Pour The Wine, It's Rom-Com Time

Hallmark's Holidazed: S1 E3 - The Lin Family

• Garry & Amy

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This week on Pour The Wine, It’s Rom-Com Time, Garry & Amy unwrap Episode 3 of Hallmark’s Holidazed: The Lin Family! Ted and Marcus are newly engaged and ready to celebrate. Minor snag. Ted hasn’t come out to his beloved Nai Nai. When she shows up unexpectedly, a holiday mix-up leads her to believe Marcus is engaged to Ted’s sister, Ella. Cue the fake fiancé hijinks, family chaos, and enough festive confusion to short circuit a Christmas tree. Beneath the comedy lies a heartfelt story about identity, acceptance, and the quiet bravery it takes to share your truth with the people you love most.

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 Pour the Wine. It's RomCom time where we'll sip some wine and review all things RomCom on the Hallmark Channel. I'm Amy. And I'm Gary yes you are and what are you doing?

Garry:

I'm pouring a capsule.

Amy:

While he's pouring, I will let you know that today we're going to be reviewing episode number three of. Holidays the Lynn Family. It originally aired on November 21st 2024 on Hallmark Plus and then aired again, or for the first time, on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday, july 13th 2025. And we are reviewing it during Christmas in July of 2025.

Garry:

Yes, awesome times Ho ho ho.

Amy:

Ho, ho ho.

Garry:

We'd 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. You can also leave us a review, and hopefully it's a positive review.

Amy:

Fingers crossed.

Garry:

You can also leave us a review, and hopefully it's a positive review, Fingers crossed. You can also find us on YouTube and social media Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky, X and Threads All the things. All the things.

Amy:

You can also email us at pourthewineitsromcomtime at gmailcom, so shoot us an email. Let us know your thoughts.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

What are you thinking about holidays so far? Are you enjoying it as much as we are?

Garry:

I hope so. Maybe you don't like it.

Amy:

I would find that hard to believe. But you know, everybody's got their own opinion.

Garry:

Yeah, well, you want to tell us who's in this one.

Amy:

No, no, do you know?

Garry:

what was just announced, we got to talk about a new announcement from her mother. I love it when she does this, because it's like getting a present for Christmas she's giving a present.

Amy:

The Brenner brothers are back. We're getting a third installment of the Three Wise Men with Andrew Walker, Tyler Hines and Paul Campbell, and we saw where Tyler Hines posted. What was it? Wm3.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

And it's the three of them sitting and he posted the song. Yes, Phil Collins take me home with it.

Garry:

We were like yay, we loved it so much, right up our alley. If you want a dramatic song, pick a Phil Collins song.

Amy:

It worked.

Garry:

It was so good, perfect. Good job, tyler.

Amy:

So they just announced it. I think I'm sure they all announced it on their socials. I know Hallmark Channel did and I know everyone is just over the moon excited because everyone really loves what is it? Three wise men and a baby. Then there was three wiser men and a boy.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

And this is supposed to be three wisest men and a teenager. I don't know. I don't know. I think it's three wisest men, is what they're saying right now.

Garry:

So it's pretty exciting?

Amy:

yes, it is.

Garry:

I mean I just love it because margaret collin is in it she plays the mom and she was in three men and a baby oh way back in the 80s, the og yeah, so it's pretty cool a little shout out to them yeah, so that's some exciting news well, that's awesome.

Amy:

From hallmark yeah, pretty, yeah, pretty cool Sweet.

Garry:

Good for them, man, because it's very popular.

Amy:

Yeah, very popular. Yeah, it sure is. We're excited.

Garry:

So let's get into who's in this one.

Amy:

Okay, first I have to mention I did forget to talk about another actor.

Garry:

Uh-oh.

Amy:

Uh-oh, that was in the Hill Family, so I will talk about her now before we get into the Lynn family. Okay, nanzeen Contractor plays Sarah.

Garry:

Yep.

Amy:

Her Hallmark work includes the recent 2025 Love on the Danube movie, love Song. She played Nyla in four episodes of the Love Club, okay. She was in the Perfect Pairing in 2022, a Winter Getaway in 2021, and it looks like her first Hallmark movie was the Christmas Ring in 2020. Oh sweet, she's voiced a few animated series, including Star Wars, resistance and Mickey and the Roadster Racers All right, that was cute.

