Pour The Wine, It's Rom-Com Time

Hallmark's Holidazed: S1 E1 - The Beginning

• Garry & Amy

Share episode

Six families. One cul-de-sac. A sleigh full of holiday drama. On this episode of Pour The Wine, It’s Rom-Com Time, Garry & Amy snuggle in for a festive recap and review of the first episode of Holidazed: The Beginning! From tinsel fueled tension to heartwarming moments and holiday hilarity, they’re unwrapping all the seasonal surprises packed into Hallmark’s latest holiday series!

Send us an email to pourthewineitsromcomtime@gmail.com! We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Music from #Uppbeat

https://uppbeat.io/t/abbynoise/mood-of-summer

Amy:

Welcome to For the Wine. It's rom-com time where we'll sip some wine and review all things rom-com on the Hallmark Channel. I'm Amy.

Garry:

And I'm Gary.

Amy:

And I'm Porin Cab Sav tonight, Cab Sav going in the glass.

Garry:

Yeah, we're back to Cab Sav tonight. Today we're going to be Sav tonight.

Amy:

Today we're going to be reviewing episode number one of Holidays.

Garry:

Ho, ho ho.

Amy:

The beginning. It originally aired on November 14th 2024 on Hallmark Plus and is now airing on the Hallmark channel every Sunday through Christmas in July. Sweet, Pretty, pretty cool Christmas in July of 2025. Yes, I should say Wow, but it's cool that they're bringing it to the Hallmark Channel. I think More people able to view it. Right, you know since it dropped last year on a streaming service.

Amy:

not everyone has it, so now, I think, it's great that they're releasing it to a broader audience. Yes, so it's pretty cool we releasing it to a broader audience. Yes so it was pretty cool. We did not watch it when it was on last year.

Garry:

No, we did not In.

Amy:

November. We did not have Hallmark Plus at that time.

Garry:

Nope. Anyways, we would love it if you would click that follow button on your favorite podcast platform, so you don't miss an episode If you listen on Apple or Spotify or even YouTube.

Amy:

YouTube no videos, just podcasts for now no videos yet, right, you can also leave us a review. Go ahead. Hopefully it's a positive review, positive, positive.

Garry:

I'm going to sing a mood tonight.

Amy:

I know.

Garry:

You can also find us on social media Facebook, instagram, blue Sky X and, of course, threads.

Amy:

Yes, be sure to head on over to the socials and let us know your thoughts about Holidays. Maybe you watched it last November or maybe you watched it since then.

Garry:

Yeah.

Amy:

Or you're watching it along with Christmas. In July, the Hallmark Channel is dropping two episodes every Sunday.

Garry:

Every Sunday In July. It's like a movie, right? Yes, two episodes that are 42 minutes long, or something like that.

Amy:

Yes, you can also email us at pourthewineitsromcomtime at gmailcom.

Garry:

Yes, please send us an email. Send us an email, let us know what you think Let us know.

Amy:

Let us know your thoughts.

Garry:

So tell me, are we going to talk about who is in?

Amy:

this one. What do you think Should we? Well, there are like over 30 people. Yes, that's a lot, excuse me in this one and, yeah, we thought that would be the whole podcast episode if we went over? Everyone. So holidays is kind of cool in that the very first episode you get a snapshot of everyone.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

It's about six different families that live on a cul-de-sac right, so you get a glimpse into everyone, and all the families have multiple people. So we thought what we would do is go ahead and dive into the review of this one right and then, starting in episode number two, we will focus on the actors and actresses in that episode. Right, and then eventually we will have talked about them all when we get, family by family.

Garry:

Yeah, because we don't think you would be interested in an episode that just talks about every character in Holidays. We love all the actors and actresses. What they've been in, yeah.

Amy:

So we will start in episode number two yes, talking about, as they go by, family.

Garry:

Yes. Correct, Okay that's what we're going to do. Is it time to drop the synopsis of season one, episode one?

Amy:

I sure can. Yes A neighborhood of families rush home for the holidays, ready to share in the chaos and joy of the season.

Garry:

Is that end scene?

Amy:

End scene. No, that's a pretty good synopsis of episode one. Yeah, I guess. Yes, I think it's good.

Garry:

Well, you know, we'll probably give away some spoilers, so if you haven't watched it yet, hit pause, go watch it, catch up and then come back and listen to our podcast. Yes, let us know what you think We'll definitely give away our podcast.

Amy:

Yes, let us know what you think We'll definitely give away some spoilers. Yes, not that there's like anything shocking in this one, but there's just a lot.

Garry:

There's a lot going on.

Amy:

Going on with this one.

Garry:

There is Six families.

Amy:

Yes, and the introduction. So should we dive in?

Garry:

Let's dive in, let's talk about it All right, all right about it.

