Pour The Wine, It's Rom-Com Time

Hallmark's Holidazed: S1 E8 - The Finale

• Garry & Amy

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A power outage sparks unexpected change when six neighboring families are brought together on Christmas Day in the finale of Holidazed.  Tune in with Garry & Amy on this episode of Pour The Wine, It’s Rom-Com Time as they unwrap Episode 8: The Finale. What starts as a holiday hassle soon turns into something extraordinary; old tensions fade, hidden truths come to light, and surprising bonds begin to blossom.

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

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

Amy:

Welcome to Pour 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.

Garry:

I'm a pouring wine and I'm finally starting to feel better after this cold's kicking my butt this Christmas in July. And I'm healthy and strong and fighting you keep telling yourself that. That's right. You keep telling yourself that Positive, positive thinking, you're getting there. You're getting there Putting it out in the universe.

Amy:

Today we're going to be reviewing episode eight, the finale of Holidays, and it is called the finale, the finale. The beginning was called the Beginning. It originally aired on December 24th 2024 on Hallmark Plus and then aired again on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday, july 27th 2025. Yes, it did, and we are almost done. We have one more day. One more day. By the time this drops, it'll be Christmas in July. It'll be the end of July.

Garry:

Yes, it will be. We have one more day, one more day. By the time this drops, it'll be Christmas in July.

Amy:

It'll be the end of July.

Garry:

Yes, it will be. 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, you can also leave us a review, and hopefully it's a positive one. We hope, we hope, we hope you can also find us on YouTube and all social media.

Amy:

All the socials. You can also shoot us an email at pourthewineitsromcometime at gmailcom.

Garry:

Yes, you can.

Amy:

Let us know what you thought about holidays.

Garry:

Holidays, holidays, yes.

Amy:

We normally. This is the point in our podcast where we talk about who is in the upcoming movie or show that we're going to be discussing, but we've already done that, yes. So if you would like to know who is in each episode, go listen to the very top of each of our episodes. Episodes number what? Two through seven Yep. Yep, we talk about each family, as they aired.

Garry:

Yes, we did.

Amy:

Time to drop the synopsis.

Garry:

Yes, it is.

Amy:

Time for season one, episode number eight, of Holidays and go.

Garry:

During a Christmas Day power outage, neighboring families unite.

Amy:

Look at that long synopsis.

Garry:

That was are you okay after I had to take three breaths during that one I couldn't hold it.

Amy:

You need to take a sip yeah we're probably going to give away some spoilers not probably we will yes, we will um. So if you haven't watched it yet, go watch it, and we encourage it because spoiler alert here. We love this series yes so push pause here, go watch the finale and then come back and listen to our review, because we don't want to spoil how it ends, but it is hallmark, so you could probably take a guess yes how a lot of the families wind up, yes, wind down.

Garry:

I don't know so where do we live off?

Amy:

where do we live off? All right, so let's quickly recap each family yes right, so we have the hill family the hill family josh is falling for sheriff nora his fiance stacy says she's getting on the plane. Yes, because they're supposed to be going to australia. And to make a choice yes, he either needs to get on the plane with her or stay. That's right, right, that's where we are with that. The Lynn family. The family is letting Grandma Lynn Nai Nai believe that Marcus and Ella are engaged.

Garry:

Right.

Amy:

Instead of admitting that Ted is gay and engaged to Marcus Right Right.

Garry:

Correct.

Amy:

So that's where we are. They're all.

Garry:

Together, putting on this, putting a facade, facade, there you go.

Amy:

Thank you. Then we have the Woods family. Sylvie has gone off into the storm after fighting with Lucy.

Garry:

Yep.

Amy:

And Lucy and Annie are at home.

Garry:

Are you okay?

Amy:

Oh gosh.

Garry:

Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie? I had to. It's the last episode.

Amy:

Oh my gosh, You've been waiting all season long to do that. Okay. Then we have the Lewin family. This is where, even though Linda has brought a much younger boyfriend to her daughter's house for Christmas, she has realized she might still have feelings for Robert, with whom she was married to for 35 years. Yes, sir, and especially now that he has a date and he had a makeover.

Garry:

I know it looks good.

