This is where south park take it serious. As Kenny is diagnosed with a terminal illness and I will admit that i shredded a tear! But what make me give it a give it higher grade is the fact that even this is a very special episode south still delivers some great slapstick comedy in between as well. Kenny is feeling very sick and Cartman goes on a mission to the American government to try and convince them to lift the ban on stem cell research in which Cartman believes can cure Kenny. For the first time ever in South Park Kennny's death is taken seriously and it reveals how tragic it can be if people pay more attention to it. There is so much drama and comedy in this episode that it can not be missed! It will bring tears to eyes and show you that South Park has a soft side too! And there is so much emotion in it as well! *****/***** 10/10
11 Reviews
Really, really good
egunderson242 April 2019
This is probably the most emotional episode in the first five seasons. It's definitely better than Family Guy's "Life of Brian". Had they actually had Kenny gone forever it maybe would have had a little more impact, but it's still very good as is. My problem comes toward the end. I felt baffled how Cartman (of course) was lying the entire time. Here I was thinking that he actually cared about Kenny, but of course, like always, he was just being manipulative. (Yes I know that's the joke but it still felt manipulative) That and there is a bit of predictability throughout. Thankfully it doesn't bring it down too much and the the rest of the episode is phenomenally made and was definitely a worthy (although temporary) sendoff.
Edit (2/23/21) I no longer have too much of a problem with the ending- maybe I would change it if I had the choice but i actually did find it to be funny now that I knew it was coming and now that the shock factor was over.
Edit (2/23/21) I no longer have too much of a problem with the ending- maybe I would change it if I had the choice but i actually did find it to be funny now that I knew it was coming and now that the shock factor was over.
A Beautiful and Touching Episode
totalspamarama10 August 2018
South Park is known for its funny and wacky plots, but when it gets deep, it hits hard. This episode is a perfect example of that. The premise is simple, in that Kenny is dying (whaaat when does that happen). However, the the cruel twist is that he is dying of cancer and the boys have to deal with the prospect of losing their friend. It's surprisingly powerful and somewhat funny in a way that only South Park can be. In fact, if the Cartman subplot wasn't in this episode (your breaking my balls Chuck, your breaking my balls) than it would pretty much be a constant stream of sadness, despite already being that way, as it is. "Kenny Dies" is a great reminder that we really care about these four characters and it further reveals to us (as the best episodes do) that Stan, Kenny, Kyle and Cartman are just kids, trying to make their way in the world. Parker and Stone really remind us what it's like to be a kid, while forcing us to share in the tragedy that is plaguing these boys lives. There are some genuinely heartbreaking moments in this episode, such as Stan and Kyle discussing how they should react to Kenny's impending doom, Kyle showing Kenny a picture that Butters drew of them together on a rocketship, Cartman talking to Kenny alone, his iconic "Heat of the Moment" rendition and of course a scene near the very end, which actually brought a tear to my eye (trust me, you will know the one I'm talking about. All in all, this was very moving and to this day, it remains my favorite South Park episode, not because it's one I would want to watch over and over again, but because it has a beautiful message about love, loss and the need of friendship in tough situations.
perfect episode, funny as well as emotional
mickyharrop27 December 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Kenny dies is the best episode of series 5, i love when Matt and trey do a serious episode because they manage to take a serious topic and make a real emotional episode, but also make it side splittingly funny. what i love about this episode is that Stan kyle an cartman are devastated by Kenny's illness and take it seriously as appose to all the times Kenny has died previously. i love how all the friends r there for each other, with kyle trying to support Stan who cannot bring himself to be with Kenny at the hospital as he is too upset. and kyle and cartman crying together. it was nice to see this side of cartman especially after the episode where he made Scott Tenorman eat his parents in "Scott Tenorman Must Die". then ending where Kenny dies and Stan didn't get to be there to say goodbye was so sad especially as Kenny's words were "wheres Stan". all in all it was a perfect episode and in my opinion the best.
One of the better episodes of Season 5, however more depressing than funny
gangstahippie10 December 2008
Kenny Dies is one of the best episodes of Season 5.I found season 5 to be not as good as the others, but the episodes were still decent(and there were some very good ones).This is one of my favorite episodes of this season.It has funny moments but it is more of a dramatic episode.Kenny usually dies in every episode, however in this one, his death is taken seriously.The episode has Kenny getting diagnosed with cancer.Meanwhile, aborted fetuses become illegal and Cartman, who has a bunch of them and wants to sell them, tries to make them legal again.The episode was made because Trey and Matt were "sick" of Kenny.When Kenny dies in this episode, he would not return until the last episode of Season 6(Red Sleigh Down).This is a good episode which is mostly dramatic than comedic.
Kennys death
johnpagan-6523315 June 2021
A more serious episode
evoapollo27 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Not gonna lie this episode was sort of a tearjerker. It was so dark but not the kind of shock humor dark this show is known for. Like real dark. Terminal illness and a learning a friend or family member has something like that can be really hard. And it was such a different episode with an incredibly sad story. Its usually funny seeing kenny die every episode up to this point. But this whole episode is about him dying. And they all take in how serious this is. Cartman usually reacts if it involves himself being what a sadistic sociopath he is, and he does it brilliantly to act sad so he could get the law for fetuses for his own benefit. But before that it's incredibly dark. Theres no happy ending really. It's funny to see Kyle kick cartman's ass at the end but other than that it's just sad. Kenny is dead for good! ( for a few episodes)
A pretty sad episode but really realistic...
oceaneb-0340631 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
"Kenny dies" got me on the feels. The first time I saw it, in the beginning I was like "it would be funny and clever as usually". But then I realised some minutes letter that this episode is more clever and sad.
