DOLLHOUSE (season 2): A+

Oh, Victor and Sierra, you will be missed. Photo Credit: Spoiler TV/ Fox.

Unlike most of the shows on this list, Dollhouse is one that I have written about, fairly frequently.  When I checked in on the show at midseason, there were only three episodes left.  This line from my January report haunts me: “I continue to adore Boyd …”  Sigh.  I was so young and innocent then … before Joss had ripped my heart out with the reveal that my beloved Boyd was the big bad.  In my recap for the game-changing episode “Getting Closer,” I quoted my sister Gianna, who after watching the episode stated: “I feel like I just found out that my best friend is Hitler.”  I couldn’t have said it better myself.  This show was a serious tragedy-fest, people.  Every heartbreak imaginable happened to our characters, it seemed, but I loved every minute.  I know it is not a popular opinion, but I stand by my A+ rating.  I found the entire series to be brilliant, and the latter half of the second season exceeded my wildest expectations.  Dollhouse has earned a cherished place on my dvd shelf for years to come, and it will be missed.  Read my thoughts on the finale here: “Epitaph 2: The Return.”

GLEE (season 1): B+

Glee slowly won my heart during the first half of the season, but when it came back from hiatus, it was a bit inconsistent.  Also, when it came back from break, it was up against Lost, so I couldn’t watch it live.  Duh.  Throughout the season, I was alternately in love and angered by the ridiculous plotlines.  Still, overall this is a feel-good show, and one that I look forward to.  I think Glee’s biggest strength is its heart.  No matter how silly it gets—and it gets pretty silly—ultimately, the show is about the underdog.  And who doesn’t relate to that?  Heartless soulless people, that’s who!

The highlight of the season for me was the Madonna episode.  As for why I was so excited for “The Power of Madonna,” you can read my post here: “Madonna: A Primer for GLEE Fans.” The episode suffered a bit from over-hype, but putting that aside, it was really pretty fabulous—light on story, but awesome music.  The rendition of “Like A Prayer,” was especially powerful, and I had that on repeat on my iPod for weeks.

The music on Glee is great, but I worry that oftentimes it shines at the expense of the story.  The show would do better to focus on writing, and crafting compelling stories and dialogue.  With such a large audience, some of the stuff they try to pull over on us is rather embarrassing.  You can do better, show.  I believe in you.

Another highlight for me was Sue Sylvester.  I am now a card-carrying member of the Jane-Lynch-is-awesome club (okay, there aren’t really cards).  I could watch her yell at everyone for hours.  Such fun.  If the rest of the show sucked (which it doesn’t, in general), I would totally watch just for her.  Also, her character showed some growth this season, with the introduction of her sister, really humanizing her.  And then, there was the major awwww-moment in the finale, when we learned that Sue voted for New Directions at Regionals.  So sweet.

Kurt would probably rank as my other favorite character.  He’s just good TV, and I love him lots.  He is vulnerable, sassy, and he makes me care.  Check, check, check.  And the scenes between him and his dad?  Gold.  Perfection.  Tear-inducing.

The weakest link for me is Matthew Morrison’s Will Schuester.  He just bugs.  Ever since the pilot, I just did not really like him—I commented in my first post on the show that it feels like I’m supposed to like him, but I really don’t.  To me, he’s one of those “fake nice guys” that I like to theorize about.  And then, there’s the hip hop.  Stay away from the hip hop, Mr. Schue.  Please.  We don’t deserve that kind of abuse.

Overall, I have to say that Glee is one of my favorite new shows, and it really has a lot of potential.  It has already been renewed for a second and third season, so let’s hope that it lives up to the hype.  No pressure.  Oops.

Even Chuck and Blair couldn't save the show for me. Tears. Photo Credit: Giovanni Rufino / The CW.

