Recap – “A Very Supernatural Christmas”
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 and he takes the opportunity to mention it to Dean before barging in. Sam needs to rub it in when he can. Santa is nothing more than a degenerate porn addict enjoying an adult movie with full “boom chicka wow wow,” one very impressive bong, and a fifth of ripple. Sam and Dean find they need an out of this embarrassing situation, so why not pretend to be carolers? Considering how stoned Santa is, they don’t even need to remember the words! Sam and Dean hopelessly fumble through “Silent Night” while shitfaced Santa laughs at them. There’s a memory to record in the Christmas scrapbook.
The episode takes another complete shift and again, the creep factor’s done to the maximum. It’s another trimmed to the hilt holiday home, and this time our innocent child is a sweet, curly haired boy who’s eager to great Santa. He mentions Santa is early. Except it isn’t Santa, it’s some dude in a bloody red leather suit who goes upstairs, knocks out mom and drags dad down in his sack. The bewildered boy watches scary Santa take out his dad with one bone chilling “crunch,” step toward him, reach out, and then grab a cookie on the plate behind him before going up the chimney. Yeah kid, I’m pretty sure I saw you wet your pants. Sure, this boy’s scarred for life, but maybe he’s a new prospective hunter. All hunters got into hunting somehow.
Sam and Dean are back in the G-man disguises talking with the traumatized mom with the black eye. She was knocked out. Sam then points to the beautiful wreath next to them on the wall and asks “Where did you get that wreath?” Oh Sam, I know it’s the link to the cases, but couldn’t there have been a better way to find out? He grabs his collar as both Dean and the woman stare at him in stone silence. “Just curious.” No, that wasn’t awkward at all. Outside, Dean wonders why he didn’t ask about handbags and shoes. Uh, it’s the same wreath they saw at the Walsh’s dude. Oh, then that makes sense.
Back at the motel room, Sam gets off the phone with Bobby. They aren’t dealing with the Anti-Claus. Dean wants to know what Bobby had to say. “Uh, that we’re morons.” Bobby proves he’s really smart by identifying ingredient in those wreaths as meadowsweet, the most powerful plant in Pagan lore. Ooh, Pagans! I got a religious magazine in the mail once that gave exhaustive detail as to why we’re all Pagans for celebrating Easter. Apparently Pagans love all Christian holidays. Meadowsweet was used for human sacrifices, so its an invitation for Pagans to feast on anyone near it. Dean wants to know why they’d be using it for Christmas wreaths. Sam doesn’t think its crazy, for pretty much every Christmas tradition is Pagan. Dean doesn’t believe it. “Christmas is Jesus’ birthday.” Sam, being the dork he is, delightfully tells Dean otherwise. “No, Jesus’s birthday was probably in the fall. It was actually the Winter Solstice festival that was co-opted by the church and renamed Christmas. The yule log, the tree, Santa’s red suit, that’s all remants of Pagan worship.”
Dean is disturbed that Sam actually knows that. “Are you going to tell me next that the Easter bunny is Jewish.” Considering there’s no mention of a bunny in the Christian bible anywhere, that’s possible. I think it’s German though. Dean reiterates the theory they’re dealing with a Pagan God. Yes, probably Holnacar, God of the Winter Solstice. The wreaths are like putting a neon sign on the door that says “come kill us.” Then Sam finds something more interesting. “When you sacrifice to Holnacar, guess what you get in return?” “Lap dances hopefully,” Dean jokes, although I’m certain he’s serious. Nope, mild weather. Very clever guys, but Ypsilanti still isn’t that green in December, even with mild weather. They got to find out where they’re selling those wreaths.
Now for another crazy shift in this perfectly plotted episode and it goes for the humor. Sam and Dean enter a country gift store and Dean again tries to humiliate his brother, this time pulling the gay card. His story this time involves them playing Jenga at the Walsh’s. Sam wouldn’t shut up about their Christmas wreath. That image in my head is both funny and disturbing at the same time. Dean gives Sam a slap on the shoulder with a wicked smirk and tells Sam to describe it. Sam, on the spot but not missing a beat, in a deadpan tone states, “Sure. It was yummy.” The owner sells a lot of wreatsh, but Sam describes in detail the one made with the meadowsweet. “Well, aren’t you a fussy one,” says the store owner. Time for a quintessential Sam Winchester bitch face!
Dean of course laughs and agrees. The store owner mentions that he sold all the wreaths, even though they were given to him for free. Dean asks if he charged for them. “It’s Christmas, people pay a butt load for this crap”. “That’s the spirit,” Dean wittingly observes, and I’m dying. But now the funny turns to sad. I feel like I’m watching short attention span theater. It’s incredible how the scenes shift seamlessly from one extreme element to the next.
