Top 20 Surprisingly Touching Moments from South Park

#20: Riding Off into the Sunset

This episode might’ve ignited controversy over its depiction of a bleeding Virgin Mary statue, but it builds to a poignant exchange between father and son. Of course, in Randy and Stan’s dynamic, the son is the one who does most of the parenting. Stan helps guide his father to change his relationship with alcohol, in part by sharing his karate teahcer’s wise words. We close on the inspiring image of Randy carrying Stan with a promising future on the horizon. Stan may be the true adult in their relationship, but Randy can still be an affectionate patriarch.

#19: Grandpa Marsh’s Fading Memory

Grandpa Marsh is a character who’s often played for laughs, which made it all the more surprising when he dropped his emotional monologue. The Shopping Network isn’t just bleeding Marvin’s wallet dry. They’re taking advantage of an elderly man living with Alzheimer’s disease. Stan comes to understand why his grandpa keeps buying useless junk as Marvin reminiscences about his beloved Border Collie, Patches. Although Marvin has told Stan about Patches multiple times, he can no longer remember what her face looks like. Marvin’s Alzheimer’s also might explain why he always calls Stan “Billy,” turning a running gag into a tragedy. The story ends on a heartwarming note, as Stan gives his grandpa a photo of Patches so that he can always remember the dog.

#18: Stan Gets Kyle a Kidney

Kenny’s well-being is rarely considered and Cartman is… well, Cartman. Stan and Kyle thus serve as the main four’s beating heart. It’s a kidney that Kyle needs in this episode, however. As the parents are sucked into a New Age healing scam and Cartman refuses to give up one of his kidneys, Kyle appears to be on his deathbed. Stan never gives up on his friend, going to great lengths to get Kyle a life-saving surgery. Recovering in the hospital, Kyle thanks Stan for everything. No thanks is needed, as Stan doesn’t want to leave this earth until Kyle does. Stan can’t say the same about Cartman, who he tricked into donating his kidney. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll shoot milk out of your nose.

#17: Butters Gets Real with His Grandma

If you thought Butters’ parents were horrible… they are, but his grandma is even worse. Grandma Stotch torments Butters under everyone’s noses, and not even Professor Chaos can stop her. Considering that Butters beats up Dr. Oz, he could probably summon the strength to overpower his grandma physically. Instead, Butters stands up to her with brutally honest words, which cut deeper. Butters tells his grandma that she’s going to die sooner than later with nothing but an empty feeling inside. When she’s gone, Butters will still be around and he won’t be broken. We don’t feel bad for Grandma, as this roast was the least that she deserved. Whether or not she softens during her time left, it’s uplifting seeing Butters come out on top.

#16: Barbrady’s Dog

Officer Barbrady was among the most prominent side characters during the early seasons. As the years went by, Barbrady essentially faded into the background, resurfacing in Season 19. Screwing up more than usual, he’s forced to turn in his badge, gun, and sunglasses, going from Officer Barbrady to just Barbrady. Being a cop was Barbrady’s world. Heading home, we see how little he has left. His house is a mess, his wife is seemingly gone, and his poor dog Barney isn’t in the best shape. It isn’t long until Barbrady and Barney are on the street, seeking a new purpose. “South Park” doesn’t always get much credit on an animation level, but seeing Barbrady cuddle with a withering Barney brings a tear to our eye.

#15: Kyle Accepts Ike as His Brother

Misunderstanding what exactly a circumcision is, Kyle vows to protect Ike until he discovers that his brother was adopted. Feeling betrayed, Kyle denounces Ike and allows the bris to proceed. Although Kyle is hesitant, he can’t deny his genuine connection to Ike as they look over old photos. When Ike comes in for a hug, Kyle realizes that family goes beyond biology. Kyle firmly defends Ike when the doctor shows up, but the brothers soon learn that circumcision isn’t as ghastly as it sounds. Even then, Kyle is there to support Ike as the cutting commences. This wouldn’t be the last time that Ike’s Canadian heritage factored into a story, nor would it be the last time Kyle proved his brotherly love.