Amy:

She was in Ransom 39 episodes from 2017 to 2019. She was in five episodes of Major Crimes something we really loved in 2017, and an episode of Person of Interest in 2014. Another one we liked, another one we really liked.

Garry:

Now on to the Lynn family. Okay, let's do it.

Amy:

Lucille Song plays Nai Nai aka Grandma Lynn. This is her Hallmark premiere. She is in three of the holidays episodes. Her very first acting credit dates all the way back to 1959.

Garry:

Holy smokes.

Amy:

That's pretty cool. Some of her other work includes playing Grandma Huang in 115 episodes of Fresh Off the Boat, and that ran from 2015 to 2020. Wow, she was in one episode of the League in 2010. She was in eight episodes of Desperate Housewives, which we loved. I think she played the maid for Carlos from 2004 to 2009. She was in Freaky Friday, the movie in 2003. And she will be in its upcoming sequel, freaky your Friday, which drops in theaters on August 8th 2025. Sweet.

Garry:

Yeah, I want to go see that. I love Freaky Friday. We'll go see it.

Amy:

Osric Chow plays Ted Lin. Some of his homework work includes Christmas at the Golden Dragon in 2022, morning Show Mysteries, murder Ever After in 2021, and Matching Hearts in 2020. Some of his other work includes Fire Country. He was in one episode in 2024. He was in three episodes of Nancy Drew between 2021 and 23. Nancy- Drew. Three episodes of the Flash between 2019 and 2021. And the TV series Supernatural. He was in 19 episodes between 2012 and 2019.

Garry:

Awesome, Sean Ahmed plays Marcus Khan.

Amy:

Supernatural. He was in 19 episodes between 2012 and 2019. Awesome sean ahmed plays marcus khan. He made hallmark appearances in love on harbor island in 2020 and twas the night before christmas in 2022. Some of his other work includes love hacks in 2023. He was in one episode of so Help Me Todd in 2022. That was a CBS series. Okay, he was in the series Corner for 13 episodes between 2021 and 2022. And he was in one episode of Designated Survivor in 2016. Did you watch that? I don't think we watched that one did we?

Garry:

No, I think that was with Kiefer Sutherland. Kiefer Sutherland, yeah, Kiefer Sutherland.

Amy:

Jasmine Chen plays Ella Lin. This is her Hallmark premiere. A few of her others. She has 15 acting gigs on IMDb. They include one episode of the Irrational in 2024, two episodes of the Power in 2023, and eight episodes of Millions in 2015.

Garry:

Not to be confused with Billions, which we liked. Yes, another good series.

Amy:

Sharon Crandall plays Lois Lynn. She's the mom I believe. She's been in several Hallmark productions. She was in 2024's Countdown to Christmas movie Santa. Tell Me it was hugely popular. We liked that one. She was in Holiday Road in 2023. Christmas at the Golden Dragon Another one. And was in holiday road in 2023. Okay, christmas at the golden dragon another one. And romance and style in 2022. Some of her other work includes four episodes of virgin river in 2024, one episode of the last of us in 2023 she went missing in 2022 and one episode of turner hooch in 2021 oh cool oh, stanley jung.

Amy:

Yeah, plays steve lynn. He has a dozen acting credits and more than half are shorts. For hallmark, though, he was in the gift of peace in 2022 and jingle bell bride in 2020. He was also in the the movie Neil in 2023 and one episode of Charmed in 2022. Cool, cool. Lillian Lim plays Chung Shifu.

Garry:

I'm not sure, she's the fortune teller.

Amy:

Oh, that's right. That's right For Hallmark. She was in A Midnight Kiss in 2018 and Jingle Bell Bride in 2020. Some of her other work includes Joyride in 2023, which we saw Heart of the Matter in 2022, and Motherland, Fort Salem between 2020 and 2021. I do not have how many episodes.

Garry:

Take a guess, I don't know.