Sam and Dean enter the motel room and take their spots on the edge of the beds, speculating how much meadowsweet wreaths cost. Apparently a lot. This woman is giving them away for free? Oh, she’s up to something. The camera angle is different in this scene, for Sam and Dean shown from behind instead of in front. Even though we aren’t directly seeing their faces, the profiles from behind manage to capture the intense emotion. It’s quite a clever way to shoot a scene like this.
Dean fondly remembers the beer can wreath that their dad found, and Sam doesn’t understand his sudden love for the holiday. “Why are you Bing Crosby all of a sudden?” Dean doesn’t understand why Sam thinks their Christmases have been so traumatic, Sam doesn’t get why Dean is doing this now when he hasn’t brought up Christmas in years. Dean’s reason is obvious, 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. “I know. That’s why I can’t. I mean I can’t just can’t sit around drinking egg nog pretending everything’s okay when I know next Christmas you’ll be dead. I just can’t.” 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, it’s another flashback to 1991. Who as a kid wanted Funyuns for dinner? As an adult? Young Dean goes to his bed and Young Sam doesn’t waste any time for the confrontation. He knows why Young Dean keeps a gun under his pillow. He knows why they lay salt down everywhere they go. You know, Young Sam really should have been asking those questions years ago. Those ones were pretty hard to hide. Dean tells him to shut up, so Sam pulls out John’s journal. Now I see that being hidden from Sam. “Are monsters real?” Sam asks. Wow, even at eight years old, Sam asks the questions with the unpleasant answers. You know as an adult he would have learned that asking such questions usually don’t go well.
Young Sam forces it out of Young Dean, who makes him promise not to tell Dad he told him this. No worries Young Dean, Sam and Dad don’t exactly talk. Dean starts by issuing the disclaimer they have the coolest Dad in the world. He’s a superhero. Oh boy, how long does it take for Dean’s delusion on that one to end? 15 or 16 years? Sam saw through it at eight. Yes, they’re real. Dad fights them. He’s fighting them right now. “Dad said the monsters under my bed weren’t real.” “That’s because he already checked under there.” If we go by the pilot, by the time Sam is nine, he’s given a gun instead. If that doesn’t teach a boy self reliance, I don’t know what does.
Is Santa real? No. Ooh, it already hurts. Sam starts thinking like a typical eight year old. If monsters are real, they can get them. They can get Dad. Dean assures him they aren’t for Dad is the best. Not so fast Young Dean, Young Sam already read in the journal they got Mom. D’oh! Young Sam puts two and two together pretty fast but Young Dean sits next to him and assures him it won’t be like that. That assurance actually works all the way until Sam dies in Dean’s arms (sniff!). Young Dean uses the “trust me” line, but Young Sam is already letting the blow sink in. He lies and says he’s okay, then turns away in avoidance to hide his tears. This becomes a lifelong pattern. Young Dean assures Young Sam Dad will be there for Christmas, but Young Sam doesn’t care. He’s still stuck on the “monsters are real” part. Young Sam cries himself to sleep and Young Dean feels like crap. Just like now.
Hi Alice
Loved the recap. Always enjoyable…Thank-you!
I have added this episode as part of my yearly Christmas shows that I have to watch at least once. I think it lines up well with Bill Murray’s Scrooged.
Of course can’t forget the classics! A Christmas Carol (Alastair Sims version), It’s a Wonderful Life, Holiday Inn, White Christmas, Going My Way, A Muppets Christmas Carol (no, not kidding):oops
Man! I’m a total Sap around this time of year!
Karen, I’m a total Sap at this time of year too. Alice, once again a recap masterpiece. So much in the episode, as you pointed out, and so much a tribute to the Christmas spirit. I guess Kripke’s friends would think he needs a psychoanalyzing because they really don’t get the message he was sending, in his own SPN way. Their loss; our gain!
What Bobby meant by the amulet as being special, is open to interpretation. From the series aspect, no one thought the show was going to be around in season 5, so the original idea behind the amulet being ‘special’ was just for Sam to think the gift he was giving would be exception to Dad, a way to once again try to reach his father. Something so special, his Dad would have to sit up and take notice of Sam. Something Dean did Sam’s entire life. At this point in the series, the amulet was not endowed with any magical abilities. That developed between season 4 and 5, and I hope when it’s returned to Dean, it’s ‘magic’ will give us all the same warm and tingly feelings the amulet did when it was first given to Dean. The final domino in cementing the boy’s relationship before facing Lucifer. That would be fabulous to see!
You are completely right with the concept that Sam gave his special gift to Dean because he finally realized Dean meant much more to him than Dad did. This wasn’t something he didn’t know for a while either, just something he now could accept. I guess I would say, Dad’s not showing up for Christmas was just the last straw for Sammy.