Amy:

All right. All right, go ahead, start us off. There's a lot okay. So the beginning is sort of a little bit chaotic, but it's great the way they do it not chaotic, but you get a lot of information. Yes, within the first like 10 minutes, they like throw it in your right they do and I loved, I love. There's a narration at the very beginning and I, I think, is it supposed to be Josh.

Amy:

I think so From his family is the Hill family. Yes, so he's narrating it, and it reminded me so much of Love Actually, because it's kind of like everyone comes home for the holidays. Yeah, yeah, six families, yep. And then we're going to have six episodes, and each one is going to focus on each of the families. Right and other characters from other families will kind of dip into those Right. And then the last one again.

Garry:

You sort of get an overview of all the families, of all the families, episode number eight.

Amy:

So that's pretty cool. So we have the Hill family.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

The Lynn family Yep have the hill family? Yes, the lynn family, yep, the woods family, the lewin family, the camerina family I think that's how you pronounce it. Yes, and the minetti hannahan family that's those are the families. We'll try to keep everybody straight, but yeah, so it starts off and you have someone from the um, the minetti hannahan family, the mom connie yes she's driving her pink I think it's a caddy.

Garry:

Is it her, cadillac, her?

Amy:

pink cadillac through town. She's waving through, you know, to everybody and she, you know, she kind of gets home and she's going down her cul-de-sac and waving to the people who are outside and stuff, yeah, so it's kind of cool. So she's going home and her husband is outside and he is griswolding up the house which I love it.

Garry:

I love Chuck.

Amy:

Chuck is his man and he's like I'm going to have lights on top of lights on top of lights on top of lights. That was really cool. So that's sort of your first introduction to them. They're the Griswolds of the street. Yes, they are the griswolds of the street yes, they are right. And then my heroes yeah, you're heroes, yeah. And then you see their neighbors are kind of looking out the window, right?

Amy:

yes, because they're seeing him put up all these decorations and his son-in-law is helping him, and the neighbors next, immediately next door to them are the camarena family yes and there some. They had some feud the prior year. We think it has to do with the lights. We're not 100% certain. Right there's some feud and they're upset that he's doing so much again.

Garry:

Again.

Amy:

Right. And so the Camerina family is. You know, the dad is Manny, the mom is Clarice, I believe yes. So she's kind of like you know, don't get mad, it's, you know, the holidays. And then you kind of find out that their son is dating the daughter of the Minetti-Hanahan family. So the families, the dads, dislike each other.

Garry:

Yes, but their children are dating. Yes, kevin and Katie, katie.

Amy:

Right, the Ks, yes, the K's have it. And then you have, let's see. And then we see a scene with what's their family, jennifer and the lewin family lewin family yep so there's a, um, you know, a husband and a wife, jennifer, and mike, mike, yep they're discussing how jennifer's mom and dad are coming for christmas.

Garry:

Yep, but they're divorced and nothing to see there.

Amy:

Her dad is coming by himself, but her mom. You don't know what's happening yet, but she's like I, you know. I hope. I hope she told my dad what's going on.

Garry:

Right.

Amy:

And you don't really know what's going on yet. But you know they're converging on the house. So you're going to have the in-laws. So her poor husband, he's going to have the in-laws, but they're divorced and they don't really get along that well.

Garry:

No.

Amy:

So you get a snippet of that.

Garry:

Yep.

Amy:

Then you see Josh from the Hill family. He is the son. He's coming home to his parents' house and it's just. I think he's a single. Yeah, he's an only child, right.

Garry:

He's the only child.

Amy:

He comes home to his parents' house and you find out he's going to be moving soon to Australia and he kind of comes in and you know his parents are kind of more old fashioned and he's bought them all these fancy gadgets through the year for them to use, not fancy, but like a bread maker, you know, and some machine for her to use after her fall.

Garry:

Yeah, it looks like a row. You see the row, or something like a treadmill or something, and he's like, hey, you know how's it going, have you used it?

Amy:

And she's like, oh well, I don't know. And then they go into a room and you see everything he's ever bought them is still in a box or open, but not used.

Garry:

Yeah half put together.

Amy:

Half put together right right the spare bedroom has become the gift. The catch-all for everything he sends them. Yeah, and then he's gonna have poor kevin, not kevin, poor, um, josh josh josh. Yeah, so he's trying to do nice things, but they're like we don't really need. You know all this stuff, so so you kind of get a glimpse that he's this guy who you know wants everything new and fancy, and they're kind of like no, we're good with the old stuff with the old stuff, with what we have, and he's very much.

Amy:

He's gonna go get power bowls for lunch and they have. They're like what's a power? How do you put?

Garry:

power in a bowl you know or something.

Amy:

So it's kind of cute. And then we see the lynn family and this is all in the first like 10 minutes I know it's crazy right we see the lynn, the lynn family, ted and marcus. Ted is the son, yep, and he's coming home with his fiance, marcus they arrive home, yeah and the family is very excited to see them.