Amy:

Ten Well, I think there's less than that. Catherine Haysbert plays Brianna. Now I bring her up. She's okay, take a guess, I don't know 10. Well, I think it was less than that. Catherine Haysbert plays Brianna. Now I bring her up. She's in it briefly. She's the wedding venue organizer. Organizer or the person, yeah, the wedding venue. She is actually dennis hayes bird's daughter, and he is part of the lewin the lewin. Thank you, yes, the lewin family yeah, so that's pretty cool yeah, the all-state dennis.

Amy:

Yeah, um, she has nine acting credits and other than holidays. For hallmark she was in navigating christmas in 2023. Uh, some of her other Hallmark she was in Navigating Christmas in 2023. Some of her other work in 2025, she was in an episode of Alert Missing Persons Unit, the Recruit and the Hunting Party. She was in two episodes of so Help Me Todd in 2024.

Garry:

Okay.

Amy:

And one episode of Charmed in 2022.

Garry:

Awesome.

Amy:

Awesome.

Garry:

So is that it?

Amy:

Is that it for the list? That is it for this list?

Garry:

For the Lynn family.

Amy:

For the Lynn family. So now I think we should drop the synopsis.

Garry:

Let's drop the synopsis.

Amy:

Let's drop it, let's do it All right, you want to do it for season one, episode number three the Lynn family.

Garry:

Sure, Ted and Marcus are celebrating their engagement with Ted's family this Christmas. Ted isn't out to Grandma Lynn or Nai Nai, which leads to a misunderstanding that Marcus is engaged to Ted's sister, Ella. Dun dun, dun, Dun, dun dun See what happens when you don't tell the truth, yeah, when you start pretending.

Amy:

That's right so well we'll probably yeah, no we'll probably get away with some spoilers.

Garry:

So if you haven't watched it yet. Go watch it and then come back to our review. Yeah, buddy, yeah, yeah, yeah. So what did you think?

Amy:

Well, I thought it's going to be fun to break down this episode because there were there were so many, there were so many cute and fun moments and we'll talk about the serious moments also and you know, generally it's about, you know, traditions and people sometimes who may not be as welcoming as you think. And it's, you know, it's difficult to believe it still happens today, right, but it does happen, although we don't know how welcoming she's going to be. And it's about whether you are your true self or do you hide it.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

For someone else just to get by. Yeah, right, so that's kind of yeah.

Garry:

Yeah, yeah, authentically represented the lgbtq plus community. You think so? Huh, I thought they did. I thought that, um, you know marcus and ted coming home for the engagement and then nine I they think in nine. I thought that was really, really cool yeah, yeah but the fact that now nine, I thinks marcus and ella are going to get married, man, it's gonna is going to make for a fun episode.

Amy:

It changes the whole. Yes, yeah, it changes the whole. So at the end of the first episode we're left with Ted and Marcus come home, they're engaged, they're getting married, they're coming to Ted's family the Lynn family. And Ted's family is cool with it His mom, his dad, his sister they're all excited they want to with it. His mom, his dad, his sister, they're all excited. They want to plan it and they have let them know that their grandma, lynn Nigh Nigh, is not going to be there, and so there's some relief.

Garry:

Right.

Amy:

Because they're not going to have to explain to her that Ted is gay, right? So that's kind of where we left off. I think that was their bit in the first episode. So it picks up and Ted and Marcus are kind of trying to figure out, right like, what they're going to do, and they go in a closet.

Garry:

Yes, that's the funny thing.

Amy:

And Marcus are in there and I forget their first conversation. But eventually the entire family joins them.

Garry:

Yeah, and that's hilarious.

Amy:

The mom, the dad, the sister, and they converse about telling nai nai about that. Like, are we going to do it, are we not? Now she has shown up? Yes, we didn't say that part because her flight got canceled her flight gets canceled, so she shows up. She's like surprise. You know that's right well, I find that. I love that. Ella says I don't want to. I don't want to spend the asian version of the birdcage. I thought it was really funny. What a shout out. Just such a great great movie oh so good With Nathan Lane and Robin.

Garry:

Williams, gene Hackman yes, all the great ones.

Amy:

Diane yes, all the greats.

