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Quick Thoughts: South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut

After finding themselves with a hit in South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker were offered a deal to make a full length film based on the show, and their idea to set the film apart from the show and not just feel like an extended episode, which is a mistake many movies based on TV shows do, is one of the most ingenious ideas they ever had: they made it a musical, and most importantly a musical with damn good songs.

I love this movie, I find that its actually quite a significant point in the history of South Park, because even though there has been some allusions to it before, this is the first time they have used their platform to make a full blown satire, something they would focus on to greater and lesser success in the future, and would make them (in my opinion), two of the greatest satirists of our time. In the film the satire is on the public outrage on the show itself, and the inevitable backlash against the movie because of its language and adult themes, this is done quite brilliantly by using the intentionally crude and unfunny Terrance and Phillip as stand-ins for South Park, where the out cry against the Terrence and Phillip movie leads to a USA-Canadian war, as well as Satan returning to take over Earth (subtle isn't it?).

But even if we look past the satire in the film, its still a lot of fun, from being really funny to being able to juggle 3 different but interconnected narratives (the US-Canadian war/ Terrance and Phillip plot, Kenny dying, Satan and Saddam Hussain relationship) expertly with all of them being entertaining, and none of them feel like a weak link and more importantly, they all feel epic it feels like a movie, this is an area I feel it succeeds where some thing like The Simpsons movie fails, even though I do like that movie, Bigger, Longer & Uncut feels much more cinematic, as I said earlier this is in a large part to the music, which really is great, and even picked up an Oscar nomination for ‘Blame Canada’.

The film is great it really is, I would recommend it to any South Park fans, even if they don't like the early seasons, and honestly I would even recommend it to some more adventurous musical fans, because I do honestly feel it excels in that area. I love this movie, I'm glad it exists, and I don't know if I need a sequel, but if Matt and Trey ever decide to make one, I would be first in line.

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Quick Thoughts: South Park Seasons 1-3

When I started to watch South Park, the show was already around season 10, so that is what I thought the show was, and with a show that evolves as much as South Park, it is counter productive to have a predetermined idea of what the show should be (you will see many fans dismissing current seasons because of these reasons). When I originally went back to the first 3 seasons I was put off by the drastic style change, the inferior animation, and the difference in characterization, especially Cartman. 

Going back to rewatch the show from the start, I have developed a much stronger appreciation for these seasons, because for as much as the animation is shaky, it is uneven tonally, and they haven't fully developed what they want their characters to be, the show is still really, really funny and inventive, what is most surprising is that even though yes, there are a lot of juvenile jokes and content which is just put there to be controversial, you can't really say they aren't still doing that today, I would just argue that Matt and Trey have become more subtle and cleaver in how they present these ideas. 

These seasons are not perfect, and I would never call them the best the show has to offer, with all due respect, I do think those who feel that either want a very specific thing from the show, or are letting nostalgia overcloud their judgement. These seasons are very good for a laugh, that they are consistent at, but I find the most interesting thing about them is to see how the show matured over time.

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South Park: S21E8 - Moss Piglets

Ive said before, that even though I think it has had slightly more positives than negatives, season 21 of this show has been wildly uneven, and this episode is more proof of that, after the last two episodes, which were the best of the season in my opinion, they produce this, which is not terrible in any means, but isn't as funny or cleaver as the previous two.

There are two main plots to the episode, the handicapped kids are preparing for their annual science fair, and Nathan and Mimzy are jealous of Jimmy and Timmys experiment. While Heidi has become even more like Cartman since the events of the last episode. 

I know some people hate Nathan and Mimzy and characters, and I understand that, they are very one note, but at the same time, Ive enjoyed every episode with them in it. Thats not my main issue with this plot, thats the strange choice to introduce the NFL, to me the whole twist and plot around them felt a bit lazy, and the joke doesn't go further than, the NFL are desperate for supporters, and it never feels that funny or cleaver.