Amy:

Then we have the Camerina family.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

Even though Gabby and Katie have made amends. Because Katie was kind of a bully to Gabby, she started the nickname that tortured Gabby throughout her. What middle school, high school years Kevin and Katie have broken up because Kevin and his parents saw the video of Katie starting the Easy Bake name for Gabby.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

The Minetti-Hanahan family. Now this is actually interesting to me. They're actually in a good place, yeah they are they're the only ones, they're the ones who are the most chaotic, yep, and at the end of this one they're kind of they're in a good place. Right, that's true, they were getting ready to take the picture, even though connie's sick, right, she doesn't know exactly what's wrong with her. It brought them together and they're about to take a family pic. They're all happy, they're excited, and then the power goes out. Yeah, right.

Amy:

So, so that's where we are. That's where we are With all the families and it is a really, really. I think, if I had to sum up my first take of this episode, a really great finale, yes To all the families. And how they did it in an hour or what 40 minutes or whatever it is, I have no idea, but it just flowed.

Garry:

It sure did.

Amy:

Seamlessly. What do?

Garry:

you think I thought the same thing, and with having all the families together in one house and to be able to finish.

Amy:

Well, we haven't gotten there yet.

Garry:

No, I know, but be able to finish telling the stories of each one of them was brilliant.

Amy:

Was brilliant. Yeah, so the Minetti Hanahans are the only ones who have power because they fixed their power. Thanks to the solar and the competition between Clark and Chuck, right, so all of their lights are back on. So it's Christmas Day and we see Josh goes to Nora's house, yep, right, and he brings Nora coffee. Yes, and he's like I knew you were probably up all night finishing the bike, and she's like I haven't finished it yet, right, right. So they have a little moment.

Garry:

Where they're fixing or putting the bike together.

Amy:

Right.

Garry:

And they're reminiscing Right.

Amy:

And he admits he's not disappointed that his flight was canceled. Yes so we're pretty confident he has made up his mind. But Nora says About whether or not he's going.

Garry:

Nora says to some extent you're still living the high school life.

Amy:

Yeah Right, nora says to some extent, you're still living the high school life, right?

Garry:

Well, she says we have separate lives.

Amy:

Yeah, and it's high school all over again.

Garry:

Different worlds Different worlds. We live in different worlds and then she's like Josh or Theo is going to be waking up. You should probably go right, yeah.

Amy:

So he gets his coat, he goes outside and from the outside on the porch he sees theo come running in, excited about the bike yeah you can tell that he's like he tugs at his heartstrings a little bit because theo hugs his mom and yeah, so that was kind of sweet. But then you're like, oh well, dang yeah, is he gonna end up with her, or not? I think I have an idea me too because it's homework. But you know, then we see, then it cuts to annie and lucy and they leave to go find sylvie. Yes, because sylvie didn't come home or they don't know where she went right.

Amy:

She left right right and then we cut to the scene of linda and gail. They're in the hallway of their house right, and we have the same scene that we had now. This is the lewin family yep so when robert and evan woke up, they had this meeting in the hallway and they had, like the western type music background.

Amy:

So now we have linda and gail, who's the you know who's now ro's girlfriend something the one that Robert's kind of seeing now and they have a meeting in the hallway and Linda has made some assumptions about Robert and Gail and Gail makes it very clear that Robert's a gentleman. He slept on the couch and you can see Linda's face light up, so I thought that was pretty cute.

Garry:

Yes, she still had love for him.

Amy:

She still had a little bit of love, oh yeah.

Garry:

And then we cut to the scene where they actually find Sylvia.

Amy:

Sylvie or Sylvie. You keep saying Sylvia. I don't know how to say that.

Garry:

I know After eight episodes, I'm still saying Sylvie. Yes, and she's at the bakery.

Amy:

She's at the bakery.

Garry:

Slept on a booth or in a booth.

Amy:

Yeah, yeah, she slept in a booth.

Garry:

And what a heartfelt moment. Right, because Lucy kind of just you know, apologizes and tells her how proud she is of her and didn't realize what was going on with her relationship. Right and um, while they're sitting there making up, or, of course, lucy says you have us as a family. Right, the jukebox turns on and starts playing a song and they all look at each other and it's like oh, it's mom.

