South Park: Pandemic
By fred | October 23, 2008
(S12E10) Watching this episode reminded me of how much the show has changed, evolved over the years. It’s actually hard to believe that this is he 12th season already. I know it is but men, 12 years !! That’s an awful long time, and if after all those years the kids are still the same little kids they used to be back when the show premiered, I quick look at the opening credits is enough to remind us how much happened since then.
That, and also how the show changed from the pilot, even simply in the way it’s done. No more paper and scissors of course, South Park evolved to a level of animation much more evolved than what it once was, and they’re now able to come up with some really crazy shit, scenes you wouldn’t have ever expected to see on this show.
This episode started quietly, with all the boys – Kenny included for once! – at the mall, cause Kenny had to shave his balls, of course. And then, Stan got quite annoyed by all those Peruvian Flute bands that are apparently absolutely everywhere. They really were everywhere, literally, they even followed him home – where his dad was filming everything as he just got his first video camera – and they were playing in front of his house.
But then, looking at them, Stan came to the realization that those people were actually making an awful lot of money ! And in a move than you’d think Cartman would have been initiating, it was Stan who decided to get the boys into their own Peruvian Flute band, with the addition of Craig and not Butters because, well, he had some money.
This whole thing obviously backfired, and it was pretty funny to see Craig lashing on the boys, ranting about how they suck for always pulling such crap : getting involved in crazy things that always backfire and have them end up in trouble, often in foreign country, on the moon, in alternate realities, or God knows where!
It was actually a funny look from the outsider, because we always follow the kids, so it’s nothing new or unusual for us, but there’s a reason it’s always them, and only them : “Was there ever a moment, when you guys first came up with the genius plan to become a Peruvian Flute band, that any of you said “Hey, you know, this plan might backfire” ? No, that never occurs to you, because you guys are jerks, and your never learn from your mistakes. And that’s why everyone at school thinks you you are assholes.”
Funny how after they made fun of Cartman’s delusion last week, they were delusional this week, certain without a doubt that Craig was being the asshole, and that everyone at school liked them. (Though they’re not hated as Cartman is, of course.)
This is when the episode engaged, as one could have seen coming with Randy’s obsession to use a video camera all the time, into a parody of Cloverfield. And I gotta say, it was both awesome, and hilarious. I absolutely loved the way it was done: shaky camera, people running and screaming everywhere, people and cars flying in the sky, and of course, guinea pigs !!
Giant live-action guinea pigs running in the streets, just freaking awesome. Really, how cool was that?! I gotta say I don’t know where this is all going, just like I have no idea why and how Craig can be the key able to stop whatever is going on there, but I’m dying to find out. Just like I didn’t expect this to turn into a two-part episode, I was actually expecting, or hoping?, that with the election coming up they would have some kind of political episode soon enough.
Which has me wondering whether this could somehow end up being about the Presidential election in some twisted way ? I don’t know, but people from the government seems to be having their own agenda which does include, or have as side effect, a destruction of the country, and there were some clear references to the current crisis as well as the “war on terror”, so, who knows?
Either way, this was a really good episode, lots of fun, I just can’t wait for the next one! What about you, how much did do like this episode ? Do you have any clue how Craig can possibly stop giant guinea pigs from taking over the world ? Do you think there’s any connection to the Presidential election somewhere in there ? Have you ever seen a Peruvian Flute band anywhere ?
Posted in Reviews
Shows: South Park
I was quite confused by the open ending and still hoping for a sequel although the ‘to be continued…’ screen was definitely missing.
Maybe the plot should be interpreted something like… Government ruins worldwide economy by taking away the panflute bands and chaos spreads. An evil act by a villain, whose plan seems to work out just fine. The el savior role of Craig might be a reference to someone but I totally miss the clue :)
The Peruvian Flute Band was a metaphor for the sub-prime mortgage crisis. It looked like an easy way to make money, it was everywhere, and the boys — who didn’t know what they were doing — suckered someone else to “invest” in the venture. Once the “Peruvian” (read: credit) industry “collapsed,” even after trying to be monitored/saved/quarantined by the U.S. government, the REAL disaster (read: the economy) followed. I think the guinea pigs represent the stock market – destroying everything in its path. Average people like Randy have no idea what do in the face of “guinea pigs” (falling market) and chaos ensues.
So, what does Craig (and the boys) going to Peru have to do with anything? Well, the original investor, the guy with the $100, is nowhere to be found. Many investors have put their money in overseas stocks, or simply don’t have the $100 to invest anymore. Craig, the investor, just wants to get back to even and go home.
Only thing I can’t figure out is the conspiracy. Thoughts? Government plan to turn socialist? Gov’t plan for “bigger” bailout by extending their quarantine/monitoring/saving to everything?
Oh, and the Cloverfield reference? It’s simple. Where is the center of the economic crash? The same place Cloverfield took place . . .
Well that clears things up SPiG :)
Yep, that’s a very nice analysis of the episode, indeed!
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