The second plot is the more interesting one, Heidi has pretty much become a second version of Cartman. This could be an interesting choice, and I could change my mind by the end of the season, but from what I've seen from this episode, I don't know if I like the decision they've made, as I feel it goes against the ideas they brought forth in the last episode, and the idea that someone like Cartman/ Trump can convince any normal person if they say the right thing at the right time, and by making Heidi a Cartman double, I feel it takes away from the strength of the previous episodes metaphor.

Its not a bad episode, and I may change my mind on it once the plot line has wrapped up, but so this episode is a step back for me, there are some funny moments, but it does not make up for the questionable character development and plot choices.

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South Park S29E7 - Doubing Down

Despite their seeming reluctance to do it at the end of the last season, Matt and Trey have done the seemingly impossible, make intelligent, rational Trump satire.

The basic plot of the episode, involves Cartman and Heidi having relationship problems, with Heidi feeling social pressure to break up with him, from the other girls and Kyle, and when she eventually does she gets fed up with everyone telling her ‘I told you so’, eventually forcing her to go back to Cartman. There is also a B-plot about the 1 year anniversary of President Garrison being elected.

There is an obvious parallel between the two plots in the episode, throughout the episode Heidi is a stand-in for the Trump voters, especially those who regret their decision, but are afraid to admit it, in fear of the other side smugly rubbing it in their face, and instead would rather ‘double down’ on their original decision.

What sets this apart from other satire involving Trump, is the tone, and the target of the satire. They know it’s important to not attack the Trump voters, especially those who admit to making a mistake, as this will give them no reason to change their minds, and will just create a further divide, which is already a growing problem in America. This point is made, while still showing Trump in a bad light, through both of his stand-ins, President Garrison (who demonstrates how terrible Trump is as a politician), and Cartman who shows the danger of Trump the manipulator, and how his supporters are willing to support his messages. This is most clear at the end where Cartman manages to make Heidi a racist.

Season 21 has been uneven so far, and even though Matt and Trey have openly stated their reluctance to do much Trump satire, the three best episodes of the season, this, Sons A Witches, and Put it down, have all had President Garrison in them to some extent, at least we can hope the rest of the storyline is strong.

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My 20 Favorite Horror Films

20. The Cabin in the Woods

What makes this work so well is the expert subversion of genre tropes, while still clearly respecting, and having love for the genre they are making fun of. Plus the last act is masterful insanity.

19. A Nightmare on Elm Street

The best of the 80s slashers, because of 2 factors: trying something different with the sub-genre, there is creativity in a very hollow field; plus it has Wes Craven making his best film.

18. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Made a couple years before Halloween, so its not part of the wave of slashers that followed. Tobe Hooper makes the film so realistic and gritty, that every aspect and scare works.

17. The Babadook

The most recent film to create a classic monster, and its the first film I've seen in a while that actually kept me up at night.

16. Rosemary’s Baby

One of the best endings in the history of the genre. And its all the more effective due to the slow-build of the rest of the film.

15. The VVitch

Roger Eggers makes one of the best horror debuts, there is no flaws in the direction, plus he creates such a great mood throughout that once the tension finally breaks, its is completely effective.

14. The Blair Witch Project

I know this is a controversial choice, but even if there are moments where not much is happening, it all creates a mood, which leads to a great, and scary ending.

13. The Thing

This film works because of the style, the direction, and the great concept, that is utilized perfectly by Carpenter.

12. The Fly

Whats amazing about this film, is the balance between body horror, psychological fear, and the actual emotion, you feel for Jeff Goldblum’s character.

11. The Silence of the Lambs

Jonatan Demme, Anthony Hopkins, and Jodie Foster elevate a simple murder mystery, into one of the best horror/ thrillers the genre made.

10. Suspiria 

Dario Argento, has an amazing ability of bringing class to, what could be very silly stories. When he is on he elevates whatever he is involved in, and this is his best.

9. Carrie

The closing shot, is simply, the best jump scare in the history of cinema.

