Thanksgiving Prison

Community, S04E05

Jeff was forced to have Thanksgiving with his estranged father because, despite he couldn't find the courage to knock on the door and bolted, Britta went ahead and entered his father's house without him.  Shirley invited the others to her house for Thanksgiving, but they were all so miserable there that they hid in the basement and plotted to escape without Shirley realizing it.

How I wish that Britta would have just burst into flames and turned into ash.  She was so intrusive in this story.  I guess I could blame the Dean for having such a big mouth and telling the gang about him going to meet his father, but I wish that Britta would stop trying to be a therapist to him.  If her ignorance about psychology was humorous maybe I could let her slide, but her stupidity just makes me so angry.  Leave Jeff alone!  He definitely needed a push, but she just thinks she knows exactly what to do to get Jeff to deal with his issues.  It's her smugness about her that made me not want her to be around for the whole first meeting.

That being said, it was great that Jeff didn't end up being too chicken to meet his father.  I think he might have found another way to get over his fear without Britta, but since she was the reason, I have to give her credit there.  I just wish she had left as soon as Jeff had gotten settled in--he and his father really got along well.  Obviously they were both regarding the other with all of their emotions heavily guarded, but they didn't go at each others' throats (at least at first) or act too stiffly as if each second together was torture.  I liked seeing sort of an older version of Jeff.  If that was what Jeff is going to be like, it doesn't seem too bad by his standards.  Still, William didn't seem like the best dad when Willy Jr. acted like the most insincere guy ever.

I loved Willy Jr.  I thought that Jeff's half brother would be some kind of asshole like him, but he was more like a little boy who couldn't get over that his parents had brought home a new baby.  In just a few seconds of meeting Jeff, he evaluated himself as inferior and felt threatened that Jeff would take his place.  His insecurity due to Jeff's existence was pretty funny.  My favorite emotional explosion was when he was having trouble getting out Jeff's name:

[Jeff] My name is Jeff.

[Willy Jr.] Don't help me! Mr. Helper Guy! First, mom died, and now this!

Willy was a mess, but I enjoyed every time he opened his mouth and got frustrated over every little thing.  I was set to be disappointed that Jeff and this little ball of emotions couldn't bond until Willy appeared in the back of Jeff's car.  I was happy that Jeff's outrage at his father's attempt to justify being absent in Jeff's life came to a boil when he heard how Willy was also a victim of William's bad parenting.  It was sort of a moving moment when Jeff exposed his neediness as child, where he faked an illness just to have someone worry about him.  To hear that he still holds onto the get-well cards from then really makes you see how sad Jeff is deep inside.  It was a very effective and colorful way to show that Jeff wasn't the superior child that William claimed to have contributed to by leaving him.  Although his deadbeat dad tried to fake a heart attack to get out of this emotional moment, Jeff's grandstand got through to Willy and he hugged the hell out of his older brother.  Aww!  I hope that Willy returns for another story--him and Jeff would make a funny pair.

In Shirley's story, I felt bad that her friends were so determined to leave her.  I understood that Shirley's family, though, sounded like such unpleasant people.  Anyone who could sit around and laugh at Pierce's antics (especially when he was trying to fake breaking a hip--they didn't think to worry about him) were probably not the best company.  And, as we later found out, they took joy in making fun of Shirley at these gatherings, making her situation feel all the sadder.  While her friends were trying to break out of the "prison," Shirley was locked in her own.  I don't think my heart has ever gone out to Shirley as much as when she admitted that she wanted her friends to be there as her buffer and yet they had been avoiding her the whole time that their presence didn't even matter.  They made me happy when they decided to grin and bear it for her sake.

I also liked how Abed, seeing that they were trapped in a prison-like state, started narrating their actions as if was Morgan Freeman in The Shawshank Redemption.  Although, he didn't get to break out of there through a secret tunnel (which was revealed in the extra that he dug out behind a Shirley's Sandwiches poster), he did enough spoofing of this movie that it was pretty funny. 