Garry:

Well, you know, it's interesting how tradition is and how scared people are to change those traditions, because they just knew that Nai Nai would not understand. And even Steve Lynn, the father, he's scared to you know actually.

Amy:

Yes, her son, yeah, her son, grandma Lynn's son.

Garry:

And that makes for some great comedy right there between him and his wife. Well, go ahead, and that makes for some great comedy right there between him and his wife. Obviously, she's wearing the pants and she's like you got to tell her about the food.

Amy:

Yep, because they're not cooking the traditional Christmas Eve dinner. They're going to cook everything that Marcus grew up eating for the holidays, because Ted's mom has called Marcus's mom and been like, hey, how can I make him feel at home? And so she gives her this list of all these foods, and so that's what they're having instead of their traditional.

Garry:

I don't even remember what they said. I think it was dumplings and some others Right right.

Amy:

So they're not going to have that and they're like walking on eggshells to tell Grandma Lynn that they're not having it.

Garry:

And there's that judged up book by this cover.

Amy:

Yeah, that theme, it's in every one of these episodes and then so was it in the first episode that we find out she thinks he's marrying yes, okay, okay, that didn't happen in this episode.

Garry:

I'm just trying to catch my.

Amy:

She finds the binder with all the right now, ella you find out that ella is like a social media influencer and she, you know, hates the patriarchy of love and marriage, and so she's the one, and so that part of it was kind of cool too that they threw that in there, because you know, I like it when they, you know social media is so prominent right now, especially with young adults. I mean us, we still like, you know, we really like it, so I just thought that that was kind of a cute addition to the storyline right.

Amy:

It's not just about them hiding it. Now they've got all these other things going on too.

Garry:

And going off of the social media. It's like you know you want people to follow you, then you should follow them, and in this particular episode, she doesn't want to follow the girl that follows her.

Amy:

Right, so it's oh right, come on.

Garry:

Just, you know, just follow, you know you're talking about ella yeah, her and her mom had that conversation right, but it's funny because every time she there's, she comes up with a quote or something she's like oh, I gotta text that I gotta, I gotta put that, I gotta tweet it, put it on tiktok or whatever.

Amy:

Yeah.

Garry:

So yeah, that's a fun addition so then you know.

Amy:

So then Nai Nai decides that she's going to have a day like you know. She might be leaving soon.

Garry:

Her flight might be taken off like the next day, right On Christmas Day, and so she feels like she's got to do everything to plan the wedding.

Amy:

Now she is ready Like in one day.

Garry:

It's like a one-day wedding planner.

Amy:

Yes, I've never seen, so she goes to. Where do they go first? They go to the fortune teller.

Garry:

No or no the photo shoot.

Amy:

She plans. So grandma's like surprise, we're going to have an engagement shoot.

Garry:

And they're like what, what, that?

Amy:

was so fun. So they go to a park and grandma Lynn has hired a photographer, right, right. And then she says because of course ella and marcus are not excited, because they're really not getting married they're not getting marrying each other. Marcus is marrying ted and their faces show it. And you know grandma lynn is like they don't look happy. They look like two strangers. No, she says something about mops. Um, they look like two broken mops. I thought that was so funny.

Garry:

She has some good one-liners.

Amy:

So then Ted has to go and go. You're not selling it, come on, come on, you've got to sell it, you've got to sell this thing.

Garry:

And they're like okay, and he calls her Boo Okay.

Amy:

Boo, let's make this our wedding, let's make it work, right. So then they have some. They end up getting some good pictures.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

Right, fake it till. You make it, I guess.

Garry:

And then you find out later that that photo gets put into the local newspaper, which is another fun story, but anyways. So where do they go off to next? Is it the? It's the fortune teller the fortune teller. Oh, I love that part.

Amy:

The, the um, it's the fortune teller, the fortune teller. Oh, I love that part, the fortune, so grant yeah, so which was grandma lynn?

Garry:

oh, go ahead. I'm sorry, lillian limb. Um, so they go to the fortune teller and she's talking about that. They're that, they're a great pair together. And you know, ted, meanwhile, he in his head, he's thinking this is all fate.

Amy:

She's telling Marcus and Ella oh, you're a great pair and everything.

