 The show's writers debated during production of the episode whether or not the incident would be "a step too far, even for Cartman".Parker felt that the act could sufficiently be the culmination of Cartman's sociopathic behavior, and would "[set] a new bar" by portraying Cartman as being capable of performing anything short of murder.Fans reacted by ranking it as Cartman's "greatest moment" in a 2005 poll on Comedy Central's website.