GOSSIP GIRL (season 3): C-/ Incomplete

Goodbye, Gossip Girl.  I loved you once, but no longer.  As I noted in my midseason report, the show was disappointing this season; however, it only proceeded to get worse.  I can’t point to one particular moment or plot point, but gradually, throughout the season, I just came to dislike pretty much everyone on the show.  It no longer was a fun escape, but an exercise in raising my blood pressure—and not in a good way.  Even my favorites, Blair and Chuck, couldn’t save the show for me.  I had to stop watching.  From what I’ve heard about the latter half of the season (via Twitter), I was lucky to get out when I did.  Apparently, Chuck had sex with Jenny.  Ick!  Moving on to better television.

Photo Credit: ABCFamily.com

GREEK (season 3): B+/ A-

I love Greek.  I really do.  It is just such a fun surprise to find a show with its subject matter that is so smart and witty and pop-culture savvy.  If it wasn’t for that ridiculously inane plotline with the fire, the season would rank higher, but, seriously, the fire was handled badly.  Like soap opera bad.  Still, I have to say that Greek ended up being the show I most enjoyed on Mondays, and Monday boasted a lot of television this season.  It’s just really fun, and a great way to unwind from the day.  I love pretty much all of the characters, which is really rare, and I really feel invested in them.

Evan and Rebecca’s chemistry was a nice surprise, and I really find that pairing compelling.  Evan has always been my favorite boy on the show (I know, I know), and it’s nice to see him really growing up, and taking responsibility for his life.  Rebecca has also grown a lot, but she still retains that Rebecca charm (or, erm, lack of charm, which is what is so charming).  Don’t change too much, Rebecca, because I love you just the way you are.

Ashleigh is also a long-time fave, and the girl has had a hard year.  Her term as ZBZ president has gone anything but smoothly, though she did have Casey to help her out.  I kind of wish that Ash was given more of a chance to stand on her own two feet, without Casey dictating all of her behavior.  Sigh.  And then there was the whole Fisher debacle … twice.  She deserves better.  Still, I think she is growing up, and learning from her mistakes, and now with the connections made in Myrtle Beach, it looks like Ash has a bright future ahead of her.

And then there is Casey and Cappie.  The couple was reunited … only to be torn apart.  Sigh.  On the one hand, I understand Casey’s concerns, but on the other, I think she is over-thinking and over-dramatizing.  It seems like a pre-emptive breakup, which is really just a waste.  Why not enjoy the time they have together, right?  The problems between them just seemed so constructed—as in built up just so that there would be trouble in paradise.  Sigh.

ABC Family has renewed Greek for a fourth season, as reported by Michael Ausiello, but so far the order is only for 10 episodes.  Hopefully, that order will be extended.   Or, if the fourth season is the last, I hope that at least the show will be given fair warning to wrap things up.

Oh, Claire, not at the dinner table, please. Photo Credit: HeroSite.net/ NBC.

HEROES (season 4): Incomplete

The internet is a hostile place for a Heroes fan.  While a lot of the vitriol against the show has been earned—let’s face it—a lot has not, and it just seems like the Heroes-hate got a bit out of control.  After that disappointing third season, I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue watching the show, but I ended up starting season four … and enjoyed it.  It certainly wasn’t my favorite selection of the Fall season, but not unwatchable by any means.  Still, when it came back from hiatus, I was just watching so much other TV that I never quite got around to catching up.  It just didn’t hook me enough to feel that I had to keep up.  However, I think it is a show that I will eventually catch up with—on dvd or online.  I mean, I came along on the journey this far … why stop now?   Plus, I want to see what happens with Robert Knepper’s Samuel, and the rest of the circus folk.  And I never did get to witness Kate Vernon’s turn on the show, and I do adore her.  I will just have to catch up … eventually.  Since I haven’t finished the season, I can’t really judge it fairly, so no grade.  We shall see.

I know how you feel, Lily. As do all the fans. Photo Credit: CBS.com.