Amy:

And you find out that they're engaged and they're planning their wedding. Yes, right, and everybody's real excited to see them. Then cut to oh my goodness, uh. Max, who is jenn and Mike's son, and Annie, who is.

Garry:

Annie is Lucy's daughter, but we haven't met Lucy yet.

Amy:

No, so the children they're probably like teenagers, right?

Garry:

Yeah, they're teenagers Maybe.

Amy:

So they're doing a project together.

Garry:

In a garage.

Amy:

And you can tell that Annieie likes max, but he doesn't know it yet. And another one of their teen friends stops by and was like hey, I want to join your club and you can kind of see a little little jealousy of annie with max. So it's kind of cute. So you get the glimpse into that. Then we meet annie's mom, lucy at her bakery yes, wood Bakery. Her what.

Garry:

Wood Bakery Wood Bakery yes.

Amy:

Oh yes, that's what it's called Good for you. Yeah, all right, and so they are the Woods family. Yes, hence the Wood. Is it Woods Bakery or is it Wood Bakery?

Garry:

I think it's Wood Bakery, yeah.

Amy:

Could be. You Could be you paid more attention than I did to that I should have. I didn't know that. Yes, so then we see them right. And there's a guy, a man, in the town who must be like a handyman, cole, yes, cole, he shows up. Lucy's. You get the gist that she's single. Yep, she's a single parent.

Garry:

Mm-hmm.

Amy:

And Cole shows up because he's going to put up shelves there and Lucy's friend at the bakery is kind of like hey, cole can help you at home With the window. With the window, you know and she's kind of like, don't do that.

Garry:

Don't do that to me.

Amy:

And then, while they're standing there, lucy gets a text from her sister, sylvie, who is coming to visit. Yes for Christmas and you get the gist immediately that Sylvie's a whirlwind because she said sylvie lives in sylvie land, which I thought was kind of funny. Um, and she, you know, it's kind of like that vagabond gypsy spontaneous kind of and lucy's not.

Garry:

She's opposite is definitely not she, she's opposite.

Amy:

She's more structured yeah, so I think. I think that's the glimpse that is the glimpse does that cover it? So, that's so. That's the glimpse, that is the glimpse.

Garry:

Does that cover it? I think so.

Amy:

So that's your first introduction to all of the families. You kind of get just a small snippet, but it's enough and it's so well done. I mean we kind of said it chaotically, but it really isn't. The transition is great, yeah, between the families. It's smooth the way they go from one to the other and you see how they interconnect. We already see some interconnections between the families, so it's pretty cool. I mean, I love the beginning. What about you?

Garry:

I honestly loved it too, how Connie and her I'm going to assume it's a Cadillac pink Cadillac driving through the town as there's narration going on and then they're going from scene to scene and they cut back to her again and she's waving and that keeps going on until she pulls up into her driveway at her house in the cul-de-sac.

Amy:

I thought it was very well done I mean sometimes, you know, music was really.

Garry:

Yes, I love the opening song yeah, it was really good.

Amy:

And you know, sometimes, like we've talked about this before, in series, sometimes the first episode you're just you know, you're getting to know the characters you usually have to give a series. What a couple of episodes sometimes at least, and I know nowadays with only. I mean before I used to have you know 20, 30 episodes a season right now you get. You get eight, you know. So you got to do a lot in the first episode or two and sometimes it takes us a minute and it's like a slow burn.

Amy:

Like you're like, okay, I'm getting it now. But this one man, I loved it out of the gate, like right away.

Garry:

And you know what's funny is I. Usually there's one or two characters I usually I'm like I don't know if I'm going to like these characters. I didn't have that with any of the characters in this one Me either.

Amy:

That's a good point, which is amazing. That's a good point.

Garry:

I mean they all, Because we saw a lot of them and it seems like this series has been like this would be their tenth season, because they act so well together.

Amy:

Yeah, that's a really good point too. That's how I felt the chemistry between All of them. Just seem like they've been working together for so long yeah.

Garry:

So that's what I thought about it. That was good.

Amy:

It was really good. It was really really good. All right, so should we dive into. So I think what we should do is maybe talk about each family. Now when we discuss it. It won't be necessarily in order because they do talk about different families. They kind of bounce between the families throughout the entire episode. But we've kind of, I think, if we just focus on family. That way it's less confusing maybe.

Garry:

Yes, I think so.

Amy:

So let's start with. Should we start with the Hill family?

Garry:

Yes, let's start with the Hill family, like we just talked about.

Amy:

That's Josh the son.

Garry:

Yep.

Amy:

And his mom and dad are Lorraine and Sam Lorraine and Sam Lorraine and Sam yes so we've already seen where he comes home, then he's going out to get this bowl right, this power bowl. Power bowl and he gets pulled over by the po-po.

Garry:

The sheriff, the town sheriff.

Amy:

Is she the sheriff?

Garry:

She's the town sheriff. She's the town sheriff.

Amy:

So he doesn't know it at first, but it is somebody that he went to high school with or school.

