Depending on who you ask, South Park is either an annoying show with high-pitched voices or a highly entertaining show. No matter what their answer, it's hard to deny that South Park is truly a brilliant show. In its 17 seasons so far, the show has tackled issues such as the Lance Armstrong doping scandal, the Trayvon Martin case, illegal immigration, global warming, and animal rights. Though they haven't always hit the mark, sometimes they hit the bullseye, then split that arrow right down the middle. In this article, we look at the ten best South Park episodes ever made. Note: I'll be treating a series of episodes as one episode (example: "Pandemic" and "Pandemic 2: The Startling" becomes the Pandemic series). This is because it's hard to treat each episode in a series as an individual, as it's supported by the other episode/s in its series. Another note: there are some SPOILERS, so be careful if you haven't watched all the episodes.
10. Coon Series- This series comprises of four episodes: Season 13's "The Coon" as well as "Coon 2: Hindsight", "Mysterion Rises", and "Coon vs. Coon & Friends" from Season 14. Individually, these episodes are good, but together they are fantastic. The whole story develops incredibly well and is incredibly entertaining. But the main reason the series is on this list: Mysterion. This masked superhero is Kenny's alter ego, and is one of the best characters in the show's history. We've never really got a chance to see Kenny being characterized outside of this series, which is a disappointment.
9. "The Last of the Meheecans"- One of the most underrated episodes in South Park history. This was the 9th episode of Season 15, and was the first episode after the two You're Old episodes. Those were a bit depressing and unsettling, "The Last of the Meheecans" went in a totally different direction. The writers ignored what happened in the previous two episodes, and it worked out very well. It's not as if this episode was really funny or anything, it just proved to be quite good. The main reason it makes this list is because it changed the direction the show seemed to be heading.
8. "Butters' Very Own Episode"- This was the finale of Season 6. In the previous episode, Kenny died, and this was seen as a permanent thing. The writers wanted to focus on secondary characters, such as Butters. The whole purpose of this episode was to set up Butters becoming a main character. In the end, Butters did not become a main character, but the episode was still excellent. The writers previously did a whole episode on a secondary character. That was "Pip", which turned out to be kind of a dud. This episode on the other hand, was great.
7. "Casa Bonita"- The eleventh episode of Season 7, this is an episode commonly seen on South Park's best episode lists. Why? It's a highly entertaining episode that features a great plot. In the episode, Kyle decides to have his birthday party at Casa Bonita, a place Cartman loves. Unfortunately for Cartman, Kyle invites Butters over him. Desperate to go to Casa Bonita, Cartman cooks up an elaborate scheme to make sure Butters will be unable to go. When it's all said and done, the storyline of this episode is excellent.
6. "The Death of Eric Cartman"- Some may consider it to be a bit of a stretch to call this episode one of the best ever, but it certainly deserves strong consideration. In this episode, the boys decide to ignore Cartman. Cartman however, believes instead that he has died, and is now wandering the Earth as a ghost. There was no real underlying message here, but it didn't need one. The plot more than made up for it. Also, the team of Cartman and Butters is truly comedic.
5. "Butters' Bottom Bitch"- Another episode that stars young Butters Stotch, and another fan favorite. In this episode, we see Butters come of age after he receives his first kiss. It's fun to see Butters transform, yet have him keep his innocent, child-like side. The ninth episode of Season 13, this episode highlighted just how different Butter is from all the other kids in South Park.
4. "The Return of the Fellowship of the Ring to the Two Towers"- The thirteenth episode of Season 6, this episode has one of the best plots of any South Park episode. Cartman, Kyle, and Stan are asked by Stan's parents to go deliver a movie to Butters's house. This spirals into an out-of-control adventure that involves horny sixth graders, kids playing Harry Potter, and a hardcore adult film. Elegant, yet still a little simple.
3. "Make Love Not Warcraft"- The eight episode of Season 10, this is easily one of the best episodes in South Park history. One thing that sets it apart is it most of the real action takes place in the World of Warcraft, rather than the town of South Park. The plot is also pretty interesting. The four boys play World of Warcraft for days on end in order to level up and defeat a very experienced player. In the end however, it is Randy Marsh who saves the day.
2. Imagionationland Series- The series combination really comes into play here. The three episodes in this series are "Imaginationland", "Imaginationland, Episode II", and "Imaginationland, Episode III" from Episode 11. These are all great episodes, especially the last one, but together they are unbelievable. This is South Park at its finest. A completely original idea, great storylines, and laugh-out-loud hilarious.