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (season 5): B-

For any other season, I would give this show an A or an A-.  Alas, alack, sigh.  Shall we recount the crimes against awesome that have been committed this season?  A fat suit, uneven characterization of Robin, over-the-top Barney (a travesty), annoying Ted (par for the course), missed opportunities (Slapsgiving revisited should have been a triumph!), the smoking episode, Robin’s new mediocre love-interest, just to name a few.  And did I mention the fat suit?  To the show’s credit, there have been some great little moments throughout the year—including Lily’s Dark Willow glare—but ultimately, this season has been a disappointment.  Even Neil Patrick Harris singing in the 100^th episode couldn’t make up for all the show’s weaknesses.  I’m not ready to give up on it, but I am starting to think that How I Met Your Mother is outstaying its welcome.  It’s not even that the show is really that horrible right now, but more that it is so much lesser than it once was.  Just show us the mother and say adieu, please.  For the love of all things awesome!

The videos are courtesy of CW Television’s YouTube channel.

Photo Credit: Bob Mahoney/The CW.

Michael Ausiello reports: “The CW has extended early renewals to Supernatural, Gossip Girl, 90210, The Vampire Diaries, and America’s Next Top Model.”  Via Scoop: CW renews ‘Supernatural,’ ‘Gossip Girl,’ ’90210,’ ‘Vampire,’ and ‘Top Model’ | Ausiello | EW.com.  While I could not care less about ANTM, I am happy about the other four.  I am especially thrilled for The Vampire Diaries.  While this renewal comes as no surprise, it is still nice to have some certainty, right there in black and white.

As for Gossip Girl and 90210, it is good news, but they are not exactly must-see-tv these days (regardless of the extremely long hiatus both shows are on).  I feel like Blair Waldorf has been a pale imitation of her former awesomeness this season, and I can barely stand it when Serena is on screen.  I think that maybe I am only watching due to habit.  However, I am going to continue the rest of the season before making a decision about quitting the series.  As for 90210, it has had some fun moments this season, but several of the characters are just not compelling.  I think they need to find a strong leading man, as the show is really lacking in that regard.  Additionally, the show needs to figure out what to do with the Wilsons, whose story-lines are just floundering.

And then we come to Supernatural.  There has been a lot of talk throughout the series’ run about Eric Kripke, creator and executive producer, having a five year plan, and wanting to go out on top.  While Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki were contracted for six seasons, I believe, the idea was to end at five.  However, in the past few months, there have been several interviews hinting at Kripke changing his mind, and CW president Dawn Ostroff supporting a sixth season.  Still, I was worried when I first heard about Supernatural‘s renewal, and wanted to make sure that Kripke was on board before rejoicing.  Well, hurrah!  Maureen Ryan of The Chicago Tribune reports: “When I asked a CW representative whether creator/executive producer Eric Kripke would return for ‘Supernatural’s’ sixth season, I got a three-word reply: ‘Yes, he’s back.’”  Via The Watcher: CW renews ‘Supernatural,’ ‘Vampire Diaries,’ 3 others. Will Kripke be back?.  I think as long as Kripke, Sera Gamble, Ben Edlund, and company are on board, then I am too.

UPDATE: Ausiello now reports:

Kripke will be stepping down as the CW drama’s day-to-day showrunner next season. Executive producer Sera Gamble, who has been with the show since season 1 and is awesome, is poised to succeed him.  But, and this is a big but, Kripke will remain actively involved in the show — and not just in name only. Although CW and Warner Bros. reps declined to comment, a Supernatural insider assures me that Kripke and his current co-showrunner, Robert Singer, will continue to function as hands-on executive producers.

via ‘Supernatural’ exclusive: Eric Kripke stepping down as showrunner | Ausiello | EW.com.  So, Kripke is stepping down as showrunner, but he is NOT walking away.  And Sera Gamble has written a lot of the very best episodes of the show.  I’m not really too worried about this latest update.

So, what do you think of these renewals?  And how worried are you about Smallville, One Tree Hill, and Life Unexpected, which were missing from this early renewal list?  Don’t panic yet, however, as there is still plenty of time for decisions to be made.  Out of the three I just mentioned, I’m hoping for Life Unexpected‘s renewal most of all.  The other two have had plenty of seasons, and I would hate LUX to go the way of Privileged.