Garry:

Isn't that always the case in a small town?

Amy:

It's always the case, right, you go home and he doesn't recognize her at first and Josh is kind of a smooth talker and he thinks he's going to get out of the ticket.

Garry:

Oh, that was so funny how he tried to talk himself out of it, yeah, yeah, and he's like.

Amy:

He says she was always a stickler for rules and she says something like you were always one that broke the rule you know, or something like that, we're not following.

Garry:

There's a reason we have law there's a reason why we have.

Amy:

So it's kind of just a cute banter, but you can also kind of you know she's kind of like you kind of get the gist. Maybe he was like the athletic right, the popular one, and you know you don't got away with everything, no matter what. And she you know hard working had to do. You know you don't really know it got away with everything, no matter what. And she, you know, hard working had to do.

Amy:

You know, live life by the rules and that's what she did. And she has a little bit not like animosity, but it's kind of like yeah, I'm gonna still give you a ticket, yeah bro like because you may have got away with it in high school yes, but you're not now. You're in my town now.

Garry:

That's kind of what it seems like and then it what was funny too in that scene is when she gives him the ticket and walks away. He says something like I know we couldn't understand. I couldn't understand it, but it was so funny.

Amy:

He was like he was like a high-pitched voice.

Garry:

Yeah, yeah, it was so funny and then she turns around for a second and then turns back to the cop car and he does it again. I know it's so funny.

Amy:

Oh my gosh. So that's so. The sheriff is Aaron Cahill.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

And he and that's Ian Harding, and they are so good.

Garry:

And that scene is really good, yes, yes.

Amy:

So then he, you know, he goes home after that and he's complaining to his parents about nora and he's like can you believe that you know, and how?

Garry:

dare she. We went to high school together and everything.

Amy:

Why would she give me? A ticket and then his mom is like well, she was married and her husband died.

Garry:

And then he's like oh his whole demeanor ass right it's like the air in the room just got sucked out.

Amy:

He was like I know it's, it's not funny, but it is because it just kind of puts him in his you know place a little bit. It's like life is going on. What do you always?

Garry:

tell me, don't be. You don't know what the person in front of you is going through or what they've been through in that right. You know they could have lost somebody, they could have, you know, gotten some bad news.

Amy:

You just never know. I mean we have. You were always telling me that we have a really good example of that.

Garry:

Yes, we were driving.

Amy:

Are you thinking about the parking?

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

So we were at Okay, we'll just briefly yes, step aside. So we were at the Side truck Grocery store or somewhere we were but, and you were getting a little impatient there was somebody trying to back like a like an F-150 or whatever.

Amy:

A truck, a pickup truck, or whatever kind of bigger, not ginormous, but bigger, and they couldn't quite get it in and you were like, oh, we got to get home, come on, you know, I got to park, I got to, so the person parks, and then we pull into a spot I don't know close by and we get out and it's this woman who is in? Her like what? 60s? Yes, and she profusely apologizes to us for taking so long. Now, she didn't know we were upset.

Amy:

She couldn't see, we didn't yell, we didn't get out of the car or anything, or you didn't. I wasn't mad, but you didn't. And she was like like I'm so sorry, this is my son's truck and I'm not used to driving it, and I and you were like it's okay, and then we walked away and you go, it's like you always say yeah, I felt so small in that moment.

Garry:

I was like, and it was this little old lady.

Amy:

It was just, I mean, wasn't funny, but it was such a good lesson and I know we all get frustrated and stuff, you know, and you get upset. You know things happen in life and we were in a hurry that day but it was just like someone's telling you to slow down. You didn't know and then when she got out and apologized I was like, okay, that was a good lesson.

Garry:

I wanted to cry. I that was a good lesson. I wanted to cry. I felt so bad, so small.

Amy:

But, like I said, she didn't know you weren't like yelling at her.

Garry:

No, I wasn't.

Amy:

You didn't make any, you were just kind of mouthing it to me in the car, you know not so she could.

Amy:

So long story short, I try to catch myself before I get to that point now, because it's true, you never know what kind of day a person is having or has had, or life right, Right, All right. So his dad says something because he says oh. Josh says oh, I feel bad now because he felt bad and his dad's like feelings are good teachers, yes, that was so funny, that was so funny, that was so good too. And his dad kind of said it, like you know, and the fact that she's raising her son on her own Right.

Amy:

Who's a small Right? He's a single parent.

Garry:

I don't think he's a teenager yet. He's probably like looks like he's eight or nine.

Amy:

Oh no, he's definitely not a teenager.

Garry:

He's young, so it really wakes him up, wakes him up.

Amy:

Yes, he's like oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. So then Josh, of course, has to go pay his ticket.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

Now he feels bad. Yes, so he goes to the police station and he, you know, apologizes to Nora yeah, Nora's like who are? You yeah, reluctantly. And then he meets. Her son is there, so he meets Theo.

Garry:

Yeah.