#14: Tweek & Craig “Break Up”

16 years after fighting each other, we didn’t expect Tweek and Craig to become our OTP. When yaoi fan art of Tweek and Craig starts making the rounds, it’s primarily treated as a source of humor. That’s because there’s no real romantic connection between them… or is there? By the time they stage a breakup, we’re surprisingly invested in Creek, as is all of South Park. Tweek and Craig also start to fill a void without one another. The breakup might have been fake, but the ensuing heartache is real. After receiving support from his father, Craig is given the confidence to take Tweek’s hand, marking the beginning of a true relationship. Spirits are also lifted across the town in a heartwarming montage.

#13: Kenny Dies (And Everyone Cares)

For five seasons, Kenny repeatedly died without much more than an “Oh my God” from his friends. When Kenny gets a terminal disease, though, his loved ones express more grief than usual. This is so uncharacteristic that it’s almost funny, but the episode is ultimately more tragic as Stan struggles to accept Kenny’s condition. When Stan is finally ready to show his friend support, it’s too late. Matt Stone and Trey Parker set out to produce a “super serious” episode with no laughs. They felt the final product was more “half and half.” There are plenty of ridiculous moments, although the dramatic scenes are surprisingly authentic. Kenny would live to see another day, but for the first time, we felt the weight of his absence.

#12: Butters Saves Bradley

When Butters is sent to a conversion therapy camp, he doesn’t entirely get what he’s doing there. By the episode’s conclusion, Butters still doesn’t fully grasp the camp’s purpose, but he comes to understand a few things. It’s the counselors who are truly confused and their actions are harming the boys, not saving them. Butters accepts himself and his words resonate with Bradley. The counselors learn nothing, but the most important thing is that Bradley comes to see himself as normal. For anyone who’s ever been told that they were “confused,” this moment is sure to provide a source of comfort.

#11: Stan Wants His Life Back

Of all the topics that “South Park” has covered in its 20+ years, the COVID-19 pandemic was perhaps the most universal. No matter what you were going through during this period, everyone can relate to Stan as he bares his soul. Stan wants to partake in the activities that we took for granted before the world shut down. He tries to hide how much he’s hurting inside, but after putting his life on hold for months, he just wants a return to normalcy. Stan’s words resonate with all of us and they even evoke sympathy from Cartman, who makes a selfless decision for once. At a time when so many felt like they were alone, “South Park” assured us that we weren’t.

#10: Kyle Saves Ike

From the pilot episode, Kyle and his adopted brother Ike have shared one of the show’s most heartfelt dynamics. In season 7, Kyle risks losing Ike forever when his birth parents take him back to Canada. In one of his most personal speeches to date, Kyle tries appealing to the Canadian Prime Minister with a meaningful expression about what it truly means to be a family. As moved as we are, the Prime Minister doesn’t feel the same way and promptly blows Kenny up in a show of rage. Fortunately, the Prime Minister behind the curtain is revealed to be Saddam Hussein and he’s arrested on the spot. Kyle’s words get through to Ike’s birth parents, who realize there’s more to family than just blood.

#9: The Calves

Matt Stone and Trey Parker aren’t exactly what you’d call vegetarians, but they do have a thing about eating baby cows. While this episode isn’t anti-meat, it does stand up for the poor calves, suggesting that nobody would eat veal if the product was called something more gruesome. The creators further get their point across by making the calves as adorable as possible, giving them sad faces and puppy-dog eyes. The boys decide to lock all the animals (and themselves) in their bedroom and go on a hunger strike. Though eventually thwarted by the FBI, their rescue effort is ultimately successful as the new brand name drives down national demand for veal.

#8: Cartman Gives Kyle CPR

Following a hazardous encounter with ManBearPig, Kyle is left lying pale-faced and lifeless on the ground. When everyone else in the room is ready to declare him dead, Cartman – of all people – refuses to give up on him. The situation moves from emotional to surprisingly intense as Cartman tearfully tries resuscitating Kyle. Honestly, a scene like this feels more like something you’d see on “Lost” or “ER” than “South Park.” As Kyle sputters and coughs back to life, Cartman is seen cradling his head as he provides him with an oxygen mask. Granted, Cartman is mainly concerned about his bet with Kyle, but nevertheless, we like to think that a part of Cartman can’t handle the idea of life without Kyle.

