Ep 3. Bloody Mary

In South Park's Randy season 1 episode 3, titled "Bloody Mary," the main focus is on Randy Marsh, father of one of the main characters, Stan. Randy is struggling with a drinking problem and his wife, Sharon, encourages him to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting. Randy is reluctant to go, but eventually agrees.

At the AA meeting, Randy meets various individuals who share their stories and experiences with alcoholism. One woman's story stands out in particular as she shares her belief in the power of the Virgin Mary. She claims that she was cured of her alcoholism after seeing the image of Mary in a grilled cheese sandwich.

Randy, intrigued by the woman's testimony, decides to drink some of the absinthe he has hidden in his truck. While driving home, he sees a billboard of Mary and accidentally runs over a statue of her. Feeling guilty and desperate, Randy believes that he, too, can be cured by Mary and begins to pray to her.

After a night of drunken prayer, Randy wakes up with a black eye and his son, Stan, is convinced that Randy was a victim of domestic violence. Everyone in town begins to believe that Randy is abusing his wife, Sharon, and even the local news station reports on the alleged violence.

As the town rallies against Randy, he continues to turn to Mary for help and miraculously heals from his black eye. The town is shocked and even more divided on the issue of Randy's alleged domestic violence. The mystery of who gave Randy his black eye remains unsolved.

As the episode progresses, Randy becomes more and more obsessed with the idea of Mary and her healing powers. He even begins to see visions of her everywhere he goes, including in his coffee cup and in a natural rock formation. His newfound obsession causes strain on his family, particularly when he begins to spend large amounts of money on Mary-themed merchandising.

Without giving away any spoilers, the episode ends with a shocking twist that ultimately leaves Randy questioning his faith and his beliefs.

Overall, "Bloody Mary" is a satirical commentary on religion and its ability to both heal and divide. Through the character of Randy, the episode explores the dangerous consequences of blind faith and the need for self-reflection and critical thinking. The episode is both humorous and thought-provoking, making it a standout in the South Park series.