Garry:

And so they get through the fortune telling and then Nine-Nine and the fortune teller get up and I guess she goes to pay the bill or whatever. And Ted was like this is such a hoax and everything. She didn't even. She said you two are a perfect fit. And then Ella goes, goes. No, I gave her your birthday right.

Amy:

So that's what she was going off the truth, right. I thought that was really cool and you could see ted go, oh yeah, you know, because he didn't realize that, because at first he's like god, you guys are a good pair yeah, he was heartbroken yeah, his little heart was yeah, so that was. That was a sweet part, though yes, yes. When his sister says no, no, no.

Garry:

I know, I told her, I told her, I told Carrie.

Amy:

So then they go, so then they leave the fortune teller and they go to try cakes. I know, because that's what she did next.

Garry:

I mean, she literally is like you need someone like her playing in every wedding man, I know, because carrot cake yeah, she's like we need sweet and sticky.

Amy:

I thought that was kind of cute, sweet parts of love and stickiness to hold it together and I was like oh that's actually kind of kind of words of wisdom right there, grandma Lynn, thrown out there.

Garry:

Yeah, and then she talks about the flowers and and I think it was Marcus was like oh she goes yeah, I give my friends flowers all the time, and marcus like oh that's so good. And then nai nai goes yeah at their funeral at their funeral and I just laughed.

Amy:

I was like she's so good, she is so good in that role. And marcus is like okay, you know, all right. And then she, she's decided what they're gonna wear already, what ted is gonna wear, oh my gosh, and he comes out in this like green sequined leprechaun yes tuxedo. So yeah, so then they're trying on they're trying on the dresses and then she's like and now we need to try on the dresses and l is like no, absolutely no, because she does not like marriage right or what it stands for, and then that's when she tries on the dress.

Amy:

And it's a beautiful red dress, and she does look so good, and you can see Ella kind of softening in that moment, like, oh, this isn't so bad.

Garry:

This isn't so bad.

Amy:

Like it might be all right. Doesn't she say something like don't you want me to wear like a different dress? Is that where I think it was?

Garry:

like a Grandma Lynn like a different dress.

Amy:

Is that where? I think it was like a grandma Lynn says you know your mom, your mom bought her own dress. They wanted to start their own tradition, type of.

Garry:

Thing.

Amy:

Trend, something like that. Yeah, yeah, and that's when um the uh social media walks in pay yes, walks in Peyton, yeah, she's like yes, walks in Peyton, yeah, yeah yeah, she's like what in the world?

Garry:

are you doing here?

Amy:

She's like hey, Ella, you're trying on a wedding dress.

Garry:

Yes, Because you know again she's bucking the system, Right, right.

Amy:

So did you say it's an old high school friend or something? It's like a childhood friend.

Garry:

Yeah, correct yeah, and this is the one she won't on social media.

Amy:

Well, that's where we find it out. She's like I followed you and she's like oh, Doesn't she? Say you didn't follow me back.

Garry:

Yeah, you know Duh.

Amy:

Duh.

Garry:

Yeah, she gets a selfie out of it and that kind of scares Ella. Because, because she's got this persona to keep you know.

Amy:

Right, she doesn't want Peyton to post it. Yeah, so Right, and then, and then.

Garry:

Is that when they go to the dance hall or the reception area?

Amy:

I think it was after that actually Okay, Because don't they go home? And then Grandma Lynn gives Marcus the family ring. Oh, that's right I think that, yeah, that happens first. Yes, you're right. And then there's this scene where they're all in the living room. So she gives Marcus the family ring to give to Ella and tells because she's like I have a bone to pick. She says something like Grandma Lynn sits with Marcus and is like I'm upset with you, or something to that effect?

Garry:

Oh, yes, yes, yes, and it's because Ella doesn't have a ring yet. Yes, that's right, because Ella doesn't have a ring yet. Doesn't have a ring yet, right? Yes, that's right.

Amy:

That's right, and he's like what? And then that's when she gives him the family ring, which was kind of sweet.

Garry:

Yes so she's you know, keeping it, yeah, I mean she's up for it. Yeah, and that was a.