8. Shaun of the Dead

This could be my favorite horror comedy, a loving satire of the Romero zombie movies, plus the perfect comedic touch that Edgar Wright brings, makes this phenomenal

7. Alien

In my opinion the best of the Alien series, and one of the best multi-genre horror films.

6. Halloween

The film that gave birth to an entire sub-genre that could never reach these heights again, also creates the first slasher icon. This is on top of being one of the most tightly constructed horror films 

5. Psycho

Some would argue the real, first slasher film. Hitchcock brings his signature suspense, and perfect technique into a genre he was always touching the edge on, and makes his most famous film.

4. Evil Dead 2

When it comes to fast pace, throw everything at the viewer and hope they catch it type of pure entertaining horror, Evil Dead 2 is above them all.

3. Eraserhead

David Lynch is a genius, and while this may not be a traditional horror, it is an uneasy a watch as any film you will ever see.

2. The Shining

The best directed horror film of all time. The Shining has an incredible ability to stay creepy and get under your skin each time you watch it.

1. The Exorcist

What more can be said about this, no other horror film has been able to capture what makes the genre great the same way the Exorcist does. The film gets everything right, and has a mood and tension, no other film on this list has.

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David Bowie - Lets Dance (1983)

8/10

The most impressive thing about this album, and considering how many good things there are, it is quite an accomplishment, is the fact that while so many artists from the 60s and 70s continuously failed to adapt to the beast that was the 1980s, with this album, David Bowie didn't just adapt, he managed to thrive. (For now at least.)

At this point in his career Bowie was broke, due to his drug habit in the 70s, and the fact that not many people were interested in buying experimental, avant-garde art-rock albums. So, he needed a hit, and with ‘Lets Dance’ he got it. Throughout his entire 50-year career this is the best selling album that he has put out. And its not half bad either.

Ive stated that I like this album, and I do, its probably as good as a disco album can possibly be, but it does have a problem, that some Bowie albums have had before, its a bit lop-sided. The first 3 songs, are absolutely incredible, some of the best and most memorable songs he would put out, the problem is that while the other songs aren't bad, some are even quite enjoyable, compared to the first three, they are all forgettable in comparison. And I wonder if the track listing was shuffled around a bit so that the three best songs weren't the first three, it may elevate the rest of the songs, but at the same time, this is the way Bowie wanted to present it and we have to respect that. 

Even though it doest feel as complete as some of his better album, I would still recommend listening to it, or even just the first three songs, because they are really excellent.

David Bowie Ranked:

1. Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

2. Low

3. Hunky Dory

4. Station to Station

5. Heroes

6. Aladdin Sane

7. Diamond Dogs

8. Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)

9. Young Americans

10. Lodger

11. Lets Dance

12. The Man Who Sold the World

13. Space Oddity

14. Pin-Ups

15. David Bowie

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Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks (1975)

10/10

Pure and simple, this is one of the greatest albums ever made. And for my money, its only Dylans 3rd best album, that is how good he can be. Blood on the Tracks is considered by many (excluding Dylan himself) to be his divorce album, and it quite obviously is, with all of the songs being about love, heartbreak, and moving on. The album came out after Dylan’s divorce from Sara Lownds, and was described by their son, as ‘listening to their parents talking. So I'm confident in describing the album as his break-up album.

The album was also seen as a comeback, after a lackluster start to the decade due to a variety of reasons, and many having considered Dylan washed up, and incapable of reaching the heights he achieved in the mid-60s. So, aren't we lucky this came along, while there are some who would call this or the next album the last great one in his catalogue, it still proved that Dylan could a level of genius other artists, even the great ones just didn't have, and would continue for the rest of his career to chase whatever artistic route he wants, to whatever varying level of success that achieved.

The songs themselves are almost, all perfect. In the album are some of the best tracks he would record, including arguably his best song, ‘Tangled up in blue’, an incredible piece of non-linear poetry that tells a fake telling of Dylans relationship with his ex-wife. Theres also the beautiful and heartbreaking  ‘Simple twist of fate’, ‘Shelter from the Storm’, and ‘She's a big girl now’. The only real outlier in the entire album is ‘Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts’, I would by no means call this a bad song, I actually enjoy it quite a bit, and I never skip it when listening to the album in full, but it does stand out. Its the most narrative of the songs, and doesn’t have the same emotional tone that the rest of the album has, but its nothing compared to the sore spot on Desire.

