I once watched every episode of every season back to back consecutively (over the course of a month and a half) in order to test a thesis that I have about the

I once watched every episode of every season back to back consecutively (over the course of a month and a half) in order to test a thesis that I have about the long term themes in the show. I and a friend of mine had an informal theory that there was along term plot line involving the cows of southpark and the aliens, and that in the end each major character's story line will wrap up in some way that brings closure to their particular character story line. tldr if there is a long term story it is very loose. There has been long term development of some themes, each of the four characters has a key characteristic that I do think develops over time, but not with the same hidden strong continuity that I expected to find when I set out on this journey. Most notably Randy's deteriorating marriage to Sharon, Stan's loneliness and insecurity about his family, (and Shelly) progresses from season to season Cartman's relationship with his mother and his coming to terms with his weight, possible homosexuality, and finding his father progresses from season to season. I looked to find development in Kyle's moral compass but could not discern anything. Kenny overcoming his identity as "the poor kid" for lack of a better term seems to progress as well. I watch the show less often now because that sprint was enough South Park to last a lifetime but I look forward to seeing how the show wraps up and if there is any closure instead of just ending in a fart joke.