Photo Credit: Michael Desmond/The CW.

90210: C+

I think that this show has shown a lot of improvement since last season.  While it is not among my favorite shows by any means, I have no interest in giving up on it.  It is a definite guilty pleasure, and I have enjoyed most of the twists and turns this season.  Liam’s growth as a character has been a definite highlight, and I am really pulling for him.  I loved seeing Papa Kent as his step-dad, and look forward to more family moments.  I also really enjoyed Naomi, as usual, and her evil sis Jen was great entertainment as well.  The truth FINALLY coming out about Jen’s machinations was probably my favorite moment of the season so far.  Adrianna is one of my favorite characters, so her arc has been pretty disappointing for me.  I hope she has more to do in 2010.  I really miss the fabulous grandmother, and hope to see Jessica Walter return ASAP.  I’m pretty meh about Mr. Matthews, Dixon, the Wilson parents, Silver, and Navid.  I detest Annie and Teddy and the new thirty-year-old surfer chick.

Photo Credit: Fox.

BONES: B+

The season has been great so far, but I’m not in a rush to watch it on Thursday nights.  I usually save it for Hulu viewing on the weekend.  Booth has begun to get on my nerves since last season.  I was actually discussing that with my sister, and we agreed that he needs to calm down.  I felt that Brennan was underused last season, so I’m happy to see that being rectified somewhat.  In fact this season is a big improvement on last season, and has gone a long way toward making that awful season finale palatable, and even make good sense.  Brennan continues to be one of my favorite characters on television, but the rest of the show is not as compelling as it used to be.  The highlight of the season, for me, was the Christmas episode, “The Goop on the Girl,” which featured some Booth and Brennan hilarity, and the charming guest appearance of Zooey Deschanel

Photo credit: ABC.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS: B+

Oh, the drama!  Secrets, and lies, and pregnancy, and cancer—it never ends.  I have been rather annoyed with the recent melodrama on the show, which explains its lower grade.  Let’s hope that the New Year brings some improvements.  Still, I find it quite amusing, and continue to care about the Walkers and their struggles, so it must be doing something right.  Nora and Kevin Walker are my favorites.  Their expressions just kill me.  Also, Ryan needs to go.

CASTLE: B

Photo Credit: ABC.

I would watch Nathan Fillion read the phonebook.  I would also watch him in a crime-solving procedural … but not at 10pm on a Monday.  It’s just too much at the end of a long night of TV, so while I adore Fillion, I’m saving this one for DVD.  Plus, I find the show a little boring.  Sorry, don’t hate me.  Rick Castle is utterly charming, and I adore the moments with his family, but the rest of the show does not grab me.  I have fallen asleep watching it several times.  Of course, I did catch the epic Halloween episode.  Seriously, that Halloween episode was a love letter to Browncoats, and I loved it.  In fact, I should go watch it right now.

Photo Credit: Jill Greenberg/ Showtime.

DEXTER: B+

The last few episodes were hold-your-breath-edge-of-your-seat intense, and kept me glued.  The finale caused me to weep.  Trinity was the creepiest serial killer on the show to date, and caused me to shudder.  I liked that Angel finally found some happiness, and that it was with Lt. Laguerda.  However, the bulk of the season was rather slow and dull, and I pretty much forgot to watch it every week, unless someone on Twitter reminded me.  I may also harbor ill-feelings that Rita is gone from the show, and now Julie Benz will be on Desperate Housewives.  Even my beloved Darla will not make me go back to watching that drama.

DOLLHOUSE: A

Photo Credit: Spoiler TV/ Fox.

How do I love thee, Dollhouse?  Let me count the ways.  I must admit that I was critical of the first two episodes of the second season—particularly “Instinct” and Echo’s imprinted mammary glands—but after that the show really took off.  Of particular note is Amy Acker as Whiskey/ Dr. Saunders in the first episode.  She just blew me away in her scenes with Topher. I cannot wait for her return.  Additionally, Topher has really grown as a character—from someone I despised to someone for whom I have great affection and compassion.  He finally feels like a real human being, and has made surprisingly compassionate choices.  Olivia Williams continues to rock the role of Adelle beyond all comprehension.  Through all the twists and turns that her character has taken, I have always believed that she has more going on in that head of hers than she lets on.  I have never seen her as the villain in the story, and I am glad to be proven right.

