It's Christmas in Canada

"It's Christmas in Canada"

"It's Christmas in Canada" (sometimes called "Christmas in Canada?" or simply "Christmas in Canada") is episode 715 of Comedy Central's South Park. This episode originally aired on December 17, 2003. It was nominated for an Emmy Award. It is the fourth episode of the series to feature the word "shit" uncensored.

Plot

It is a few weeks until Christmas, and at the Broflovski house, the entire family is celebrating Hanukkah together. Gerald joyfully notes how much the family's togetherness means at this time of year, and that nothing can break them apart.

Seconds later, the doorbell rings, and Gerald answers. At the door is a Canadian couple; who introduce themselves as Harry and Elise Gintz. Just as Harry begins to calmly explain why they have sought out the Broflovskis, Kyle and Ike walk into view to see who is at the door. Elise, calm and not saying the word until this moment, immediately screams "Peter!" and rushes in to hug Ike, who, frightened, takes cover behind Kyle.

While in discussion in the dining area, with Kyle and Ike outside listening in, Harry and Elise reveal they are Ike's (or address him as his birth name "Peter"'s) biological parents, who, having given Ike up at a turbulent time in Canada, have steadily regretted their decision as time went on. Initially it is assumed the Gintz's are here to visit Ike, and Gerald gently askes them not to do so again for fear of emotionally hurting Ike, but it turns out the Gintz's want to take Ike back home to Canada. The couples begin to argue, with Harry justifying their right to change their mind about putting Ike up for adoption as, due to a new law made by the Prime Minister of Canada, all Canadian-born children in America must be returned. The Gintz's depart, with the Broflovskis vowing to fight them in court.

Sadly, the Canadian law cannot be overturned by South Park's court, so Ike is returned to the Gintz's custody, devastating Gerald and Sheila. Ike then leaves the next day with his biological parents.

Two weeks later, Kyle notices his parents steadily getting worse as time without Ike goes on. Kyle attempts to get his friends to help him, however they have other things on their minds; Cartman selfishly believes that presents are more important, and Stan is obsessed with the Christmas adventures that he may have this year.

In the wake of this incident, however, South Park's citizens decide to act kindly towards the Broflovskis and, in an effort to aid them in their attempts to reach the Prime Minister and convince him to allow Ike to return to America, they will give them their Christmas gift money. However, they clearly did not take their children into account when they made this decision, and as such, all the children are left upset with the thought of Christmas without any presents (Clyde bursts into tears at the news). Most especially is Cartman, who is outraged and (naturally) blames it all on Kyle. Cartman, having finally reached his breaking point, prepares to fight Kyle, but Kyle has an idea of how to save Christmas: the boys can go to Canada and get Ike back themselves in the few days before Christmas, saving everybody's money for presents. Cartman calms down and agrees, but promises he will fight him if they don't get back home in time.

They fly with City ("Shitty") Airlines, run by City Wok owner Tuong Lu Kim. Cartman and Kenny don't want to fly the moment they see the single engine Cessna they are expected to fly in; Cartman because he does not trust the Cessna, and Kenny because, as he says in a muffled voice, "Cause dude, I'll fuckin' die!" Stan convinces them both by reminding them that they both care about Christmas. Cartman, who only cares about presents, exclaims "Of course I care about Christmas!" but then is forced to come. During the flight, the plane suffers from mechanical troubles and runs out of gas, not helped by the fact that Tuong fell asleep and flew further than he was intending. He parachutes out of the plane, leaving the four boys in it. It crashes in Canada, but the four boys get out relatively unscathed. In Canada, they meet a bunch of Canadians, including Scott, a Canadian who is "a dick". He hates Americans and Canadians, and vows to stop them from meeting the prime minister.

Traveling to Ottawa on the "only road" in Canada, the boys meet others plagued by the new Prime Minister's laws - a Mountie named Rick, who is forced to ride a sheep instead of a horse; an unnamed French Canadian mime, who can no longer drink wine; and a Newfoundlander named Steve, who can no longer practice sodomy. In Newfoundland, Steve points out, to the boys' horror, that they were heading in the wrong direction, to which Cartman threatens to "throw down" with Kyle again because they'll never make it to Ottawa before Christmas. However, they do get there in enough time by using Steve's boat.

In the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings, the boys convince the guard to let them in by crying. The boys finally meet with the Prime Minister - a gigantic floating head. Scott then arrives with the Gintzes. Scott and Kyle both appeal to the Prime Minister to support their separate views, with Kyle making a more impassioned and touching monologue that affects the Gintzes. The Prime Minister however, is a brutal dictator and refuses to repeal his laws and, to prove his point, vaporises Kenny. While the Prime Minister rants, Stan spots a curtain in the corner and pulls it back to reveal the gigantic floating head is mechanically controlled by Saddam Hussein in a spider-hole. Upon discovery of the Prime Minister's true identity, the Canadians arrest Hussein and declare all of the new laws null and void. The Gintzes, touched by Kyle's dedication and the amount of love he has shown their son by coming all the way to Canada to get him back, give Ike the choice to go back to America. Ike accepts, and the Gintzes are left happy that their son is in the care of a family that loves him.

Suddenly Cartman's watch beeps; it's Christmas day. Cartman is shocked about missing Christmas, but Kyle insists that he got his brother back and that's all that matters. Cartman however gets angry and thirsts for a fight. Kyle finally agrees and, very reluctantly hits Cartman, once, with a simple punch to the nose. Cartman immediately breaks down, screaming and crying at the top of his voice and call for his mother.

Rick the Mountie then comes back in inviting the boys to celebrate Christmas Canadian-style, being part of a parade, celebrating Hussein's capture and the boys efforts to de-power him. Oblivious (either unaware or unwilling to realize it) to what has transpired, Stan and Cartman are unhappy; Stan sighs and says that maybe they'll have a Christmas adventure next year.

Note

• This is Eliza Schneider's last episode as the voices of the female characters in South Park.
• This episode was nominated for an Emmy Award.
• This episode marks the final appearance of Saddam Hussein.
• Is the last Christmas special in which Kenny dies.
• Much of the story is a parody of the classic film The Wizard of Oz.
• Characters refer frequently to "the new Prime Minister." Paul Martin had taken office as Prime Minister just five days prior to the airing of the episode.