![]() “I want to be vegan with you,” he tells a reluctant Heidi over the phone, through his tears. He’s guided instead, as always, by his own self-preservation, gluttony, and in this case, mashed potatoes and gravy. The episode, “Doubling Down,” was hailed by Forbes writer Dani Di Placido as “the most insightful episode in years,” for many hilarious reasons, including Cartman’s failed attempt at genuine human (?) connection. This episode may be more cohesive than some, but the season could still benefit from a more consistent approach.Comedy Central’s “South Park” took vegan mainstream last night when everyone’s favorite curmudgeon Eric Cartman went vegan for his girlfriend, Heidi. ![]() But as with many recent seasons, it feels more like the writers are figuring out the beats as they go rather than executing a set plan. Free speech is clearly the dominant theme of Season 23. Just look at how Blizzard manages to keep digging its hole a little deeper every day. I do still wish Trey Parker and Matt Stone would focus more energy on that subplot in the vein of “Band in China.” There’s so much more to this multi-pronged controversy to lampoon than just James’ response. ![]() ![]() It’s a more understated way of keeping the ongoing Chinese censorship subplot going. Cartman’s dialogue is clearly poking fun at LeBron James’ wishy-washy statement on the consequences of free speech. Cartman’s storyline is a good example of a premise that functions perfectly well on its own but also benefits from drawing on current headlines. And for once, it’s a nice change to see Cartman delivering the obligatory “I learned something today…” speech to wrap things up. It was inevitable he was going to suffer a heart attack at some point in the series, and it seems fitting that his medical crisis is inspired by something as trivial as the death of Sloppy Joe Day. Play While it’s somewhat disappointing this episode doesn’t follow up on last week’s cliffhanger and Liane’s “artistic” diagnosis, Cartman is still handled pretty well. Were it not for next week being an off-week for the series, I’d almost wonder if this episode were the first half of a two-part storyline. It’s disappointing we don’t get any “I drink your milkshake!” references, but hopefully that’s a sign this character is sticking around for a bit. By the time the faux-Daniel Plainview adopts Rich the Burger King clerk and starts calling him “H.W.”, I found myself genuinely enjoying this out-of-the-blue parody. If anything, it’s a gag that actually grows funnier with repetition. The show isn’t exactly timely with that particular homage, but it works. Choosing to present the plant-based meat storyline as a parody of 2007’s There Will Be Blood is certainly an unexpected choice. South Park is clearly saving its wrath for more deserving targets. ![]() This episode makes all the expected jabs at plant-based meat - mainly how it’s still heavily processed junk food that "Tastes like s***!", as Randy's slogan proudly proclaims - while acknowledging that there’s no real harm in people trying to find a more environmentally sustainable way of stuffing their faces. Leave it to Randy to capitalize on that craze even as restaurants like City Wok languish in meat-filled obscurity. It’s fun watching South Park have a go at the country’s current obsession with fake meat like the Impossible Burger. And it’s all thanks to the power of plant-based fast food. This episode is just as Cartman and Randy-centric as the last, but this time Randy’s efforts to save the ailing Tegridy Farms and Cartman’s usual brand of self-centered myopia actually go hand-in-hand. 17 Images One big element in this week’s favor is how much more neatly the dual storylines tie together. ![]()
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