It’s funny to know Jared REALLY spiked Dean drink! I didn’t know that before. Those two seem to have so much fun together…and it really comes across in the show. Hummmmm…wonder if in another life, Jensen and Jared really WERE brothers. 😮
The intense silence between the boys after the toast did contain all the ideas you brought out, but I think it would have meant a LOT to Dean to hear it verbalized, and it would have been so good for Sam’s soul to speak it. Maybe the return of the amulet will remind the boys of that moment, and why, for their lives, all that matters is being together.
Only thing I missed was a screencap of the Merry Christmas on the wall. Like what you have on the count-down clock. Really would like to have it for wallpaper for the holidays. Can you post it please?
Just Pong? Didn’t the Odyssey have a couple of other games, too, like Son of Pong?
Not funny? Oh well. 😎
Anyone ever screw up a fingernail? It hurts like a MOFO and I cannot even fathom having one completely torn out. That’s right up there with the melonballer.
Totally awesome recap of a, like, gnarly episode. (is Valley Girl speech too new for the youth of us old people?) I know Xmas is over, but I think I’ll watch this again when I get out of work.
That was wonderful Alice! Got me all teary again.
That episode is an A+ for me too. An up and down roller coaster of hoots of laughter and sobbing tears, one after another. The final shot of them through the window with the lights reflected on baby and knowing that it is Dean’s last Christmas just gets my waterworks gushing. Those poor boys! I love them so.
This is my one and only traditional Christmas show. I guess I’m sorta a grinch as well as Sam.
Sweet Peter on a popsicle stick! Those gods were absolutely fabulous characters. So very funny and macabre and creepy altogether. The actors were just perfect in their parts.
And we need that amulet back. Come on Cas, get a move on with your quest. Dean wants it back. (By the way, where is his ring and bracelet? Did Cas steal them too? I miss them also.)
What a great recap. This is my very favorite episode. There is not a single wrong note and every time I watch I catch something new and wonderful. I “strongly encouraged” several friends to record this episode this year and think it is a wonderful introduction to our wonderful show.
I recently watched this wonderful episode again when it was on television on Christmas Eve, and like grayj1133, I also usually catch something new every time I watch it. Therefore, I will have to disagree with her statement that there is not a single wrong note since I caught one with the last viewing. As the screen shots show in this recap, Dean’s jacket collar was initially down when Sam handed him the eggnog, but then the jacket collar was up when he was drinking the eggnog. This inconsistency in collar positions happens another couple of times before Dean finally takes off the jacket. Within what is about a minute of screen time, Dean’s collar starts off down when entering the motel room; then it is up; then it is down again; then up again; then down again; and when he finally takes off the jacket, the collar is up again. Such an unimportant inconsistency will never prevent me from loving this episode; however, I know I will never be able to watch the final motel scene in this episode again without having a mental image of Dean flipping the collar of his leather jacket up and down – not a bad mental image at all actually – in fact, it might even add to my love of this episode.
Alice, thanks so much for this recap, another of my favourite episodes re-invented…. You’re a master! I adore how your account of this episode matches the dark humour of it. You can’t watch a tooth pulled out? Wuss… 😉
Well, here comes my wuss-moment: I have a problem with the fingernail – I had a small accident in a pool once, slipped and ripped one nail (on my foot) out, there’s a lot of blood, actually (come on, you can’t expect me to be gentle after such an episode). It grew back, of course, but I remember the pain as if it had been yesterday (I was about fifteen at the time)… So, every time I watch that scene, I’m tempted to scream along with Sam… (yep Randal, I’ve had it…)
And I think you’re right, the Easter Bunny tradition (I believe) is of German but also French (Alsace, if I’m not mistaken) origin, going back to a German fertility Goddess. I don’t really care for the bunnies, though, Christmas is hardly gone and you already find the chocolate bunnies in some shops… Come on, it’s still freezing out there!
Always great fun, Alice!! Love, Jas
You are right, Alice, AVSC is one of the best episodes of the series. My favorite little detail is at the very end of the episode, when the camera is pulling away from the hotel room where Sam and Dean are celebrating Christmas, and one of the lights decorating the hotel, which looked liked it had burned out, suddenly lights up.
I will have to watch next time for the change in Dean’s collar position in the final scenes, that one of the posters above mentioned, or the victimized wife’s black eye that you referred to, neither of which I have ever noticed.
One thing I have noticed, however, is how unsynchronized the editing of the opposite camera angles is when Sam and Dean are tied to the chairs in the pagans gods’ kitchen. Like when the camera is facing Sam after the fingernail is taken out he is slumped down, but the very next shot from behind him he is not slumping. Then he is slumping again when we see him from the front. Also Dean turning his head from our back view of him does not match the head turning in our front view of him. It’s like the scene is on two slightly different timelines, depending on which angle the camera is shooting from. In a way it kind of adds to the wackiness of the scene for me.
These pagan gods were among the best MOTW in the series, so much better than the pagan god in “Fallen Idols.” And the porn-loving Santa was also one of the most memorable secondary characters. Just a great episode.