One of the things that has kept Supernatural popular for fifteen seasons is its refusal to take itself – or anything else – too seriously. Despite the apocalyptic level seriousness of the subjects it tackles, from family strife to addiction to angels and demons and God himself, the show can always be counted on to put its own spin on those topics. So when Supernatural did a Christmas episode back in Season 3, it definitely wasn’t your standard Hallmark variety holiday special. It’s dark and disturbing and downright horrifying at times, but it’s also one of my favorite episodes, with some of the most tender family moments on the show and an ending that satisfies even if it’s not your stereotypical they-lived-happily-ever-after fade to black.
This will be the last holiday season with Supernatural still on the air, so I thought it would be a good time to revisit its only Christmas episode – no matter what holiday you celebrate at this time of year, the feeling it will leave you with is universal.
Here are six of my favorite moments (in chronological order) from “A Very Supernatural Christmas.”
1. The opening scene.
A nice old grampa dresses up as Santa to surprise his grandson. He hears a suspicious noise on the roof, and – as the young grandson watches in horror – is suddenly yanked right up the chimney, screaming. One blood-soaked boot drops back into the fireplace.
It’s not so much that I enjoy that scene, but holy hell, Supernatural – that is a horror movie version of a Christmas show if I ever saw one! I can’t help but respect the show’s loyalty to its horror roots.
2. Sam and Dean visit the shabbiest Christmas village you’ve ever seen, hoping to track down whatever “evil Santa” is yanking people up chimneys.
It’s season 3, so the brothers are still at odds sometimes, still working through their differences and “getting back to being brothers”. But they’re also young and nobody has been to hell yet, so they still bicker and tease like brothers do. Dean confides to the attractive young woman who’s Santa’s helper that no, they don’t have any kids with them, Sam just wanted to come.
Elf: Um, sorry, no kids over…. Twelve.
Sam: No, no, he’s just kidding. We only came to watch.
Elf: Ewww.
Sam’s exasperated face as Dean laughs is quintessential Winchesters.
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Now I need to watch that episode!!!!! Thank God for Netflix!