Yes, you read the title right, tonight’s premiere episode of South Park was actually a TV prequel to the upcoming South Park: Fractured But Whole video game from Ubisoft which releases next Tuesday on October 17, 2017. Conveniently titled “Franchise Prequel”, the episode not only focuses on the upcoming game, but also tackles the Harvey Weinstein scandal, Russian Facebook ads, and a few other topics.

South Park is a 1997 animated sitcom, it is produced by South Park Studios and distributed by Paramount Television. Season 21 is currently airing on Comedy Central & Hulu.

A well produced promotional tool is “Franchise Prequel”.

Taking place just prior to the start of South Park: Fractured But Whole, “Franchise Prequel” has the boys building the foundation for their Shade Universe of The Coon & Friends, an obviously reference to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Extended Universe. However, old nemesis Professor Chaos (Butters) is reeking havoc on The Coon & Friends’ reputation through Facebook ads.

The Coon lays out the groundwork for The Coon & Friends Universe.

THE GOOD: Franchise Prequel acts as the title suggests, a prequel to the South Park: Fractured But Whole video game which released this week. In the episode Professor Chaos is causing trouble for Coon & Friends by spreading lies about the group’s activities through Facebook ads, which is an obvious dig at the Russian Facebook ad scandal. I can’t even recall the last time we saw Professor Chaos (I want to say around season 16 or so?), so it’s great seeing him return, and while some elements of the serialized era remains, South Park has definitely gotten it’s groove back. The Mark Zuckerberg parody while odd had a certain hilarity to it. Imagining Zuckerberg acting like a douche who blocks people that ignore him was kind of funny.

What’s your style!?

THE BAD: The connection to the game felt a bit more looser than it should have been.

“Ha ha ha, I have blocked you with my style”

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Season 21 of South Park is definitely finding it’s return to form with “Franchise Prequel”. The references and real-world issue parodies are back to being up to date, and the comedy is back to being on point. This season is likely the first of many to bring South Park to it’s glory days. Otaku Dome gives Franchise Prequel an 85 out of 100.