Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: “My First Thanksgiving With Josh!”

Premiered November 15, 2015

"It's the holidays, Paula.  People don't always get what they want." 
- Rebecca Bunch

Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom) has recently re-located to West Covina, California to stalk Josh Chan (Vincent Rodriguez III).  She and Josh had a relationship ten years earlier during summer camp.

Thanksgiving is approaching and Rebecca isn't looking forward to spending turkey day with her mother in New York.  She runs into Josh and hears that his entire family is coming to town for Thanksgiving.  Rebecca is envious and wishes she was spending the holiday with Josh and his family.

However, Josh is in a relationship with mean girl Valencia Perez (Gabrielle Ruiz), his girlfriend since high school.  Valencia doesn't get along with Josh's family because they think she's "dumb."  Every time she visits the Chan family, Valencia and Josh almost break up.

Rebecca's friend from work, Paula (Donna Lynn Champlin) sees the tension between Valencia and the Chan family as a "boulder" they can use to crush Valencia and Josh's romance.

As Thanksgiving approaches, Paula arranges for Rebecca to literally bump into Josh's mother Lourdes (Amy Hill) at a grocery store.  Rebecca and Paula tell Josh's mom that Rebecca  has no where to go for Thanksgiving dinner.  They mention Rebecca's Ivy League education and Lourdes invites Rebecca to dinner.

Before leaving for the Chans' house, Paula outfits Rebecca with an owl broach.  It contains a video camera and microphone that will allow Paula to remotely watch Rebecca's triumph.

At Thanksgiving dinner, everyone enjoys Rebecca's presence.  She's the life of the party. 

As she sings in one of the show's musical numbers,  Rebecca "Gives Good Parent."  Josh even comments that she's making his father smile, something that rarely occurs.

The exception is Valencia, who sees right through the charade and accuses Rebecca of sucking up.  Valencia tells Rebecca that she should forget about ever getting back together with Josh.

Meanwhile, Rebecca's maybe/maybe not other love interest/Josh's friend Greg (Santino Fontana) plans to quit his bar tending job and go back to business school, but a family emergency may well get in the way.

How will the Thanksgiving festivities pan out?   Will Rebecca and Paula succeed in pushing Valencia out of Josh's heart?

J.A. Morris says:
For those who haven't seen it, I should mention Crazy Ex-Girlfriend features elaborate song-and-dance numbers in every episode.

This a great episode of one of my favorite current series.  In Thanksgiving episodes, it's common for characters to dread the holiday and the family gathering. However, in "My First Thanksgiving With Josh," Rebecca goes out of her way to weasel an invitation and has a good time at Thanksgiving dinner, until...well, I won't spoil the ending.  Let's just say that after charming the Chans, Rebecca's Thanksgiving takes a turn for the worse.

The high point is Rachel Bloom's performance of the song "I Give Good Parent."  Bloom dances in a turkey costume with "Pilgrim" back up dancers!  It's a sight to behold.

I also appreciated the jokes that centered on the National Dog Show, which has become a Thanksgiving television tradition.  Rebecca mentions that she normally spends the holiday with her mother "body shaming dogs."

If there's anything wrong with this episode, it's that the subplot that focuses on Rebecca's on-again/off-again boyfriend Greg takes time away from the Thanksgiving portion.

I don't know that I'll watch this episode every November, but it's fun and worth watching at least once.

J.A. Morris' rating:

3 and a half pumpkin pies.

RigbyMel says:
This is a fun episode of an excellent series.   As tends to happen in real life, holidays like Thanksgiving often tend to kick interpersonal drama up a notch.    In this episode of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,  we get to see that Turkey Day doesn't turn out so well for any of its main characters.   Rebecca horns into the object of her affection Josh's family celebration  in an attempt to break up his relationship with Valencia but things do not go quite as planned.     Her on-again-off-again friend/love interest Greg also experiences a rough Thanksgiving of being stuck at work and caring for his sick father.   Paula is vicariously joining in on Rebecca's adventures (with the aid of an owl shaped brooch that also happens to be a camera) rather than engage with her own family and disappointments.

