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Spookyfish "Spookyfish" "Merry Christmas Charlie Manson!" "Gnomes" Gnomes
"Merry Christmas Charlie Manson!"
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216
Episode no. Season 2
Episode 16
Production no. 216
Original airdate December 9, 1998
Episode chronology
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"Merry Christmas Charlie Manson!" is the sixteenth episode of Season Two, and the 29th overall episode of South Park. It first aired on December 9, 1998.[1]

Synopsis[]

Dinner with Cartman's family takes a bizarre twist when Uncle Howard shows up after breaking out of prison with the help of his cellmate, Charlie Manson.[1]

Plot[]

SPW pic -- Spoiler Spoiler warning!
Plot details follow.

It is Christmas time, and all the boys have been invited to Cartman's grandma, Mabel Cartman's house in Nebraska for the hoildays. Unfortunately, for Stan, Sharon forbids him to go because it is far away from home (and disregards Randy when he grants Stan permission), but Stan argues over with her and as a result gets sent to his bed without his supper. Stan decided to defy his parents, sneaking away through his bedroom window to join the others.

After a very long car journey, annoyed by Cartman and his mom singing irritating songs, they arrive in Nebraska. Kyle then notices an advert for Mr. Hankey appearing at the mall.

The boys soon discover that Cartman's family are a lot like Cartman himself, they are all overweight with voices similar to Cartman, they eat like pigs, and they use all the same catchphrases.

At the Christmas dinner, Howard Cartman is shown via satellite communication from prison, and Stan tells everyone that his parents are dead, at least dead to him.

At night, the boys are seen sleeping in the basement, but were soon woken up by Kyle screaming that he had a nightmare about being in a house full of Cartmans, to which Stan reminds Kyle that they are indeed so. They then hear someone breaking in, and it turns out it is Uncle Howard having escaped from prison with his cell mate, Charlie Manson.

The next day, the boys ask Cartman's family to take them to the mall, but being like Cartman they refuse. In the basement, Charlie Manson offers them a ride since he wants some action to which the boys agree.

At the mall, Manson invites Kenny to a more secluded part of the mall. Kyle soon discovers that the Mr. Hankey is a guy in a costume who says there is no real Mr. Hankey. Kyle, driven by anger removes to head of the Mr. Hankey costume revealing the actor inside. The kids there soon riot.

Charlie Manson soon sees another Christmas special based on the Grinch but with Mr. Hankey. Manson finds it a brilliant thing how a nasty person can change to a nice one.

Manson returns with Kenny having had his tattoo changed to a smiley face. The police who have turned up to stop the riot spot Manson and the event leads into a car chase to Mabel Cartman's house.

Stan's parents soon discover that Stan has disobeyed their order to not go to Cartman's grandma's. Sharon then calls Liane to check on Stan, to which Liane replies that Stan had indeed followed them to Nebraska, even being told that Sharon had passed on. In response, the family decides to travel to Nebraska and deal with Stan.

At Mabel Cartman's residence, the police threaten Manson and Howard to make them come out. Stan's parents arrive to punish him for his disobedience, and Stan asks the escaping Manson and Howard if he can join them. Manson explains the importance of family and he decides to hand himself over to the police. Kenny is made to show a white flag in surrender, but is gunned down. Manson then apologizes to all the families he tore apart and wants to make himself an example to the world that crime is never an answer.

In prison, Manson finishes writing another book and turns the light off sadly as he goes to bed. Suddenly the light is turned back on. The Cartman family and the boys surprise Manson with a rendition of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". After singing, Stan turns to Kyle and mentions how messed up the entire series of events was.

References[]


Holiday Episodes
Christmas
"Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo" | "Merry Christmas Charlie Manson!" | "Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics" | "A Very Crappy Christmas" | "Red Sleigh Down" | "It's Christmas in Canada" | "Woodland Critter Christmas" | "#HappyHolograms" | "Bike Parade" | "Christmas Snow"
Halloween
"Pinkeye" | "Spookyfish" | "Korn's Groovy Pirate Ghost Mystery" | "Hell on Earth 2006" | "A Nightmare on Face Time" | "Goth Kids 3: Dawn of the Posers" | "Sons A Witches" | "The Scoots" | "Tegridy Farms Halloween Special"
Thanksgiving
"Starvin' Marvin" | "Starvin' Marvin in Space" | "Helen Keller! The Musical" | "A History Channel Thanksgiving" | "Black Friday" | "A Song of Ass and Fire" | "Titties and Dragons"
Easter
"Fantastic Easter Special" | "Jewpacabra"
Others
"Tom's Rhinoplasty" | "Credigree Weed St. Patrick's Day Special" | "Summer Sucks" | "Holiday Special" | "Are You There God? It's Me, Jesus" | "Cupid Ye" | "Spring Break"


  216: "Merry Christmas Charlie Manson!" edit
Story Elements

Charlie MansonCartman Family • "Over the River and Through the Woods" • "Happy Holiday" • "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

Media

ImagesScriptExtrasWatch Episode

Release

South Park: The Complete Second SeasonChristmas in South ParkChristmas Time in South Park

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