In another series-defying move, South Park has kicked off its 28th season. The season launches with a surprise premiere that daringly extends the boundaries of what can be called political satire. The most recent episode, called “The Woman in the Hat,” was released on Friday. It was supposed to happen on Wednesday but got pushed back. This Halloween themed special aims directly at former President Donald Trump and his inner circle. It explores paranoia, conspiracy, and doses of dark humor, inspiring everything from vigorous applause to the most intense walkouts in the Festival’s history.
The episode presents a chaotic narrative where Trump receives alarming updates from his advisors, including Pam Bondi and Stephen Miller. Bondi making her reality TV debut with her face covered in what the show refers to as “rectoplasm.” This bold decision reduces the episode’s irreverent spirit to a single, iconic image. As the narrative progresses, Trump’s agenda becomes overshadowed by a nefarious scheme. JD Vance pulls off the mask to show himself as the villainous genius behind a plot to kill all Trump and Satan’s children.
In this alternate universe, Peter Thiel supports Vance. In the background, a parody of demonically possessed Eric Cartman is trapped in purgatory. This strange turn of events adds a whole new level of baffling absurdity to the story. It highlights the show’s decades-old legacy of mixing the absurd with incisive political critique.
As chaos reigns, Trump finds unexpected allies in Kyle, Kenny, and Cousin Kyle as they launch a meme coin. This subplot is a very relevant reflection of real-world discussions about the definite speculative nature of cryptos. Our own Cousin Kyle nails the skepticism around crypto perfectly when he says,
“crypto’s just a money-laundering scheme for the rich to get richer!” – Cousin Kyle
In today’s episode, we return to Trump personally directing the ongoing wrecking operation atop White House’s East Wing in Washington D.C. This scene makes the comedy of his character’s wrongdoing all the more ridiculous. Trump’s case gets worse when he attempts to induce an abortion. Yet he is quickly pursued by grotesque visions of Melania’s spectral form as she floats about a haunted White House like something out of a Japanese horror film.
Those ominous tones of the episode ring true through all of the reflective and somber notes characters hit on in this episode. Stan Marsh sums up what everyone watching at home is thinking when he says
“there’s just no really going back to way things used to be” – Stan.
This declaration represents how much American politics has changed. It’s a testament to the evolving story structure of the show.
Though The Woman in the Hat reads like a funny story, its conclusion is tragic. This sense of foreboding is energizing broader societal fears and skepticism about the future. Fans have shed many a tear over the show’s progression, with one fan of the show calling it,
“South Park sucks now … and it’s because of this political shit” – Stan Marsh.
Creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker have admitted their now much more political satire can rub some longtime fans the wrong way. They understand that as much as they want to entertain and inspire curiosity, their execution might not be for everyone.
Once again, South Park finds itself at the center of an extraordinarily contentious political environment. Most interesting will be how audiences react to the new and developing themes and stories explored in this new season. The show has long been known for its willingness to tackle controversial subjects head-on, yet this season’s abrupt launch and provocative content may serve as a litmus test for its audience’s loyalty and acceptance of change.