South Park's Highest-Rated Episode Released Over 20 Years Ago

Although it was released back in 2001, Season 5's 'Scott Tenorman Must Die' is still South Park's highest-rated episode, according to IMDb.

South Park's Highest-Rated Episode Released Over 20 Years Ago

While South Park is now in its 25th season, its highest-rated episode is still season 5’s “Scott Tenorman Must Die,” released over 20 years ago in 2001. That is according to IMDb, where the episode has a score of 9.6. The episode prominently features Eric Cartman, who has been the central focus of more South Park episodes than any other character. Eric was the main character of the show’s first episode “Cartman Gets An Anal Probe” and has been the focus of classic episodes, including “Casa Bonita” and “Make Love, Not Warcraft.” However, none of them top “Scott Tenorman Must Die” in terms of ratings.

“Scott Tenorman Must Die” is the ultimate revenge plot. The episode starts with Cartman gloating to Stan, Kyle, and Kenny that he has got his first pubic hairs, only to reveal that rather than growing them, he bought them from 8th grader Scott Tenorman. Once Cartman finds out he has been duped, he plans to get revenge on Scott. Try as he might, Scott keeps outsmarting Cartman, as he tricks Cartman into handing over money $16.12, sends him on a 200-mile round trip to Fort Collins, and humiliates him by making him dance like a little piggy. Eventually, Cartman gets his revenge by feeding an unknowing Scott his own parents at the Chili Con Carnival, who then, in one of South Park’s best celebrity guest appearances, is mocked for being a crybaby by his favorite band Radiohead.

It is South Park‘s greatest episode perhaps because it marks the turning point for Cartman, turning him from an arrogant bully to a full-blown psychopath who is willing to ruin lives and commit unforgivable acts if he has been wronged. The shock twist ending, feeding Scott his own parents, is such an over-the-top reaction that Kyle remarks that “it might be best for us to never piss off Cartman again.” The disturbing, but hilarious, character development Cartman has in the episode sets up Eric’s villainy for future seasons where he goes on to lead cults, team up with Cthulu, and even give his friend/rival Kyle HIV.

The dynamic of “Scott Tenorman Must Die” is similar to The Simpsons’ highest IMDb rated episode “Homer’s Enemy.” Both episodes focus on the rivalry between an established character and a one-off character, and both episodes rely on dark humor. The key difference is that the villain of The Simpsons episode, Frank Grimes, is killed off by the end, but Eric lives on and is free to continue tormenting the residents of South Park, particularly his closest friends.

Other South Park episodes that are considered to be the show’s best include “Casa Bonita,” “AWESOM-O,” and “The Death of Eric Cartman.” While they are all great in their own right, the common theme these episodes share is Cartman’s willingness to insult, deceive, and manipulate anyone who he feels is against him. Episodes like these would not have been possible without Eric’s heel turn in “Scott Tenorman Must Die,” when his aggressive and narcissistic tendencies ramp up to a new level.

His evil chili-based scheme has yet to be topped, and it’s unlikely that a future standalone episode will be exceed this stunt. Since season 18, South Park has focused more on season-long storytelling, with character arcs that pay off across episodes. The show is also more topical now, with episodes produced in six days allowing the producers to comment on current events. Many of these South Park episodes have aged badly because they are focused on issues that are not relevant months later, let alone years later. More than 20 years since its release, “Scott Tenorman Must Die” is still South Park‘s highest-rated episode because it is a clever and insane self-contained episode, focused on the development of the show’s most famously vile character, Eric Cartman.