 
So there are THREE Thanksgiving celebrations at play here as well as songs ... and poop jokes.  Many shows struggle to make an A story and a  B story work well without throwing in musical numbers, so kudos to the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend writers for pulling off an impressive balancing act.

As in any good musical,  the original songs in this episode are well written and tell us something about the characters and/or plot.    Rebecca's "I Give Good Parent" song is VERY funny, but also tells us a lot about Rebecca and her plans to kiss up to Josh's family with her authentic Filipino dish with an eye to destroying Josh and Valencia's relationship.   The song is all about what she visualizes as happening and bears only a limited resemblance to what actually happens.

This notion of what we visualize for ourselves vs. what actually happens in life is mirrored in Greg's solo song "What'll It Be"  is both a clever take on "Piano Man" AND an expression of Greg's frustration at feeling trapped in a dead-end job and not being able to do what he feels he needs to do to get on with his life. 

That being said,  neither song would work if we didn't have well-written, flawed and interesting characters making their way through good, thoughtful stories surrounding them.   

"My First Thanksgiving With Josh!" is a good holiday episode that both adheres to and slightly subverts Thanksgiving tropes (such as uncomfortable times with family and/or friends and cooking).  Fans of the series will definitely enjoy this episode -- if you're new to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend though, I'd suggest starting from the beginning so you can get your bearings.  Trust me, you'll be glad you did!

RigbyMel's rating:

3 pumpkin pies

Star Trek: "Catspaw"

Premiered October 27, 1967

McCoy: Three witches ... what appears to be a castle, and a black cat.
Kirk:  If we weren't missing two officers and a third one dead, I'd say someone was playing an elaborate trick-or-treat on us. 
Spock:  Trick or treat, captain? 
Kirk:  Yes, Mr. Spock.  You'd be a natural.

The starship Enterprise is orbiting a planet.  A landing party has not checked in, this worries the ship's captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner).  A crewman named Jackson beams up from the planet and dies upon arrival.  An eerie voice emanates from Jackson's mouth, telling the captain that the entire crew of the Enterprise will die if they don't turn back.

Kirk departs for the planet's surface to investigate the matter.  He's accompanied by Science Officer Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Doctor Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelly).

Kirk and the others detect no lifeforms on the planet, but suddenly, three witches appear in front of them, telling the men to turn back and "remember the curse!"  Spock determines that the witches aren't real, so they proceed, eventually discovering a castle.

Upon entering the castle, they encounter a black cat wearing a crystal pendant.  They follow the cat, but the floor collapses underneath them and our heroes are knocked out due to the fall.  When they come to, they find themselves in irons in a spooky dungeon complete with skeleton.

"Bones?  Doc?"

Missing crew members Scotty (James Doohan) and Sulu (George Takei) appear.  They're alive, but somewhat zombiefied, apparently under the control of some outside force.    Kirk, Spock and McCoy try to snap their friends out of their catatonic state, but find themselves teleported to another room in the castle where they meet a man in mysterious wizard robes calling himself Korob (Theodore Marcuse) and see the black cat again.

The wizard appears to consult the cat for advice and then admits that he is not native to this world in response to Spock's questions.  Korob then attempts to ply our heroes with food, drink and gems -- all to get them to leave and not ask any questions. 

Kirk informs the wizard that he's done his research badly if he thinks they will leave without getting to the bottom of things.   Korob changes his tune and says that he wanted to test the crew and that they've proven themselves to be loyal, brave and incorruptible.

Sylvia performs some sympathetic magic on the Enterprise

The black cat leaves the room and shortly thereafter an alluring sorceress calling herself Sylvia (Antoinette Bower) appears.  She is wearing a pendant identical to the one worn by the cat. When Kirk demands that his men be released, she dangles a miniature of the Enterprise above a lit candle, and the crew on the ship reports a rapid inexplicable rise in hull temperature!  Kirk reluctantly agrees to cooperate to save his crew.

Sylvia finds that she likes these new (to her) human sensations,  but her tastes seem to trend a bit toward the sadistic and beyond the bounds of the original mission.  She and Korob argue about this.

Sylvia takes an interest in Kirk and tells him that she and Korob are visitors from another galaxy.