Troy, too, had a funny moment the first time he escaped to the basement:

What is going on?  Why is Thanksgiving so terrible?

I feel like that's a great summary statement of that holiday.  If this episode was aired in the right season, I'm pretty sure I'd be thinking that in my head at one point or another.

My favorite part of the story was when Jeff had set up the study room for the Thanksgiving dinner that they had all missed out.  Jeff was on a good-guy roll.  I really appreciate those times when he makes up for being so detached all the time (or at least pretending to be).  It assures me no matter what selfish thing he might do or say, he'll eventually show his true colors and win me over again.

This was a good episode, especially for a Thanksgiving story.  I can't remember if it was as good or bad as the others I saw this past year, but I'm betting it was up there.  The meeting between Jeff and his father went much better than I imagined and wasn't the sappy reunion that it could have been.  I most liked the introduction of Willy Jr.  I don't think they could have made a better brother for Jeff if they tried.  Shirley's Thanksgiving was equally as good because we got to see Annie, Troy, Abed, and Pierce act like inmates and attempt to break out.  Although they saw the merit in staying opposed to fleeing, it was amusing to see them struggle along the way.  And thanks to Jeff's surprise dinner for them all, everyone got to have the Thanksgiving they had really been looking for.  Nothing more I like than a great ending!

Thanksgiving Again?

The Cleveland Show, S04E04

Cleveland changed his mind about making Junior kill a turkey and helped his son try to protect all the turkeys left that Lester was trying to kill and sell.  Donna agreed to help Rallo decorate a float for the parade, but soon pushed him out of the process when she found out that it was for a competition.

I was a little surprised that they did another story that was about Thanksgiving, although this one was a lot more about the holiday than the previous one.  It's rare for a show to do that.  Either they do a nod to the holiday and move on or they chose not to do it at all.  It also didn't help that Thanksgiving was already over and I wasn't expecting anymore stories about it.  However, it wasn't too bad.

Although I say that, there is much that I particularly liked about this episode (but there wasn't anything that I particularly hated either).  My favorite quote was when Junior was trying to defend turkeys by saying that Ben Franklin thought they were noble and Cleveland said:

Benjamin Franklin was an atheist pedophile who flew kites to meet children.  That’s why God struck him with lightning.

There's something really funny about making up your own horrible story about a historical figure (although, there's no concrete evidence to prove that it's wrong).  The part at the end where he claims that even his contributions to electricity were just a fluke from divine punishment also makes me laugh.

As far as Donna and Rallo's story went, I did like when Rallo was trying to decorate the float just as a boy his age typically would with odd coloring, googly eyes, and macaroni.  There's nothing more I love than being reminded that Rallo is just a kid.  Because when he decides to be one, he's really childlike.  However, there wasn't enough of him to really make the story great.  It was just all right.

I probably still like this Thanksgiving story better than the Auntie-Mama one.  It wasn't really funny, but at least it wasn't frustrating to watch (or disgusting).  It just had stories you could watch without really reacting to them much, which for this show is sort of a success.  I dislike when I have to list all the things that made me want to shoot the TV screen.

Dunno Which Dinner Was The Best

The Mindy Project, S01E07

Mindy spent Thanksgiving at Gwen's house and got into a fight with Gwen after she hit on Dennis.  Jeremy spent the holiday at Betsy's house where she was sick of being treated like a little girl.  Danny spent the holiday alone at the office.

Well, there wasn't much that I liked about this episode.  It was good there were multiples stories because all of them were a little boring to me.  I don't think I could pick a favorite.  Even with Danny being alone the whole night save a damn mouse was about on par with Mindy going after someone else's boyfriend.  I might say Jeremy and Betsy story because it was a little sweet how he comforted her in accepting the way her family treats her because it could be worse (like how he suggested his own family was).