The album is perfect for the period Dylan was at in 1975, and it continues his continuous attempt to make art through constant re-invention, and never looking back on old ideas. This is one of the most personal, heartbreaking, and at times oddly uplifting albums ever produced, and everyone, not just Dylan fans, folk fans, or rock fans should listen to it at least once.

Dylan Ranked:

1. Blonde on Blonde

2. Highway 61 Revisited

3. Blood on the Tracks

4. Bringing it All Back Home

5. John Wesley Harding

6. Another Side of Bob Dylan

7. The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan

8. The Times They Are A-Changin’

9. Nashville Skyline

10. New Morning

11. Bob Dylan

12. Planet Waves

13. Self Portrait

14. Pat Garret and Billy the Kid

15. Dylan

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South Park S21E6: Sons A Witches

Now this is a great South Park episode. For the most part Ive been let down by this season, the only episode, before this one, I can really say I had a positive opinion on, is Put It Down, the rest I thought were just mediocre. This is by far the best episode of the season so far.

The plot revolves around the men of South Park, dressing up as witches and going to a big party, for a couple days, to partake in “Jack and Crack”, as an annual halloween tradition. During the first night one of the men decide to do real witchcraft and turns into a real witch who is hunting children. The plot is very loosely based on Arthur Millers ‘The Crusible’, but is mostly a comment on the recent predatory behavior in Hollywood, fronted by Harvey Weinstein. 

There is also a subplot involving Cartman and Heidi. I’m really enjoying the Cartman/ Heidi plot line, I hope they keep it going for a while still. I know some people find Heidi annoying, but I like seeing a different side to Cartman, where he isn't happy, he isn't in control, and its completely his fault.

For me, this is great satire, as it finds the perfect balance of managing to work as an entertaining story on its own, while still managing to have intelligent satirical undertones. Thats great writing, and its what I feel has been missing from South Park this last season and a half.

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South Park: S21 E5 - Hummels & Heroin

From the start of the episode, you can tell the writers are trying to go back to a more ‘classic’ South Park style with this episode, and according to the fan reception from people who disliked the previous few seasons, the episode was a success. I thought it was ok.

Firstly, I just didn't find it that funny, and I know South Park has never been above fart jokes, but the ones here just didn't work for me, and there were a lot of them. There are two specific moments I remember laughing at, Kyle’s reaction to the fox receiving the drug package from Stan, and Stan’s Grandpa hyping up the power of the Hummel’s, and then just putting them in a sack to beat the shit out of Mrs McGillicutty. Those moments were really good, thats why I'm mixed on the episode.

The second aspect of a South Park episode is the satire, or social commentary. Here they are commenting, or just observing, the opioid crisis in the US. And while its an interesting issue to tackle, and its a very real problem. The only real comment they make is at the very end, where they put the blame on big Pharma. The problem is thats something we all know already. There are elements of great satire here, hell, there are elements of a great episode, but in both instances it falls short.

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South Park S21E4 - Franchise Prequel

I said at the beginning of this season that while I enjoyed the serialized seasons for the most part, I thought going back to a more standard episode structure would help the show become more focused, as they wouldn't have to worry as much about any kind of overarching narrative. So far the only recurring joke they've really had this season, is Heidi and Cartman’s relationship. But Ive got to say, so far, this season has been a bit of a disappointment. 

Franchise prequel is clearly made to market the South Park game that came out on Tuesday, and honestly that doesn’t bother me. The game of thrones parody trilogy was a set up for the first game and that might be my favorite South Park trilogy. But this episode is just a mess, especially the Mark Zukerberg plot, which was satirizing a VR demo he did earlier last week, which I felt wasn't popular enough to work. They do this by giving the character a weird dub, it’s clearly a parody of cheesy kung-fu movies, but thats a weird stylistic choice to make. There is some comments on the ever present nature of Facebook, and that as much as we want it to go away, it never will. There are some clever moments in the plot, but its such a mess, that you can't really forgive it.