#7: Chef’s Funeral

After “South Park” mocked Scientology in season 9, Isaac Hayes’ “Scientology entourage” made a statement that was reportedly on his behalf requesting he be released from the show. Hayes’ sudden exit left Stone and Parker feeling sad but slightly resentful, and they certainly show it in season 10’s opening episode. Chef is off’ed in the most gruesome, mean-spirited way imaginable. However, the episode doesn’t disregard all the good work Hayes did over the years. Chef’s funeral is a genuine tear-jerker, reuniting many of the people he touched, from Garrison to Elton John. And Kyle even delivers a bittersweet eulogy about all the laughs, songs, and wisdom that Chef gave us, adding that we shouldn’t blame him, but rather, a certain “fruity little club.”

#6: Kenny Gives His Sister a Toy

When Kenny’s little sister Karen popped up as a background character in season 9, we didn’t expect much to come from her. In more recent years, however, Karen has played a role in some of the show’s most tender moments, adding new layers to Kenny’s character in the process. In season 19, Kenny has to work his fingertips to the bone merely to receive a “child labor wage,” but he uses his measly paycheck to purchase the lonely Karen a doll. Karen lights up at the sight of her new plaything, and although Kenny isn’t the easiest character to read, we can tell that his sister’s happiness is all the reward he needed. It’s a simple moment that speaks volumes about who Kenny truly is underneath the hood.

#5: Kip Drordy

Poor Kip Drordy spends his days periodically checking his Facebook page, hoping someone will be his friend. Out of pity, Kyle adds Kip as a friend, hoping to make him feel a little better. Through the unfortunate reality of social hierarchy, Kyle starts losing Facebook friends for his act of goodwill. He jumps ship to save his own reputation, which leaves Kip more depressed than ever. The episode builds to a joyous resolution however when Kip receives all 845,323 friends from Stan’s deleted sentient profile -- whom he defeated from ‘inside’ the Facebook matrix in a Tron-like battle for survival.

#4: Blanket

At first, Stone and Parker were against doing a Michael Jackson episode, seeing how the controversial pop star is an overused target for satire. The creators came around to the idea however when they decided to make Jackson’s youngest son, Blanket, the focus. Suddenly, the episode had more heart, and what’s more touching -- Kyle becomes something of a big brother towards Blanket in Michael Jackson’s absence. Kyle realizes just how neglected and alone Blanket is, telling “Mr. Jefferson” that he needs to stop acting like a child and take care of his own children. The episode is made even more poignant when you consider that a few plot points were taken out of real life, like Blanket’s artificially inseminated birth, and how Jackson made his kids wear masks in public.

#3: Mysterion the Guardian Angel

The first episode that really touches upon Kenny’s relationship with Karen comes at the end of season 15, when the McCormick kids wind up in a cruel foster home. Kenny can only do so much to help his scared, confused sister, but his alter-ego, Mysterion, can do more. Taking on his superhero persona, Kenny visits Karen at night, reassuring her that she’s not alone and that everything will be okay. Though Mysterion is generally the conduit for Kenny’s darker side, in this moment Mysterion reveals a more loving and gentle brother who will do anything to protect his loved ones. Just as Batman is Bruce Wayne’s mask, Mysterion allows Kenny to express what he’s truly feeling.

#2: Beautiful Sadness

Although the other kids frequently poke fun at Butters for his innocence and naivety, sometimes his sincerity can rub off on them. After getting dumped by his so-called “girlfriend,” Butters is left whimpering in the rain. Stan and his fellow Goth kids thus invite Butters to join them, but he turns them down, saying there’s still more to life than just pain. Just because Butters is heartbroken doesn’t mean that he himself is broken. If anything, the sadness makes him appreciate life more. Moved by this touching point of view, Stan realizes that it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all -- and ditches the goth kids. It’s a life-affirming moment, reminding us that sadness is an integral part of the human experience.

#1: Kenny’s Sacrifice

Though we can never quite understand what he’s saying, Kenny is often the voice of reason and virtue in “South Park,” and this is best exemplified in their feature film. After helping a heartbroken Satan to see the light, Kenny is granted one wish. Rather than asking to be resurrected, Kenny wishes for everything on Earth to go back to the way it was. Before returning to Hell however, he reveals his face and speaks clearly for the first time, bidding his friends “farewell.” He then disappears, and we next see him flying up to heaven, his sacrifice rewarded. Leaving everyone in the theater choked up, this ending elevated “South Park” into new territory, proving that it’s much more than a foulmouthed cartoon.