Amy:

The truth. And there's this really great scene where they're all in the living room they're decorating the tree. So the mom and the dad and Ella, right, they're in the tree and Grandma Lynn is sitting on the couch and so Ted sits down and he's like you know, I really want to talk to you. And Grandma Lynn is like I know what you want to tell me. And she says you know, I'm getting older, and they're all like no no, you're not getting older, it's just so funny.

Amy:

They're like trying to kiss her behind. And you know she knows it, because they're all like no, don't. You don't say you look great. Yes, you know, that was kind of a funny moment. And then she says you know that. That's when she announces that Ted's going to be the CEO.

Garry:

Yeah, which I thought that was so cool. Yeah, and then he's like oh, so he can't tell she goes, because I don't want anybody to give me a heart attack.

Amy:

Right, right, right yeah.

Garry:

Before he tried to come out and say he was gay.

Amy:

So then there's like a switch, because the whole time Marcus kind of you know he, he's wanted, he's wanted to tell her. Right, he thinks the right thing to do is to tell her. And then throughout this day he's gotten to know her and love her a little bit. He doesn't want to be responsible, right? So then Ted, even after he finds out he still is going to tell her, he's like no, that's great, but I have something else to tell you. And Marcus stops Ted from telling him or telling her.

Garry:

I'm sorry.

Amy:

So it's sort of like a flip right, because first it's Ted and his family and now it's Marcus. Like no, no, we can just put up the lie for another day.

Garry:

And they have that discussion in the closet and then they go back in the closet. And.

Amy:

I think I think Marcus says something like we're literally in the closet, like does everybody get this? Like we're in the closet, and I thought that was funny too. I just enjoyed all the quips like that.

Garry:

And yeah, all right, and she's like, okay, I'll do it and then Marcus gets down on one knee and he goes and he tells Ella um, if she will be his fake wife and real sister.

Amy:

My fake life and she's like, yes, I'm going to enjoy wearing this ring while I can, because soon as she finds out, she's going to take it from me, right, right, so then, from me, right, right, so then. Then you have, like you said earlier uh, was it steve? And what's the mom's name?

Amy:

uh lois lois yeah so lois is in the kitchen cooking and steve's trying to creep down because he doesn't want, he doesn't want anyone to see him. I think that's what you were talking about earlier, where she's like it's now or never. Yes, you need to tell your mom and he said never.

Garry:

He said never because he's so afraid like father like son right, they're just afraid.

Amy:

I mean I know they've made him kind of a coward with his mom. But it's like you know, when your parents get older and they're set in their ways and you're like I mean, maybe you could tell her yeah maybe you could tell her about the food. Like that's like taking my life into my own hands you know, I know right, that was funny. So he's so he. Steve goes in to talk to his mom, which is Grandma Lynn Nigh Nigh right.

Amy:

And he's afraid to tell her about Ted, so he tells her about the Christmas Eve meal.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

And she surprises him.

Garry:

Yeah, she's like I got a wedding to plan, you go, do your thing and go on.

Amy:

Well, it doesn't, or is it then when she says sometimes different is good?

Garry:

or is that at the table?

Amy:

Yeah, I'm trying to yeah.

Garry:

Yeah, that was a good part.

Amy:

Yeah.

Garry:

So, anyways, then this is when they go.

Amy:

This is when they go to the wedding venue.

Garry:

Yes, then this is when they go to the wedding venue. Yes, which was another really, really good scene. So she wants to see their dance, grandma. Grandma wants to see their dance.

Amy:

So Marcus and Ella go out onto the dance floor. I guess it's the tango. Is it the waltz, the waltz? Poor Ella, she just cannot dance. She has two left feet. It's the tango, is it the waltz, the?

Garry:

waltz. Yeah, poor Ella, she just cannot dance.

Amy:

She has two left feet. It's fine, yeah.

Garry:

And the wedding planner or the venue planner, she's like, oh, that's different. Or she says something.

Amy:

Yeah, she makes a comment like that's a way to dance, you know, yeah, that's one way. You're right, you're Right, right, right.

Garry:

And then, finally, nai Nai tells Ted to get out there and show Marcus how it's done. Yep, so Marcus grabs, or Ted grabs Marcus, and they start to do the waltz, and they do it really well.

