Clubhouses (South Park episode)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Clubhouses" is episode 212 of Comedy Central's animated series South Park. It originally aired on September 23, 1998.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
In this episode, Stan and Kyle set out to build a clubhouse (tree house) so they can play Truth or Dare? with Wendy and Bebe. Bebe has developed a crush on Kyle. Kyle is reluctant to play, as he has no interest in girls, but is assured by Stan telling him that it's just "so we can make them eat bugs." Cartman and Kenny learn of Stan and Kyle's plans and set about building their own clubhouse based on the schematics for "Ewok Village 2000." Naturally Kenny, as the worker, does the lion's share of the labor- for example, skipping school to wait for the hot tub guys to call. Meanwhile, Cartman, foreman of the project, slacks off notably by eating Cheesy Poofs and watching American Gladiators. Stan, meanwhile, is banned from watching Terrance and Phillip and is made to watch Fat Abbot ( a Fat Albert parody, but more profane) instead. It always starts with Fat Abbot saying "Hey! Hey! Hey!, What's going on, (then the name of his friend)!?". Stan and Kyle like this show at once.
Cartman and Kenny complete their clubhouse first, and Kenny manages to get two 16 year old girls, who have run away from home due to their nagging mothers, to hang out with them. Their attempts to get the girls to play Truth or Dare? ultimately fail. Stan and Kyle eventually finish their clubhouse despite being hampered by not being allowed to use nails. They invite the girls over to play Truth or Dare? On Chef's advice Stan attempts to play it cool; however Kyle jumps in and picks dare. Wendy dares him to "kiss Bebe on the lips." Pressured, Kyle goes through with it but freaks out and runs out screaming, "Sick!" Subsequently, Bebe breaks up with Kyle (who was unaware they were actually going out) and instantly replaces him with Clyde. Stan and Clyde play Truth or Dare? with Wendy and Bebe. At last Stan gets to ask for a dare, expecting to be asked to kiss Wendy. However, Wendy and Bebe confer, and dare Stan to jam a twig in his urethra.
A subplot in this episode is the breakdown of Stan's parents' marriage. Randy and Sharon divorce due to constant bickering despite Mr. Mackey's impromptu attempts at marriage counseling. The episode contains biting satire on this topic that is sharply critical of the way adults behave in divorce situations, often at the expense of their children. Sharon, for example, informs Stan that the divorce is "pretty much" all his fault. She does not seem to dwell on the break-up too long, however, and introduces Stan to a new stepfather, Roy, who promptly moves into the family home. Initially Roy seems wholesome and understanding but he quickly loses patience at Stan's failure to "cut him some slack," especially following repeated demands for Stan's help chopping firewood. After Stan questions Sharon's claim that Stan is "the most important thing" to her, Sharon clarifies thusly: "Now Stanley, you have to understand how divorce works. When I say, 'you're the most important thing to me,' what I mean is, you're the most important thing after me, and my happiness, and my new romances." Sharon tells Stan that he must go to visitation with his father, calling Randy a "bastard" when discussing the subject with Stan. For his part, Randy Marsh is apparently enjoying single life. He has bought a sports car, is wearing an earring, flirts with girls at traffic lights and turns up at a party in Cartman's clubhouse organized by the runaway girls. Like Sharon, Randy also assures Stan that nothing is more "important" to him as his son, but speeds away before Stan can even react to this statement. By the end of the episode, Randy and Sharon have gotten back together as Stan sets them up for a meeting in his clubhouse. Having met in a clubhouse years before while playing "Truth or Dare?", they have a passionate reconciliation, with Sharon admitting she still loves Randy and dares Randy to "Do her" right in the clubhouse. Roy winds up hanging from a tree in a bear trap, an idea Stan gets from watching Fat Abbot.
[edit] Trivia
- Fat Abbot physically resembles Fat Albert, but is not as fat and has a habit of calling people (even his friends and people he is comforting) bitches.
[edit] Kenny's death
Kenny dies in a mosh pit at the party organized by the runaway girls at Cartman's clubhouse. For the only time in the series, Cartman is the one who says, "Oh my God! They killed Kenny!" as neither Stan nor Kyle were present. Of course, not being present would never stop Kyle from saying "You bastards!" which he does as he walks by, possibly unaware of what compelled him to say it, but it may be directed toward Cartman for stealing the treehouse idea.
[edit] Goofs
- Kyle says that "girls suck". But in "Hooked on Monkey Phonics", he fell in love with Rebecca Cotswald. He may have shown an interest in girls during that time.
- If Stan and Wendy were to have a child, their child would have black hair because it would inherit this trait from its biological parents.
- After Stan is done reading the note, he says "Whoa, dude." in Kyle's voice.
| Preceded by "Roger Ebert Should Lay Off the Fatty Foods" |
South Park episodes | Followed by "Cow Days" |
