httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-zJL9JuOLQ
It’s rather fitting that in kicking off its 20th season, “South Park” managed to tie together Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest, J.J. Abrams’ ability to create beloved reboots, the 2016 presidential election, sexist internet trolls, Matt Lauer’s inept moderating, Donald Drumpf’s secret desire to lose the election and, well, ‘member berries.
Back in Colorado, everyone at South Park Elementary assumed Cartman was the troll, especially as he baited female students with superficially supportive lines like, ” Girls rule, women are funny.
By episode’s end, we learned that even though Eric seems to relish his role as a disrupter, it was Kyle’s dad, Gerald, who has been plaguing the South Park populace as “Skankhunt42.” What could have possibly led the typically docile father down such a dark path? Well, we won’t find out until at least next week – again, praise be to Trey Parker and Matt Stone for embracing a serialized structure these past few seasons – but t seem to be some clues within another dad’s storyline this week.
Incited by the presidential nominees, Randy Marsh was introduced to the “Superfood” ‘member berries as a means to sooth his worried mind.
All of the movies they mention are either being rebooted or extended right now, so when Randy is reminded of how he felt when seeing Chewbacca, it’s impossible to distinguish if he’s thinking of the ’70s or “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” ‘Member berries create memory associations that seem innocent and soothing, allowing Randy to relive the good ‘ol days even during an infuriating present.
Then they go further, and “South Park” starts to illustrate the threats posed by nostalgia.
Arguing that nostalgia is as manipulative as our political candidates – and equally dangerous when wielded by the wrong hands – is a comparison that may not sit well with fans of “Stranger Things,” but that’s w TV fans likely found themselves when Randy laid back on his couch, held a vine of ‘member berries and was shocked when their seemingly innocent musings about Chewbacca and the Bionic Man turned to xenophobic musings on Mexicans.
For that, it’s become a voice worth hearing every year, and one we’ll be eager to engage with throughout Season 20.