1. "Scott Tenorman Must Die" and 200 Series- Make no mistake about it: "Scott Tenorman Must Die" is the greatest South Park episode ever, it's not even close. But of course, you can't think of this episode without thinking of the infamous 200 series (made up of "200" and "201"). These episodes are very controversial, and as a result, hard to find. They're not great episodes, but their link with 'Scott Tenorman Must Die" propels them to the top of this list. If you haven't watched these episodes yet, it is strongly, strongly recommended.
Think I forgot an episode or ranked one too high? Comment and let me know.
10. Coon Series- This series comprises of four episodes: Season 13's "The Coon" as well as "Coon 2: Hindsight", "Mysterion Rises", and "Coon vs. Coon & Friends" from Season 14. Individually, these episodes are good, but together they are fantastic. The whole story develops incredibly well and is incredibly entertaining. But the main reason the series is on this list: Mysterion. This masked superhero is Kenny's alter ego, and is one of the best characters in the show's history. We've never really got a chance to see Kenny being characterized outside of this series, which is a disappointment.
9. "The Last of the Meheecans"- One of the most underrated episodes in South Park history. This was the 9th episode of Season 15, and was the first episode after the two You're Old episodes. Those were a bit depressing and unsettling, "The Last of the Meheecans" went in a totally different direction. The writers ignored what happened in the previous two episodes, and it worked out very well. It's not as if this episode was really funny or anything, it just proved to be quite good. The main reason it makes this list is because it changed the direction the show seemed to be heading.
8. "Butters' Very Own Episode"- This was the finale of Season 6. In the previous episode, Kenny died, and this was seen as a permanent thing. The writers wanted to focus on secondary characters, such as Butters. The whole purpose of this episode was to set up Butters becoming a main character. In the end, Butters did not become a main character, but the episode was still excellent. The writers previously did a whole episode on a secondary character. That was "Pip", which turned out to be kind of a dud. This episode on the other hand, was great.
7. "Casa Bonita"- The eleventh episode of Season 7, this is an episode commonly seen on South Park's best episode lists. Why? It's a highly entertaining episode that features a great plot. In the episode, Kyle decides to have his birthday party at Casa Bonita, a place Cartman loves. Unfortunately for Cartman, Kyle invites Butters over him. Desperate to go to Casa Bonita, Cartman cooks up an elaborate scheme to make sure Butters will be unable to go. When it's all said and done, the storyline of this episode is excellent.
6. "The Death of Eric Cartman"- Some may consider it to be a bit of a stretch to call this episode one of the best ever, but it certainly deserves strong consideration. In this episode, the boys decide to ignore Cartman. Cartman however, believes instead that he has died, and is now wandering the Earth as a ghost. There was no real underlying message here, but it didn't need one. The plot more than made up for it. Also, the team of Cartman and Butters is truly comedic.
5. "Butters' Bottom Bitch"- Another episode that stars young Butters Stotch, and another fan favorite. In this episode, we see Butters come of age after he receives his first kiss. It's fun to see Butters transform, yet have him keep his innocent, child-like side. The ninth episode of Season 13, this episode highlighted just how different Butter is from all the other kids in South Park.
4. "The Return of the Fellowship of the Ring to the Two Towers"- The thirteenth episode of Season 6, this episode has one of the best plots of any South Park episode. Cartman, Kyle, and Stan are asked by Stan's parents to go deliver a movie to Butters's house. This spirals into an out-of-control adventure that involves horny sixth graders, kids playing Harry Potter, and a hardcore adult film. Elegant, yet still a little simple.
3. "Make Love Not Warcraft"- The eight episode of Season 10, this is easily one of the best episodes in South Park history. One thing that sets it apart is it most of the real action takes place in the World of Warcraft, rather than the town of South Park. The plot is also pretty interesting. The four boys play World of Warcraft for days on end in order to level up and defeat a very experienced player. In the end however, it is Randy Marsh who saves the day.
2. Imagionationland Series- The series combination really comes into play here. The three episodes in this series are "Imaginationland", "Imaginationland, Episode II", and "Imaginationland, Episode III" from Episode 11. These are all great episodes, especially the last one, but together they are unbelievable. This is South Park at its finest. A completely original idea, great storylines, and laugh-out-loud hilarious.
1. "Scott Tenorman Must Die" and 200 Series- Make no mistake about it: "Scott Tenorman Must Die" is the greatest South Park episode ever, it's not even close. But of course, you can't think of this episode without thinking of the infamous 200 series (made up of "200" and "201"). These episodes are very controversial, and as a result, hard to find. They're not great episodes, but their link with 'Scott Tenorman Must Die" propels them to the top of this list. If you haven't watched these episodes yet, it is strongly, strongly recommended.
Think I forgot an episode or ranked one too high? Comment and let me know.
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