COUCH POTATOES TO GET YOU IN THE FESTIVE ZONE Distribution Manager “Lexmas,” Smallville Season 5, Episode 9 The early 2000s were an experimental time for the superhero genre, and I’m sure 90 percent of Smallville is unwatchable at this point in time. Season five experienced a creative resurgence as the showrunners prepared to end the series, and that included the would-be villain Lex Luthor finally embracing his destiny. “Lexmas” positions itself as an It’s a Wonderful Life clone, with Luthor experiencing an alternate reality where he’s married, has kids, and is renowned for his generosity. If you know anything about Superman, then you know this all goes to shit fairly quickly, and the episode ends on one of the series’ darkest notes. But hey, what’s the winter solstice without some darkness? “Citizen Knope,” Parks and Recreaion Season 4, Episode 10 Leave it to Amy Poehler’s Leslie Knope to find comedy and warmth in something like a temporary employee suspension. The episode is peppered with great moments of Knope showering even acquaintances with thoughtful gifts, and the rest of the Parks department have had it, setting out to finally out-do her. The end result—a gingerbread replica of the office, complete with marshmallow Ron Swanson-—isn’t even the sweetest part, as “Citizen Knope” ends with everyone joining her campaign for city council. If neither of those things can melt your icy heart, then nothing will. “White Christmas,” Black Mirror Season 2, Episode 4 I’m aware the shows on this list lean heavily towards the comedic angle, but Black Mirror’s stab at a Christmas episode earns its place for multiple reasons. For starters, even for a Black Mirror episode, it’s an impressive weaving of multiple storylines, all the way to its chilling climax. The episode also gives us a healthy helping of Jon Hamm, who plays the enigmatic and plotting Matthew Trent. You also don’t need any previous Black Mirror experience to enjoy it, as “White Christmas” is a stand-alone story. At 73 minutes, it’s more of a time commitment than the other Christmas episodes on this list, but if you can binge Hallmark Christmas movies like they’re mini candy canes, why not a single mindbender like “White Christmas”? “Xmas Story,” Futurama Season 2. Episode 8 Remember Futurama? I’m talking about the show, and not the countless memes and internet references that probably forget what they’re even referencing. “Xmas Story” is full of holiday digs, from the discontinuation of the term “Christmas” to the extinction of pine trees. Rampaging robotic Santa Claus is both a highlight and also one of the funniest iterations of ol’ St. Nick that will AV —> bod The entirety of Dimension 20: The Unsleeping City Season 3 This is cheating, but it’s my article, so I’m calling the shots. Dimension 20 is a terrific show that is about tabletop-based roleplaying games, and the latest season takes place in a fictional version of New York City. I’m including The Unsleeping City on my list because the majority of the season takes place in the days leading up to Christmas, and it leans into the setting to a joyful degree. Just to give you one example: in the second episode, the characters face off against a mob of deformed mutant Santas, aka the annual SantaCon pub crawl that notoriously fills the streets with red-and-white-clad Kris Kringles. The Unsleeping City was also released this past summer, so the festive spirit in-game never matched the blistering temperatures outside. Give this season of television the viewing it deserves and watch it in the days leading up to Christmas.