Amy:

So that kind of you know. And then a little bit later yes, in the episode he has an incident with his car again.

Garry:

Yeah, so and yeah, you're right yeah.

Amy:

So he has another because he wants to run into a store really quickly in his car?

Garry:

Yeah, because he has to sign a document, so he's running into a realtor store Realty, yeah To sign some documents. A realtor to sign some documents yeah.

Amy:

Yeah, he's trying last minute and his car rolls away down the street and so here comes nora, again the sheriff, and I mean it was just, it was so cute, and he tries to make an excuse, you know, like I was just running in really quickly, and then he's like that's no excuse yeah, I'm sorry, and she's like you're really making my job hard today, or something like that because she was like it's a fire zone, is there really a good reason?

Amy:

and he just shuts up. You know, so it's kind of so. They have a little bit it's banter, but it's not. And then she decides that, you know, he kind of begs her not to give because she says he's going to have to go to court. Right and he doesn't, and she, she makes it so that he does community service. Yeah, right.

Garry:

So he kind of gets a break from her. Yeah, so we'll see where that goes. So that's the Hill family. That's the Hill family in a nutshell right, all right.

Amy:

The Lynn family. You want to have anything about the Lynn family a little bit.

Garry:

The Lynn family is an interesting family. I like the mother and the father she's funny.

Amy:

Yeah, they're funny.

Garry:

They are very funny, but in this family socus is the fiance of ted, so ted is the son right, ella is the daughter right, and then you have steve and um lois, who's the mother and father, and then you have grandma, or nai nai I think that's what ted calls nai, nai, yes yes, she, that whole scene right there was brilliant.

Amy:

With her. Yes, with her coming in, yes. So Ted and Marcus are really excited. They're planning their wedding, and the only person that Ted has not told yet is his nigh-nigh, his grandma Right, that he is gay, he's gay and that he's getting married to a man. Yes, because she's very religious, but the rest of his family, his mom and his dad and his sister are all on board and they're all excited and the dad is like well, guess what?

Garry:

We sent her away, yeah, we don't have to worry about that.

Amy:

this Christmas we sent her away, which is really funny. And then she shows up at the door.

Garry:

They open the door and there she is Nine.

Amy:

it's just, it's so cute how they you know, because then they're like oh look, we found you another flight, isn't that exciting.

Garry:

And she's like no, they try to book her on another flight. I'm not going anywhere. Well, Marcus didn't know that he had not told his Nai Nai that he was going Right.

Amy:

That's true. Yeah, marcus didn't know.

Garry:

So Marcus is like what got to get in step with us.

Amy:

You got it. You got it. Yeah, she does. You have to do it. And then the Ted sister.

Garry:

Ella right.

Amy:

She says I love the smell of family dysfunction at the holidays and I was like that is so true.

Garry:

There are so many good one-liners in this thing.

Amy:

Because you can all relate to that. You know, holidays are like we love the holidays, it's chaos we love having the kids, but I mean stuff goes down at the holiday time sometimes.

Garry:

You know what do they call it Beautiful chaos.

Amy:

Yeah.

Garry:

It was so funny. Chaos, yeah, it was so funny. But then nana is sitting on the couch and you can hear um, the mother and father in the background talking about getting another flight, and she finds the binder with uh like wedding planning stuff so in her mind she thinks that her granddaughter ella and marcus are getting married right and they all.

Garry:

and when she does tell them that she's not going anywhere, she's staying here because there's going to be a wedding, they're all like cheers. Cheers, they all go along with her and Marcus is like what, okay, yep.

Amy:

So that's kind of where that is. So that's the Lynn family. They're kind of fun, they're fun.

Garry:

I loved it.

Amy:

So the Woods family that's where we talked about Lucy and her sister Sylvie, and Lucy's raising her daughter Annie. We don't know why she's a single parent yet. And then there's Cole the handyman. Yes, Cole so after he's at the store. You know, lucy's at home and she's getting ready to go out and Sylvie shows up and she's like hi, and she's not thrilled to see her, but she's like you look beautiful.

Garry:

What's been going on?

Amy:

What's been going on, but? But Lucy's going out the door and Sylvie's coming in.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

And Lucy's still like well, I got to go get dinner or whatever, and she's like bye, you know, she just doesn't even really greet her or whatever, and sylvie's like okay, but then annie comes up, and he comes up and he's like hey, and sylvie and you know what they look so much alike. They do the actors look a lot.

Garry:

They do they were daughter, mother and daughter.

Amy:

They in real life, I know, I know they really do, and we've loved the actress who plays sylvie she's been in.

Garry:

She's been in, and lucy.

Amy:

I mean they've been in a ton, all right, which we will talk about when we get to the Woods family. Yeah, so, and you can really tell too that Annie views Sylvie as like the cool. There's like the cool aunt, right Like you have the cool, like when your mom is such a stiff and you've got someone who's like you know, go with the flow.

