Ep 9. Not Funny

In South Park season 20 episode 9, titled "Not Funny," the town of South Park is still reeling from the latest Presidential election results. The episode opens with a montage of protests and riots breaking out all over the town, as everyone tries to come to grips with what just happened. Meanwhile, Cartman is convinced that he is going to be the next victim of a school shooting and tries to convince the other kids that they need to take action to prevent it from happening.

As the episode progresses, we see the citizens of South Park growing increasingly jaded and cynical. Even the normally optimistic and cheerful Butters is struggling to find the humor in life. The town's resident bar, Skeeter's, becomes the epicenter of this malaise, as the residents gather there to drown their sorrows in alcohol.

Several plotlines weave their way through the episode. One involves the school principal, who is trying desperately to avert a crisis when a group of students plan a walkout to protest the election. Another involves Randy Marsh, who becomes increasingly obsessed with the idea that he can influence the outcome of the election by making sarcastic jokes on the internet. And there's also a running gag involving the town's mayor, who is constantly being interrupted by a ticking sound that nobody else seems to hear.

The episode is full of commentary on the state of the world today, as well as some meta-commentary on the show itself. There are multiple references to previous seasons and episodes, including a hilarious callback to the infamous "You killed Kenny!" line. But at its core, "Not Funny" is a stark and poignant depiction of a town and a nation in crisis, struggling to find a way to move forward in a world that has suddenly become very dark and uncertain.

One of the most memorable moments of the episode comes near the end, when the citizens of South Park finally come together to confront their collective sense of despair. In a heartfelt and moving sequence, they decide that they won't let their fear and sadness define them, and they pledge to keep laughing in spite of everything. It's a powerful moment that encapsulates the resilience and optimism that has always been at the heart of the show.

In the end, "Not Funny" is a masterful episode that manages to be both funny and thought-provoking at the same time. It's a testament to the creative genius of the South Park team, who have managed to keep the show fresh and relevant for two decades now. If you're a fan of the show, or just a fan of great television, this is definitely an episode you won't want to miss.