What I was most annoyed about in this episode was Josh.  I'm getting less and less convinced that he is a great match for her.  First of all, after he made a slightly gross dinner for her made entirely on panini presses, he set her apartment on fire was pretty damn useless in taking care of that situation.  Like I couldn't believe that he just sort of stood next her and kind of wanted her to do something about it.  Wow.  Didn't think he could be more unimpressive than his cooking skills.  Second, he didn't want to be exclusive with her.  I don't know why, but I was a little shocked.  You come to cook (by your own definitions) a meal for a girl, but you don't want to be exclusive with her?  Why the hell even go to the damn trouble??  Yes, later he found out that he missed Mindy and wanted to officially be her boyfriend, but I don't appreciate that he sort of swung her emotions around like that.  Especially since it encouraged Mindy to make out with Dennis (although I guess Morgan was the one who told her she didn't need to stick to one man either) and made the fight between Mindy and Gwen worse.  I just don't like the way Josh puts up a front--can't he be  a little more straightforward with his feelings?  It's frustrating and frankly makes him a little less manly in my eyes.

Related to Mindy seducing Dennis a bit, how dramatic was the fight between her and Gwen?  First Mindy jumps to conclusions about Gwen replacing her with another Indian girl (I wonder if she would have felt as threatened if she wasn't the same race), and then Gwen nearly kicks Mindy's ass after she sees her making out with Dennis.  I was really surprised that Gwen got so violent and loud.  But I guess she was just tired of Mindy's shit during a holiday dinner.  Wow, I would not want to piss her off.  I guess her voice makes you think she might be sweet and nice, but apparently she can bring it when necessary.  Learned a good bit about her character in this story.

I also learned that Jeremy doesn't seem to be much of an ass.  I mean, the more I see him with Betsy, the more I think they should hook up.  They would be a weird pairing (okay, well, she's just weird), but I think it might work.  She's definitely not so sneaky and sexually loose as he is, so maybe she could balance him out.  

As for Danny...  What a loser spending Thanksgiving at the office.  I'm surprised that he even texted back Mindy when she sent him a picture.  I guess he sort of missed her.  It wasn't like he was getting any love from anyone else that day (not even a mouse, haha).

This was one of my least favorite Thanksgiving stories I've seen, but I'm not really surprised.  This  show is still getting its act together, so I never expected them to blow me away.  I guess the best thing about the story was that perhaps Mindy has a confirmed boyfriend now.  I wonder if we'll see a change in Josh that will allow me to like him a little better.  Because of right now, I can't wait for someone better to stroll along for Mindy.

Best Parent Trap Since Parent Trap

New Girl, S02E08

Jess' parents joined her and her friends for Thanksgiving, and she tried one last time to get them back together.  Schmidt fought with his cousin in a manly competition made by Winston for the right to be the true "Schmidt."

Um, I feel like this episode just kept getting better and better.  I had an easy time ignoring what Schmidt and cousin were doing for the most part because Jess' scheme and Nick's role in it was just so wonderfully funny.  I didn't expect that I was going to love the story of Jess' parents making their first appearance but Jamie Lee Curtis and Rob Reiner completely drew me in and had me wishing they could be around for every holiday.  My favorite moment with her parents was when there was a flashback of one of Jess' many attempts to parent trap her parents.  She made them think she was in danger so she could lock them in a room with romantic music.  I loved Bob's response:

Oh, damn it, Jess, that’s the second time today.

I cannot believe that she tried that many times to get her parents back together and was still trying to do so as a grown woman.  It was adorably naive, but not at all out of character for Jess.  It's amazing that her parents haven't given up listening to anything she says when she's been scheming for so long.  I would have always assumed that Jess was doing another parent trap any time both of her parents were involved in anything.

Probably my favorite thing in this story was that Nick revealed that he was a younger version of Jess' dad.  I laughed when she hinted that they would get along:

Nick, you’re gonna love my dad so much.  He’s so unhappy.

But I had no idea that when Bob and Nick were sitting on the couch talking sports that it would be like looking at Nick's future.  Their similarity wasn't just funny, but it also sort of gave another reason why Jess probably likes Nick in the first place.  It's not uncommon for girls to sort of like a man that reminds them of their father a little bit, and Nick certainly fits that category.