Sierra and Victor’s love continues to be très adorable, and I am dreading the moment when they break things off (alluded to in “Epitaph One”).  The back-stories for both were a long time coming, but well-worth the wait, and “Belonging” and “Stop Loss” are among my favorite episodes of the series.  Enver Gjokaj wows me in every episode, but I was mouth-agape when I saw him playing Topher in “The Public Eye” and “The Left Hand.”  Bravo!  I continue to adore Boyd, and I’ve gradually stopped disliking Paul. Echo has also really grown as a character, and finally seems to justify all the time spent on her.  Echo is a hard core bad ass guys, for real.  Oh, I could go on forever about this show, but I need to move on.

Photo Credit: ABC/ SciFi Wire

EASTWICK: C

I was really excited for this show about three witches when I first heard about it.  Alas, it did not meet my expectations.  It’s not a bad show, but it just wasn’t compelling enough to keep me interested.  I watched the first few episodes, and I quite enjoyed the Joanna character, played by gorgeous and talented Lindsay Price.  Jaime Ray Newman’s Kat was also charming, but I could not stand Rebecca Romijn’s Roxie, or the mysterious Darryl Van Horne. It was a little too Desperate Housewives-y for me, and the plot dragged, in my opinion.  For the fans of the show, I’m sorry that it was canceled, but I won’t miss it.

Photo Credit: Fox.

GLEE: A-

I was not sold on Glee right away, but it has slowly won my heart.  It made Wednesday a night of TV to look forward to, and always left me feeling good.  It is not a perfect show, but it has a lot of heart, and the songs make me happy.  I hope that it continues for a long time, despite the fact that I feel compelled to buy every song on iTunes—I need to stop doing that, but the music is addictive.  The highlight for me is Jane Lynch, whom I consider the awesomest of awesome.  I could listen to her yell at people all episode.  I also really loved the Puck/ Rachel storyline; sadly, it does not seem that they are meant to be, but that episode which featured them together was my favorite.

Photo Credit: Giovanni Rufino / The CW.

GOSSIP GIRL: B-

This used to be the show I looked forward to most each week—it was such fun!  Sadly, this season has been a major disappointment.  I feel like I’m watching it lately because I’m committed to it, rather than enjoying it.  Blair Waldorf is one of my favorite television characters of all time, but she has not had much to do this season.  The college transition has been a bit awkward, but I hope that the show can get beyond it.  Of particular note is the fact that Chuck has become the moral compass on the show—we are clearly in crazy land.  While Chuck continues to amuse, Nate and Dan continue to bore.  I find Vanessa a snooze as well, which is the saddest thing since I adored her character in the books.  If she shaved her head, wore combat boots, and was snarky rather than whiny, I would like her so much more.  Oh well.  As for Serena, I’m just hoping to see her written off the show.  Maybe she can go to Europe to be with her dad or something.  I will continue watching it, but I really hope for some awesome soon.

GREEK: A-

This show ranks among the surprisingly good.  I never would have thought that a show about sororities and fraternities would be so sweet and entertaining, but it really is.  Every regular character on the show is compelling and likable, which is very rare.  For the record, I love both Cappie and Evan.  I even loved Frannie, and miss her.  I think Ashleigh is the character I most relate to, and I adore her style.  I hope that she gets more to do beyond Casey soon.  I also enjoy the pop culture references, which were really on a roll this season–from Alias, to Batman, to Twilight, to Terminator.  I love it.  I’m definitely looking forward to watching what happens next.

Part II is forthcoming, featuring reviews of Heroes through V.  I welcome your comments below.