Amy:

They do it really well. They're looking at each other in a certain way, and you can see. Grandma is kind of like he's a fast learner, yeah.

Garry:

And you can see, and even though the venue manager was saying something to that effect like, oh, okay.

Amy:

Okay.

Garry:

Okay, and you can see Ella again. She's starting to remove that, that hardness from her and starting to enjoy the love that those two have yes, yes, and realizing that, it might not be so bad Right.

Amy:

Right, plan something other.

Garry:

And realizing that it might not be so bad.

Amy:

right Right, right To plan something Right, and then they go to the carnival.

Garry:

Oh, my goodness.

Amy:

And grandma's like look.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

Wasn't it her that shows them that they took the engagement pictures so that the picture could end up in the local paper.

Garry:

So all her friends could see it.

Amy:

So, of course, after they have shocked faces, they have to run around, and I think it's such a cute scene because they're trying to buy all the papers. They're snatching them from people, they're stealing them from people's back pockets, so the papers aren't out there and I'm like are they really going to get every? Is it that small of a town that you could get every single paper?

Garry:

And those are the type of scenes I like, because they play the music and they're all running around trying to grab the papers.

Amy:

And I just love scenes like that, and you know, when we were watching it, though, I was trying to find the other characters.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

But I didn't. Yes, and I'm looking, but I want to go back and rewatch you know the end of the last episode, then this one, and just to see yeah.

Garry:

So that's a good idea.

Amy:

So then they've grabbed every paper.

Garry:

That they could.

Amy:

That they could. Then they're walking home and it starts to rain. It's a storm. Hence we're at the same spot, Right Almost at the end of the last episode, right.

Garry:

Yep.

Amy:

The Hill family where there's a storm. There, the Hill family where there's a storm. There's a storm coming and it rains on them, yes, and then there's this great scene between Ella and her mom in the kitchen. Yes, that was so sweet, it's just so cute, because Ella's like you know I can help you, Can I help you? And her mom's like yes.

Amy:

You know she's so excited because you don't get those moments that often and it seems like Ella's been. I mean, she loves her mom but she's just not been as close or, you know, because she the patriarchal woman in the kitchen. She wouldn't do that normally. And then when she asked to help, and then Ella that's when Ella talks to her about the social media.

Garry:

Yeah, and says you have to follow her back.

Amy:

The mom does yeah.

Garry:

Yeah, because she wants her to delete that particular picture, that selfie with her at the wedding dress, right?

Amy:

She doesn't ever want it to get out. She doesn't, or Ella doesn't ever want it to get out, and her mom and I thought it was sweet because Lois, you know tells her that she's proud of her Right. And she's like really, and she's like yeah, look at what you're accomplishing. Yeah, like I love your social media stuff. Like I don't agree with it necessarily, but I just, you know, I love that you're doing that. So so that was that was kind of cool, yeah.

Amy:

And then she, and then, and then Ella finally admits that you know, maybe being in love and getting married wouldn't be so bad. She might want it someday. And that makes her mom, you know, light up. Yeah, not that you have to get married, but just the love part. And you know, right, yeah.

Garry:

So then they have the dinner and they're all sitting around having the dinner right.

Amy:

Right.

Garry:

And they're talking, and they were talking about the difference in the food and they were asking Nai Nai if it was okay. And Nai Nai was like yes, I always thought that dumplings were the only thing you could cook, so she was jonesing on Lois. Yes, yes, I always thought that dumplings were the only thing you could cook, so she was jonesing on Lois.

Amy:

Yes, yes, but it's so good. But it shows that you know, without communication you don't really know, like you're sometimes afraid to communicate something and you know, a lot of times it ends up being funny.

Garry:

Yeah, it is.

Amy:

I mean not always. Now the conversation about being gay is different, but I mean something about food. Like you know, steve's been scared the whole time to tell her about the food and here she's like no, I'm fine with trying something new. Yes, and you don't give people a chance. You can't be upset with them or be scared of them if they haven't given you a reason to Right Not that she hasn't, she probably has her life.

