South Park, "The Hobbit"

Is it just me, or are the kids of South Park a little young for this kind of storyline?

Given, they’ve been through things a lot dirtier than this, and many that would be extraordinary for any real person. But in a story like this that tackles real, mature issues almost seriously (from what I can recall offhand, this might be the straightest the show’s ever played it), elementary school children seem less appropriate than teens or young adults. And this isn’t the first time I’ve felt that. Maybe since the characters would be in their twenties by now if they aged in real time, Matt Stone and Trey Parker decided their creations have matured enough to be in more grown-up stories (The Simpsons has likewise placed child characters in more adult stories in recent years, but I don’t give it much thought because that show’s frankly beyond irrelevant at this point, while South Park is still going strong).

Those issues I speak of are women’s issues, and this episode lays them on thick. It all starts when Wendy, Stan’s longtime girlfriend and the show’s voice for traditional feminism, does the moral thing in standing up for a classmate who’s picked on for her appearance. Her good deed ends up backfiring, and she becomes the most hated girl in school.

In the midst, the episode makes points on (and these are just the most obvious ones; there's plenty more should you choose to dig deeper) standards of beauty in our celebrity culture and the era of Photoshop, and how the world at-large (specifically, males) boils down any debate between females to shallow jealousy and petty fighting. The way Wendy’s views arise scorn from everyone around her might represent the changing face of feminism (or the death of the school of thought as we know it; the viewer can decide). Although, Wendy’s not perfect either; some of her criticisms contain nearly as much venom as Butters’ super-mean comments that started her whole crusade. It seems like a comment on how women can be as hurtful as men, but somehow get a pass if it’s directed at the same sex.

Am I thinking too hard? Possibly, but this episode got me into an analytical state of mind, and I’m still trying to digest all of it. Hardest of all to swallow is the ending, which might be the darkest (well, darkest that isn’t funny dark) and most emotional ever on the show. I’ve never wanted so much to see one of those corny “I learned something today” monologues from the show's earlier days that sets everything right. But no, it takes the defeatist path. The fact that it offers no easy answers leads me back to my original point: the characters are still kids, but the show’s grown up considerably, and is better for it.

But, I have a feeling no one will remember these elements very much. I imagine the media's focus will be on the fact that the show once again took on Kanye West, and compared an unseen Kim Kardashian to a hobbit. And yes, I laughed at this, for West’s very public lack of self-awareness makes him easy fodder. Since last time happened before his infamous moment with Taylor Swift, the episode makes sure to throw in a jab about that, and it’s very funny. But I’m afraid it might upstage the meatier feminist portion of this episode. Which just makes the cold, cold ending sting a little more.

This was an excellent ending to a season I’d describe as typical. Meaning, there were many very funny moments, some great satire, some stories that turned out strange but watchable nonetheless. And yes, at least one dud of an episode.