As a fan of the show since it’s first run in 1997-98, it’s been a bit disconcerting to me that the seasons are getting shorter and shorter. When new contract negotiations between South Park Studios and Comedy Central (read: Viacom) ensured at least 20 seasons of the animated hit would be made, Matt and Trey decided to start “cutting back,” and new runs went from a “split season” of seven in the spring and seven more in the fall to just one abbreviated set of ten to start in late September each year. Compare this number to the first several years when 14 was considered short, and it seemed it was time for the show to hit the retirement home panic button. That is, until, the group proved they could pack a years worth of laughs, controversies, and memories into a shorter stature.
Take ep. 1701 as an example. This BD set kicks off in true fashion with “Let Go, Let Gov.” As most of us are familiar, social media has went from a way to keep up with friends and creep on the cute girl in your intro to sociology class to quickly becoming the most important stream of information readily available to the public. A facebook post can garner the attention of millions, and set off a media firestorm. A movement on twitter has the ability to grow into world renowned protests/riots. With great power comes, well, people that want to make sure these avenues of information aren’t being used for evil, like the National Security Agency. Being the patriot/terrorist he is, Cartman decides to go undercover to see how far the surveillance measures have gone and to what extent our “unalienable rights” are being infringed upon. In the meantime, Butters takes a more fearful stance towards our lives on the interwebs and decides to turn the South Park DMV into the town’s latest revival hot spot in light of everyone’s web surfing sins. This 22 minute exposure shows an example of what has built an adult animation empire: mixing relevant societal commentary with tried and true governmental conspiracy satire. And even throws in an unauthorized celeb cameo (in the form of Alec Baldwin) for good measure. Classic Park. “Informative Murder Porn” is another season 17 zinger. The parentals of the sleepy little mountain town are watching cable stations that show re-enacted scenes of violent passion crimes, and are using them as an audio-visual aphrodisiac in the bedroom. Shocked/horrified/mortified by a copycat murder within the city limits, the boys set out to put passwords on such scandalous content to save the other moms and dads. Their source of inspiration for said safe guards? Crafting equations in Minecraft. Yes, the worldwide sensation that has prompted Microsoft to shell out billions of dollars to acquire the studio responsible for gaming’s ultimate sandbox couldn’t escape becoming the butt end of an elaborate Stone/Parker joke. Welcome ‘craft, you’ve officially arrived.
Speaking of video games, this season’s high point comes in the form of an amazing three part plot. Surreptitious plans overlay clandestine dialogues in “Black Friday.” Four midwestern mountain boys foretold of a great war that’s still being waged today by two powerful empires. And even they and their legions became pawns in the battle for the living room’s extra HDMI port. As I like to call it, the “Game of Consoles” trilogy originally aired around the Thanksgiving holiday last year and encompassed the boy’s passion for gaming and R rated premium network television. “Wizard King” Cartman amasses a strong army of followers with Kyle playing the role of “Lady McCormick,” the fairest soul of all the neighborhood that was a boon for Cartman to sustain a strong group. Meanwhile, the South Park Mall announces an incredible 80% off for the first handful of shoppers to visit on Black Friday morning. This prompts Cartman to create a plan for getting into the mall first to secure Xbox Ones. Upon revealing his plan, “Sir” Stan vocally objects his leader’s decision on next gen hardware, and voices his preference for the Playstation 4. Predictably, Cartman tells him to shove it. As such, a divide is created between those fighting for Microsoft’s value added vessel, and another pact claiming loyalty to Sony’s advanced control functionality. All looks lost for the PS4 clan, until Miss McCormick betrays the Wizard King, and takes over the Sony clan’s throne as Princess Kenny. The 60-ish minute collection displays gut-wrenching humor under the homage umbrella of HBO’s smash hit Game of Thrones. Lies, intrigue, deceit, and murder create pivotal plot points with George R. R. Martin himself looking to delay the proceedings with his preoccupation for phallic symbolism and hollow promises of foreshadowed events that will maybe come to fruition. Couple this main vein with sub plots like Bill Gates playing the role of a blood thirsty gangster and Randy’s plan to become a part-time mall security guard just to cash in on the insane mark downs, and you have the funniest, most engaging multi episode story arc since “Imaginationland”, which catapults this season up there with some of the best.
Blu-ray quality is not lost on the simple 2D design of the show. Colors pop in full 1080 with crisp, clear lines. And the few “high action” moments of the season also benefit from the resolution on the discs. Dolby True HD 5.1 and 2.0 tracks sound great with an emphasis on the voice overs, and give much appreciated flexibility when it comes to audio setups. The special features section isn’t exactly what I would call packed with content, but what’s included is good. The main extra is called #SocialCommentary. This is essentially SP‘s version of Pop Up Video. During each episode, blurps will periodically appear on the bottom of the screen and elucidate about the current scene. A reoccurring one is #WhereDidTheIdeaComeFrom, which explains the IRL inspiration for the lampooned subject matter. Episodes also include “mini” commentaries with Matt and Trey as they spend the first several minutes explaining and detailing the creative process. There is also a handful of deleted scenes.