"Pandemic 2: The Startling"
South Park episode
Craig fulfills the ancient prophecy.
Episode no.	Season 12 Episode 11
Written by	Trey Parker
Directed by	Trey Parker
Production no.	1211
Original airdate	October 29, 2008
Season 12 episodes
South Park – Season 12 March 12, 2008 – November 19, 2008
Tonsil Trouble Britney's New Look Major Boobage Canada on Strike Eek, a Penis! Over Logging Super Fun Time The China Probrem Breast Cancer Show Ever Pandemic Pandemic 2: The Startling About Last Night... Elementary School Musical The Ungroundable
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List of South Park episodes

"Pandemic 2: The Startling" is the eleventh episode of the twelfth season of the animated series South Park,^[1] which aired on Wednesday, October 29, 2008. It is the conclusion to the previous episode, Pandemic. In the episode, the boys discover the source of the havoc unleashed in the previous episode, and attempt to overthrow the Secretary of Homeland Security's plot for world domination.

The episode was written and directed by series co-founder Trey Parker, and was rated TV-MA L in the United States.

Contents 1 Plot 2 Cultural reference 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Plot

The episode opens with a monologue by Craig, explaining what had happened in the previous episode. Craig's monologue is actually a narration of his journal, which he is writing in the Andes mountains. He, the other boys and the pilots are stranded without gas at a false rendezvous point. They look for help in the jungle, but find only a "lost giant world," filled with humongous fruits. The two pilots are killed by baby Guinea bee larvae; the boys flee.

Craig and the boys discover a temple, inside of which are carvings depicting a prophecy that details all of the events of the previous episode. They learn from this that the Peruvian flute bands kept the murderous guinea pigs within the jungle. Craig is featured in the final carving. In spite of the intrigue of the carving, Craig refuses to do any more investigating and begins walking back through the jungle. The other boys follow him, complaining of boredom.

Interspersed throughout this story are various flashes in Colorado with Randy, Sharon and Shelly hiding from giant guinea pig monsters (all of which are portrayed by real live-action guinea pigs wearing costumes). They hide at home, in a damaged bus, on the roof of a Best Buy, a grocery store, and an Outback Steakhouse. Randy does not stop filming the entire time, and uses unnecessarily shaky camera work, as well as constant zooms and heavy breathing to convey just how "startled" he is by the whole ordeal. The other townspeople, especially Sharon, begin to grow very annoyed by his obsessive taping of the event, which he describes "will be a very important family relic, years from now." Also, the townsfolk discover that the guinea pigs take on various other permutations, including guinea rabbits, guinea bees, guinea mice, and guinea-saurus rexes, all of which supposedly originate from the aforementioned "giant world."

Meanwhile, the head of Homeland Security travels to Machu Picchu to finalize his plan for world domination. He accidentally runs into the boys and orders his guards to kill them, claiming they are a Peruvian flute band (which in the previous episode were prosecuted and ordered into Guantanamo Bay). Stan explains that they aren't and that the bands are the only forces which could stop the guinea pigs.

The director of Homeland Security snaps, revealing his plan to everyone. One of the guards shoots him, but that doesn't stop the director, who then reveals his true form, that of a "guinea pirate" (a live-action guinea pig in a pirate outfit). Craig simply steps away from the scene as he does not want to interfere. He accidentally steps on a stone tile, activating some sort of magical ritual in which lasers shoot out of his eyes and paralyze the Guinea pirate. Craig seems unfazed by the occurrence, stating, "Okay, now there are sparks shooting out of my eyes..."

The episode ends with a second monologue by Craig, telling the aftermath of the incident as a pan flute cover of Gary Numan's "Cars" plays in the background. The U.S. government releases all the pan flute bands, who then drove the guinea pigs away back to the jungle. Craig concludes that you never know what life has in store for you, and also that he will never trust anyone who asks him for his birthday money ever again. He is shown shutting his front door on the boys, who have come to his house dressed as a Mariachi band, supposedly beginning the cycle over again.

It is also revealed at this time that Randy forgot to put a tape in his camera, therefore making his entire effort to tape the ordeal pointless.

Meanwhile back at the office of Homeland Security, the new Director is informed that the guinea pirate has broken out of jail and has begun to attack the city. The ending sequence shows the escaped giant guinea pirate roaming through the streets of Washington D.C. in his black-and-white prison uniform.

[edit] Cultural reference

The guinea pig monsters and shaky camera style of cinematography are a reference to the 2008 American monster movie Cloverfield.^[2]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Episode guide at Southparkstudios.com

Preceded by “Pandemic”

South Park episodes

Followed by “About Last Night...”