Garry:

Yeah, do what you want, let's whoop it up you know it's it up, you know it's always like it's always the fun one, right, yep, yep.

Amy:

So, and you can see that kind of right away, yes, right that.

Garry:

And then lucy gets home and she's kind of.

Amy:

She sees that cole has fixed the window, but then her heart breaks a little bit because he's talking to sylvie drinking some wine drinking some wine, talking to sylvie and she's a little bit like because you know, sylvie's so outgoing, whereas that's another point we didn't bring up Lucy in the store. She's more shy, she's not just going to ask somebody and here Sylvie gets in there two seconds and she's, you know, having a really great conversation with him.

Garry:

And Cole is like your life is so interesting.

Amy:

Interesting yeah.

Garry:

You know that just devastates.

Amy:

Yeah, so it was kind of. So we're going to see what happens there, so that was fun. Yeah, so next we have, should we do the Lewin family?

Garry:

Yeah, let's do the Lewin family All right.

Amy:

The Lewin, the.

Garry:

Lewin.

Amy:

So this is the family where the grandma and grandpa are coming for Christmas, but they're divorced, oh my goodness. And something's going on with the grandma and she hasn't told the grandpa yet.

Garry:

Nope.

Amy:

And then so you've got the daughter Jennifer and her right Jenny. They call her Jenny.

Garry:

Right and her husband Mike, and they have a son, Max, Mm-hmm.

Amy:

And the grandpa arrives and Jenny's like hey, Dad, did Mom talk to you? Yeah, he's just like no, he's like nope, Nope, nope, not yet. So Jenny is upset that her mom didn't share her news with her diddy.

Garry:

And put her in the middle again, and put her in the middle again.

Amy:

So then you find out that her mom is actually bringing her boyfriend.

Garry:

Evan.

Amy:

Her boyfriend Evan Yep, and then she has to tell her dad. She has to. Jenny has to tell her dad.

Garry:

Cause her mom was like I'm not telling them. And then Jennifer was like well, then you're not coming.

Amy:

And then she was like okay, well.

Garry:

I can just walk and change these tickets and we can go to I can't remember what she said, but some other country on on the beach and everything, and I'll just send these pictures and maybe they'll get him at new year's yeah, she says like punta canta yeah something like that, yeah, yeah, like in mexico. She's like, we'll just go and then she was like okay, does evan have any allergy issues with anything? And she's like no, no, no.

Amy:

And then she goes okay.

Garry:

And then she makes some reference to being loud at night and jenny's like she says make sure you put us in the back bedroom because in case we make a lot of noise and then jennifer makes that throw up expression funny things, things.

Amy:

Kids never want to hear their parents say no, no never, and then jenny has to tell her dad and of course he's kind of like you know, actually I'm thrilled she has some poor soul she can nag.

Garry:

I know.

Amy:

That was so funny. So, funny, oh gosh. So then Jenny's mom, Linda, does show up and she has her boyfriend and you find out he is much younger than her probably half her age, right and he seems like a. I mean, he's okay, he comes high and greets her.

Garry:

He. I mean he's okay, he comes so high and greets him. I mean, you know what he's doing, what?

Amy:

he's doing, I mean yeah, so that's pretty cool.

Garry:

And he says hello to the son. Yes, the younger son, max, right, so that was kind of cool, he could you know he's okay, so we'll. Yeah, there's a lot to go, onerina.

Amy:

Yeah, let's go into them.

Garry:

All right. So the Camerina family. You have Gabby, who's the daughter.

Amy:

Yeah, gabby.

Garry:

Clarice, who's the mother, clarice Kevin, who's the brother, and Manny, who is the father.

Amy:

Right, and this is the family that lives next, right next door to the family, with all the Christmas lights, yes, which we haven't talked about yet, but we will.

Garry:

We're saving them for last.

Amy:

We're saving them for last it's a big family, the Minetti.

Garry:

Hannah, hannah, hannah, hannah, hannah, hannah, hannah. I know, hannah, hannah. It's so hard to say that.

Amy:

The Camarena family. Gabby arrives home. She's really excited because she's like, hey, I got some great news. Great news. And they're like oh, we have news too about your brother. And she's like oh, wait first, so she gets what she gets invited to do a cooking.

Garry:

Yeah, she gets to enter into a contest about a cooking show. We don't know exactly what it is, it's just it's a cooking show. So she's all excited because she loves to cook, right, yeah, and us to cook right, you know, yeah, and then her family or her mom and dad, right away they just changed the subject.

Amy:

It was so funny. It's like okay, okay, and then they start talking about her brother and they're like he's dating or he has a girlfriend yeah, and she's like yeah, so. So what else is new?

Garry:

and then he comes downstairs and she's like oh, this, this. I can't remember what she called the girl, but she must, you must really love her, because look at how you're dressing, you're dressing so nice, now and everything, and then comes the news of who it is.