Amy:

It's mom, the joy it's a little wild that it, that it turns on.

Garry:

I don't know no, it turns on right there, I know well, and then I think, I think um, what's her name?

Amy:

uh, sylvie says something like it must be the backup battery oh, yes, that's right. Yeah, yeah, but it's like I don't know, it might be be your little joy Joy box, joy jukebox, right, so they have their moment. Like you said, lucy apologizes and yeah, and Sylvie's kind of touched by that. So, we see them kind of make up pretty quickly.

Garry:

Yeah.

Amy:

Right, which is good. And then we cut to the Minetti Hanahans, and they're the only ones who have power. But to the Minetti Hanahans, and they're the only ones who have power, and Connie has insisted that they invite their neighbors over, much to the reluctance of Chuck. You gotta love Chuck, so he's like okay. So the first family that shows up is the Lynn family. The Lynn family and they all come marching in. Grandma Lynn, yeah, nai, nai.

Garry:

Right, they all come marching in Grandma Lynn. Yeah, nai, nai.

Amy:

Right, the mom, the dad, Ted Marcus.

Garry:

Ella and what's Ella?

Amy:

Yeah, the sister.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

Ella, they come in, and that's when Grandma Lynn meets Wally.

Garry:

Oh my, gosh and she kind of grills him. It's so funny.

Amy:

And Wally's still like am I in trouble? What's going on, what's happening? Doesn't she say what do you do for a living?

Garry:

Yes, what do you? Yeah, so she just grills him. I mean, she just grills him, she does.

Amy:

She really grills him and takes him, but then she finds out he's a minister.

Garry:

Yes An ordained.

Amy:

You can see the light bulb go off and. Grandma Lynn's Now again, you're like, oh crap, she's going to try to get Marcus and Ella married before she leaves. You can already see the wheels spinning there. Yes, Right.

Garry:

Because she knows, because the prior episode or their episode, she saw Ted and Marcus kissing, so she knows.

Amy:

Right.

Garry:

Right.

Amy:

That's why she wants to kind of kind of speed it up, or so you think right, so you think so then we move over to the camarena family, which is the only family who hasn't come over yet who hasn't come over all the other. Well, it's weird because they show the lens arriving, but then I guess everyone just kind of shows up right they're the only ones that actually show coming into the house.

Garry:

Right.

Amy:

And then I think they're the first to arrive, right.

Garry:

Yes, they are the first to arrive.

Amy:

And then, yeah, we go to the Camerinas and they, of course, don't want to go. No Right, is it, manny?

Garry:

Manny doesn't want to go.

Amy:

Doesn't want to go. Right, kevin doesn't want to go, kevin doesn't want to go, and Clarice, the mom, is trying to convince her family to go Right and at the same time Connie's trying to convince Chuck.

Garry:

Right.

Amy:

To go and invite them. Yes, like they're the only ones not here and they have this big beef right, this big, who knows how many years long beef.

Garry:

Yep.

Amy:

Especially around the holiday time, it seems. And Chuck is like no, I'm not going to go do that. And then the next scene is Chuck on one side of the fence and Manny on the other Right. It's so cute.

Garry:

I mean the way they do this. It is. It reminds me of 10 to 2 man. Because it reminds me of 10 to 2 man.

Amy:

Home Improvement. Yeah, Home Improvement where?

Garry:

they're talking to each other across the fence.

Amy:

Is it Wilson?

Garry:

Wilson, I think it's Wilson. You only see Wilson's eyes.

Amy:

In Home Improvement Kind of reminded me of that, yeah.

Garry:

So they're sitting there talking and Chuck's like so did the wife convince you to come over here? And say that he's like yeah, and then Chuck says my dude.

Amy:

Yep, yep.

Garry:

And then they start to laugh.

Amy:

It's kind of cool, it's kind of cool, because you think they found like common ground and that their wives were nagging them. Right, that's common ground for husbands, right?

Garry:

And Chuck's like Christmas truth.

Amy:

Christmas truth, yeah, Truth, and they shake on it right and Mandy.

Garry:

Yeah and they what they shake on it right, mandy's like one day. We can have one day, yeah, and they shake hands, which I thought was pretty cool. Right Way to bury the hatchet.

Amy:

Right, so they end up going over.

