Like most people, I have a few traditions that I practice during the holidays. Obviously, I like decorating my Christmas tree and drinking eggnog, but what I love more is watching the Christmas specials from some of my favorite television shows. Now, I do love a fair few Christmas films, but televised Christmas specials, namely British ones, are a bit better, quality wise. There aren’t many that I watch every year, but I do have a few that always get me into a Christmas and general end of year spirit.
#1. The Office: Christmas Special Part 1 & Part 2
Starring Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Lucy Davis, Mackenzie Crook. 2003
This two part Christmas special originally aired about a year after Series 2 ended and gives a look at how David Brent and his fellow coworkers have been getting on since the show ended.
These two episodes, Part 2 in particular, are quite good, mostly for how realistic they seem to be. The way in which the camera crew follow Brent around and chart his ‘success’ feel akin to what you would actually see on reality television.
Overall, neither of these episodes have a real Christmas-y feel, which I like. It doesn’t feel corny or cliche, but again, it’s just a realistic, more stripped down showcase of the holiday and what it’s really about. I like that Gervais and Stephen Merchant chose to tone down the overall holiday cheer in keeping with the previous seasons which focused prominently on the boring aspect of working in an office and living in a small town. This also allows for Dawn and Tim’s moment at the end of Part 2 to feel more natural and less like some kind of Christmas miracle or romantic comedy, which is refreshing for me, as a viewer.
What makes watching the special apart of my annual Christmas tradition is the ending and the overall message that it conveys. Firstly, throughout both parts of the special, the audience is finally given a glimpse of David’s vulnerable side. He’s notorious for being the office idiot and an asshole, but, at seeing David at his lowest and, presumably, his loneliest, the audience can truly feel empathetic towards his situation, or, at least pity. Though David is, at times, mean and small minded, you can’t help but feel that he’s mostly harmless, especially when he’s compared to Chris Finch. Towards the very end of the episode when David finally meets a nice woman who understands him and gets his humor and when he finally stands up to Chris Finch and Neil Godwin, the audience can actually feel that David’s come out on top for once. All humor and self deprecating jokes aside, it’s nice to see David have his moment of comeuppance and revel in it.
Secondly, the best part of this entire episode, and my favorite part of this episode, is when Dawn and Tim finally get together. For anyone who has watched the show, it has been clear since the very beginning that Dawn and Tim are perfectly suited for each other. Throughout the two seasons of the show, Dawn has been dating Lee, her fiancee, who doesn’t seem to care very much about her, and Tim has been mostly single. Despite all of this, there has always been a feeling of mounting tension between the two as their jealousies towards each others significant others and their realization of their chemistry has bubbled to the surface. Finally, in a moment that can only be described as sheer catharsis, Dawn finally breaks up with Lee and turns her affections towards Tim. Once together, they seem like a natural fit for each other. This is definitely the best ending any avid fan of the show could hope for who have been rooting for Dawn and Tim since the very beginning.
This special is a favorite of mine simply because of it’s happy ending. Everyone gets exactly what they deserve and there’s a whiff of hope in the air, as these characters embark on the next chapter of their lives, in new jobs and relationships. It’s this sense of hope that’s nice to see and feel ahead of the new year.
#2. Extras: The Extra Special Christmas Special
Starring Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Ashley Jensen. 2007
This Christmas special mostly revolves Andy Millman’s quest for fame and happiness and figuring out which means more to him.
Much like The Office Christmas special, the Extras special doesn’t particularly feel Christmas-y, but still employs some basic Christmas themes. If you really wanted to delve into the crux of this episode, one could argue that this special is almost a modern day rendition of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. Andy quickly turns into this Scrooge-like character as the episode progresses and becomes quite selfish and mean spirited, looking only to further himself and his fame rather than support his friends in their own time of need. Only when he finally succumbs to his lowest, most loneliest point, does he then realize that friendship and happiness means more than money and fame. All in all, quite a similar take on the classic Christmas tale, but clearly augmented for today’s viewers and for the show itself.
