Somehow, a goofy reindeer triggers a memory for Sam, he and Dean in a motel in Broken Bow, Nebraska in 1991.  The sign says the Cicero Pines Motel.  Isn’t that the exact same sign from “The Kids Are Alright?”  There aren’t many pine trees in Nebraska either.  This eight-year-old Sam is a drastic improvement the one in “Something Wicked,” but thankfully we get the same Dean.  Sam’s wrapping a gift with the comics page that Uncle Bobby gave him to give to John.  The point is clearly coming across that these boys have nothing, not even a Christmas tree can be found.   

Sam asks Dean questions, which Dean avoids.  How long did Dean think he could do that for?  I have a six-year-old who leaves nothing alone.  Young Sam is uncanny with every mannerism, down to the puppy dog eyes and sorrowful glare.  The scene cuts to adult Sam with the exact same look of despair, and it’s remarkable how they pull that off.  We honestly believe it’s the same person just years later.  Now the editors get the applause.   

Sam and Dean see gross Santa, complete with dirty wig and beard, a limp, and smelling like either candy or ripple, acting shady with children.  They have their anti-Claus. 

Instead of moving on with the investigation, the rollercoaster plotting takes us elsewhere, blowing the whole expositional formula to smithereens in a great way.  A cheery elf interrupts them, asking if they want to escort their child to Santa.  Cue the “Dean throwing Sam in a humiliating spot” scenario, which usually stretches Jensen and Jared into natural goofball territory, often with great results.  Dean tells her it’s a lifelong dream of Sam’s to sit on Santa’s lap, and Sam fails in trying to get out of the lie big time by saying they just want to watch.  Her face sours, she gives the appropriate “ewww,” and once again we have a bit that will be often brought up in “funniest moments” discussions.  Add perverts to the list of stereotypes.        

Sam and Dean stalk evil Santa outside his trailer, and there’s a classic car sighting!  From what I can tell given the back only angle, it’s a mid 1970’s Cadillac Eldorado, and of course, it’s red.  It’s Santa’s muscle car sleigh!  Dean again brings up the Christmas thing and Sam has another nickname to add to his growing list, “the boy who hates Christmas.”  I’m going to have to do a separate list someday of all the nicknames these two have thrown at each other.  They hear screaming coming from the trailer, and go in with guns pulled.  The irony of having to blow away Santa isn’t lost on Sam, but Santa is nothing more than a degenerate porn addict with a huge bong and a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red.  Why not pretend to be carolers?  It might have worked if they actually remembered the words to “Silent Night.”  Sam and Dean hopelessly fumble through the song while drunk and stoned Santa laughs at them.  There’s a memory to record in the Christmas scrapbook.