Garry:

Yeah.

Amy:

Right and Gabby and Katie kind of have a moment and they're talking and I thought it was kind of cool, because this is a scene where Katie gives Gabby kind of inspiration because, Gabby kind of doesn't really know what she's going to do for her video, because she still has to make her video. She's under a timeline yes, her audition video.

Garry:

Yeah and she's. Yeah, she does give her an idea, which I thought was pretty cool.

Amy:

Yeah, yeah it ends up because she's like look around.

Garry:

Look what, look at all the different families, look at all the different families.

Amy:

Look at all the different, all the different foods. Yes, yeah, I thought it was brilliant, it was really cool, really cool. All the different traditions, and we'll get to what they yeah, what they say at the end of the video. And then you see Chuck and Robert in the corner and Chuck is asking Robert if the contract that Connie had made them sign was it legit. Oh, that's right, because Robert's an attorney. Right, yes, he's an attorney and right, so Robert's like yeah it is.

Garry:

And then Chuck's like, well, you think I can get my money back. And he's like look us lawyers, we don't give the money back.

Amy:

Yeah, we take the money. We give you a service. We take the money, no matter what the advice is.

Garry:

Yeah, it was pretty.

Amy:

It was kind of cute.

Garry:

It was. That was a cute moment to throw in there.

Amy:

I thought so did.

Garry:

I, I like that, yeah, because I didn't think they were going to wrap that up, but they did. That was pretty good.

Amy:

And then so then you, you have Lucy and Sylvie, are, you know, trying to convince Annie to talk to Max? And Annie is the teenager and she's kind of you know, and Max is a teenager and she's the one who kind of kissed him quickly in a selfie and was mortified after that and because Max was shocked but he wasn't angry. But so they're going through this whole thing and so Lucy and Sylvie are like trying to convince her to talk to them, and then, of course, they brought their joy bars Right, yeah, and everybody's excited about the joy bars.

Amy:

right, they're the hit of the neighborhood. Rebecca, being a vegan, she's like are these vegan? Are these vegan? And?

Garry:

she's like no, and she's like I'll try one anyways, and then comes back and grabs another one which I thought was awesome. It's kind of cool, yes.

Amy:

So then you know it goes back to Nora and Theo, Right, and I kind of had forgotten about them for a minute. You know, I was like I wonder how they're going to end up. At the party At the party at the house. And then Theo, who's too smart for his own goods, sees two coffee cups, yes, and he's like what the he thought it was Santa Claus.

Garry:

It was Santa Claus At first.

Amy:

I know him. And then what does she? She tells him nora says no, it was josh.

Garry:

And then theo gets excited. He gets really excited. He realizes that he hasn't left yet and he has a gift to give to him right because it does.

Amy:

He say something like he didn't get on the plane, or something like he's still here, or yeah he gets.

Garry:

It's kind of cute. Yes, that little actor is cute.

Amy:

Yeah, so he's. So now we see that theo is excited. He says he has a present for josh. So now we see that Theo is excited, he says he has a present for Josh. And now we know where they're headed.

Garry:

Yes, right, we sure do. So we're bringing everybody together. Yes, that must be a big house for that many family members.

Amy:

Well, we'll talk about that in a minute when we get to the later part. Yeah, because I have some thoughts about that too. Okay, but yeah, because I have some thoughts about that too. Okay, but yeah, it's a good-sized house. So then you cut back to the house yes, and Grandma Lynn says she's sick. She's like what if I'm not around next Christmas?

Garry:

I know.

Amy:

And then again they're all like no, you're fine.

Garry:

She's like it might be gas.

Amy:

Like it did. They're all like no, you're totally fine. Then she calls Wally over to officiate the wedding and she's like in Chinese culture, you shouldn't say no to your elders. That's right, you know. And Wally is shaking his head like no, don't tell her. No.

Garry:

I know he's like on Nai Nai's side, he's like yep.

Amy:

Yeah, he's on Nai Nai's side.

Garry:

I love his character.

Amy:

He was so good in that role, yeah, yeah.

Garry:

And then you see Marcus, ted and Ella go back into the closet to have that. You know that pun moment.

Amy:

So they go, they have a family meeting in the closet again. Yeah Well, it's a pantry, but still.