The other plot has the kids acting as superheroes, trying to get rich by creating a marvelesque cinematic universe. It does leave to the best joke of the episode where the kids call Netflix, and the man answers the phone by saying “Hello, Netflix, you're greenlit.” Thats great, but thats the best the episode has, small hints of a much better episode than we get. When at the end, and Ill say it again, what we get is a mess.

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Quick Thoughts: The Skin I Live In

The Skin I live in, directed by Pedro Almodovar is, one of the most unnerving films I have seen in a long time, from any period. And this isn't even a straight-up horror film, it has elements of psychological thriller, and even drama. I feel this helps the film a lot, most of the best horror films use mixtures of genres to elevate the material. Even the best Horror film of all time, The Exorcist, is mostly a drama for the first half. 

Probably the most famous part of the film is the twist, that happens about half-way through. Where the audience find out that, Vera, the character introduced as Robert Ledgard’s (Antonio Banderas) lover, was actually Vincente. Robert, forcibly performs a sex-change on Vincente to make him look like his dead wife. This is because he believes Vincente raped his also dead daughter.

The twist is done incredibly well, and leaves a lasting and disturbing impact on the viewer. Especially when you think of the subtext, which comments on the way transgender people have to live in todays society, and what it feels like to be in the wrong body without it being at all in your control.

This is an amazing film, that I feel while it does have strong critical reception, isn't talked about enough, as one of the best horror films of the decade.

[jm-fraser]

Rick and Morty: S3 Ep10 - The Rickchurian Mortydate

We've finally reached the end of the much hyped, much discussed, and (for me and many others) much loved third season of Rick and Morty. Luckily for us the season finale to such a great season lives up to the hype, it was funny, emotional, and satisfyingly ended all the main story arks while making us excited for season 4... not really, the episode was a massive disappointment.

Im not going to call this episode bad, because I don't think it is bad. A lot of my negativity towards the episode, definitely comes from it being the season finale, and the fact that none of the major plot developments were satisfying at all. Just as a standalone episode, I would call it mediocre. Its definitely funny, and imaginative, but thats what we expect from the show, I don't mean to sound greedy, but I expect more than just mediocrity from this show. The episode focuses on Rick and Morty, deciding to stop doing missions for the President of the United States, which pisses him off, leading to an over the top fight of stubborn masculinity. In the meantime, Beth is paranoid that he is really a clone, and that Rick is going to kill her for being self-aware, she gets back with Jerry, and the episode ends with us pretty much going back to where we started, the only real change is that Rick is kind of pissed off, and we don't know if Beth is a clone or not. All in all, it seems to be a bit of a waste.

I enjoy the character of The President, I think he brings a lot to scenes he's in, this is also due to Keith David the voice actor, who does a great job here. And as I said earlier, it is really funny, my favorite joke being the instant death of the guard who touched Rick. Plus I found the fight between Rick and The President to be imaginative and exciting, but at the same time, we have seen these big fights before, most noticeably in the toxic Rick episode, and I found this to be a worry, that the show may become too complacent in the future, but I'm probably overreacting, its only one average episode in a season with multiple great ones. 

Heres to season 4, in a really long time.

http://www.imdb.com/list/ls068445470/?publish=save

[jm-fraser]

South Park: S21 Ep3 - Holiday Special

It has been interesting seeing how South Park has tried to tackle this new post-Trump-winning world, because their main philosophy, has always been centralism, and with everyone on the political spectrum dividing more and more into an us vs them mentality, and the show has always been vehemently against such a simplified view on policies. This episode shows that they don't seem to care much about the contentiousness of modern politics, they want to go back to what they're best at: making fun of the stupidity of both sides, the first two episodes were more against the right, this one the left. Its what the show does.