There was another indication that Nick probably likes Jess more than he even knows because Nick was getting crazily attracted to Joan within just a few minutes of pretending to flirt with her.  When Nick couldn't stop himself from sort of hitting on Jess' mother, I was laughing so hard.  It was definitely my second favorite part of the story.  It was a little weird, but I easily got past it thinking that Nick likes that kind of woman, which is roughly the same kind of woman that Jess is.  Plus, it was just cute to see him sort of falling for an older lady.  If I didn't like Jess the best, I would have said that Nick should have gone for Joan.

Lastly, I like that they poked a little fun at Twilight.  I mean, Nick basically created the same story without having any idea that it had already been made with vampires.  So to me, that doesn't say much about the complexity of Twilight if a moron like Nick can write the same thing.  I just love that Bob was there to tell him that his story had already been done (and it's so like Nick to not have heard of Twilight at all, but weird that he would enjoy writing such a romantic story).

The Schmidt versus Schmidt story was kind of dumb, but it had its good moments.  All of those were about Winston.  It was kinda funny that the last battle came down to kissing Winston, but I liked best when Winston had them doing a wheelbarrow:

[Cousin] All day. I can do this all day, Winston.
[Schmidt] I got all day, too!
[Winston] Hey, how long can you do this for?
[Cousin] I can do this all day!
[Schmidt] Yeah, I got all day, too!
[Cousin] Winston!
[Winston] Why are you yelling at me?

I don't know why but when they were yelling his name is was really funny.  Later, I liked how when emotions were bubbling over with Jess thinking her parent trap had finally worked when it hadn't and all the other issues at the table, Winston was the only one concentrating on the untouched dinner:

When can we start eating?

And somehow that was just as funny as when he very softly called out:

Turkey.

I just liked that he was so calmly, but sadly calling out to the food that Jess was angrily tossing into the sink.  It was kinda cute.


I don't think I would have changed anything in this episode--it's definitely in my list of favorites of all time.  It's certainly one of the best Thanksgiving stories that I've seen on TV lately.  I like that there was some hints of why Jess and Nick would make a great couple as well as plenty of laughs.  There was little food shown, but I don't mind that at all.  Seeing this sort of makes me hate the holidays a little less.

Thanksgiving Whores

Bob's Burgers, S03E05

Bob and his family agreed to pretend to be a cook and part of the Fischoeder family in exchange for five months free rent.  Although the charade was going well, Bob began to ruin it when he was angry that his family failed to spend any time with him doing the Thanksgiving traditions that he looked forward to every year.

What I was reminded of most in the episode was how much that Bob really treasures moments with his family, even if he likes to do cheesy things that his family doesn't care for.  I can understand completely why they would jump at the idea of getting free rent just for acting (because let's face it--this family loves to play characters and doesn't need much convincing to do so), but I couldn't help but feel like Linda and the kids were complete jerks in this story.  The kids were halfway motivated to ignore their dad because Fischoeder had bribed them with a Chuck E. Cheese like prize system based on how well they displayed their phony love, but I still couldn't forgive them.  I guess it was because Bob was acting so crazy getting drunk off absinthe and befriending the turkey he was cooking and looked really pathetic by himself.  Just felt bad for him and thought about how he has such an exhausting family to deal with.  It's funny that I still consider him the one who's most in touch with reality when he was the one mourning the death of cooked turkey that had been shot.

There isn't much else I responded to in this episode except Lina's horrible Thanksgiving song.  Her terrible voice only intensified the horrible lyrics.  It was really weird that when she was trying to sing it at the dinner table that all the kids decided that it would be a great time to do their individual dances of love for their fake father.  Why?  I mean, Bob was on the table trying to compete with Fishoeder to make a speech, Linda was destroying eardrums with her song, and the kids thought that was the best time to dance?  I don't know.  I guess it just shows, as usual, that this family is just crazy and that when one person gets out of control, it encourages the others to follow suit.  It was a little painful to watch and not too funny.