They can read and control human minds using something called a transmuter.   She then realizes that Kirk has been using her to get information and transforms herself into a giant cat. 

Hell hath no fury ... 

Will Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise survive this Halloween encounter?

RigbyMel says:

Even though it's not one of the best in the original series, "Catspaw" is a fun episode of Star Trek.  I've heard quite a few people try to fault Star Trek: TOS on its relatively low-tech and definitely low budget special effects, but I think they're part of what makes the series extra fun in general.  The story for "Catspaw" takes some abrupt turns which make it not quite as great as it could have been, but it's still quite enjoyable.

I really quite like the way the aliens of the week tap into the human collective unconscious in an attempt to frighten the Enterprise crew -- that's one of the important elements of Halloween, after all, isn't it?  Additionally, Korob and Sylvia have donned costumes in celebration of the spookiest of human holidays.

Korob and Sylvia in their natural forms ... that of somewhat unconvincing marionettes! 

The title of the episode "Catspaw" refers to a person used unwittingly or unwillingly by another and is a reference to a La Fontaine fairy tale.   Scotty and Sulu are used as catspaws to lure more crew members to the planet.    Moreover the transmuter serves as sort of a pseudo-scientific technological catspaw that allows Korob and Sylvia to attempt to bend the Enterprise crew to their will.

This episode was written by Robert Bloch who also wrote the novel upon which the classic horror film Psycho was based.  In addition to writing a couple of other episodes of Star Trek: TOS,  Bloch was a big fan of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft and also contributed to various pulp magazines such as Weird Tales.

Robert Bloch

This episode is also notable because it marks the first filmed appearance of Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig) -- they hadn't quite gotten his hair right.  The episode was the first one shot for season 2, but did not air until around Halloween in 1967.

Observe Chekov's rather over-the-top wig on the left! 

I remember watching this episode with fascination when I was eight or nine and it was being shown in re-runs.   Little me found it fun/creepy and older/wiser me still enjoys it.

If you're a fan of Star Trek: TOS and Halloween hi-jinks,  "Catspaw" is definitely a good addition to your spooky seasonal viewing!

RigbyMel's rating:

3 jack o lanterns

J.A. Morris says:

I'll note that Catspaw does NOT take place during Halloween.  However, the fact it was intentionally aired on NBC close to All Hallows' Eve and contains lots of skeletons, witches and black cats (plus multiple mentions of trick-or-treating), it was obviously intended to be a holiday episode.

 

I've been a fan of Star Trek for as long as I can recall.  This is basically a typical "Enterprise encounters alien of the week" episode...with the addition of Halloween trappings.  It's a fun episode and it's become part of my seasonal viewing.

"Catspaw" featured the final appearance of the character DeSalle, the Enterprise's assistant engineer.  It's the third appearance of the character and the only time DeSalle gets to sit in the captain's chair.  Shortly after this episode, Michael Barrier, who played DeSalle quit acting a became a lawyer for the U.S. Coast Guard. 

DeSalle takes command of Enterprise.

"Catspaw" is lots of fun and should be added to the list of Halloween viewing for every Trekker and will likely be enjoyed by everyone who enjoys Halloween episodes.

J.A. Morris' rating:

3 jack o' lanterns.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mister Toad : "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"

Premiered October 5, 1949.

"I'm telling you, brother, it's a frightful sight what goes on, Halloween night. When spooks have a midnight jamboree. They break it up with fiendish glee ..."
-Brom Bones

Note from your trusted holiday bloggers:

We are only reviewing the "Ichabod" portion of this movie, since the "Mister Toad" section does not involve Halloween.

A new schoolmaster named Ichabod Crane (Bing Crosby) arrives in the town of Sleepy Hollow, New York. He quickly becomes the most popular bachelor in town, dining with women all around the little hamlet.

However, Ichabod only has eyes for Katrina Van Tassel, daughter of the wealthiest farmer in the county. Ichabod is smitten at first site, and her father Baltus's wealth doesn't diminish her attractions for him.  

This brings Icky into direct conflict with another suitor, Brom Bones. They engage in games of one upsmanship to gain Katrina's affections.

