Replies

Well, if you'd seen it you'd know, for instance, that the episode had a strongly conservative theme. The Mary stuff was only a small part near the end. In general the program was making fun of those who wallow in helpless victimhood when their problems are of the type that can be addressed with a modicum of self-discipline and by taking responsibility for their behavior.

Plot precise: A character drinks too much one night and gets a DUI citation. Although the character was not actually an alcoholic, he allows himself to be convinced that he is by an overzealous twelve-step junkie. The character (only then) starts drinking regularly and heavily, and averring that he is not responsible for his drunkenness because he has a "disease". He visits the Virgin Mary statue to cure himself of his "disease" (pushing in front of genuinely sick and crippled people in the line because his "disease" is more serious).

Thanks for the explanation. It sounds like a majority of the show did present a message that should be heard. Still, I wince at hearing about the unfortunate depiction.

Look, we're all going to see things in the light of our background and current perceptions. It's unreasonable to think we'll all agree on this.

You take care.

A great synopsis of the story line, and explanation of the actual "point" of the story...

I think the writers do this on purpose..
They present a "morality play", a commentary on societal beliefs and perceptions, which would normally be ignored or complained about for being "preachy"..
But they then introduce a "hook", something so blatantly outrageous as an example or illustrative point, that 90% of the audience is distracted from the actual message..
And that's their game...

They are looking for the "triggers" that set people off.. A simple statement, an illustration, an opinion, that will get the greatest reaction out of the masses..

It is an excellent illustration of Mass Psychology..
It is also an excellent study into the reactions of society to certain stimuli...

I am sure there were at least a dozen alternatives to the bloody Mary character/figure used in the story..
Any one of them could have been used, with more or less effect..
But it accomplished it's objective.. 9 out of 10 missed the moral of the story completely, and focused on the "blasphemy"...

Using the "South Park method of Diplomacy", the U.S. should be able to tell Iran the exact day, time and method by which we will destroy their Nuclear Weapons sites, and they will only pay attention to the part that jokes about Muhammed's bed partner being a goat.. because camels are too large for the bedroom..