The focus on the episode is Randy, who has managed to have the school cancel Columbus Day, to the annoyance of the kids, while also trying to remove statues of Columbus, and call everyone who lives in Columbus Ohio an asshole. He is pretty much trying to get rid of all mention of Columbus, because to paraphrase Randy, ‘he was really stoked on Columbus in 2013, a very long time ago’. And this brings up the main point I think Stone and Parker are trying to get at in this episode, which is when has it been enough time for victimhood. Randy states that he shoudn’t be held accountable for dressing up as Columbus in 2013, but later in the episode he feels he should have the moral high ground, because he is less than 3% neanderthal. 

The episode is interested in this idea of where do we draw the line of what we should be offended with. I pick up a sense that the show is pretty much saying, whats the difference if something happened 100 or 1000 years ago, and when does a claim of victimhood go from valid to ridiculous. While I don't really agree with that point entirely, it is an interesting discussion point. And while I found this episode really interesting and at times funny, its not great, I would call this episode above average and thats about it, probably just a bit better than the first episode, but not as good as the second.

[jm-fraser]

David Bowie - Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) (1980)

8/10

David Bowie has managed to do something, that very few, if any other musicians from his era managed to do: make great records in the 80s (well, the first part at least), I don’t know what it was but so many great artists couldn’t make the transition into whatever was going on in the 80s, The Stones, The Who, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, none of these great artists could make a great album during this decade, but Bowie could.

After the amazing artistic achievement of the ‘Berlin trilogy’ Bowie manages to change himself again, the sound and the look are nothing like we’ve ever seen before. While he does blend electric sounds with rock/pop, there is a less avant-garde tone to this album, it sounds nothing similar to something like Low, even the radio friendly Heroes didn’t have this feel. The divinitive songs from this album are, the title track, the catchy Fashon, and the great single Ashes to Ashes, where we get to revisit his classic character Major Tom, it’s fantastic, one of my favorite Bowie songs.

This is a very good album, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of some of his absolute classics, or even the Berlin trilogy if we’re being honest, but it’s a really good listen both all the way through or just the hits.

David Bowie Ranked:

1. Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

2. Low

3. Hunky Dory

4. Station to Station

5. Heroes

6. Aladdin Sane

7. Diamond Dogs

8. Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)

9. Young Americans

10. Lodger

11. The Man Who Sold the World

12. Space Oddity

13. Pin-Ups

14. David Bowie

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Bob Dylan - Planet Waves (1974)

7/10

This was Dylan’s first and only album not released through Columbia records, rather this was released through, Asylim records, plus it features The Band. It also represents a return to the public eye for Dylan, after spending the last 3 years retreating into a quiet family life, and only releasing the mostly forgettable soundtrack to Pat Garret and Billy the Kid, and the critically panned Dylan. So this was mostly seen as a big return, and I’d guess it has a lot to do with the main focus of this, and the next 3 albums, his divorce.

When it comes to the quality of this album, I have the same feeling listening to it this time, as I did any other time I’ve listened to it, I like it, it’s good, but it’s not great and not an album I go back to often. I think it comes down to the sound of it, it’s in a strange transition period between the more country/ rootsy sounds he’s been using since Nashville Skyline (I’m sure The Band have some influence on this) and the melancholic sounds of Blood on the Tracks, just with more anger (just listen to Dirge).

There are a lot of songs I like here mostly, the slow version of Forever Young, Dirge, and Wedding Song. I feel these three best capture what this album is going for, a bare, honest, emotional experience. And for that I have to appreciate the album, he hasn’t really shown this kind of openness before, and because of what it leads to it will always be an important part of his catalogue.

Bob Dylan Ranked: 1. Blonde on Blonde

2. Highway 61 Revisited

3. Bringing it All Back Home

4. John Wesley Harding

5. Another Side of Bob Dylan

6. The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan

7. The Times They Are A-Changin’

8. Nashville Skyline

9. New Morning

10. Bob Dylan

11. Planet Waves

12. Self Portrait

13. Pat Garret and Billy the Kid

14. Dylan

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Rick and Morty: S3 Ep9 - The ABC’s of Beth

Season 3 is the gift that keeps on giving. In the 9 episodes that have been released I’d say 2 of them haven't been great (Rickmancing the Stone, and Vindicators 3), luckily the ABC’s of Beth is one of the great ones.

