The China Probrem

"The China Probrem"

"The China Probrem" (sometimes The China Problem) is episode 1208 (#175) of the animated series South Park, which aired on October 8, 2008. It was the mid-season premiere for season 12.

Plot

Cartman has been plagued by persistent nightmares about the Chinese ever since he watched the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics on TV. He awakens one night after yet another bad dream, and his mother tries to calm him, but Cartman comes to believe that the Chinese, with their "2 billion"-man population and "significant advances in economy and technology", are a growing threat to America and the world, and that America is merely days away from an impending Chinese invasion.

The next day, Cartman goes to warn Stan, Kyle and Kenny, but Kyle immediately interrupts Cartman and declares that he simply "cannot do it anymore" and runs off. Stan later confronts him about this sudden departure and Kyle states that he cannot pretend things are normal again after "the rape of a friend". He confesses his feelings of deep guilt and his regret over the fact he, Stan and their friends "just stood there and did nothing" (a possible reference to The Kite Runner). Stan admits that he shares Kyle's feelings but that they nonetheless have to move forward with their lives.

Elsewhere, Cartman finds Butters while the latter is taking a bath, and convinces Butters to join him in saving America instead.

It is revealed what the rape incident being referred to involves when Kyle has a nightmare about Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and is appalled to see George Lucas and Steven Spielberg "rape" Indiana Jones, meaning destroying the integrity of the character and the Indy series by making a nonsensical and incoherent "popcorn movie." Other boys similarly are going through a tough time after having witnessed the "rape" alongside Kyle themselves. Jimmy, commiserating by the lake, sees a similarly depressed Stan, and the two converse about the incident, and as Stan is leaving, Jimmy tearfully calls out to him that he cannot pretend things have not changed. Later dream sequences by the boys are more literal in their interpretation of the term "rape".

Meanwhile, Cartman and Butters dress up as stereotypical Chinese children and go to PF Chang's to try and trick the Chinese people there into telling them when "the invasion" is. Cartman's frustration doubles upon seeing Americans working there, who in his eyes are selling out their country. Cartman and Butters' antics begin to annoy everyone, and are soon told that no one is buying their act, upon which they decide to hold everyone hostage. Cartman gives Butters a gun, and asks him to use it, but Butters keeps on accidentally shooting male hostages in their genitalia, which enrages Cartman, who yells at Butters that "shooting guys in the dick is not cool".

At the same time, Kyle goes to a public attorney and asks him to arrest Spielberg and Lucas for raping Indiana Jones. The attorney initially dismisses the case as rubbish, even after Stan, Jimmy, Clyde and Kenny come to back Kyle up, but when they make him relive the rape in his mind, he tearfully agrees to help them. The Lawyer and the boys go to the Park County Police Station and try to convince Sergeant Yates to find Lucas and Spielberg, but Yates refuses, as he didn't see the movie, which shocks the boys. After another policeman admits he did see the movie, and again, relives the rape in his mind, Yates agrees for them to go find Lucas and Spielberg.

At the restaurant, the police arrive to respond to the hostage situation and Butters accidentally shoots another man "in the dick" while Cartman, upon realizing that one of the policemen is Chinese, convinces himself that the Chinese have already infiltrated the United States, and demands to speak to the President as he believes it will be the only safe option.

In the closing moments, the police find and take away Spielberg and Lucas, right as the two directors are raping a Stormtrooper - a reference to the recent animated feature The Clone Wars. The two are taken off to jail despite protests from Spielberg that the police have got "nothing on them". Meanwhile, at PF Chang's, Butters has shot yet another man in the dick, by which time Cartman is fed up, and abandons his mission of saving America in frustration. As he is walking outside to announce his surrender, a Police Officer arrives to inform the others that Lucas and Spielberg are finally in custody. The Officers and hostages all rejoice that "it's all over", and while everyone is hugging and crying, Cartman and Butters sneak away. Cartman ultimately explains to Butters that seeing Butters "go crazy" has made him realize that it may be difficult or feel intimidating for Americans to witness the emergence of a new global power but that Americans need to be more accepting of the idea. He adds that he is always willing to defend his country, but not if it means shooting guys in the penis and losing his dignity.

As Cartman dramatically walks away, Butters mumbles that he does not understand the big deal about Crystal Skull, as he actually thought that it was a pretty good movie.

Cultural References

The spelling of the episode's title is a reference to Engrish, something that the show often uses.

Cartman and Butters's subplot makes several references to the rapid industrial and political development of modern China, including the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The episode lampoons Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull as disloyal to the rest of the Indiana Jones franchise. To this end, several scenes depict Lucas and Spielberg engaged in the violent rape of Indiana Jones, marking the second time the two men were protrayed as antagonists against their own creation since "Free Hat".

The scene where Indiana is forced to squeal like a pig while he is raped is a direct reference to Deliverance where the character Bobby is forced to strip in front of two hillbillies.

The daydream of the lawyer consulted by the kids shows George Lucas raping Indiana Jones on a Howard the Duck pinball machine at a bar with Steven Spielberg cheering him on. This is in reference to the movie The Accused. The public attorney can be seen playing a Willow arcade game during the nightmare sequence.

The original music composed for the episode features variations on the first four notes of the Indiana Jones theme.

The "American Liberation Front" (ALF) is used in reference to the Animal Liberation Front.