Pandemic 2: The Startling

"Pandemic 2: The Startling"

"Pandemic 2 - The Startling" is the eleventh episode of the twelfth season of the animated series South Park, which aired on Wednesday, October 29, 2008. It is the conclusion to the previous episode, Pandemic.

Plot

The episode opens with a monologue by Craig, explaining what had happened in the previous episode. Craig's monologue is actually a narration of his journal, which he is writing in the Andes mountains. He, the other boys and the pilots are stranded without gas at a false rendezvous point. They look for help in the jungle, but find only a "lost giant world," filled with humongous fruits. The two pilots are killed by baby Guinea pig bee larva; the boys flee.

Craig and the boys discover a temple, inside of which are carvings depicting a prophecy that details all of the events of the previous episode. They learn from this that the Peruvian flute bands kept the murderous guinea pigs within the jungle. Craig is featured in the final carving. In spite of the intrigue of the carving, Craig refuses to do any more investigating and begins walking back through the jungle. The other boys follow him, complaining of boredom.

Interspersed throughout this story are various flashes in Colorado with Randy, Sharon and Shelly hiding from giant guinea pig monsters (all of which are portrayed by real live-action guinea pigs wearing costumes). They hide at home, in a damaged bus, on the roof of a Best Buy, a grocery store, and an Outback Steakhouse. Randy does not stop filming the entire time, and uses unnecessarily shaky camera work, as well as constant zooms and heavy breathing to convey just how "startled" he is by the whole ordeal. Also, the townsfolk discover that the guinea pigs take on various other permutations, including guinea rabbits, guinea bees, and guinea-saurus rexes.

The Guinea Pirate.

Meanwhile, the head of Homeland Security travels to Machu Picchu to finalize his plan for world domination. He accidentally runs into the boys and orders his guards to kill them, claiming they are a Peruvian flute band. Stan explains that they aren't and that the bands are the only forces which could stop the guinea pigs.

The director of Homeland Security snaps, revealing his plan to everyone. One of the guards shoots him, but that doesn't stop the director, who then reveals his true form, that of a "guinea pirate". Craig simply steps away from the scene as he does not want to interfere. He accidentally steps on a stone tile, and then starts shooting sparks from his eyes at the Guinea pirate, paralyzing him.

The episode ends with a second monologue by Craig, telling the aftermath of the incident as a pan flute cover of Gary Numan's "Cars" plays in the background. The U.S. government releases all the pan flute bands, who then drove the guinea pigs away back to the jungle. Craig concludes that you never know what life has in store for you, and also that he will never trust anyone who asks him for money. He is shown shutting his front door on the boys, who have come to his house dressed as a Mariachi band.

It is also revealed at this time that Randy forgot to put a tape in his camera.

Meanwhile back at the office of Homeland Security, the new Director is informed that the guinea pirate has broken out of jail and has begun to attack the city. The ending sequence shows the escaped giant guinea pirate roaming through the streets in his black-and-white prison uniform.

Cultural references

• The guinea pig monsters and shaky camera style of cinematography are a reference to the 2008 American monster movie Cloverfield.

External links

• Episode guide at Southparkstudios.com