighth season of the animated television series South Park, and the 119th episode overall. Written by series co-creator Trey Parker, it first aired on Comedy Central in the United States on October 27, 2004, shortly before the 2004 United States presidential election, which the episode satirizes.

"Cherokee Hair Tampons" is the sixth episode of the fourth season of the animated television series South Park, and the 54th episode of the series overall. This is the season's seventh episode in production order. "Cherokee Hair Tampons" originally aired in the United States on June 28, 2000, on Comedy Central.

"Cartman's Mom Is a Dirty Slut" is the thirteenth and final episode of the first season of the American animated television series South Park. It originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on February 25, 1998. The episode is the highest viewed episode in the entire South Park series, with 6.4 million views. It is part one of a two-episode story arc, which concluded with "Cartman's Mom Is Still a Dirty Slut". The episode follows Eric Cartman, one of the show's child protagonists, becoming curious about the identity of his father. He discovers that his father is most likely a man his mother had sexual intercourse with during an annual party called "The Drunken Barn Dance". Meanwhile, his friends Stan, Kyle and Kenny participate on America's Stupidest Home Videos, after filming Cartman playing in his yard with plush toys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Park Is Gay!</span> 8th episode of the 7th season of South Park

"South Park Is Gay!" is the eighth episode of the seventh season and the 104th overall episode of the American animated sitcom South Park. It originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on October 22, 2003. In the episode, Kyle struggles to understand a new metrosexual fad that has sprung around the men and boys of South Park and is the only one who does not want to conform to it. The episode features a parody of the TV show, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

"A Very Crappy Christmas" is the 17th and final episode of the fourth season of the animated television series South Park, and the 65th episode overall. It first aired on Comedy Central in the United States on December 20, 2000. In the episode, Kyle awaits Mr. Hankey on Christmas, but he does not show up. To try to spread some Christmas cheer, Kyle and the boys decide to create their own animated special.

"Smug Alert!" is the second episode of the tenth season of the American animated television series South Park and the 141st episode of the entire series overall, it first aired on Comedy Central in the United States on March 29, 2006. In this episode, Gerald buys a hybrid car and buys into the whole progressive movement, moving his family from Park County, Colorado to San Francisco, California and disturbing a delicate equilibrium and indirectly causing an environmental disaster along the way. The episode acts as a play on the attitude of owners of hybrid cars, as well as the similarity between the words "smog" and "smug".

The American animated sitcom South Park has covered and satirized a large number of topics over the course of its run. South Park Studio's use of computer animation allows it to edit episodes in days, quickly commenting on recent events, including Elián González, 2000 U.S. presidential election, the capture of Saddam Hussein, and the elections of both Barack Obama and Donald Trump. The creators also have engendered a mix of socially liberal and fiscally conservative viewpoints, espousing a libertarian ideology in both real life and on the show. However, the show's creators call themselves "equal opportunity offenders", and reject the notion that they are trying to put forth any consistent ideological agenda through the show.

<i>South Park</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of South Park, an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, began airing on April 1, 1998. The second season concluded after 18 episodes on January 20, 1999; it remains the longest season of South Park to date. Almost all the episodes were directed by series co-creator Trey Parker, with the exception of two episodes directed by Eric Stough.

"Super Fun Time" is the seventh episode in the twelfth season of the American animated television series South Park. The 174th episode of the series overall, it originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on April 23, 2008. In the episode, Cartman and Butters narrowly escape a horrific hostage situation at South Park's Pioneer Village, where historical reenactors take their jobs far too seriously. The episode was rated TV-MA-LV for strong language and violence in the United States. This is the last South Park episode produced in 4:3, from the next episode and onward, all other episodes will be produced in 16:9.

"Ass Burgers" is the eighth episode of South Park's fifteenth season and the 217th episode of the series overall. It first aired in the U.S. on October 5, 2011, on Comedy Central. The episode picks up where the previous episode, "You're Getting Old", left off. Stan's cynicism is mistakenly blamed on his recent vaccinations and diagnosed as Asperger syndrome, a criticism of anti-vaccination proponents. Cartman mishears the condition as "ass burgers" and opens a food stand in which the secret ingredient involves stuffing his underwear with hamburgers. The episode is rated TV-MA-L in the United States.

"Not Funny" is the ninth episode in the twentieth season of the American animated television series South Park. The 276th episode of the series overall, it originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on November 30, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Pandemic Special</span> 1st episode of the 24th season of South Park

"The Pandemic Special" is the first episode of the twenty-fourth season of the American animated television series South Park. The 308th episode overall of the series, it premiered on Comedy Central in the United States on September 30, 2020, and was also simulcast on MTV and MTV2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Park: Post Covid</span> Episode of South Park

"South Park: Post Covid" is a 2021 American adult animated comedy television special episode written and directed by Trey Parker. It is the first in a series of South Park television specials for the streaming service Paramount+ and premiered on November 25, 2021. It is also considered to be the 310th episode overall of the television series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Park: Post Covid: The Return of Covid</span> Episode of South Park

"South Park: Post Covid: The Return of Covid" is a 2021 American adult animated comedy television special episode written and directed by Trey Parker. It is the second in a series of South Park television specials for the streaming service Paramount+ and premiered on December 16, 2021. It is a sequel to and continues the storyline of the previous special, "South Park: Post Covid". It is also the 311th episode of the series.

References

  1. ↑ "South Park Season 24". Amazon. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  2. ↑ "South Park - Season 24". Comedy Central. Archived from the original on March 19, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  3. ↑ Pell, Roxie (February 21, 2021). "South Park Trailer Teases A Vaccination Special Episode In March". Screen Rant . Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  4. ↑ Milner, Sarah Bae (March 14, 2021). "Everything South Park Mocks In The Vaccination Special". ScreenRant. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  5. 1 2 Snierson, Dan (February 20, 2021). "South Park to return with hourlong vaccination special". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  6. 1 2 Schedeen, Jesse (March 11, 2021). "South Park: 'South ParQ - The Vaccination Special' Review". IGN . Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Cafferey, Dan (March 10, 2021). "The South ParQ Vaccination Special acknowledges the futility of returning to normal". The A.V. Club . Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  8. 1 2 Travers, Ben (March 11, 2021). "'South Park Vaccination Special' Looks Hard in the Mirror and Asks America to Do the Same". IndieWire . Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  9. 1 2 Bojalad, Alec (March 10, 2021). "South Park Vaccination Special Review". Den of Geek . Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  10. ↑ Baysinger, Tim (March 12, 2021). "'South Park' Vaccination Special Is Cable's Top 2021 Show Among Young Adults (Exclusive)". TheWrap . Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Comedy Central's 'South ParQ Vaccination Special' Dominates as the #1 Cable Telecast of the Year with Nearly 3.5M Total Viewers Across the Night". The Futon Critic (Press release). March 12, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  12. ↑ Wasserman, Ben (March 13, 2021). "South Park's Vaccination Special is #1 on Cable". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  13. ↑ Di Placido, Dani (February 19, 2021). "'South Park' Looks Set To Tackle QAnon With 'South ParQ The Vaccination Special'". Forbes . Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  14. ↑ Adams, Tim (February 26, 2021). "Everything Coming to HBO Max March 2021". CBR.com . Retrieved March 8, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.