Christmas Episodes of TV Shows
As I've mentioned numerous times when writing about Jericho, I really dislike cheesiness in television writing. It is probably for this reason that I tend to have a particular aversion to Christmas episodes of television shows. For some reason, yuletide stories seem to abound with these themes, with 'the season to be jolly' seeming to correspond with 'the season to be corny.'
Don't get me wrong - I'm not some grinch, grinning maniacally and plotting the demise of Christmas. I do love the spirit of the time of year; the joy that should be at the heart of the celebrations. I just think overly-saccharine moments are a cop-out, when a show could be doing something much more ingenious. Hence, I do have some favourite Christmas episodes of TV shows, and the two I'm going to discuss today come from Futurama.
The first is Xmas Story, which is Fry's first look at Christmas in the 30th Century. A lot has changed - the holiday has now been renamed Xmas, while the traditional pine tree has made way for the coconut palm. The most marked difference, however, is the terror inflicted by the murderous robotic Santa Claus. This mechanical Kris Kringle judges everyone to be naughty and punishes them by going on a killing spree every Xmas eve. It's an amusing and twisted look at the possible (but not probable) future of Christmas.
The second, A Tale of Two Santas, is a continuation of Xmas Story.
The Planet Express crew visits Neptune, home of Robot Santa's fortress and his Neptunian toy makers, who deny that they are elves. When Santa is frozen in the ice, Bender must take his place. The episode turns the typical Santa-switch scenario on it's head, receiving a frosty reception from the citizens of Earth and eventually being arrested and tried for Santa's crimes. The real Santa saves Bender and the two go on an Xmas rampage. It's a warped happy ending befitting of a rather warped episode.
I love these episodes because they take a different look at Christmas, borrowing from the traditional and distorting it. However, the themes of love, togetherness and friendship are not absent - they are just presented in a different way.
So, my question to you - what are your favourite Christmas episodes, and what is it about them that you like?
*Screencaps courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for identification and critical commentary
Don't get me wrong - I'm not some grinch, grinning maniacally and plotting the demise of Christmas. I do love the spirit of the time of year; the joy that should be at the heart of the celebrations. I just think overly-saccharine moments are a cop-out, when a show could be doing something much more ingenious. Hence, I do have some favourite Christmas episodes of TV shows, and the two I'm going to discuss today come from Futurama.
Professor Farnsworth, Fry and Leela try to keep Santa Claus out*
The second, A Tale of Two Santas, is a continuation of Xmas Story.
Bender and Robot Santa team up*
I love these episodes because they take a different look at Christmas, borrowing from the traditional and distorting it. However, the themes of love, togetherness and friendship are not absent - they are just presented in a different way.
So, my question to you - what are your favourite Christmas episodes, and what is it about them that you like?
*Screencaps courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for identification and critical commentary
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Passionate Apathy
Similarly, WKRP did some great Christmas episodes where again the cast didn't have to step out of character but still used the X-mas themes to good advantage. I think that's a part of being a good Christmas episode; it also needs to stand as a good episode of that particular series.