Despite Brom's physical advantage, the skinny schoolmaster always seems to come out on top, until Halloween night.

Ichabod attends Baltus van Tassel's annual Halloween party and there is plenty of food, music and dancing.   

Ichabod has a great evening, showing off his dancing skills in front of Katrina and is the life of the party.   As the evening progresses, Baltus asks his guests to tell him scary Halloween stories.  

Ichabod is very superstitious and easily frightened.  Knowing this, Brom tells the tale of the Headless Horseman.  He sings of how the horseman rides across the countryside on Halloween, looking to chop of someone's head to replace his own. 

Brom mentions that the Horseman has no power on the other side of the bridge that leads to Sleepy Hollow.  If his would-be victims can cross the bridge, they're home free.  By the end of Brom's story, Ichabod is absolutely petrified.

Crane leaves the Van Tassel's house at 2:00 AM to head back home. He is haunted by Brom's tale of the Headless Horseman. Every night sound seems to be calling out his name. The trees and plants along his path also seem to be sending messages of foreboding and impending doom. Ichabod's fears are confirmed when the Headless Horseman himself appears! The Horseman pursues Crane on a black steed with red eyes and nearly chops off Ichabod's head several times.

After a frantic chase, Ichabod sees the bridge to safety and rushes to cross it. The Headless Horseman is right behind him! Will Ichabod escape or will the Headless Horseman "get a head?"

J.A. Morris says:

I first saw this when it aired in the early 1980s as part of "A Disney Halloween" and I've been a fan ever since. It would have been easy for Disney to water down the Headless Horseman's pursuit of Ichabod. But it's a legitimately scary scene for younger audiences who aren't familiar with the story. It would have also been easy for the creative team to slap on a happy ending, which does not occur.

In Washington Irving's story, Halloween and for that matter, the month of October is never mentioned.  Irving only mentions that it takes place during autumn.  But "The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow" makes a perfect Halloween story. 

Bing Crosby has been synonymous with Christmas for 75 years. "White Christmas" is the most beloved Christmas song of all time and he hosted holiday radio and TV specials for several decades. But in The Adventures Of Ichabod, Crosby shows he can be versatile when it comes to holiday programming. He narrates and voices all the male characters in this film. "Der Bingle" also sings the "Headless Horseman" song and it's fantastic.

This film is available for streaming and has also been released on DVD and Blu-Ray.

The Adventures Of Ichabod and Mr. Toad is a great adaptation of one America's first great stories. It's highly recommended and it's something I watch every year around Halloween.


J.A. Morris' rating:

4 jack o'lanterns

RigbyMel says:

I remember seeing this on network television several times as a small child and it scaring the dickens out of me. The 1982 airing on CBS as part of "Disney's Halloween Treat" (which included the climactic portion of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" but not as much of the build up) particularly sticks in my mind for some reason - maybe because it had a talking jack o'lantern puppet that hosted the segments? (Possibly also because versions of this special aired on various network and cable channels throughout the 1980s.)

The animation in the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is impressive overall - particularly Ichabod and the Headless Horseman's scary/comic chase though the dark woods.

As J.A. Morris notes above, Bing Crosby's voice over and musical contribution to the mix makes this an extra special treat. I also appreciate how much of the narration is lifted directly from the original Washington Irving tale -- although the ending is presented as a bit more ambiguous than in the original story. (Something I did not pick up on as a small child!)

Bing Crosby and the Rhythmaire's rendition of the song "The Headless Horseman" (which also floats around as a single with slightly different lyrics) is delightfully spooky and full of excellent word play.

Fun side notes, some Disney regulars make (uncredited) vocal appearances in the this short -- Pinto Colvig (the original voice of Goofy) provides some of Ichabod's hysterical screams and Clarence "Ducky" Nash (the original voice of Donald Duck) gives voice to Ichabod's horse as well as various night time animals.

"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is gorgeously animated, deliciously spooky Halloween fare that can be enjoyed on multiple levels -- there are things for young and old to savor in it. It is on my required annual viewing list around Halloween each year.


RigbyMel's rating:

4 jack o'lanterns