At times it seems like South Park's glory days are behind it, like The Simpsons it hit its stride in seasons 5-9, but every subsequent season always manages to deliver a few memorable episodes. Season 13 is no different, but for the most part every memorable episode is only that because of their endings – the best episodes have terrifically unexpected punchlines at their end. Even if the season only has a few great episodes, every episode takes true aim at a current issue and shows it for the ridiculous “controversy” it really is. Other times though, the parodies are just redundant, the chosen subjects already so oversaturated with lampooning that the episodes barely manage to be anything more than a unique blend of jokes used elsewhere. It's a good season, but definitely not one of the best.
The episodes of season 13 include:
“The Ring” - Disney's use of the Jonas Brothers as covert sex symbols, little exaggeration is needed
“The Coon” - Someone though it necessary to lampoon Frank Miller's writing still, they were wrong
“Margaritaville” - The economic crisis gives rise to the birth of new prophets, it's biblical
“Eat, Pray, Queef” - South Park regresses slightly to a show about double-standards in bodily noises
“Fishsticks” - Easily one of the best of the season, hits a broad number of public personalities dead on
“Pinewood Derby” - A solid, silly episode putting Randy front and center, always a funny choice
“Fatbeard” - A look at modern piracy on the seas, good all around, with a fantastically, morbid ending
“Dead Celebrities” - Everyone was talking about the subject matter, making it hard to lampoon well
“Butters' Bottom Bitch” - It has a good running gag, with little else, feels like a rehash of past episodes
“W.T.F.” - A phenomenally funny take on the pageantry of “wrestling”, some great lines in this one
“Whale Whores” - Another episode whose entire pay-off comes at the end, but it's worth it
“The F Word” - It's not the one you think, but considering it targets Harley bikers, mildly funny
“Dances with Smurfs” - One of the season's best, shows Cartman at his ridiculous best
“Pee” - It's a remarkably weak ending to the season, just a disappointing episode overall
Each disc has about two solid episodes on it, one decent, and the rest are unfortunately forgettable. It's half the fault of the show for producing the weaker material, but it's also an indicator of today's competition for cartoons taking aim at political issues. There are just so many out there that it's hard to find new trails to blaze so that you aren't just another voice shouting to be heard above the rest. Also adding to the problem is that South Park paved the way for more outrageous, rude humor. It used to have a monopoly on it, with Family Guy hitting old pop culture icons, The Simpsons having just peaked but never being anywhere near as crass, now South Park is fighting to keep its edge on rude humor while still providing superb social commentary. It's a lofty goal, but one that offers more strikes than hits. We're all slightly grossed out by peeing in the pool, but it's not really a subject that hasn't been hit up by many shows before. Adding a 28 Days Later reference only does so much.
But then you have “Fishsticks” and its superb portrayal of Kanye West's bloated ego. They hit it right on the money. Or “Fatbeard” where they simultaneously take aim at the oddly romantic portrayal of pirates in today's media while contrasting it with the brutal truth that these people wouldn't resort to those methods if there were any other realistic economy in their respective countries. They're as much victims as they are criminals. Watching the romantic media view and the real-world truth collide in the episode's final seconds is horrifically, morbidly hilarious.
DVD Bonus Features
A smattering of deleted scenes and a tour of South Park Studios comprise the extras in the Season 13 set.
"South Park: Season 13" is on sale March 16, 2010 and is not rated. Animation, Comedy. Directed by Trey Parker. Written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Brian Graden. Starring Matt Stone, Trey Parker.
