I just want my life back.
Given that this episode deals with the COVID-19 Pandemic, it’s no surprise that this ended up being one of the saddest episodes of the show to date.
- Stan's breakdown at the end, pictured above, where he bursts into tears and talks about how he just wants to have fun again and enjoy life, since the lockdown and uncertainty of the future caused by COVID-19 has severely impacted his mental state. Even Cartman is moved by it.Stan: You guys were right, okay!? This hasn't been about Butters. I've been acting like this because I can't take these shutdowns anymore and I'm scared what it's doing to me! I'm looking for who to blame, saying I'm trying to help people to make myself feel better, because the truth is... I just want to have fun again. I wanted to see that I can go out in the world and do things that I used to do, but I can't! I'm not any better and I don't care any more than anyone else. And I did all this (tears well up in his eyes) because I just want my life back. (starts crying) I just want my life back...
- Jimbo is infected with COVID and has been hospitalized. It's extremely depressing to see him on the brink of death.
- Randy walking through South Park, seeing how all the local businesses have been closed down for quarantine or gone out of business. It gets worse when a man tries to thank him for the Pandemic Special, since it's the only thing helping keep him sane after his wife died of COVID-19, leaving him to take care of their children alone.
- Stan is able to talk Cartman out of killing the pangolin that's crucial to finding a vaccine to COVID-19. Cartman's moment of conscience ends up being for nothing, as President Garrison steps in and incinerates the pangolin for petty reasons.
- Butters was promised a party at Build-A-Bear by his parents after being good at the dentist, but it got pushed back because of lockdown. It's been months, and Butters finally cracks. It may sound silly, but it serves as a symbol of the simple pleasures lost because of COVID."When are they gonna tell me the truth?? That I'm never going to Build-A-Bear! That I'm never going ever again!"
