South Park S15E08 - Ass Burgers

The last episode of South Park ended on a bit of a depressing note, with Stan discovering everything is "shitty", his Parents splitting up and the overbearing message "We can't be bothered anymore".  This left many, including me, wondering if South Park is finished.  I think this episode answered that question and was also the funniest episode of the series to boot.

The episode continues on from the last with Stan waking up seeing and hearing everything as "shit".  There are plenty of sly digs in this part including one about Terra Nova "Jurassic Park and Lost in THE SAME TV SHOW".  Following a day at school and a counselling session with Mr. Mackie ("Don't be such a Debbie Downer").  Stan is diagnosed with Aspergers and is sent to a special treatment facility where he is given a special serum (or whiskey to you and me) to send him back to the "happy world he once lived in".

Have problems with social interaction? You need this special serum.

Meanwhile, Cartman cannot believe there is a disease called "Ass Burgers" and decides to play a trick on the school nurse by creating some ass burgers of his own. Unwittingly he creates the greatest tasting burgers available but cannot divulge his secret ingredient.

Cartman's secret recipe burgers become an instant success and soon the fast food giants (KFC, Pizza Hut etc.) gather together to figure out what Cartman's secret ingredient is.  This scene is classic South Park not the most highbrow of humour but hilarious nonetheless.

"He's taking all the flavours from our food into some sort of 'gas'
and infusing them into his burgers."

The episode comes to a head in typical South Park fashion with the fast food corporations and Stan's 'friends' at the Asperger's clinic having a shootout outside Cartman burger. Stan subsequently learns to accept that things change and he doesn't want things to go back they were before. It is not long before everything is back to normal however with Stan's parents getting back together and Cartman Burger shutting down when everyone realises he was literally making ass burgers.


By the end of the episode everything is back to the way it has always been, with the possible exception of Stan requiring a regular doe of whiskey to get him through the day.  I think this is a clear message to those who were worried for the series after the last episode that South Park isn't stopping just yet.