5 Episodes to Watch this Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving seems to be the forgotten middle child of holidays. Every year, Thanksgiving becomes increasingly outshined by Christmas’s spotlight, as everyone jumps from Halloween decor right to Christmas. As the holiday approaches, we should acknowledge some TV shows that opted to include a Thanksgiving episode in their series (some even more than one). Here are a few I think you should watch:
1. New Girl – Season 1, Ep. 6 “Thanksgiving”
New Girl is one of my favorite shows so I am a bit biased, but this episode is definitely worth watching. Jess invites her co-worker, Paul, to have Thanksgiving with her and her roommates Nick, Winston, and Schmidt, who don’t originally want to celebrate. After a lot of chaos ensues (and a surprise with one of their neighbors catches everyone off guard), the episode ends in a very wholesome way, with everyone putting aside their differences so they can just enjoy each other’s company. Though very early on in the series, I think this episode encapsulates the feel-good aspect of New Girl.
2. Master of None – Season 2, Ep. 8 “Thanksgiving”
I have not, admittedly, watched much of Master of None. I was, however, introduced to this particular episode last year, and feel it transcends beyond the “feel-good” sense of most other Thanksgiving specials. The episode chronicles how one of the characters, Denise, and her family hold Thanksgiving over time with Dev, as they are friends and Dev’s family does not celebrate. Important issues, including race and sexuality, along with intersectionality, coming out, and acceptance are central to the episode. Also covered is the discovery and development of one’s self, mimicking how we all change through time, and this progression perfectly matches the nostalgia of the holiday. Definitely check it out.
3. Brooklyn Nine-Nine – Season 1, Ep. 10 “Thanksgiving”
Another one of my favorite shows, B99’s first Thanksgiving episode takes a twist on the traditional celebration style. Amy attempts to host a Thanksgiving at her apartment for the precinct, in hopes to impress Captain Holt. Amy’s plans, however, are interrupted after Holt is notified about a new case, and Jake very excitedly heads out with him to solve it, happy he doesn’t have to celebrate the holiday. Of course, after a disastrous series of events, the show has a happy ending. Not only is this episode great in how family is represented differently, being the precinct and their strong bond, but it shows some character progression through Jake, who once hated Thanksgiving because of his own familial issues. But, the precinct comes together and acknowledges their appreciation for each other.
4. Bob’s Burgers – Season 3, Ep. 5 “An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal”
If you haven’t seen any of Bob’s Burgers yet, you’re missing out. There is not a dull moment in this show, and especially not in this particular episode. Bob is offered five-months of free rent in the exchange that his wife and kids pretend to be his landlord’s family and Bob has to pretend to be his chef, making them all a Thanksgiving dinner. The landlord hopes to use them to impress a former flame he’s inviting over. Brushed aside by his family on his favorite holiday, Bob is distraught, thus he drinks a bit too much absinthe, and of coursenothing good comes from that. The Belcher family is simultaneously chaotic and entertaining, so if you’re looking for a weird, funny mess of an episode, this is for you (along with their other Thanksgiving specials).
5. How I Met Your Mother – Season 3, Ep. 9 “Slapsgiving”
Though HIMYM has had its fair share of Thanksgiving episodes as well, it’s important to start with the one where their tradition began. In “Slapsgiving,” Barney is warned by Marshall that his next slap (in part of their “slap bet”) is going to happen on Thanksgiving. This is only part of the mess in this episode, as former-flames Robin and Ted are left alone together, and in the midst of everything going on, Lily gains frustration and gives up on trying to celebrate the holiday successfully. Like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the traditional family dynamic is not present in this episode, as Thanksgiving is instead celebrated by a group of friends (and a guy named Bob). The friendship shared between this group is always heart-warming to see, and this episode certainly portrays that.
Hopefully you opt to check out some of these episodes, or at least some Thanksgiving specials of your favorite shows. Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate!