Photo Credit: Fox/ TVGuide.com

Here is an updated list of my favorite Christmas themed television episodes(and one very favorite New Year’s Eve episode), organized by show, but not ranked.  I didn’t limit myself, so it’s a long list (featuring 23 episodes, to be exact).  This gives you a large selection to choose from, and allows me to avoid the pain of choosing between my favorites.  Break out your DVDs, or click on the links provided below ( a lot of the episodes are available for free online, temporarily), and enjoy some holiday entertainment.

WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS, IF YOU HAVE YET TO VIEW THESE EPISODES.

1.GILMORE GIRLS:  “Forgiveness and Stuff” (episode 1×10, originally aired 12/21/2000)

Not only is this one of my favorite Christmas episodes, it is one of my all time favorite episodes of television ever.  A refresher: in the previous episode, Dean and Rory stayed out all night after her dance, sparking a fight between Emily and Lorelei.  Emily un-invites Lorelei to Christmas dinner, but when Richard collapses at said dinner, Lorelei rushes to the hospital (driven by Luke), and the Gilmores are reunited.  The episode also features Lorelei giving Luke THE BLUE BASEBALL HAT.  It’s a definite classic.  Enjoy.

2.GILMORE GIRLS: “Santa’s Secret Stuff” (episode 7×11, originally aired 1/23/2007)

This is the episode in which Rory returns from spending Christmas in London.  Since Rory was gone for Christmas, Lorelei, obviously, saves Christmas for her.  A month late, the Gilmores don Christmas sweaters and attempt to celebrate the holiday.

*Honorable mention: All the snow episodes.  In every season, Lorelei continues her love affair with snow.  I’m not a big fan of when white stuff hurdles from the sky on my head, but it IS entertaining to watch on TV, especially when I’m cozy inside with coffee.

3. SMALLVILLE: “Lexmas” (episode 5×09, originally aired 12/08/2005)

This is one of my favorite Smallville episodes.  I am a big Lex fan, and usually sympathize with him over the Kents (you can read all about that here).  In this particular episode, Lex is shot, and while he hovers between life and death, he is visited by the ghost of his mother.  In a sort of inversion of “A Christmas Carol,” Lex is shown what his life could be if he chooses to forfeit the senate race.  He sees a vision of happily ever after with Lana, in which Chloe and Clark are married, and they are all best friends.  The Kents love Lex like a son, and he wins an award for his good deeds.  Lana’s pregnancy goes sideways however, and she dies in childbirth.  Thus, Lex ultimately chooses power and money, in order to ensure that he will have the means to save Lana’s life.  A great Christmas story!

4. THE O.C.: “The Best Chrismukkah Ever” (episode 1×13, originally aired 12/03/2003)

This is the first of the Chrismukkah episodes, and the beginning of a beautiful tradition.  Seth Cohen took it upon himself to combine the best of Hanukkah and Christmas, to create a new and better holiday, and I’m so glad that he did.  Also, this episode features Summer dressed as Wonder Woman, which is pretty frakin’ awesome.

5. THE O.C.: “The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn’t” (episode 2×06, originally aired 12/16/2004)

Another great Chrismukkah episode!  This one was drama filled, with the reveal that Caleb is Lindsay’s dad!  Thankfully, Summer is able to save Chrismukkah, despite all this.  Also, this one marks the advent of the Yamaclaus (featured in the photo above), and Lindsay’s Freudian slippers (pretty much my favorite thing ever).

6. THE O.C.: “Chrismukkah Bar Mitzva-kkah” The O.C. (episode 3×10, originally aired 12/15/2005)

Yet another in the great Chrismukkah tradition.  Despite the awfullness of the Johnny-Marissa story-line, it’s still the holiday we love.  But boo to Johnny.

7. THE O.C.: “Chrismukk-huh?” The O.C. (episode 4×07, originally aired 12/14/2006)

This is the last of the Chrismukkah episodes, and is definitely one of my favorites.  Ryan and Taylor fall off the roof and are both in coma.  Somehow they have the same dream, in which they must learn/ fix something in order to come back to reality.  It’s very sweet, and is reminiscent of It’s a Wonderful Life.  Goodbye, my favorite made-up holiday!

