By Kyra Hudson’20 and Emma Shapiro’20
This issue of “Netflix Picks” offers holiday themed episodes for those who want to revisit the joy and holiday spirit in dramatic and comedic ways.
“Grey’s Anatomy”, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” Season 2: Episode 12
“Grey’s Anatomy” is about surgeons, their work and personal lives. The show is told from the perspective of Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and focuses on her life at Seattle Grace Hospital and includes aspects from her personal relationships such as love interest Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) and new best friends, Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl), Christina Yang (Sandra Oh) and George O’Malley (T.R. Knight). Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), a mentor for Meredith, helps run the hospital, manages the surgeries and assists the attendees.
In “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” Izzie is getting over a breakup, so Meredith, George and Christina try to cheer her up for the holidays. Meanwhile, Christina assists cardiothoracic surgeon Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington), who is also her boyfriend. She helps with a young boy who doesn’t want a new heart and is very pessimistic about surgery and the holidays. Christina and Preston are also arguing about their personal religious beliefs. Alex Karev (Justin Chambers), another intern, studies to retake his boards so that he can become a surgical resident. Derek is dealing with his wife, prenatal surgeon Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh), and is trying to hide his feelings for Meredith. He is also dealing with a patient with three young children and a potentially fatal brain bleed. George and Miranda are dealing with a case involving a woman with an overly involved family whose surgery keeps getting rescheduled. Overall, the episode is filled with drama from the medical cases and the doctors’ personal lives, but also combines the Christmas and Hanukkah theme.
“The Office,” “Dwight Christmas” Season 9: Episode 9
“The Office” is about the employees of the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. The mockumentary follows the daily life of crazy manager, Michael Scott (Steve Carell), and all of his employees. The show is filled with strong characters such as married couple Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam Halpert (Jenna Fischer), unusual beet farmer Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) and many other amusing employees who constantly experience peculiar moments in the office.
In this episode, paper salesman Jim is about to leave for his new job. The party-planning committee, consisting of Angela (Angela Kinsey), Pam and Phyllis (Phyllis Smith), forget to throw the office’s annual Christmas party. Jim’s rival coworker, Dwight, suggests to throw an authentic Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas party instead, filled with unusual customs including the German Christmas figure, Belsnickel. As the party begins, Dwight dresses up as Belsnickel and engages in traditions, such as deciding if the people are impish or admirable. This involves giving bizarre gifts or traditional punishments. Out of disappointment when Jim leaves, Dwight changes the party to a traditional office party filled with watching “Die Hard,” drinking eggnog and other Christmas activities. Jim soon comes back for a final farewell to friends and the party resumes its Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas spirit. This episode is bittersweet as the office says goodbye to one of their own, but keeps with the show’s hilarious nature.