The plot is that Kenny got a fatal disease and he will die soon. Despite the fact that Kenny died in every episodes until this one, it's very dark for a show that some people judge "Stupid". This episode shows that South Park wants to make us know dark things that really happen in the world.
The episode tells us the different steps of a fatal disease and how the people around the sick person react. In the beginning of the episode the boys are playing while Kenny seems weak and cough often. Then, he is absent...and they learn the terrible truth at school...their friend...that he is eigh years old...is sick and he will die in a near future.
This episode could totally be shown to a child that is dealing with a sick friend or a sick loved one in general. Some curse words and show dark humor are present, but it can be really educational despite the ending (I will talk about it later). I think a child could recognize himself in Kyle or Stan (not Cartman..I hope so haha).
Kyle is sad, but he tries to stay strong despite how sad the situation is for him. Stan, he is devastated, he thinks that a kid should be outside playing and laughing, and that it's unfair that he is in the hospital with all of those wires. His reaction got me in the feels, because yeah, it's true. Young children dies of diseases and there is nothing we can do about it. And it's totally unfair, because yeah a kid should play, should discover the world and enjoy life and grow up.
The scene when Stan has finally enough courage to visit him at the hospital, and well, he realizes that Kenny is dead and his last words were "where's Stan" is really emotional. It tells people, that if someone is at the hospital, dying, put your pride and scareness aside and visit them before their last breath. Even if it's your friend, your parent, even someone you had a fight with. If they are dying and you are sad about it go see them and enjoy a moment with them.
With analyses this episode is deep, and it's not the only one, but this one is the one of the best of the series for me. There is some humor like with Madonna, but it still a dramatic episode.
The only flaw I could give to it, it's the ending, Cartman didn't really care about Kenny's death and I think it's terrible. Well I prefer to think that he cared but without showing it.
Despite the curse words and the dark humor, when I will have a kid, if he has to deal with a young friend who is sick, I will totally show them this episode.
The plot is that Kenny got a fatal disease and he will die soon. Despite the fact that Kenny died in every episodes until this one, it's very dark for a show that some people judge "Stupid". This episode shows that South Park wants to make us know dark things that really happen in the world.
The episode tells us the different steps of a fatal disease and how the people around the sick person react. In the beginning of the episode the boys are playing while Kenny seems weak and cough often. Then, he is absent...and they learn the terrible truth at school...their friend...that he is eigh years old...is sick and he will die in a near future.
This episode could totally be shown to a child that is dealing with a sick friend or a sick loved one in general. Some curse words and show dark humor are present, but it can be really educational despite the ending (I will talk about it later). I think a child could recognize himself in Kyle or Stan (not Cartman..I hope so haha).
Kyle is sad, but he tries to stay strong despite how sad the situation is for him. Stan, he is devastated, he thinks that a kid should be outside playing and laughing, and that it's unfair that he is in the hospital with all of those wires. His reaction got me in the feels, because yeah, it's true. Young children dies of diseases and there is nothing we can do about it. And it's totally unfair, because yeah a kid should play, should discover the world and enjoy life and grow up.
The scene when Stan has finally enough courage to visit him at the hospital, and well, he realizes that Kenny is dead and his last words were "where's Stan" is really emotional. It tells people, that if someone is at the hospital, dying, put your pride and scareness aside and visit them before their last breath. Even if it's your friend, your parent, even someone you had a fight with. If they are dying and you are sad about it go see them and enjoy a moment with them.
With analyses this episode is deep, and it's not the only one, but this one is the one of the best of the series for me. There is some humor like with Madonna, but it still a dramatic episode.
The only flaw I could give to it, it's the ending, Cartman didn't really care about Kenny's death and I think it's terrible. Well I prefer to think that he cared but without showing it.
Despite the curse words and the dark humor, when I will have a kid, if he has to deal with a young friend who is sick, I will totally show them this episode.
Such a cool concept
austinlblee23 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Kenny Dies my favorite thing a tv show can do, change it up. I prefer new things to watching the same stuff and that's why south park is phenomenal. This episode takes a character, Kenny, who we have watched die hundreds of times. Yet somehow I still get emotional every time I watch. Trey and matt are technically doing the same thing they always are, killing Kenny. With one genius change it turns from a 5 second throwaway gag, to a really well written, emotional time that in some ways closed the book on Kenny. Of course this slight change is making the cause of death slow and painful rather then fast and funny. I'm just in awe of how I can watch someone die over and over in many different ways, but still always get choked up when heat of the moment comes on. It's a heavy contender for my favorite south park episode. Seeing the kids cope in different ways to just seeing Kenny lying in that bed. It's an easy 10 for me.
Ending ruins it.
villanuevagiancarlo7 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I love everything about this episode, it really can hit you right in the feels depending on who you are. EXCEPT FOR THE ENDING. The ending absolutely ruined the entire episode for me, because apparently the writers cannot be actually serious on a topic for more than 25 minutes.
It would have been so sweet if Cartman actually took it seriously and cared about kenny for once along with Stan and Kyle coping with this as well, adding some respect but nooooo.
They blew it by making the entire thing a silly joke. I've always wished the episode got an alternate ending or just scrap the entire ending all together lmfao.
It would have been so sweet if Cartman actually took it seriously and cared about kenny for once along with Stan and Kyle coping with this as well, adding some respect but nooooo.
They blew it by making the entire thing a silly joke. I've always wished the episode got an alternate ending or just scrap the entire ending all together lmfao.
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