South Park Season 28 Finale “The Crap Out”: Woodland Critters’ Unexpected Christmas Return

The fifth episode of South Park Season 28, titled “The Crap Out,” served as both the season finale and a holiday special. It aired on December 10, 2025, and managed to conclude a sprawling, two-season narrative in its signature chaotic style. The episode is notable for a major character surprise, bringing back a group of long-absent, fan-favorite characters that most viewers did not anticipate seeing.

After a difficult year where his family lost Tegridy Farms and had to move into his grandfather’s nursing home, Stan Marsh is desperately hoping for a Christmas miracle. His attempts to find help lead him to a now ultra-conservative Jesus and, in a moment of desperation, to a toilet—a classic setup for the return of a different holiday icon.

Meanwhile, the episode ties up the central storyline from Seasons 27 and 28. Satan, pregnant with the Antichrist after an affair with President Donald Trump, discovers that Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and others are conspiring to terminate the pregnancy. This leads to a chaotic convergence of characters at Hell’s Pass Hospital in South Park for a final showdown.

The Major Character Fakeout and Fan Reaction

The episode crafted a perfect fakeout for long-time fans. With the holiday setting and Stan speaking into a toilet bowl, the setup strongly pointed to the return of Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo. Mr. Hankey, a staple of the show’s Christmas episodes, had not been seen since Season 22 in 2018, making his comeback seem likely.

However, in a twist, the creatures that emerged from the toilet were the Woodland Critters. This group of adorable but satanic forest animals, with members like Deery the Deer and Chickadee-y the Chickadee, first appeared in the Season 8 classic “Woodland Critter Christmas” over 21 years ago. Their last significant role was during the “Imaginationland” trilogy in Season 11.

Stan, like the audience, reacts with an “oh no” at the return of what one critic calls “South Park’s most demented little bunch of talking animals”.

The surprise substitution led to noticeable fan reactions online. Some viewers expressed disappointment at Mr. Hankey’s absence, with comments on social media like “I TOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE MR HANKEY” and “I WAS TOTALLY EXPECTING MR. HANKEY BUT INSTEAD WE GOT THE ANIMALS”. Other fans were simply happy to see the unexpected return, celebrating the cameo as a fun shock.

How the Woodland Critters Fit into the Finale’s Plot

The Critters’ re-entry into the story is handled with typical South Park meta-humor. When a confused Stan tries to question their sudden reappearance, they immediately shut down any logical analysis.

“Are you really gonna overanalyze a crap out?” the Critters tell Stan. “Crap outs have no rules”.

Their stated purpose is to witness the birth of the Antichrist, linking them to the season’s ongoing supernatural plot. In the hospital showdown, they align with Stan and a redeemed Jesus against Trump, Vance, billionaire Peter Thiel, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who are there to stop the birth.

Their role is less about driving the plot forward and more about amplifying the episode’s tone of absurdity and serving as a nostalgic, shocking callback. Their presence signifies a shift from political satire into the kind of unrestrained, dark comedy for which the show is known.

The Dark Conclusion to the Trump-Satan Storyline

The climax of the episode subverts expectations for a large, apocalyptic battle. Instead, a doctor delivers news that ends the conflict abruptly.

The doctor announces that according to an ultrasound, “the baby hung itself and took its own life,” adding that the baby used bedsheets and that “there are a couple of minutes missing from the ultrasound”. This dialogue is a clear reference to the death of financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died by suicide in his jail cell in 2019 under similar circumstances.

This anticlimactic ending allows Trump to once again avoid direct consequences, and he is shown celebrating the baby’s death at a festive White House party. A dejected Satan packs his belongings and leaves the White House.

A Hopeful Note for Stan and the Show’s Future

Amid the dark comedy, the episode ends on a hopeful note for Stan. His efforts to redeem Jesus pay off. A grateful Jesus apologizes for his earlier behavior and, as a true Christmas miracle, gifts Stan his old family home back. This marks the first time Stan’s original house has been seen in several seasons and is viewed by some as a potential “reset” for the show.

The finale also focuses almost entirely on Stan’s perspective, sidelining other main characters like Kyle, Cartman, and Butters. Some critics noted this narrow focus as a point of criticism, even as it served the story being told.

The episode “The Crap Out” and all prior seasons of South Park are available for streaming on Paramount+.

Also Read: The Garrison Pub’s Real Story: From Peaky Blinders’ Tavern to Kitchen Showroom

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