Garry:

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, it was kind of cute. You're right, and they're trying to figure out what to do.

Amy:

And then yeah, because they don't know what to do, because now she's trying to push the marriage.

Garry:

Yep. Right and they're all scared and they're all scared because they don't know. That's so funny, so funny. And then we have Robert and Linda again. Yeah, they were talking on the couch and they were reminiscing about when they first met and when they were going to get married, and he thought she was going to have cold feet so he sent the pastor home and I thought that was a really good scene.

Amy:

I thought that he had the minister start early.

Garry:

Was it start early? Yeah, you're right. Yeah, excuse me.

Amy:

Because she says something.

Garry:

She jokes about how it started early or something, and then her dad said the same thing about him. He figured Robert would get cold feet. Oh yes, Linda's dad.

Amy:

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then it was kind of cool because then they have Evan. You know, her much younger boyfriend comes and sits in between the two of them. And then they talk about how there's going to be a wedding, because now they've heard that this wedding is going to go on and Evan's kind of like what's the rush?

Garry:

Right.

Amy:

You know and here we just had this story about them who you know, robert wanted to rush it because he was afraid Linda was going to run off.

Garry:

Yeah, and that was a good scene.

Amy:

It's just in that moment, moment, you really see the difference. Yes, in age In the perception, well, not just age. I mean, everybody has a different opinion about rushing into marriage or not? But it's just about the difference in the mindset and the perception. So we kind of get a glimpse of what might be coming there.

Garry:

Yes, right, yeah, yeah, and then we have Theo.

Amy:

Theo and Nora have arrived at the party right and.

Garry:

Theo sees Josh and calls out his name oh, that's so cute. Says Josh, I have a present for you. And he hands him a drawing and Josh opens it up and it's a drawing of the family and it was so cute because Theo goes Stacy, this is you.

Amy:

This is you.

Garry:

Stacy gives this look to Nora.

Amy:

Well, and I think Theo says you said you had a hard time imagining what life was when they were trying to do the life star Right. And then he said this is what life is, yep. And then you open it up and it's yeah, and it's all of them. And it's real cute because I noticed that the picture of Josh is him in, like with the elf hat or whatever that he had on in the carnival. Yeah, I thought it was cute and there's like a rainbow and it was really cute.

Garry:

Yes, it was.

Amy:

It was really cute, yeah. And then he does point out hey, stacy, that's you, because he's trying to make her feel good. But you know he really doesn't like Stacy. Yeah, well, I mean he likes her, he likes her.

Garry:

He's a little kid.

Amy:

Yeah, yeah, but we know who Josh is going to end up with.

Garry:

Yes, we do so. Then what happens next?

Amy:

Evan and Linda have a little chit chat. Oh yeah, you know, I really appreciated this. You know, evan basically says to Linda it's obvious that she and Robert are the real deal.

Garry:

Yeah.

Amy:

And that you know he's going to go pack his things and I appreciate that. You know Evan's like a good guy.

Garry:

Yeah.

Amy:

And he tells Linda, I'm not your forever guy.

Amy:

Like I'm your for now, guy, I'm not your forever guy and you know they may have had some fun and he got her out of her shell a little bit. She got to do some things, but I think it was just great that he recognized that and wasn't like resentful or angry or you know, pissed off, storming out. I thought that they I really liked the way they handled that, because that's adult, that that's, you know, someone recognizing something. And sometimes it's hard and you might be hurt, but you know it's for the best and I just I appreciated that. So then Evan leaves to go back to the Lewin house to pack his things and he's not mad, he's just getting ready to leave. Yeah Right, yeah.

Garry:

So and then we have Nai Nai, Nai Nai she because, connie, and then we have Nai Nai. Nai Nai, because Connie comes over and sits down and Nai Nai says I'm okay, no need to make a fuss, right? And then Connie says something like that's okay, I have a thing too.

Amy:

And she tells Nai Nai her situation yeah, she might be sick, she might be sick.

Garry:

She was waiting for results, she was waiting for a call, yeah, and then Nai Nai picks up the phone and she's talking to somebody it's not the doctor, I'm assuming it's like a receptionist or something and she says you need to have the doctor call or I will call him Right.

