In the previous season of South Park, Cartman dealt with an abusive relationship, Tweek and Craig battled emotional insecurity and the show returned to a partially serialized format. What does season 22 of Comedy Central’s hit show have in store? Let’s find out as we recap South Park season 22 episode 1 ‘Dead Kids!‘
Fractional Addition
In class, the kids received their recent quizzes on the addition of fractions. Cartman failed his quiz and the teacher decided to refresh the content with the class. During her instruction, gunshots were being fired outside to the point of overshadowing the lesson. The SWAT team invaded the classroom attempting to find the active shooter in the school, the classroom was secured. The SWAT team found the shooter in the hallway, the lesson continued until the SWAT team shot and killed the shooter. As the kids walked back home, Stan’s mother, Sharon, picked him up in her car and drove him home.
At the Marsh house, Stan informed his father, Randy, about the shooting at school that day and failing his math quiz. Randy was not concerned about the shooting, but cared deeply about the failure. Sharon angrily accused Stan and Randy about not caring about dead children and she stormed off to the bedroom. Randy just couldn’t understand why Sharon cared when her own child was not harmed.
Parental Organization
The next day at school, Cartman and Token went to PC Principal’s office and Cartman apologized to Token for disliking Black Panther. Another shooting broke out at the school during this conversation. Later that day, Sharon organized a parent meeting to address the rash of school shootings in South Park. Stephen Stotch, Butters’ father, dismissed her concerns as ‘this is a complex topic.’ The other parents also dismissed her concerns and quickly changed the topic to upgrading the appearance of the local playground.
The following day, metal detectors, security dogs and hall monitors armed with assault rifles were installed in the school to prevent another shooting. Butters was appointed hall monitor for the day and was nervously reacting to carrying a gun. Randy sought out a medical opinion as he believed Sharon’s hysteria over school shooting was being caused by menopause. The doctor told Randy that Sharon would likely only get worse over time.
Professional Help
Cartman initiated a search to prove that Token had really seen Black Panther and was lying about it. Meanwhile, Sharon sought out a psychiatrist to talk to about her thoughts. Sharon admitted that she lived in constant fear of the day that Stan would be killed at school. The psychiatrist, through Randy’s convincing, dismissed Sharon’s concerns. Sharon was taken to the school which had converted into a intervention for her. Cartman could not prove that Token had not seen Black Panther. Another shooting broke out which was completely ignored by everyone except for Sharon who tried to address it. Sharon pointed out how society has become desensitized to school shootings, but everyone was only concerned with her failing marriage.
What did you think of South Park season 22 episode 1? Let us know down in the comment section!
