The Coon
| "The Coon" |
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"The Coon" is the second episode of the thirteenth season of the animated television series South Park. It first aired on March 18, 2009. It references different comic book-related pieces of media, specifically The Spirit, Watchmen, The Dark Knight, and Spider-Man 3[1]. In the United States, this episode was rated TV-MA-L.
Plot
Cartman becomes a lone vigilante dubbed "The Coon," who attempts to wipe out crime in South Park. Though Cartman tries to bring talk about "The Coon" to South Park through word of mouth, nobody seems to care about the Coon's efforts. When he reports crimes to the Police Station, he is threatened to be thrown in jail and snubbed off. During class, Cartman tries to hype up an appearance from The Coon, saying he will be on top of a Walgreens. Cartman (as the Coon) shows up to the spot to find another superhero (also a child) named Mysterion that tries and succeeds in taking the Coon's place as the crime stopping icon. Mysterion actually is appreciated by the citizens and the police, angering Cartman. Cartman's attempts at discovering the identity of Mysterion only lead to more questions when Wendy suggests that it may not necessarily be a boy. Cartman then turns to the "dark side" to rid the town of Mysterion, enlisting the help of Professor Chaos, with his sidekick General Disarray. Professor Chaos, at the urging of Cartman, threatens to destroy a hospital building unless Mysterion reveals his or her identity. After planting the dynamite, Cartman leaves to buy detonators. While gone Mysterion unexpectedly walks in. Professor Chaos, General Disarray and Mysterion fight on top of the building as a crowd forms. Cartman then makes a dramatic appearance fighting on the side of Mysterion so he could be hailed as a hero. After their victory, Cartman is able to convince Mysterion to unmask, as people would "do anything" to discover his/her identity. Despite being told by the police that he/she would be imprisoned for vigilantism, Mysterion unmasks, revealing a bare face similar to nearly all the students at South Park Elementary, making the identity impossible to determine. The crowd of people remark how they were shocked at the identity, while Cartman mentions that he correctly guessed it earlier (though he mentioned nearly everyone in his class, so it is still difficult to determine who). Mysterion is hauled to prison and Cartman remains the only "super hero" in South Park.
Theme
"The Coon" is primarily a parody of the recent trend of dark-toned comic book movies.[2][1] The Dark Knight (2008), The Spirit (2008) and Watchmen (2009) are the most commonly referred to films, but others such as Spider-Man 3 (2007) are also frequently referenced.[3] Throughout the episode, Eric Cartman demonstrates a lust for fame and narcissistic pathology concealed behind a false desire to help society, which journalists suggested is a commentary on modern society.[4]
Cultural references
The music used in "The Coon" is inspired by the style of film scores by James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer, both of collaborated on the scores for Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight.[2] The Coon uses a deep ominous voice similar to that used by Gabriel Macht in The Spirit or Christian Bale in the Batman films, whereas Mysterion has a low voice like that of Rorschach in Watchmen. Cartman and Mysterion both refer to themselves as "the symbol this town needs", a line from The Dark Knight, and Cartman encourages Butters to film a video threatening to blow up a hospital, the same as the Joker from a scene in that movie. The opening shot of "The Coon" is also inspired by the opening sequence from Watchmen: both start at a close-up of a city sidewalk and zoom out to someone looking down from the top of a tall skyscraper.[3] A poster of the Coon shown at Cartman's Coonicon 2009 is inspired by the front cover of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, the influential Batman graphic novel by Frank Miller. Other common comic book movie traits spoofed in "The Coon" include costumes that do little to actually conceal secret identities, trophies adorning superhero secret lairs and sudden disappearing exits and entrances.[1]
Although Eric Cartman's superhero identity literally comes from the North American mammal, the raccoon, the term "coon" is a well-known ethnic slur against black people.[2] The episode makes reference to the election of President Barack Obama, the nation's first African American president, while describing the crime running rampant in South Park: "Then a black man was elected president. He was supposed to change things. He didn't." The Barack Obama "Hope" poster is shown with the word "Change", and graffiti underneath it saying, "When?"[5] Carlos Delgado of If Magazine said he believed the episode title, "The Coon" was a jab intended for Obama.[6]
Cartman purchases detonators for the dynamite he intended to use to blow up the hospital at Ace Hardware, a real-life Illinois-based hardware company chain. His "Coonicon 2009" convention is held at the Airport Hilton. Based on the physique of the Coon, Butters considers heavyset entertainers Bruce Vilanch and Harvey Fierstein as suspects for his secret identity.[3] Cartman refers to the economic recession as one of the primary factors that has led to an increase in crime.[2]
The popular Internet video about the leprechaun sighting in Mobile, Alabama is referenced in the scene when the townspeople are out in the streets trying to get a look at Mysterion.
Reception
Kofi Outlaw of ScreenRant said the episode was much less offensive than he expected: "really, no jaw-dropping, face-cringing moments in this episode. Hell, 'The Coon' title was probably the most offensive thing about it."[2] Carlos Delgado of If Magazine said, "The mockery of comic book based movies is perfectly done...Though not quite as funny as last week’s “The Ring,” “The Coon” is right up there as a classic episode, ... A beacon of hope in the sometimes drab world of television."[6] Rick Ellis, television critic for the Philadelphia Examiner, called the episode "another highly politically-incorrect yet hilarious new episode."[7] The Geeks of Doom blog said of the episode, "It’s been a little while since we’ve seen South Park this good, but superhero spoofing mixed with that harsh and patented South Park humor, as well as their always interesting racial silliness… how could it possibly go wrong?"[8]
Genevieve Koski of The A.V. Club gave the episode a B+ grade, although she did not like the "non-reveal" ending. She also said the target material for "The Coon" is too easy ("ooh, a superhero parody, don't hurt yourself, guys"), but she said the episode was "really likable" and she particularly liked Cartman's growing frustration when his superhero persona is ignored.[3] Travis Fickett of IGN also said he did not like the ending and, although he liked Butters' part in the episode and the riffing on comic book stereotypes, Fickett felt the episode lacked any "brilliant moments" and "ultimately runs out of steam with the super-hero riff".[5]
References
- ^ a b c Marshall, Rick (2009-03-19). "'South Park' Superhero Parody Spoofs 'Watchmen,' 'The Dark Knight' & Dark Comics Trend". MTV. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
- ^ a b c d e Outlaw, Kofi (2009-03-19). ""South Park" episode spoofs Watchmen & The Dark Knight". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
- ^ a b c d Koski, Genevieve (2009-03-18). ""The Coon"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
- ^ Whittington, Mark (2009-03-19). "South Park Episode 'The Coon' and the Absurdity of Super Heroes". Associated Content. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
- ^ a b Fickett, Travis (2009-03-19). "South Park: "The Coon" Review". IGN. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
- ^ a b Delgado, Carlos (2009-03-19). ""TV Review: South Park - Season 13 - "The Coon"". If Magazine.
- ^ Ellis, Rick (2009-03-19). "South Park's "Who is the Coon" turns Cartman into a vigilante". Philadelphia Examiner. Philadelphia. Retrieved 2009-03-1.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ ""South Park" spoofs "Watchmen" & "The Dark Knight"". Geeks of Doom. 2009-03-19. Retrieved 2009-03-20.