Let’s Talk About A Very Supernatural Christmas (S3 E8)

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    • journalbookbinder
        January 29, 2022 at 3:10 pm #12150

        I had wanted this episode to coincide with Christmas 2021 but it’s a month late thanks to a few “breaks” in the rewatch schedule. It’s one of my favorite episodes of all time. It’s probably the one I’ve watched the most since I usually watch it every single year. I skipped 2021 since I knew it was coming up in the rewatch so I’m looking forward to it now.

      • PigNaPoke
          January 29, 2022 at 3:10 pm #12160

          I watch this episode every year around Christmas Time and sometimes again at some point during the year….just because it’s PERFECT.

          So much to love about this one. Most of all I admire the balance this one has between the unique current case and the deeper insight we gain into the Winchester’s childhood! And we really get a LOT of new info in this one.

          Great lore! What faun detour from Santa to evil Santa to Santa’s shady brother to Pagan Gods. Great costuming with the filthy suit and awesome set design with the gory lair for the “monster”. The way it collects victims and then dismembers them in the basement is truly scary.

          ALL stellar guest actors in this one as well! The pagan god couple has some of the funniest lines and delivers them in such amazing way it really is a treat to watch. I mean….the scene in the kitchen is just phenomenal!

          And I always love the flash back episodes because the fill in gaps and give us yet more appreciation for what the brothers have been through together and how their relationship cemented more and more because of it.

          It’s really sad and touching but also understandable that the Winchesters have such different memories of past Christmases. Another glimpse at young Dean’s desperate mission to keep Sam innocent and protected from the horrors in the world – even if he has to get a little rough and bark at Sam! It seems to me though that once Dean tells Sam about monsters and their dad it’s like a weight is lifted off him a little bit because he is no longer alone in the knowledge. (Really good job by both young actors!) I love how young Dean then tries to soften the blow of a new reality for Sam by stealing gifts for him! Even if they go totally awry, the thought and effort is so so sweet! Of course it’s heartbreaking at the same time that he does all that to cover for John….but I’m sure John tried to get back to them for Christmas (cough cough…crappy move, dad!).

          Finding out where the amulet came from is one of my favorite EVER reveals on the entire run of the show. The care and love that shows from little Sam who clearly understands who is the most important person in his life and the stunned appreciation from Dean and what it means to him is just beautiful!!!

          The shot from young Dean wearing the amulet to the now Dean coming through the door at the end of the episode is so emotional and gorgeously done it always makes me tear up.

          And the repeat show of now adult Sam’s appreciation for Dean by giving him a Christmas (complete with PERFECT wonky tree and gas station gifts) even though Sam finds it really painful is equally lovely.

          As sad as the occasion is in the context of the season and Dean’s impending death…it is a feel good episode for me!

          SPN CHRISTMAS in ALL of it’s forms is just plainly THE BEST!!!

          PNP

        • journalbookbinder
            January 29, 2022 at 3:10 pm #12294

            Watching this one again; EVERY TIME I love it. It is one of those episodes that seems like it’s 90 minutes long in the best way! There is so much to it! The figuring out the case and misdirect of it perhaps being the man playing Santa (and wow; I LOVE the grungy and grimy kind of half-assed look of the whole Christmas village thing there! Love Santa watching porn and smoking a bong!), the whole Krampus idea, the true horror feel of the bloody leather bags with people in them, then the HUMOR of the pagan Gods like Leave it Beaver acting all perfect on the surface, the torture of Sam and Dean, the heartbreak of those families who lost fathers up the chimney, the scenes from Sam and Dean’s childhood, and finally the whole other side of Sam not wanting to do Christmas because it’s Dean’s last one. Then giving in. I love it all; it’s like 3 or 4 stories in one episode and all done SO WELL!

            I can’t help but watch it with an eye on Jared though. Knowing that it was right after this episode that he got himself from professional help for depression and anxiety. When I know that, I think I can see it in his performance though at the time it was totally fitting since he was mourning Dean’s pending trip to hell. But I can’t NOT see that now. Part of me is staggered that he did such a great job under such duress.

            The other bit of reality that I love is knowing Jared really heavily spiked the egg nog without Jensen knowing so Dean’s reaction there is totally real. I love that.

            I too LOVED knowing that Sam and Dean feel like they experienced totally different childhoods purely based on their outlooks and how they saw things. Dean rolled with it and kept “great” memories. Sam saw all they were lacking. This is clear many times over the course of the series and the flashbacks here really lay that out. It’s great. And sad. But great.

            Both young actors were good, but Colin Ford as young Sam was perhaps the best child actor I have ever seen. Young Dean over-acted a bit, but he was great in the quieter moments. But Colin Ford…blows me away EVERY time.

            And YES! The amulet reveal! Add that to the LONG list of amazing things in this episode! I loved the blend from the flashback to modern day when young Dean puts it on and it blends to adult Dean walking through the door of the motel room while wearing it to discover Sam did Christmas for him.

            JINX, PigNaPoke! Ha ha! We thought the exact same thing!

            It’s truly a perfect episode and I’ll still be watching it at Christmas when I’m 90 years old.

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