Amy:

Who it is Yep. And so, as his girlfriend Katie, who is the neighbor's daughter, walks down the stairs, Gabby has a flashback to high school where Katie was a cheerleader, her nemesis, and Gabby was not. So then you immediately think of high school and how kids torture each other, and then you find out that Katie used to call her.

Garry:

Easy bake.

Amy:

Easy bake, yeah, yeah, and her dad's like. Well, nicknames are, you know what does he say?

Garry:

A form of flattery or something like that, a form of flattery, she's just like what.

Amy:

I was like man that is so mean, so she's just like she can't believe it because, like you said, this is her nemesis from high school and it's someone that clearly she didn't get along or she, you know, felt a certain way about katie, because she felt like katie treated her a certain way so yeah, so I'm sure we're gonna find out more about that yes, well, what about the karaoke scene, right? That was freaking awesome so they go to christmas karaoke their tradition and and gabby's supposed to sing with her brother.

Garry:

Yes, correct on on some song, but katie, she worms her way in there and says we're going to do a duet.

Amy:

So Katie's like oh, okay let's go ahead and do a duet which actually ended up being really good.

Garry:

I like this song Did you see the host of the bar or whatever. He was in the corner dancing.

Amy:

Was he really? I didn't see that. I thought that was so funny and so cute, but then what happens? What happens?

Garry:

katie does a spin and then she goes to open arms and knocks gabby right off right off of the stage, poor gabby you just can't help it.

Amy:

And the next scene is like them all coming home and it's just just like you're fine, you're fine, nobody noticed. Oh my gosh, it happened really fast. Yeah, it was really fast. And then you and of course she thinks it was on purpose, because you know it's her nemesis.

Garry:

I mean, you know if you were bullied your whole high school, you know four years of high school, you would think and that nickname?

Amy:

stuck with her. But Katie's acting like they're best friends. She's like I thought we could sing like we did when we were in the pageant when we were young. Yes, you know, like she has like different memories or she's trying to not remember, maybe you know or not, talk about what happened and act like it didn't happen. I don't know.

Garry:

Yeah, so then they find out that katie's gonna spend the night and that gabby's got to give up her room to katie because it's worse for katie's too tall to sleep on the couch. So why wouldn't give up his room, right?

Amy:

that's a good question, that's a good question and she lives right next door. I don't know, I found that part a little bit weird, but yeah yeah, well, she's staying the night I'm not, you know, just just like what, okay, yeah

Amy:

and I thought that was and then gabby's looking for something in the closet and she finds a ring and then she's really like she's realizing her brother's gonna propose to this girl and she is not, not happy she's not happy nope oh, then finally we get to the Manetti-Hanahan family, and boy is this a family.

Garry:

This family has every type of person.

Amy:

Every type of personality. So we see One of the sons. So you have Connie, who's the mom.

Garry:

Chuck, who's the dad?

Amy:

Katie, who we've talked about, is a daughter, lori is a daughter and Clark is a son, and then you have son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren right right so clark, clark, which I love, hello griswold, it's gotta be a shout out to griswold.

Amy:

So yeah, with the lights and everything, so clark gets home with his or arrives to the house with his wife and kids, right, they're there're there for the holidays and you know, you can see instantly that Clark and his wife, like his wife, they're kind of I don't know they're. You know they're ultra healthy, yes, and they, you know, watch what they eat. Watch what their kids eat, right, they're very specific about certain things, Like she, the wife, is Rebecca, right. So she asks you know, did you put the netting up around the trampoline?

Garry:

Yeah, and who was it? Is it Wally? Is that his name? I think Wally or something. Wally's the son-in-law, he says yeah, I did, but I don't understand how they're going to do their dismount.

Amy:

And then Chuck the dad Chuck goes.

Garry:

Oh, all I have to do is get a little bit more air and up and up, and up and up, and Rebecca's face is like, oh my gosh, Can we get out of here please?

Amy:

And then Lori, one of the daughters she's like. So what is it this year?

Garry:

What are you into this year? What are?

Amy:

you into this year. Grain intolerant cheese. Avert tomato sensitive.

Garry:

Yes, that was so funny.

Amy:

And then, Rebecca goes, we're vegan now and they're all like, oh my.

Garry:

God, okay. She's like don't worry, we just brought our own full show, there shouldn't be a problem.

Amy:

Right, you'll have to excuse our little puppers because she's barking. I guess she so rarely barks. That's so funny, she so rarely barks.

Garry:

Oh my gosh. She's out in the foyer, there sitting and barking out the window.

Amy:

Anyhoo, back to the family.

Garry:

So yeah, so they're vegans now.

Amy:

Right. So Clark starts to tell his dad that his new company like what his new company is because he's developing an app and you can see like Chuck basically just ignores him. Yep, right Like kind of, and so you can already see that there's some kind of disconnect there, like maybe because Clark isn't doing things with his hands, or you know has some kind of trade.

