Before we get into this review, I wanted to let you guys know what the future looks like for this blog. I'm really enjoying the Dog League coverage I've been doing, so that and these review will continue. This Saturday, my pay-per-view predictions will return with No Mercy 2017. I'm also looking at doing a bit of a round-up/recap of Henry's Universe Mode, maybe running down some stats for the series. Speaking of Universe Mode, there will be a teaser released for the new series close to the release of 2k18. Enjoy!
When I read the preview for this episode, I have to say that I groaned inwardly. The Tweek-Craig relationship is about as underdeveloped as it could possibly get, having taken a backseat to other, more important storylines over the past season and a half. That being said, even a cynic can be won over, and I have to say that I loved this episode. It just felt so much more focused than last week, and although there was some amount of political commentary, politics took a much needed backseat to character development. I'm sure that many people have experienced having a Tweek in their life, someone so consumed in real world events that it affects everything in their life. Bringing in straight man Craig, just looking to help with his partner's worries, made for an excellent main storyline.
One of the major benefits to the lessening of serialized storytelling is the ability to let the characters, rather than the stories, shine, and I feel this episode really nailed that balance. Craig and Tweek's interactions are comedic gold, with the President destroying any chance for Tweek to ease his worries. Craig tries everything to calm him down, with none of his attempts working. In the end, Craig learns an incredibly valuable lesson: instead of trying to stop Tweek from having stress or anxiety, he simply allows to worry and shows empathy in listening to his problems. Music in South Park is traditionally a high point in most episodes, and most definitely was here. The titular track "Put It Down", the climax of the Tweek-Craig storyline, is absolutely fantastic and also incredibly catchy. South Park episodes very rarely have a happy, genuinely touching ending, and it was great to see one here.
The Tweek-Craig relationship wasn't the only story involved in the finale, as Cartman and Heidi's steadily deteriorating relationship takes over the sub-plot once more. Cartman once more shows his devious, abusive side, as he threatens to kill himself to get back with Heidi. He receives almost instant karma, when his plea is made public. Watching Cartman attempt to upstage kids trying to spread awareness about distracted drivers with a rap number is just the sort of insanity South Park needs, but that's only the beginning. In an interesting twist, those kids become part of the episode, constantly getting mowed down by drivers more interested in the President's latest tweets, a carryover from the main plot. Cartman just never gets the attention he wants, and interrupts the final number in an effort to get anyone to care. As I said before, this is just the sort of insanity any good episode of South Park requires, and no one is better at ridiculous sub-plots than Cartman.
9/10
A more focused episode, centered around characters rather than current events leads to a much better edition of South Park and a very happy Henry. This is what I want to see, and hopefully the momentum continues next week.
When I read the preview for this episode, I have to say that I groaned inwardly. The Tweek-Craig relationship is about as underdeveloped as it could possibly get, having taken a backseat to other, more important storylines over the past season and a half. That being said, even a cynic can be won over, and I have to say that I loved this episode. It just felt so much more focused than last week, and although there was some amount of political commentary, politics took a much needed backseat to character development. I'm sure that many people have experienced having a Tweek in their life, someone so consumed in real world events that it affects everything in their life. Bringing in straight man Craig, just looking to help with his partner's worries, made for an excellent main storyline.
One of the major benefits to the lessening of serialized storytelling is the ability to let the characters, rather than the stories, shine, and I feel this episode really nailed that balance. Craig and Tweek's interactions are comedic gold, with the President destroying any chance for Tweek to ease his worries. Craig tries everything to calm him down, with none of his attempts working. In the end, Craig learns an incredibly valuable lesson: instead of trying to stop Tweek from having stress or anxiety, he simply allows to worry and shows empathy in listening to his problems. Music in South Park is traditionally a high point in most episodes, and most definitely was here. The titular track "Put It Down", the climax of the Tweek-Craig storyline, is absolutely fantastic and also incredibly catchy. South Park episodes very rarely have a happy, genuinely touching ending, and it was great to see one here.
The Tweek-Craig relationship wasn't the only story involved in the finale, as Cartman and Heidi's steadily deteriorating relationship takes over the sub-plot once more. Cartman once more shows his devious, abusive side, as he threatens to kill himself to get back with Heidi. He receives almost instant karma, when his plea is made public. Watching Cartman attempt to upstage kids trying to spread awareness about distracted drivers with a rap number is just the sort of insanity South Park needs, but that's only the beginning. In an interesting twist, those kids become part of the episode, constantly getting mowed down by drivers more interested in the President's latest tweets, a carryover from the main plot. Cartman just never gets the attention he wants, and interrupts the final number in an effort to get anyone to care. As I said before, this is just the sort of insanity any good episode of South Park requires, and no one is better at ridiculous sub-plots than Cartman.
9/10
A more focused episode, centered around characters rather than current events leads to a much better edition of South Park and a very happy Henry. This is what I want to see, and hopefully the momentum continues next week.
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