8. VERONICA MARS: “An Echolls Family Christmas” Veronica Mars (episode 1×10, originally aired 12/14/2004)

This episode is a television masterpiece.  It features the infamous poker game, and Duncan and Logan’s matching holiday boxers.  Veronica is awesome, per usual, and does some great detective work.  Weevil also proves himself to be pretty clever, and wins the day.  The old Ethan from Passions guest stars as a sleazy movie star, which is hilarious.  In the A-plot, Mr. Echolls is stabbed by an angered admirer.  It doesn’t get better than that.  Watch it again and again.

9. VERONICA MARS: “One Angry Veronica” Veronica Mars (episode 2×10, originally aired 12/07/2005)

12 Angry Men gets a makeover in this fun episode.  Veronica is saddled with jury duty, and is able to stop a miscarriage of justice.  At the end of the episode, she gets the ultimate Christmas present–Wallace returns!  Also, Veronica wears an adorable elf hat.

10. ROSWELL: “A Roswell Christmas Carol” Roswell (episode 2×10, originally aired 12/18/2000)

Isabelle is revealed to be the Christmas Nazi, which is hI-larious.  She helps Michael get Maria the perfect Christmas gift, even though I think that the bumper was a perfect gift as it was.  Liz (and a ghost) inspires Max to heal the entire cancer wing of the Children’s hospital.  It’s magical.  I’m possibly getting a little teary eyed just thinking about it.

11. ROSWELL: “Samuel Rising” Roswell (episode 3×09, originally aired 12/18/2001)

The Christmas Nazi continues her reign of terror/ holiday cheer.  Max’s god complex is directed towards an autistic child and his parents.  Another great episode.

12. GREY’S ANATOMY: “Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer” (episode 2×12, originally aired 12/10/2005)

The second season was the top for Grey’s, and this is no exception.  Katherine Heigl reprises her role as the Christmas Nazi, though this time she is more the Christmas Spirit of Joy personified.  She’s annoying, but funny.

13. HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER: “The Limo” (episode 1×11, originally aired 12/19/2005)

It’s New Year’s Eve, and Ted rents a limo for all his friends, and plans the perfect night.  Needless to say, things do not go as planned.  It is worth a view for Barney’s “Get Psyched” mix alone.  “Shot through the heart, and you’re to blame, you give love a bad name.”

14. HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER: “How Lilly Stole Christmas” (episode 2×11, originally aired 12/11/2006)

Lilly finds out that Ted called her a “grinch” while she and Marshall were broken up.   Ted refuses to apologize, so in retaliation, Lilly steals Christmas.  Shenanigans ensue, but then she brings Ted a beer, and all is forgiven.  Classic.

15. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: “Amends” (episode 3×10, originally aired 12/15/1998)

This is the only Christmas episode of Buffy, and it is not exactly chock full of holiday cheer.  Still, it features the miracle of snow in southern California, so it deserves to be included on the list.  Joyce convinces Buffy to reach out to Faith, and invite her over for Christmas.  Buffy, however, is distracted by dealing with a post-Angelus Angel, recently released from a Hell dimension.  Angel is haunted by the memories of those who he killed, and it is revealed to be the work of the First Evil.  The First almost convinces Angel to kill himself, and he refuses to listen to Buffy’s pleading.  He plans to sit outside until sunrise, but due to a Christmas miracle, the sun doesn’t come out, and instead it snows.  Meanwhile, Willow is still in the process of making up with Oz after cheating on him with Xander (blech), but they decide not to sleep together, yet.

16. THE BIG BANG THEORY: “The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis” (episode 2×11, originally aired 12/15/2008)

This episode is hilarious, and features some great chemistry between Sheldon and Penny.  When Penny buys him a Christmas gift, Sheldon is forced by the social convention to find her an appropriate gift in return.  He devises a clever/ ridiculous plan to buy multiple gift selections at various price points (all different sizes of gift baskets), and then to open her gift first, thus allowing himself the opportunity to select the best gift.  She gets him Leonard Nimoy’s DNA, so Penny gets ALL the gift baskets.