In this special, much like The Office special, Gervais manages to make the audience really pity a character that doesn’t wholly deserve to be pitied, both a fete and a commonality of his writing. As previously mentioned, Andy does change from his usual fun-loving, carefree ways and seems a lot angrier, sadder, and desperate. Even though he has money, a successful sitcom, and a grandiose flat, he wants more, mainly respect and better roles, which is admirable, despite his flaws. With Andy, it was never about money or fame, hence being an extra for so long. Now that he has a seemingly sold his soul with his sitcom in a bid to stay relevant and appease the BBC, he’s changed. Even though he is mean and selfish, Gervais still makes it possible for the audience to pity him, and it’s this character development that I find so intriguing, especially in television series.
What I like most about this special and what makes it a favorite of mine to watch around the holidays is the ending. When Andy goes on Celebrity Big Brother, the lowest form of desperation for any celebrity, he quickly realizes what he’s lost sight of. By being trapped in this house, surrounded by people who are seemingly worse versions of himself, he can finally see what he’s become, almost as if all his fellow ‘celebrities’ are acting as mirrors, so that Andy can truly see himself for what he is. The scene where he basically has a go at fame and the idea of celebrity in his rant in the Big Brother house is fantastic. Yes, Ricky Gervais is taking a swipe at celebrities in the show and in real life, probably, but I think his speech also serves as a general message to society, in a way. Ricky is using his character to remind all of us to basically stay true to ourselves and respect ourselves; wanting money and fame isn’t important in the grand scheme of things.
I really like this Christmas special moreso for the overall message than the Christmas feel. Much like The Office, this special lacks a Christmas vibe, which personally, I like. I’d rather watch a holiday movie or a television special that puts more emphasis on transforming oneself and self-reflection before the new year rather than something about Santa or the impending holiday, as that is what I believe this time of year to be about.
#3. Gavin & Stacey: Christmas Special
Starring Joanna Page, Matthew Horne, James Corden, Ruth Jones. 2008
In this special, Stacey’s family comes from Barry to visit her and Gavin in Essex for Christmas and all kinds of shenanigans quickly ensue.
Overall this episode plays like a regular episode though the Christmas holiday and feeling can definitely be felt. There’s plenty of Christmas music, decorations, and celebration to get everyone in the mood for the holiday.
I like this episode in particular because I like seeing British Christmas traditions and how they celebrate the holiday as opposed to how it’s celebrated in America. It’s not vastly different, but it’s still interesting to watch.
Generally, Gavin and Stacey is a bit saccharine and sappy at times. There’s quite a few catchphrases, Gavin and Stacey themselves have this childlike giddiness about each other, and overall it can feel a bit soap opera-ish at times. In this episode, however, there is definitely more tension displayed and boiling beneath the surface, with Gavin getting a new job in Cardiff that he’s kept a secret from his over protective mother and with Dave taking on a more fatherly role for baby Neil in front of Smithy, the actual father. Despite all of the fighting and yelling, both Gavin and Stacey’s families can still get past their differences and return to their normal, happy selves with ease.
What I like most about this special is that it offers a more vulnerable glimpse at Smithy. His character is mostly used for comic relief purposes and generally he is good for a laugh, but we very rarely see an honest, emotional side to his character. Here, with the arrival of Dave, who is clearly taking Smithy’s place as Neil’s father and has taken on this fatherly role with ease, we finally see a sadder, softer side to Smithy. We, as the audience, always see him fulfilling the role of Gavin’s mate, but it’s rare for Smithy to ever take center stage. It’s understandable that he’d idealize having a child and becoming a father now that Gavin is married and everyone around him has someone. For Dave to now take that role away from him, though inadvertently, it has clearly taken a toll on Smithy, as evidenced by this episode.
Overall, there’s a lot to like about this episode. It’s Christmas-y, each character has their own comedic moments down to a science, particularly Dawn and Pete, and Bryn, and, again, the departure of Smithy’s character from less of a funny friend to a more emotional human being is great.
Though this list is quite short, these are my favorite Christmas specials to watch around the holiday season. Thanks for reading!
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