Garry:

But you know it, it seems like they're all scared of her. Yeah, so and then. So they're all sitting there having a conversation, and then what happens? The lights go out. The lights go out and she says something, did you not pay the bill?

Amy:

She said yeah, did you not, Steve? Did you not pay the power bill?

Garry:

It's crazy.

Amy:

So that's when you know we're getting towards the end and now the lights have gone out, just like they did in the Hill family. Right it's with.

Garry:

Josh and Sarah.

Amy:

They're on the bed and the lights go out. Right, so now we're at the lights out part and Ted goes to get lights from the garage.

Garry:

From the shed, from the shed, yeah, some lanterns, yeah.

Amy:

And then Marcus goes outside to meet him.

Garry:

Yep, and From the shed, yeah, some lanterns, yeah, and then Marcus goes outside to meet him.

Amy:

Yep and they what happens.

Garry:

Well, marcus is like let's go in and Ted's like no, I don't want to, and because it's raining and it's a really-.

Amy:

It's a Hallmark scene, right.

Garry:

And then they kiss, they kiss, and then who sees them? Nai.

Amy:

Nai, grandma Lin sees them Nine-Nine.

Garry:

Grandma Lynn sees them, her jaw drops Her jaw drops.

Amy:

Now I will say, at that moment I thought I wasn't sure if she was putting them on Me either. I was thinking the same thing I was like is she really upset or does she know? And she's just making them go along with it Like which is it, and I still don't really know because then it ends right, isn't that? And that's when it ends right, and that's when it ends. So I don't really know, like does she? Maybe she likes the fortune teller, like I?

Garry:

don't know. You know that's the other thing I was thinking. I was like, are they hinting?

Amy:

because they go off and I'm like I don't know, because the fortune teller's like it's time to pay up. Yeah, yeah, so it's gonna be interesting to see what happens in the very I guess last episode. Yes, right.

Garry:

Yeah.

Amy:

So I mean, what did so? What was your tinsel topped moment in this episode?

Garry:

I would say the dancing.

Amy:

I just yeah, that was so.

Garry:

That was really cool when Ted and Marcus got together and they did the waltz. I just thought it was really yeah. Yeah, I mean, I just thought it was really neat.

Amy:

Yeah, I mean I enjoyed the struggle that they had, that Ted had at one point and Marcus had about telling her. They want to tell her, but they don't want to hurt her. They're afraid of killing her with their heart and everything and they so badly want to tell her. But you're also scared because you want that love and you don't want the rejection, and it's got to be hard for people.

Garry:

Definitely.

Amy:

Who have someone in their family like that, and a lot of people do.

Garry:

Yeah.

Amy:

You know who won't accept them and you know which is hard for me to fathom, but I know there are people like that out there and you love, who you love yeah.

Amy:

Yeah, love is love. Right, love is love. So my tinsel top moment, though, would be I really like the Ella Lois scene in the kitchen. Yes, when they kind of come together and you know, and Ella comes around a little bit and the mom, because it's good, like us, like you want the kids to be around, you want them to enjoy you. When they actually ask you something, or you know, you're like yes, you don't have to force them to do it.

Garry:

Yeah, so and you get those side eyes.

Amy:

Alright. So out of five ornaments, how many are you hanging on the tree tonight? I'm doing five. I'm doing five also. I just am loving this series.

Garry:

I am and this particular family, just hmm.

Amy:

Yes, the way it all came together.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

I agree, I agree.

Garry:

So you're giving it a five too Correct, alright. So is that a wrap? That's a wrap. Well, thanks for tuning in. Be sure to follow the podcast wherever you listen so you don't miss one. Also, follow us on social media If you really really like this show. We would really really appreciate your positive review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Amy:

We'd love to hear from you.

Garry:

Yes, and if you didn't really really like the show, we'd still appreciate your positive review please.

Amy:

We're light-headed, constructive criticism Constructive criticism is fine, but mostly positive. Hopefully, we'll be dropping new podcast reviews of holidays and new to Hallmark holiday movies every week in July, so be sure to follow us wherever you get your podcasts and on social media so you don't miss a thing. Until then, fill up your glasses and push play. Thanks for listening.

Garry:

Cheers.