Amy:

Have the doc call her at home or I will or I will.

Garry:

Yeah, and I thought that was really funny.

Amy:

What's funny about that scene too, is that whoever on the phone must have said I'll have the doc call her. And then you hear Nai Nai go. Good choice. Good choice you know, nai, nai got some friends in some hot places. Yeah, and then she hangs up the phone and she's like I give a lot of money to the medical center or wherever, and you know, hey, money talks.

Garry:

Yeah.

Amy:

What if it can get you? You know results quicker, so so be it Right. Right. So we're kind of we know she's probably going to get a phone call.

Garry:

Yes, we don't know when.

Amy:

Right.

Garry:

And then what's next?

Amy:

What's next?

Garry:

So Annie goes to talk to Max.

Amy:

Annie finds Max.

Garry:

And she tries to explain why she kissed him. And then what happens?

Amy:

Well, he says the night at the stroll did freak him out a little bit Right. And then he kisses her on the cheek and he says that they both feel the same thing and she's kind of like giddy, it's just so cute, you know. And then he's like look at this, does he have like an iPad or something?

Garry:

Yes. So then they just go on to do their little kid things, their little kid things, like they usually do when they were younger.

Amy:

And then she's just, it's just kind of cool, because he realizes he kind of likes her too, and then he just he kissed her on the cheek so that was cute, that was, nothing had happened. Right. And then we get to this scene where Ted sits down with his grandma.

Garry:

He has decided that.

Amy:

You know he can't let the wedding go through with Marcus and his sister Ella Yep. So he sits down and he finally just says it.

Garry:

Yep Right and Nai Nai says I'm not a fool. I may be old, but I'm not a fool, I'm not blind.

Amy:

Yep, yep, nai says I'm not a fool. I may be old, but I'm not a fool, I'm not blind. Yep, yep. She says she knows Now. My question is though do you think she knew the whole time? And then I mean, she had a shocked look on her face when she saw Marcus and Ted kissing at the end of their family episode.

Garry:

Right.

Amy:

But then it sort of seems like she's known, right. I don't know. She kind of gave that impression so I wasn't sure. So was she putting them on in that episode?

Garry:

It's really hard to tell because of her reaction to the kiss, but it did seem like she was pushing Ella and Marcus to get married.

Amy:

To try to well, I don't know.

Garry:

But we'll never know.

Amy:

We'll never know. But then you know, he asks, Ted, asks her if she's okay, and she says no, that he broke her heart and he's like, oh, because I'm gay. But she's like no, not because you're gay, but because you weren't honest with me. You weren't honest with me, and I've always been honest with you that broke my heart.

Garry:

And what?

Amy:

do? We always say Like, give people a chance. You never know. Now, some people don't change.

Garry:

Nope.

Amy:

There are some people who are you know tradition. Well, bigoted and you know, and and and wouldn't open their heart even to family member, to a son, to a daughter, which you know we can't imagine, but I mean I just can't imagine doing that. But her thing was, you weren't honest with me, like you felt, like you couldn't, you know, tell me, and I'm kind of upset about that, right, and I think she was like legitimately upset.

Amy:

She was and they didn't just wrap that up in that moment. So then, so we kind of break away from that. Yep, the grandkids come in and say Dasher is gone, marvin and Willow. Yep Running in Dasher is gone, and so it's, and Chuck Dasher's gone, right.

Garry:

And so it's. And Chuck, oh my gosh, he puts on his marine outfit.

Amy:

Yep, yep, now this is the llama. Yeah, this is the llama, dasher. The llama has disappeared, dasher. Which I had totally forgotten about in that moment. Go ahead.

Garry:

And then Chuck Clark and Wally are outside and they have walkie-talkies and Chuck's trying to tell them this is what we're going to do, right, and we're gonna, we're gonna go find dasher.

Amy:

and then all of a sudden around the bushes comes well, go ahead no, right before that I thought it was hysterical when chuck goes how this is not an all hands on deck situation is beyond my comprehension, because he's so serious I thought that was so funny. But he's like, okay, all right, go ahead, and they go outside to look so they go outside to look and they're getting ready to split up and divide and divide and conquer and then around the bush, bush hedge or whatever.

