Christmas means just one thing over at spunkybean – Christmas episodes! Well, three things actually, since we also love our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa episodes. (Please note: Kwanzaa episodes are purely theoretical at this point in time.) For as long as there’s been TV, there have been special holiday episodes. Sometimes they are heartwarming, sometimes they will force you into seasonal depression. Ideally, you should try to balance out both types of episodes, so as to keep you regular. It’s like mixing energy drinks and alcohol, if our understanding of science is correct. To celebrate the holiday, we’ll be bringing you 25 Days of Christmas Episodes. Every day, right up to Christmas, it’s a fresh hot summary of a favorite Christmas episode, complete with an analysis of some of the tropes that recur in multiple shows. (Do people learn lessons in Christmas episodes? You bet you bottom they do!) Please note, we’re not claiming that these 25 are the all-time greatest, or that they represent some kind of holiday canon. They are episodes that we like, and to which we have access. Yes, I’m sure the Family Ties episode inspired by A Christmas Carol is hilarious, and if you buy me the appropriate box set, I’ll be happy to include it.
