It’s time for another shift in this perfectly plotted episode, and it’s hilarious. Sam and Dean enter a crafts store, and Dean again tries to humiliate his brother, this time pulling the gay card. His story involves Jenga at the Walshes'. That image in my head is both funny and disturbing at the same time. Sam, on the spot but not missing a beat, describes the wreath in a deadpan tone: “It was yummy.”
What’s even better is the clerk plays along, when Sam mentions the meadowsweet. “Well, aren’t you a fussy one.”
We get the mother of all of Sam bitchfaces, while Dean laughs and agrees. This clerk is fantastic by the way, and I wonder if this actor does comedy a lot. He mentions that he sold all the wreaths, even though they were given to him for free, because “it’s Christmas, people pay a buttload for this crap”.
“That’s the spirit,” Dean wittingly observes, and I’m dying. When Jensen and Jared are allowed to go all out, the results are always amazing.
But now the funny turns to sad. I feel like I’m watching short attention span theater. Sam and Dean enter the motel room and take their spots on the edge of the beds. The camera angle is different, for they’re shown from behind instead of in front. This experiment works, and the end result is nothing short of remarkable. Dean fondly remembers the beer can wreath that their dad found, and Sam doesn’t understand his sudden love for the holiday. Dean confesses his reason — it’s his last year. Sam’s face falls, and with sad music he admits in heartbreaking fashion he can’t pretend everything’s okay. The lines in this were good, but Jensen and Jared made it perfect. I feel as devastated as Sam (still sobbing!). I’ve gone from laughing hard to tearing up in two minutes. I love this show.
Speaking of tearing up, another flashback to 1991, and who as a kid wanted Funyuns for dinner? Lucky Sam. This time it’s young Sam’s turn to be emotionally heartbreaking. He’s found John’s journal, and knows everything. He finds out Santa isn’t real, and monsters are. That monsters got their mom. That monsters can get them. He cries himself to sleep, finding no solace in the fact that his older brother says their Dad is a superhero. This is how all the animosity begins. Dad lied to him and Sam will never able to trust him again. It’s quite devastating to see young boys go through this, especially when Dean promised it would all be better, and we saw how empty that promise was.
Article comments
1 - cassi
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!!!
2 - Elle
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!
3 - Joan
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!
4 - vichi
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:)
5 - Huppy
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!