17. BEVERLY HILLS 90210: “It’s a Totally Happening Life” (season 3, episode 67 of the series)

This is a fun homage to It’s a Wonderful Life.  It takes place during the gang’s senior year of high-school, and the Kelly-Brenda-Dylan love triangle is in full force.  It’s super cheesy, but I really enjoyed it anyways.  This show always makes me feel nostalgic.  Aahh, the early 90s.

18. CHUCK: “Chuck versus Santa Claus” (episode 2×11, originally aired 12/15/2008)

All the main characters are taken hostage at the Buy More, and Chuck tries to protect everyone, while also maintaining his secret.   Awesome proves himself to be awesome, as expected, but even Morgan proves himself to be pretty brave.  It’s a great episode, with a lot of little character moments, as well as a crucial turning point in Chuck and Sarah’s relationship.

19. BONES: “The Man in the Fallout Shelter” (episode 1×09, originally aired 12/13/2005)

This is the first Bones Christmas episode, and the gang are forced to spend Christmas together, quarantined in the lab.  Our now old favorites, get to know each other a lot better, and it is a joy to watch.  They also solve a really cool case, that changes a woman’s life for the better.  We learn a bit more about Brennan, and at the end of the episode I cried when she finally opened her Christmas gifts from her parents, saved since her parents went missing years and years ago.

20. BONES: “The Santa in the Slush” (episode 3×09, originally aired 11/27/2007)

My very favorite episode of Bones, this one makes me smile, laugh, and cry.  Brennan and Booth investigate the death of a Santa Claus, but the real story revolves around Bones’ attempt to give her father Christmas, which results in the long-awaited first kiss between Brennan and Booth, and a touching final scene.

21. BONES:  “The Goop on the Girl” (episode 5×10, originally aired 12/09/2009)

The most recent on the list, this episode features Zooey Deschanel (Emily Deschanel’s sister) as Brennan’s Benjamin-Franklin-adoring cousin.  Once again, Brennan had made plans to spend Christmas outside of the country, but her father convinces her to spend the holidays with him.  In fact, she invites all the Squints and Booth to her home, for a very merry Christmas.  It’s a definite keeper.

22. GOSSIP GIRL: “Roman Holiday” (episode 1×11, originally aired 12/19/2007)

Blair’s father (played by Lois & Clark’s Lex Luthor) visits for the holidays, and introduces his new lover Roman, an ex-model.  Blair schemes and manipulates, as usual, but at the end of the episode she proves herself to have a heart by feeling really bad about her behavior.   But Blair has an unwelcome distraction from her family troubles, with Chuck’s possible disclosure of their hookup to Nate.

23. SUPERNATURAL: “A Very Supernatural Christmas” (episode 3×08, originally aired 12/13/2007)

One of my favorite episodes of television ever, and probably when I fell irrevocably in love with the show.  Oh, who am I kidding, Supernatural had me at Jensen Ackles.  In a flashback to Christmas 1991, we learn how truly terrible Papa Winchester was as a father, how much the brothers needed each other, and the origin of Dean’s amulet.  The episodes also features a pagan god couple (one of whom is Amy Abbott’s mother) and a porn-watching Santa.  It’s fabulous.

This is an edited and much expanded version of last year’s list, which you can find here: My Favorite Christmas Episodes …

The videos are courtesy of CW Television’s YouTube channel.

I have mixed feelings about this episode.  I’m certainly not looking forward to the sweeps stunt that is Lady Gaga, or for the fallout from last week’s sweeps stunt, the lame threesome.  However, the clip featuring Blair and Chuck promises some fun shenanigans, so we shall see.

The videos are courtesy of CW Television’s YouTube channel.

The videos are courtesy of CW Television’s YouTube channel.

The videos are courtesy of CW Television’s YouTube channel.

The videos are courtesy of CW Television’s YouTube channel.