Ep 14. The Ungroundable

The South Park season 12 episode 14 entitled "The Ungroundable" revolves around the issues of vampires and the teenagers who embrace their culture. In this episode, we meet a group of boys who label themselves as "vamp kids." This group of students believe that they are vampires and are obsessed with Gothic music, clothes, and symbols.

The episode starts with the students of South Park Elementary School attending a school assembly, where they are warned by the head teacher of a supposed rise in vampire-related activities in the community. The warning mentions that some students have been engaging in questionable activities, such as drinking red Kool-Aid and pretending to be vampires. Most of the students are skeptical until the leader of the "vamp kids," a boy named Mike, takes control of the microphone and announces that they are indeed real vampires who feed on the weak.

The news of vampire activity creates chaos in the community, with parents and local politicians pressuring the school to take action. The following day, the school administration, led by Principal Victoria, calls a meeting with the parents to address the issue on the rise. As they discuss solutions, it becomes evident that the adults have no idea how to handle the situation. They even enlist the help of a fictitious expert on vampires, a nod to how superstitions can be taken too far.

However, this just makes matters worse. The community segregates against the students, with the typical trope of pitchforks and torches coming to mind. The vamp kids build a treehouse in the woods they eventually use as their lair. There, they discuss the troubles they have with fitting in and the ridicule they face for their hobbies. The leader Mike then reiterates that they will do whatever it takes to ensure their survival, and the group decides they need to recruit more members to become a stronger force.

The vampire-themed entertainment pieces in the episode reference popular movies and television shows such as "Twilight" and "True Blood" and their impact on youth culture. The show uses this as a tool to look at how people follow predominant trends without thinking about the rationality behind it. It is an opportunity for the show to highlight what it sees as a dangerous and misguided trend in society.

Eventually, the vamp kids target one of the biggest television show personalities in South Park to entice him into their circle and make their group more popular. However, being vampires, they cannot be seen on camera, so the television personality finds himself in an increasingly confusing situation.

The Ungroundable takes an analytical look at teenage identity and cultures that arise within high schools. The idea of belonging and fitting in while feeling different and disconnected from the norm is a universal theme. The show, as usual, uses humor as a tool to point out the negative aspects of society.

Overall, South Park season 12 episode 14 "The Ungroundable" is an entertaining addition to the show's lineup of socially-inspired episodes. It highlights how people can become entranced by a particular group's fantasy elements or ideologies, even if they are not valid. Ultimately, it is up to viewers to decide whether the show is a commentary on a worldwide problem or just a satire of the modern teenage cult.