In 2015, Jia Tolentino wrote she stopped watching the show and that it “was the year that I stopped feeling that even the smartest, funniest version of ‘libertarian devil’s advocate’ could be in any way one step ahead.” One year later, that feels especially true, and this episode certainly wasn’t one step ahead. The promo that was released that same day didn’t exactly make me laugh either, maybe because it’s too real (or been reiterated on too many of my social media feeds):
The episode shoehorns in Bill Clinton
and Bill Cosby, setting them up at South Park Elementary as leaders of the Gentleman’s Club, teaching the boys about chivalry. While her husband is busy, Hillary Clinton sends Gerald to Denmark to infiltrate Troll Trace, kind of a James Bond spoof on tracking down hateful internet commenters. If only.
MEANWHILE, in Colorado, Eric Cartman is trying desperately to hide his own long history of abuse and misogyny online from his girlfriend Heidi. In a surprisingly sweet moment, Cartman comforts Heidi after Clinton loses, his lies almost feeling like truth:
Heidi says, “I just feel so disconnected from the world, you know? I really thought this was gonna be the moment that proved girls can do anything. Like you always say.”
Cartman tells her, getting teary-eyed, “You can’t stop believing that. Now, more than ever, you have to stay strong.”
When Heidi asks if he thinks women are funny, Cartman replies, “So funny. Oh my god when Amy Schumer jokes about her vagina, I seriously lose my shit,” eventually adding, “For the first time, I’m really scared for the future.”