Garry:

Kevin comes with the llama, right, right and the look on chuck's face, so he apologizes to Kevin, yep, and he tells Kevin, you know he's sorry.

Amy:

Yeah.

Garry:

And he invites him into the house Into the house, yeah. Kevin accepts.

Amy:

And Kevin goes in. Now we have Kevin and they wrap that up quickly.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

Like they found Dasher. We're good, we're good. Chuck's good they found dasher. We're good, we're good, chuck's good, chuck's happy he's apologized to kevin.

Garry:

Yeah, he's coming around a little bit, you know, and so we move on and then we have marcus, who tries to talk to grandma lynn, you know it's so funny. They're all trying to talk to nina. Yeah, grandma lynn.

Amy:

so and it's funny because he's like you he's speaking as a therapist and he tells her that maybe she could loosen the bow Right. A little bit, you know like he basically tells her you know, maybe you had a hand in this, Like maybe he felt like he couldn't tell you because you are the way you are. You know, maybe there's a little bit of a wall and then she's like you're dismissed.

Garry:

I know Like bye.

Amy:

Yeah.

Garry:

Leave of a wall and then she's like you're dismissed. I know like bye, yeah, leave please so good, so good.

Amy:

And then you have katie filming gabby, yes, and I'm finally making the audition video, right I? Thought that scene was so good and what she talked about well there, it's so great because I hadn't really thought about it either. Like they have all these different foods from different cultures, the different families, the different traditions, and they say it smells like heaven, feels like home. And I was like that's so good, what a great line.

Garry:

Yes, the writers, boy the writers.

Amy:

Because you know when you go. That's the thing about the holidays it's the scents.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

It's the baking, the cooking you know, whether it's Thanksgiving or Christmas, or you know whatever you celebrate. You know you walk in and it's just that feeling. It feels like home whenever you have those scents. I mean your sense of smell is such a strong, you know it makes such a strong connection for people for a lot of different things, so I thought that was really really good.

Garry:

So yeah, so she helps gabby yeah, and did she say to gabby what should I call you?

Amy:

or I can't remember because then maybe kevin comes in and says sister and sister, oh, or does he just say sister? Maybe?

Garry:

he says sister.

Amy:

I think he just said sister. Maybe she does. I might have zoned out on that part for a second.

Garry:

And then he puts the ring back on her finger. He gives.

Amy:

Katie the ring back, so they're back on.

Garry:

Yes, he did Right. Yes, so that's awesome.

Amy:

So now we have robert and linda, evan leaves, or evan leaves evan leaves they watch him leave and linda and robert are left alone in the lewin house yes, in the bedroom and then robert gives linda a gift.

Garry:

Yes, and it's two tickets to the Netherlands.

Amy:

To the Netherlands to see the Northern Lights.

Garry:

And Linda is so touched and so emotional at that point. And was it Robert that called it a second honeymoon? I think so.

Amy:

One of them did One of them, said something about a second honeymoon and he says he wants her back.

Amy:

And then they kiss and it's just kind of a cool. You know, sometimes things happen like we talked about before in a marriage, like what she say slowly, quietly, without anyone noticing, right, and then you know, robert has realized what he missed, the signs he didn't see, the things he he didn't do, and so he's coming back around and it's sort of rekindling. So she never really didn't love him, she just was tired of not being noticed, right, and him not viewing what she views as important, as important, correct, right. So I thought that was pretty cool, that was a, you know, and I like it. You know, giving a shout out to a little. You know older people? Yes, you know, I mean we're older people. I'm not calling them older, but you know like love can happen at any time.

Amy:

Yes, right, it can come back around, yeah, so I kind of like that. I appreciated that.

Garry:

I did too so then we go back. We go back to the house and Connie gets the phone call.

Amy:

Connie gets a phone call.

Garry:

And they're all standing there like Waiting. And it's good news, very good news the test comes back negative.

Amy:

Woo, let it go, she's fine. And Chuck says best Christmas ever.

Garry:

Are you tearing up no?

Amy:

No, healthy mom.

Garry:

he says Healthy mom yeah, everybody cheers Yep, yep. So then we have Stacy and Josh again.

Amy:

Stacy and Josh. Yes, oh, okay, yes.

