[8.2/10] The thing about South Park is that most of the time, even if I’m not 100% on board with their social commentary, the show will raise an interesting point that at least makes me think, and also makes me laugh in the process. There’s something about the idea of tolerating discrimination against gay people, even for private clubs, that makes my skin crawl, but this episode at least raises some interesting points about where we draw the line for the government specifically, and society writ large, to legislate our beliefs about what’s right and wrong. Big Gay Al’s speech at the end of the episode doesn’t really compel me, because you could (and people did) make similar arguments about excluding or segregating black people from private businesses and clubs in the sixties, and I’m not convinced that the problem would have just gone away with more society-wide persuasion.
But still, it’s food for thought in an entertaining but potent episode. There is also the cutting social commentary in the irony that Big Gay Al is a fantastic scout leader but the parents are anxious about him being with their kids because they’re worried he’s too effeminate and might molest them, when in fact it’s his manly, drill sergeant-like replacement who’s the actual threat to their boys on that front. South Park hasn’t always been flawless in the way it addresses LGBT people and the issues facing them, but it’s clear that Matt & Trey have a lot of empathy for Al and those like him here, who love what they do and are excluded for who they love.
On top of that, it’s the first time we meet Jimmy! He’s such a great character and pretty fully-formed right from the getgo. He and Timmy’s feud is entertaining, and I enjoy the show poking fun at people for going gaga over his pretty pedestrian shtick. The titular cripple fight (which, if I remember correctly, is a shot-for-shot homage to They Live) is actually pretty brutal, but Cartman carnival barking for is hilarious.
Overall, this is in that sweet spot where South Park was certainly interested in delivering piercing social commentary, but not so focused on it that it neglected to tell stories about the boys and their adventures. I may not agree with every point made, but it’s all done in an interesting and occasionally even thought-provoking way, which counts for a lot.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2017-03-26T05:39:56Z
[8.2/10] The thing about South Park is that most of the time, even if I’m not 100% on board with their social commentary, the show will raise an interesting point that at least makes me think, and also makes me laugh in the process. There’s something about the idea of tolerating discrimination against gay people, even for private clubs, that makes my skin crawl, but this episode at least raises some interesting points about where we draw the line for the government specifically, and society writ large, to legislate our beliefs about what’s right and wrong. Big Gay Al’s speech at the end of the episode doesn’t really compel me, because you could (and people did) make similar arguments about excluding or segregating black people from private businesses and clubs in the sixties, and I’m not convinced that the problem would have just gone away with more society-wide persuasion.
But still, it’s food for thought in an entertaining but potent episode. There is also the cutting social commentary in the irony that Big Gay Al is a fantastic scout leader but the parents are anxious about him being with their kids because they’re worried he’s too effeminate and might molest them, when in fact it’s his manly, drill sergeant-like replacement who’s the actual threat to their boys on that front. South Park hasn’t always been flawless in the way it addresses LGBT people and the issues facing them, but it’s clear that Matt & Trey have a lot of empathy for Al and those like him here, who love what they do and are excluded for who they love.
On top of that, it’s the first time we meet Jimmy! He’s such a great character and pretty fully-formed right from the getgo. He and Timmy’s feud is entertaining, and I enjoy the show poking fun at people for going gaga over his pretty pedestrian shtick. The titular cripple fight (which, if I remember correctly, is a shot-for-shot homage to They Live) is actually pretty brutal, but Cartman carnival barking for is hilarious.
Overall, this is in that sweet spot where South Park was certainly interested in delivering piercing social commentary, but not so focused on it that it neglected to tell stories about the boys and their adventures. I may not agree with every point made, but it’s all done in an interesting and occasionally even thought-provoking way, which counts for a lot.