History Recap / SouthParkS8E2UpTheDownSteroid

* DidntThinkThisThrough: Cartman fails to realize two things that are wrong with his plan. The first being that he wouldn't be able to compete with the other kids since he is unathletic and out of shape. The second being that Jimmy and Timmy would see him at the event and reveal to everyone that he isn't really handicapped.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: These days, Nathan is best known as a ButtMonkey and SitcomArchNemesis for Jimmy who's usually teamed up with [[DumbMuscle Mimsy]]. He doesn't exhibit any of those traits in this episode, instead just a shady dealer who gives Jimmy steroids.

As the Special Olympics are coming up, Jimmy goes through intensive training to win, even resorting to steroids. Meanwhile, Cartman hits a new low by training to fake mental illness to get into the Special Olympics.

* ADateWithRosiePalms: Jimmy's father thinks this is the reason his son takes forever to open his bedroom door (he's hiding his drug stash). He's a bit ''too'' insistent in asking, especially with Jimmy's girlfriend right next to him.

** While Jimmy admits that he cheated and used steroids, he's never shown answering (or apologizing) for the abuse he heaped on both his girlfriend and mother.

* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome: While Cartman might not be handicapped, he's fat, out of shape and possesses no athletic ability. Therefore, when he goes up against the other kids who spent weeks training for the events, he finishes in last place in every event. Then when he appears at the award ceremony, Jimmy recognizes him immediately and almost beats him up for faking a handicap.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: When Kyle tries to get Cartman to back out of competing by appealing to his soul, Cartman turns the tables by bringing up Film/ThePassionOfTheChrist and how it's the Jews who are doomed to hell. Guess what the next episode covers...

* AdultFear: Jimmy getting hooked on steroids behind everyone's back and developing roid rage to the point where he assaults his girlfriend and even his own mother.

* ShoutOut: The title comes from the book ''Literature/UpTheDownStaircase''.

* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Jimmy is normally friendly and respectful, but after taking the steroids, he becomes aggressive towards his girlfriend and then his mother when the she tried to intervene.

As the Special Olympics are coming up, Jimmy goes through intensive training to win, even resorting to steroids. Meanwhile, Cartman hits a new low by training to fake mental illness to get into the Special Olympics. After all, he's so much more likely to win than a bunch of retarded kids, right?

Right?!

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: These days, Nathan is best known as a ButtMonkey who's teamed up with [[DumbMuscle Mimsy]]. He doesn't exhibit any of those traits in this episode.

** Cartman telling the boys he faked his handicap to get Jimmy to confess. They silent looks show they don't buy it and he leaves in anger when they don't.

* DrugsAreBad: Jimmy delivers a speech at the end of the episodes about how athletes who use steroids are "big fat pussies". The camera zooms into notorious steroid users Barry Bonds, Mark [=McGwire=], Jason Giambi as he delivers the speech as a TakeThat against them.

* DrugsAreBad: Jimmy delivers a speech at the end of the episodes about how athletes who use steroids are "big fat pussies". The camera zooms into notorious steroid users Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi as he delivers the speech as a TakeThat against them.

* BastardBoyfriend: Jimmy becomes this as a result of the steroids.

* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome: While Cartman might not be handicapped, he's fat, out of shape and possesses no athletic ability. Therefore, when he goes up against the other kids who spent weeks training for the events, he finishes in last place in every event.

** Cartman telling the boys he faked his handicap to get Jimmy to confess. They silent looks show they don't buy it and he leaves I'm anger when they don't.

** Yes, Timmy is non-verbal, but Mr. Mackey can't figure out figure out the ''very'' obvious pantomime that Jimmy is using steroids.

** Cartman telling the boys he faked his handicap to get Jimmy to confess.