Garry:

Yeah, you can tell Chuck is a manly man, yeah, or he likes to think he's a manly man, right, but who knows who?

Amy:

knows, so you can kind of see that sort of brewing a little bit. And then they you know, I forget what they named the app they say something about the app and then Lori the sister is like basically it's an app that will nag you like a self-righteous family member. Yes, you know, so you can already see, they're kind of at each other's throats now. They feel about each other. So then you have Connie. The mom gets everybody's attention with a frying pan and is banging it Like I need everyone's attention, right.

Garry:

Well, first, the first thing before that was when they're all having lunch and Katie is over there, and this is why Katie's spending the night next door is because Chuck is always saying you know what they do with traitors in the military. Because he thinks that because she's dating one of them, that's right. He's dating Kevin, his nemesis' father. He keeps jokingly calling her traitor and there's one scene where and in that scene she just gets up and walks away because she just can't take it anymore.

Amy:

She's had enough.

Garry:

She's had enough, yeah, and then that's when later on, Connie comes in banging on a pot to get everybody's attention, which is funny.

Amy:

She's like hello, hello hello.

Garry:

So she cuts off the TV and she tells everybody to pay attention, and then what does she do?

Amy:

She's going to have them sign a behavioral contract. I think, we need to do that. I don't know. Wouldn't that be so awesome? She wants them to sign a behavioral contract because she says there's going to be no fighting, insulting, talking, ridiculing and drinking. No talking, no talking, yeah, and then they all laugh.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

They all laugh hysterically and she's like no, I'm serious.

Garry:

I'm serious, and if you don't, no, you're going to go into the shed. That's right, you're going to spend the time in the shed.

Amy:

That's right. That's right If they break, if they, after they sign it, if they break any of the rules, they're like, no, we're not going to sign that.

Garry:

Yeah, and Chuck is all like I'm not signing that and she goes. Well, then you can spend the night in the lights.

Amy:

Let's go light the lights right and what a griswold scene right. Right, so they all go outside, the whole family goes outside and they do the lighting.

Garry:

Yes, and the lights come on and it's so beautiful, it looks so good and I'm like ooh, take notes. Take notes, we're taking notes. Beautiful and then all of a sudden it goes out.

Amy:

all the power goes out and then, and then we're dying because you hear the whole family go. Oh, yes, like it's, like the minions. Yes, they all sigh and then you know he starts to say, oh, and then he was gonna swear, but he doesn't. He says fudge, which might be a shout out to another film, A Christmas Story. Now I heard my dad say that yes. Anyway, I won't go into quoting that one, so that ends it then.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

So the lights go out and we've gotten a slam jam. Chaotic introduction to each of the six families, and this podcast will probably be the longest one of all because we had to kind of touch base.

Garry:

Well, you got to talk about six families and how many people, right, and it was a lot Right, but you know what? I really enjoyed it though? Yeah, they all just clicked with each other and the writing was spot on, and we kind of talked about the family.

Amy:

You know, we kind of talked about the families, everything that happened at once.

Garry:

Yes. But it actually is spread out throughout the entire episode, so you get sprinkles of some families sprinkles of another, and the way they weave it together is really really, really well done, yeah, so I'm excited, I'm excited, I can't wait.

Amy:

I mean we're going to watch we're going to watch and review the rest of the episodes and take it from there.

Garry:

I'm excited. I can't wait. I know I can't wait for episode two.

Amy:

So what was your tinsel top moment of this episode?

Garry:

It has to be the whole griswold, the whole gr.

Amy:

I love it, all the lights being turned on. I get it, and then the power going off.

Garry:

I just I loved it. It was good. It was good. What was yours?

Amy:

Mine would be the scenes with Josh and Nora. I just thought they were cute and fun and I love his character. It's kind of right up my alley for a character. Yes, so I'm excited. Yeah, so that would be my tinsel top moment. So, moment. So, out of five ornaments, how many ornaments would you easily I'm hanging, easily I'm hanging. I know we keep saying we're going to be more discretionary with our fives, but this was excellent for a first episode.

Garry:

Draws you right in with six different families, six different families the way they did it. I am on board all the way, hanging them six on, yes, yes, lighting up, yeah, maybe I don't know, yep.

Garry:

So, is that a wrap? That's a wrap. Thanks for listening. Be sure to follow the podcast wherever you listen so you do not miss one. Also, follow us on social media. If you really really like the show and are listening on Apple Podcasts, spotify or YouTube, we would really appreciate your positive review. And if you didn't really really like the show, we'd still appreciate a positive yes we'd really appreciate it.

Amy:

You know, if you have time and you can write a review on Apple or Spotify, that would be greatly appreciated.

Garry:

Yes, it would by you.

Amy:

We'll be dropping new podcast reviews of holidays and the new to Hallmark holiday movies every week in July, so be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

And on social media, so you don't miss anything. Until then, fill up your glasses and push play. Thanks for listening. Cheers.