The main plot of the episode revolves around Rick showing Beth that ‘Froopyland’ the place she went as a kid that she thought was imaginary, was in fact an invention by Rick to keep Beth from acting upon her sociopathic behaviors. The b-plot has Morty and Summer visiting Jerry as he is on a rebound with an alien warrior woman to get back at Beth. Out of the two, I preferred the Rick and Beth plot, it was just more interesting and even funnier.

What splits this episode apart from just being a silly Rick-Beth adventure, like ‘The Whirly-Dirly Conspiracy’ was with Jerry, is the character work in the relationship between the two characters. For a while Beth was by far the least developed of the main cast, we know she is a horse surgeon, who wishes she was a human surgeon, she was traumatized by Rick leaving and will do almost anything to have him stay in her life, she is stubborn, and a pretty bad mother, its something, I'm not going to say she had no character, but her actions never felt as earned as the rest of the main cast. This episode goes into much a needed background on Beth’s character, and particularly both her relationship to Rick and her similarities to Rick, with the ambiguous ending being the perfect icing on the cake.

The second plot, as I said, isn't as interesting as the main plot. There are funny moments and it does have Jerry ‘kind of’ confront being a terrible person, but even then, the only time we ever see Jerry make some sort of personal progress is when he is at gunpoint, and this isn't any different. Its similar to the speech Rick gives in ‘The Whirly-Dirly Conspiracy’, where he tells Jerry that he is less of a victim than everyone thinks he is, because he uses his patheticness to gain sympathy and lure people in. This behavior is completely reinforced in this episode. I did like this part, but because its not as good as the main plot it made the episode feel a bit uneven to me.

I thought this episode was great as a whole, especially the ending, which really elevates it above just very good, to great. Despite my reservations with the B-plot, this is another fantastic addition to the amazingness of season 3.

http://www.imdb.com/list/ls068445470/?publish=save

[jm-fraser]

South Park: S21 Ep2 - Put it Down

I think its safe to say the first episode of this season was a disappointment, while I liked it for the most part, I wouldn't consider it any better than just ‘okay’. Luckily for us, the second episode ‘Put it down’ is a major step up in quality, Im not sure if I’d call it a great episode, but its damn good.

The episode deals with the US’s growing fear and paranoia about the tensions between America and North Korea, and particularly President Trump’s bizarre handling of the situation. The episode uses the relationship between Tweek and Craig to show the two separate reactions people seem to be having to the current events. Tweek has gone into a fear-induced mental breakdown, while Craig uses supposed common-sense to tell him all the reasons North Korea would never possibly attack him.

The two big things that South Park are known for is the humor (it is a comedy show, first and foremost) and the satire on current events. For me, and I think most will agree, this episode does both of these aspects much better than the previous one. Okay, humor is subjective, but I can't say much more than I laughed more in this episode than the last. And for the political satire, I felt this handled the subject much better than the last one did, it helps that it was a much more interesting topic (the presidents twitter, over Neo-nazis), and I fell it was more successful, in the last episode I felt the point they were going for was slightly convoluted, I had a better understanding of what they were going for in this one. The episode deals with a lot of talking points, the divisiveness in America at this time, Trumps overuse of Twitter, how obsessed people are with Trump, children being killed by distracted drivers, abusive relationships (Cartman and Heidi) and healthy relationships (Tweek and Craig at the end). Plus the ending song at the end, where the show decided to literally talk directly to Trump is amazing.

This is a very good episode, Ive already seen it twice since it premiered and I enjoyed it as much the second time as I did the first. Plus, I'm glad they haven't completely done away with serialization, I really like this form of ‘soft’ serialization, that and this episode give me hope for the rest of season 21.