Review: South Park “Ass Burgers”

Hey everyone, today I am super pumped because I am stoked to be posting a “2nd Opinion” review from my good friend and fellow South Park fan Chris who was nice enough to post his thoughts on last night’s episode “Ass Burgers” after the jump!

 

 

When we last visited the quiet little mountain town of South Park,
Colorado for the first time ever the audience was left uncertain of
the show’s future. Moments after Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” ended and
the credits rolled many fans had to ask themselves “Is one of the
greatest cartoons in televisions’ short history actually over?”

Rumors started popping up across the internet how after 14+ years
together Matt and Trey were getting tired of both the show and each
other. Or how The Book of Mormon’s success was taking its creators to
new directions and inspiring new ideas. Thankfully, none of these
rumors panned out and “Landslide” was not the equivalent to to South
Park as “Don’t Stop Believin'” was to The Sopranos. Season 15 would
continue (the show was also extended through 2013) but where the show
would pick up was anyone’s guess.

Our questions would be answered last night with the beginning of the
second half of season 15 titled “Ass Burgers.” The episode starts
where we left off with Stan waking up to see and hear everything
around him as shit. Life is blending together leaving our focal
character hopeless and depressed. Later we will also learn his parents
were divorced during the offseason. Soon he arrives at school,
separate from his lifelong friends who all played hooky, and shortly
after he is diagnosed with Asperger’s.

From there the episode takes off in ways that South Park has wrote the
book on over the years. Peppering in Cartman’s brilliance,
interactions with other townspeople, and pop culture references we are
reminded the show can still hit our immature, childish humor when it
pleases.

A ridiculous conspiracy plot ties the boys together at the end and
Stan finally has his moment. He lands on a life lesson and things look
like they are taking a positive turn for himself and the show. He
decides to leave the past behind, but just as things are looking up he
is cut short by his dad telling him his parents are getting back
together and things are going back to normal. Queue “Landslide” and
the oddly familiar, unsettling feelings kick back in.

While it’s relieving to have South Park back on the air, it doesn’t
feel like the show is “back.” It’s possible what made South Park great
for 14 seasons is gone, or perhaps evolving is a better word. But if
there’s anything these last two episodes have proved it’s that the
show is dynamic and anything can happen.

All in all a great episode with plenty of laughs and anticipation for
the coming season.