South Park: The Streaming Wars Part 2

It's somewhat nonsensical and it relies on literal toilet humor. But it's entertaining and short enough that you don't get too bored by it. It's still a weaker South Park than seasons past and doesn't target as much of the current political climate but it does live up to the premise. Streaming services are helping create lower quality programming to fill their broadcast slots. This is a lower quality than normal for South Park but that could be simply because it's stretched out over 50 minutes instead of a tight 22.

This is the kind of television you can enjoy if you afford it a lot of goodwill. It made me laugh twice, which is more than most shows these days, but it's not like the heights of the show back in the day.

What I will say though is that it's becoming very clear that Trey and Matt feel pretty nostalgic about the earlier seasons, and for what it's worth, I think that's a good thing. They clearly have respect for what made South Park good in the first place and they want to honor that.

I think the problem comes with the fact that these meta-narratives are getting a little rediculous. This feels like something a talented fan fiction writer would make and feel proud of themselves about, but not an actual South Park episode.

I think it's getting clear that these characters might be getting a little thin for now. Honestly, focusing on the adult versions of these characters and their families seems like it's becoming more and more of an essential development.

This show has been going downhill for a while. While the new episode did contain some laughs, it was mostly toilet humor and nothing laugh-out-loud funny. It's not sure if it wants to be social satire or an adventure show. Either way I think Matt and Trey are getting too old to make a show revolving around 10-year-old boys, and now have to make the show revolve around Randy. This has also (as they admit in the episode) ruined the character of Randy as well.

I feel like they don't really know what to do with the show at this point and try to use stale memes (Karen) in order to stay relevant. They did something similar with the tiresome Mr. Garrison as Trump gag. It might be time to call it quits.

Part 2 of "The Streaming Wars" is a return to the earlier days of South Park and the kids. I prefer this over part one and can tell they listened to their viewers opinions after part 1. They do have some kinks to work out, but this was a great hour-long special. Just pour yourself a stiff drink and enjoy the satire. God knows we all need that.

I'm continuing to feel that none of these really require the Paramount+ runtime, and are regular episodes worth of material stretched out. But i just adjust my mindset accordingly, i'm watching a "special" episode, and it's not a problem really. Very decent, far from perfect, and not exactly great, but very decent. Randy is gonna be actually himself from this on, i'm so happy!