I did slightly like, though, when the family gathered around Bob when they thought he might be shot.  They regretted acting like rent/prize whores and ended the whole fake family thing.  At least when things get to the matter of life and death, they can put aside their greed or whatever and focus on what's important.  If they hadn't, I seriously would have been pissed.  They need to treat Bob a little better.  They way they just screw him over sometimes isn't too funny.

I think the concept of this story was pretty good.  I just wish I could have enjoyed Bob being neglected more (which could have been achieved by his absinthe illusions being funnier and less sad) and found the rest of the family funnier.  However, I will say that this was a pretty good Thanksgiving story that managed to not hit your head over with the holiday and focus more on the eccentricities of Bob's family and his landlord (and the weirdo women Fishoeder likes to date).  I think maybe I'll like the episode a little more if I watch it again.  It was just watching it that first time I just couldn't help focus on the selfishness of Linda and the kids.

Lisa, You Fool!

Suburgatory, S02E05

Tessa decided to spend Thanksgiving with her grandmother because she was told her mother would be visiting there.  George tried to cook Thanksgiving dinner for Dallas, Dalia, Mr. Wolfe, Alan the chef, and Noah.  Lisa didn't want Malik to come to their house for dinner, but he did and Shelia mistakenly walked in on him after he got out of the shower.

I was surprised that we actually got to see Alex in this episode because I had a feeling that Tessa was going to be disappointed by spending Thanksgiving at her grandmother's.  I was happy to see that she was at least pretty enough for me to believe should could be Tessa's mother.  She did seem flaky, but at least there was some time for Alex and Tessa to bond.  However, I couldn't help but feel bad for George because I like him and know that he's quite attached to his daughter.  I couldn't help but wish Tessa would pay him a little attention when he was sitting sort of lonely-like on the stairs, listening to Tessa and Alex laugh.  Aww...  I know Tessa wants and deserves to get to know her mom, but I would hate to see her forget all about George.  Everyone else in his life is kind of a mess, so he needs Tessa as much as she needs him.

The biggest thing that happened in this episode was that Lisa was being so unreasonable.  Sure, Shelia is borderline offensive in the way she is trying to accommodate to Malik and welcome him to the family, but her behavior is much better than her outright trying to send Malik away.  Granted, it is beyond awkward the way Malik and Shelia handled the mistake of her walking in on him naked, but at least the two involved didn't make it into something gross.  It was just weird and funny.  In fact, I loved when Shelia and Malik high-fived when Malik commented that it wasn't a "little thing" either.  Lisa just needed to get over it.  And by that, I mean she needed to accept that it was bizarre and give herself time to forget that it happened.  That is the only logical thing anyone should have done.  I can't believe that she ended it with Malik over that and the fact that Malik doesn't hate Shelia.  Lisa probably wants someone she can badmouth her mother to, but I wouldn't think it was a problem for my boyfriend to like my mother unless he liked her in a sexual, creepy way.  Lisa is a moron.  She will never do better than Malik.  She's too freaking crazy for anyone else to handle!  I was so mad to see her give up that easy.  

The best thing out of this story, though, was that Lisa found an envelope with the coveted wishbone in it that Ryan had been saving to wish for sex with Tessa (somehow cute in a slightly creepy way).  I was actually a little moved by him offering that wishbone he had been concentrating on all night to Lisa so her problem might be solved.  God, I love Ryan.  He's so dumb, but he's so sweet!  Every time I see him, it's like he makes me like him a little bit more.

I'm not really looking forward to seeing more of Alex.  I'm taking her with a little grain of salt just because George has suggested that she can sometimes emotionally con people.  I would hate to see her start bonding with Tessa to only disappear again for a significant chunk of time.  Tessa is smart and probably thinks she won't get attached to her, but I know she will and she'll get hurt if Alex falls off the face of the world again.  The most important thing, though, isn't Alex, but Lisa  getting her act together and realizing the huge mistake she's made by tossing Malik aside.  Ain't no other boy gonna put up with your nonsense, Lisa--go get him back before it's too late!

