South Park has been known as one of the most controversial television shows of all time. To fans of the show, the cartoon is known for its commentary on events such as 9/11, the Apple products fad and the increase of online media, as well as any political event that could make the news (the latter being especially prominent this year). Creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker have decided to shake up the formula of the show for its 20^th season, shifting it from an “adventure a week” type of show to a more serialized narrative, a choice that has had a greatly positive effect on the series.

The basic plot of the current season of South Park follows different characters and how different events affect them. This season deals with pressing issues such as gender equality, online privacy, the 2016 election and, most controversial, the rise of nostalgic reboots of classic films. Where before the show would cover each individual issue in its own episode, these controversial topics intertwine with each other, reflecting the enduring nature of each issue in real life. Not only that, but by combining these separate topics, the narrative itself becomes more dynamic, feeling more akin to Game of Thrones than the more common comparison Family Guy.

            Another aspect of the show that has benefited the overall commentary would be how quickly episodes can be made. Each episode of South Park can be fully produced in about a week, allowing the writers to be as current as possible. The episode involving the 2016 election came out the day after and captured the general reaction of the American people perfectly.  By being timely, South Park can easily reflect events as they unfold.

As an example, South Park introduced a brand new antagonist in the member berries, sentient grapes hell-bent on making the world remember “the good ol’ days.” At first, it just seems like a parody of the current reboot-culture America is going through, but it becomes apparent that they also affect politics in a similar way, leading Mr. Garrison (a substitute for Trump) to victory through nostalgia for a better country. The berries were introduced far before it seemed possible for Trump to actually win, but as the election unfolded, the writers were able to take the story along the way.

Arguably the most remarkable aspect of the current season of South Park is that it keeps viewers on edge. It takes place in a caricature of the real world, and it can be interesting to see how real concrete events are portrayed within the show. Not only that, but there are times in which it feels as if the show is actually predicting certain events, which can mostly be accredited to the writers’ sense of foresight. Even for those who did not care for the show before, it is definitely recommended to watch the 20^th season of this series.