TV Review: Supernatural - "A Very Supernatural Christmas" (Part Two)
Published July 13, 2008
At the door is a neighbor with an obnoxious reindeer sweatshirt and a fruitcake. Why don’t they want to eat her? After an extreme exchange of good neighbor holiday wishes, the Gods, behind closed doors, roll their eyes and step on the cake. Even Pagans hate fruitcake! Sam and Dean have escaped, and find their impromptu stakes by tearing apart the Christmas tree. Mrs. God is pretty pissed about that, for she loved that tree, and smacks Sam across the room. That'll teach him. Sam gets up and lunges with the stake, taking out Mrs. God with a chilling, ruthless kill, digging into her multiple times. Dean does the same to Mr. God, but his turn is a little quicker. In yet another perfect touch, the camera pans to the stake sticking out from Mr. God’s heart, and it has a big blue glass ornament on it. Even the weapons are decorated, just in case we forget this is a holiday show.
But that isn’t even close to the end of it. It’s 1991 again, and it’s the tale of two Christmases, both evoking the same amount of tears. Young Dean lies and says their dad came back and brought presents and a tree. Young Sam opens them, and finds it’s a Barbie and baton. Seems that Dean stole the presents up the road and Daddy Winchester never showed. In both disappointment over his dad and appreciation for his brother, Sam gives Dean the gift he meant for John. He unwraps it, and its none other than the amulet that adult Dean is never seen without. It was a Christmas gift from Sam? Aww, how can I hold up from that?
Now the double whammy. The scene shifts from young Sam to adult Sam, same pensive look, and Dean walks through the door, camera focused on said amulet. Rosemary Clooney’s “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” plays in the background, and I’m emotionally wrecked before the scene plays out. Dean finds Sam has decorated for Christmas, complete with tree of air fresheners and fishing lures. Dean wonders why he finally changed his mind, but Sam can’t answer and serves him some heavily spiked eggnog instead. I read in an interview the eggnog actually had a crazy amount of rum in it, put there by Jared, so the choking reaction was genuine. They exchange the meager presents from the nearby gas mart, Sam getting porno magazines and shaving cream, and Dean getting motor oil and a candy bar. Both gaze at these items as if they’re the best gifts they’ve ever gotten. That’s the traditional “it’s the thought that counts” message all holiday specials have.
Many have speculated why Sam stopped himself after saying “Hey, Dean” and suggested they watch the game instead. It’s the same reason why he couldn’t answer why he changed his mind. He wanted to tell him thanks for all he had done, for looking out for him all these years, for being there when no one else was, but Dean has never been a fan of sappy speeches. In the end, he didn’t need to say it, for being together was all Dean ever needed.
- TV Review: Supernatural - "A Very Supernatural Christmas" (Part Two)
- Published: July 13, 2008
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Cult, Video: Horror, Video: TV Recap, Video: Television
- Part of a feature: The Winchester Family Business: Supernatural
- Writer: Alice Jester
- Alice Jester's BC Writer page
- Alice Jester's personal site
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This episode was by far one of my favourite! I love reading your reviews because they capture all the greatest moments of the show. Just reading the "it was yummy" line sends me into fits of laughter because of the look on Sam's face. Dean loves to torture Sam. The Gods were excellent villians, their extreme-cheeriness was creepy and the torture scene was excellent. Yes, Dean with pliers in his mouth, "Is somebody gonna get that?" was priceless.
Looking forward to next weeks installment!
I simply adored this episode. It had so much to love and savor. There was so much goodness, in this episode that I completely understand why you had to review it in two parts. This episode ranks in my top five episodes ever and that is saying alot. I particular episode holds such a special place in my heart because it provided us with a backstory and flashbacks and so much brotherly love. I can't listen to 'Have yourself a merry little Christmas' without tearing up now.
I am so glad Sam gave into Dean's request.
I LOVE this two brothers!
Wow...Great review. Great episode. One of my favorites. I loved this episode first time I saw it and I love it more everytime I see it.
A week ago, one of my friend let herself convinced to see Supernatural but she asked to see one episode more light:)))
I know she loves Christmas so I choose this epi for her first rendez-vous with the Winchester brothers...
I am not sure anymore she loves Christmas but she loves now SPN and she asked me to see more of it... I guess I'll see it with her again...
I loved every scene in A very special Supernatural Christmas; Sam and Dean as children were great and we finally found the history behind Dean's amulet. Dean and Sam as adults spending their last Christmas together made me cry like a baby and I always love when Dean put Sam in awkards situations and Sam's bitchfaces are adorable...
And yes, one of the best lines lines in the show were in this episode and Dean is the one who said it...
Loved it:)
I didn't know that Jared had really spiked the eggnog! That is so funny. Knowing that will just add to my enjoyment the next time I watch it.
One thing I always look for in the closing scene, as the camera pulls back and we see the boys watching the football game and the snow falling on the Impala, one light on the string of lights is not working, but then suddenly comes on. I really like it.
Great review, Alice!
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I wonder if "A SPN Christmas" will be on your best episodes list.
I have the feeling it will be among the top ones.
Great review of a great episode! I love the two-part idea, there're just too many great scenes! The funny, (the boys singing, the jokes..), the scary (I still can't look at the fingernail scene without flinching) and the heart-breaking moments.
This episode was epic! This year we had a lot of amazing ones:
A very SPN Christmas,
Mystery Spot,
Jus in Bello and
a jaw-dropping finale with No rest for the wicked.
I don't know how Kripke does it but so far I love every single season finale.
I wonder how many season 3 episodes will be on your best list.
I think you mentioned all the reasons why I love AVSPNC, I only want to add one little detail, I love the Anti-clause theory or as Dean likes to call it the idea of "Santa's shaddy little brother". I was lying on the floor with laughter!! My favorite show really mentioned the Krampus legend and Sam's laptop showed an authentic Krampus card! It was hilarious!!!