I do NOT understand how they keep doing this. I KNOW they keep doing, I can FEEL it, it's the reason South Park is my favorite adult aimed show, and yet they keep throwing me curve balls, some of which characters use as bounce-arounds to travel short distances. Two Hundred Episodes. Two Hundred. This one aimed to be epic and they did an excellent job. I can easily disagree with any opinion that isn't pleased.
OnePark is thinking of Dr. Mephesto. But with the brilliant run of this show (not without its misses of course) I can't see how it wouldn't be obvious that Dr. Mephesto being the dad of Cartman (Jesus it sounds like I'm talking about a soap opera! It's South Park! lol! Crazy train.) is too obvious. Comedy is twists, and throwing you curve balls. If they WERE going to pull a "South Park" and completely stiff us (like the Terrance and Phillip Special as an April Fools joke), the way they'd do it is to NOT have a part 2 to this episode. And THAT would be as awesome as having a 2nd part to this episode, because we'd be able to get off our fanboy soap boxes and stop taking the show so seriously.
Then again, they can make a 2 parter and continue the story because they frankly did to much excellent work on this one, with all the brilliantly sewed together references.
You wanna know how long? I'll tell you how long it's been since we've seen Mr. Hat. I Don't Remember! THAT'S how long! Obviously hardcore south park fanboys know in general that it's when Mr. Garisson finally admitted to himself and the world he was gay, but good lordy so much time has gone by. That's really fun, because I think Mr. Garisson's growth as a character and person has been really poignant.
I had the opposite reaction, which is also my entire theme and feeling of this post. I think all of it was so awesome and in your face that you don't even need a "To Be Continued" message. This episode came into its own, made a huge roller coaster ride, and no one can help but scream as it fires down a steep drop.
I knew MechaStreisand (ooh the spell check is going to love that one) was coming a few seconds after I heard Tom Cruise say the word "she" and they cut to the next shot. She looked so awesome: even more symbolism of how far the show has come, and how the show can now "use a bull dozer to build a sand castle" as it were. It also makes me happy I'm DVRing the 1st American season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and they're up to the Green Ranger origin, because now I feel like seeing Dragonzord. Tommy's zord could totally total that thing, despite it's awesome upgrades, BUT this show is comedy first, and good vs evil drama second (or third or where ever it goes depending on what the story calls for).
I wish I knew what else to say. Even if they left it at that, I'd definitely be satisfied. Although Trey and Matt have realized the "mistake" they made after they got the fans reaction. Apparently, the April Fools joke from years ago was a bit too clever for the South Park audience, because they didn't think it was a funny joke. I did, and I still do.
The Ginger kids addition was probably the most brilliant part, because the main antagonist to the town of South Park is Terrorists (for lack of a better term!). Since we occasionally get all deep with what happens in a South Park episode and go really far into the "why," then I can picture those ginger kids getting all terrorist-like and angry simply because Cartman brought them together. If Cartman hadn't tried to use them, they wouldn't have banded together and realized, "yeah, you know what, I AM really angry!" It's like a "what goes around comes around" kind of thing.
As an old man, it's hilarious that fans who have only watched the show for 5 or 6 years never thought about Cartman's father. It was the subject of a two part episode from season 1 and 2.
Aaah I wish I was more clevererer but I'll just end my post....