Best Friends Forever (South Park)

Plot

"Best Friends Forever" is the fourth episode of the ninth season of the animated television series South Park. It originally aired on March 30, 2005. The episode is a satirical take on the Terri Schiavo case, exploring themes of life, death, and the right to die.

The episode begins with Kenny McCormick, one of the main characters, acquiring a new PlayStation Portable (PSP) and becoming highly skilled at a game called "Heaven vs. Hell." Kenny's prowess in the game catches the attention of the angels in heaven, who reveal that the game was a test to find the "Keystone," a person who can lead the forces of heaven against the armies of hell.

Kenny is hit by a truck and ends up in a persistent vegetative state. The episode then follows the ensuing legal battle between Kenny's friends and family over whether to keep him on life support. Eric Cartman, one of Kenny's friends, claims to have a "last will" from Kenny, stating that he wanted to be taken off life support. This leads to a court case that parodies the real-life legal battles over Terri Schiavo.

Themes

The episode addresses the controversial issue of the right to die, using humor and satire to comment on the media circus surrounding such cases. It also explores the concept of destiny and the role of video games in modern culture.

Reception

"Best Friends Forever" was well-received by critics and audiences for its bold commentary on a sensitive topic. The episode won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) in 2005.

Cultural References

The episode makes several references to popular culture, including the PlayStation Portable, which was a newly released gaming console at the time. The depiction of heaven and hell in the episode draws on traditional religious imagery, while the legal battle over Kenny's life support is a direct parody of the Terri Schiavo case.

Legacy

"Best Friends Forever" is often cited as one of the most memorable episodes of South Park due to its handling of a real-world issue through the lens of satire. It is frequently discussed in the context of the show's ability to tackle controversial topics with humor and insight.