Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

thirtysomething – episode 9

October 30, 2010

Okay, so I’m a little behind and I’ll catch up on the other episodes this week, but this is such a beautiful show that I want to talk about it while it’s all fresh in my head. Warning – spoilers ahead in case you haven’t watched it yet!

Episode 9 – I’ll Be Home For Christmas This is about how Hope and Michael, a couple of differing faiths, try to find unity for their daughter’s sake as well as their own. It challenges them both to think about what they believe in and how they want to show that in their marriage and family life. Hope wants Janey to have what she had – presents, carols, cookies, the tree – but where does that leave Michael who is a Jew?

Hope is all happy and cheery going about baking cookies, decorating the house and such, and Michael is not on board with it – especially not with a tree. As the show goes on, Michael becomes more and more scrooge-like to his family and friends because he feels very left out during a season that is not about Christmas for him – it’s about Hannukah. Hope doesn’t seem to see how she is leaving him out.

By the end of the show he finally realizes that it can be about both and brings a tree home to surprise Hope, but when he opens the door of his home, he finds Hope standing by a Menorah ready to light the first candle to celebrate Hannukah. Turning around he sees Melissa and he holds her and cries – it’s forgiveness, family, and faith at its finest. I have to say, when I first watched this episode I cried at the end, and when I watched it last year (for the first time in 20 years), I cried again.

Maybe, more than anything, Michael realizes that the holidays are really about giving and he gives meaningful gifts (well, maybe with the exception of the Santa Pez he gave to Gary), to those he cares about. He gives the office employees time off, he gives a tree to Hope, to Melissa an opportunity. To me, the ending in a way mimics the ending of A Christmas Carol: Scrooge changing his ways – Michael changing the way he sees Christmas. He is given a gift in return – the gift of celebrating his faith.

I had a boyfriend many years ago who was Jewish, but had really lost touch with his faith and God. The high holy days meant little to him and his family. I remember going to his house on the first night of Hannukah because I wanted to see the lighting of the menorah and hear the prayers. While it was beautiful, what saddened me was the fact hat his mom was in the kitchen and his brother and sister no where visible. It only meant something to his father. How very, very sad to me that was.

Anyway, I also watched the episode with the commentary because I love to hear what the cast thought about this episode and what memories they had in general. Mel Harris/Hope and Melanie Mayron/Melissa did the commentary and it is really fun and interesting. They make comments about how fashion has changed and also comment on how the show was made then and compared it to other shows of the time and even shows now. So, don’t forget to listen to this!!

One of the scenes in this episode that they comment on is the one in which Michael and Hope are discussing the whole holiday thing and end up in a deadlock after Michael makes the comment, “I don’t see you polishing up a menorah”. Then there is nothing but silence as they finish getting ready for wherever they are going. A lot of silence. Now, folks, this is real life. Have you ever had an argument with your spouse (or friend, or family member) that ended like that? I have. As Melanie Mayron says in the commentary, the show dealt with the minutia of every day life and that is what made it so popular. I would have to agree.

I think I will watch the holiday episodes again at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year, because they are as classic and timeless as A Christmas Carol, or Charlie Brown Christmas. Enjoy!

2 comments
Comments

On October 31, 2010 at 5:31 AM, dxprog said:

Nine episodes in and already a Christmas special? I can begin to see what you like so much about this show ;)

On November 3, 2010 at 6:05 PM, java_queen said:

Actually, I think you would love the thanksgiving episode - it's really funny. You have to watch Home for the Holidays this year though :-).

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» thirtysomething – episode 9 » Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

thirtysomething – episode 9

October 30, 2010

Comments

On October 31, 2010 at 5:31 AM, dxprog said:

On November 3, 2010 at 6:05 PM, java_queen said:

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