Little Stan's Cute To Me

Cougar Town, S03E13

Jules decided to hold Thanksgiving out of season since they didn't get to celebrate it last year together.  Ellie wanted Jules to use Little Stan as her ring bearer and had to face the truth that her son is somewhat of a nightmare.  Jules asked to hear Grayson's vows and he asked of her the same.  However, Jules struggled to express her feelings for him and got Travis to do it for her, and he got Laurie and Bobby to help him.  Andy had trouble preparing for the pizza toss event, his first major publicity event for his mayoral campaign.

It's funny that the gang celebrating Thanksgiving in the spring referred to the fact that this show had a huge break before it was picked up again.  They also made a lot of comments that referred to that fact that they were getting moved from ABC (to TBS next season).  I like that they joke about this in a not so subtle way.  But I can understand why ABC might have been reluctant to bring back CT, and it doesn't shock me that a different network picked it up.  The opening credits also made a comment about the uncertain future of this show with a line: "Are we still on TV?"  For now they are.  But I don't see why TBS would cancel them prematurely.  Hopefully the move will help this show rather than hinder it.

What I liked better than the commentary on CT's unstable broadcasting status was the story about Little Stan and Ellie.  I forget how old he is, but that kid is incredibly mischievous for such a little boy.  Grayson got really upset that Stan tagged his garage, especially when he asked Ellie why she would buy paint for her son at all (even if it was washable).  Throughout the episode, you continued to see Stan's tags on random things in town.  Apparently, he can get around on a bus already.  Damn.  What is that kid going to be capable of once he starts getting his education?  I really thought that Ellie just thought he was funny and that was why she dismissed him, but it was nice to see that she's not that nonchalant about her son's misdeeds and just wanted him to be adorable like a normal child.

I happen to think that Stan is already adorable.  I loved when Jules made a little obstacle course out of cushions and such to see if Stan could make it through without getting distracted by things like hammers and markers.  Ellie was cheering him on like a show dog at the finish line, while Jules was trying to stop him by throwing uncooked rice at his head.  They are so nuts!  But that was really cute.   I think that was cuter than him bringing in the turkey at the end.  Sure that was sweet, but he did that because Jules paid him in spray paint.

 I also liked that Stan destroyed Big Carl.  Not that I had anything against her having an over-sized glass (and I knew he'd be replaced in no time), but having a little boy destroy something Jules loved (probably more than Grayson) was a good way to see her explode with anger.  Otherwise, I think she would have stayed in denial about Ellie's parenting until the bitter end.  

It's a good thing that Grayson is a bit of a moron because it should have been obvious that the vows Jules read for him were about inanimate object and not him (especially since Travis and crew didn't bother to edit her Big Carl speech that much).  I think it would have been helpful for him to know that his future wife values wine drinking more than she does her husband.  But then again, Grayson has to know that already with the way that she is constantly making "pounding grape" a priority.

The most interesting thing about Andy's story was the way that Grayson felt it necessary to cheer him on (unlike anyone else was really).  He seems to be smart enough to know that if he doesn't get an ally to help him against his wife and her best friend, he is going to be subjected to a lot worse things than a Fakesgiving.  Still, I don't know what Grayson thinks he and Andy can achieve together that no one else hasn't tried.  If Jules has Ellie backing her up, no one is going to oppose them.  Point in case, no one was brave enough to say no to Ellie when she decided they were all going to join Jules for Thanksgiving after all.  Maybe their union is pointless, but at least Grayson prevented Andy from giving up.  I'd like to see him become mayor soon (and be more useful than Bobby's personal ass kisser).

This episode was definitely better than the other one.  I think their jokes about the show being on the air were really good, even if I'm not entirely overjoyed that CT will leave ABC and go to TBS (This show is just really something to watch on Tuesday).  I'm glad that they had another Little Stan story because I think that he's my favorite character (which says a lot about the other ones).  Who else but a "devil baby" like him could destroy Big Carl and live to see the day?  I'm looking forward to how he really does behave as the ring bearer.  It would be great if he could cause one of the many problems I foresee occurring that day.