Garry:

She comes out of the house and she says she talks about the drawing and that it's not her forever home. And she realizes that it is his Right. And it's so funny because she's like. You know, we don't have to date. We make such good partners.

Amy:

Yeah, so we'll be good partners. She seems like she's very cut and dry, Like she's like okay that's cool, she knows what she wants, right. Well, yeah, and she says yeah, you're right.

Garry:

She says, says they can still work together right, and yeah, she knows that it wasn't her in the picture, you know. And then, I think, nora's coming up and stacy turns to her and says you have a. Really what was it?

Amy:

cool kid like something you have a really cool kid yeah, nora kind of was like, yeah, I do and then nora gets a phone call and, and then Nora gets a phone call. So that was a little odd, but yes.

Garry:

Yes, and then she rolls her eyes.

Amy:

She's like really yeah.

Garry:

Really so. Then we cut back to Nai Nai.

Amy:

Yeah, she was like the star of this episode, I think. She was in so many bits and pieces of it. So she says you know, basically she has an announcement for her family, Right, basically she has an announcement for her family right it's not everyone, it's just the family. And she's like you know they say, the heart holds all the emotions. When there's too much fear, not enough love, the heart breaks. And she's like Teddy you and Marcus are lucky to have found each other. And then that's when Ted decides they're going to get married.

Garry:

Yes, right then Spontaneous.

Amy:

Because I think Grandma Lynn says she says something like so, whenever you decide to get married, it's fine with me, right, I'll be there with bells on or whatever, I'll be there to witness it, right? And then Ted's like well, I mean.

Garry:

How about now? How about now?

Amy:

Yeah, and then Grandma Lynn says Wally.

Garry:

Wally, Wally comes up. We're like what now? He?

Amy:

goes. What did I do so funny?

Garry:

She's, like the wedding's, back on it's back on. And Wally's, like he gets on the walkie talkie, starts saying some stuff like we got a wedding back on.

Amy:

Yeah.

Garry:

It was so funny.

Amy:

And then what's really cool is that you know they start to decorate and everything and I'm like they're doing a pretty good job. Like where did all this stuff come from, exactly? And that's what I was going to say when you talked about the big house. I'm like the venue seemed kind of big to me in the backyard.

Garry:

Yes, that's pretty. Yes.

Amy:

It ended up being like a decent size. I was like what?

Garry:

Yeah, maybe they were on a half acre.

Amy:

Maybe I don't know, I don't know. Yeah, it was a little while. So they all start decorating and then Nora has an announcement that a tree was cut down in a place that should not have been cut down and Josh takes the blame. And Josh takes the blame even though it wasn't him. It was the Camerina family who went to the place that Katie took them.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

But that's okay, but that's okay, that's all right.

Garry:

And then Josh ended up telling Nora that he likes her.

Amy:

Yeah, a lot, a lot.

Garry:

And then he's like what are my chances? And she says 1%, 1%. And he's like that's all I need, good man.

Amy:

And then he kisses and then they kiss right, and then he kisses, and then they kiss Right, and then you find out. Sylvie has invited Cole to the house which I hadn't thought about.

Garry:

Cole, I know the whole episode Right Right.

Amy:

So Cole comes in and she's like Sylvie's kind of giving Lucy a hard time about not being spontaneous. So then Lucy finally asks Cole out on another date right and he accepts. And then we finally have the wedding. Yay, ted and marcus are going to get married. Ted is wearing the green outfit, outfit that his that nine. I picked out. His grandma lynn picked out, which is kind of cute wally's wearing an ugly sweater while he's officiating. That was so cute yeah.

Garry:

He gives an awesome speech he tears up oh my God.

Amy:

I thought it was really good though, because I mean it kind of comes around to the whole point, I think of this series is that you know we all gather, we all come around, we're ready for the picture-perfect holiday, you're gathering around the table with the ones we love and you know you prepare to celebrate some family traditions. And then he's like sometimes it's not perfect.

Garry:

Right.

Amy:

I mean most of the time it's not perfect, right? You have stuff go on and then he says something like it doesn't go as planned. But when it doesn't go as planned we get moments like this yes, that's the magic of the holidays, sometimes, if you just let it go. Yeah and he's, and I need to take it yeah, and that's he said that's the magic I know.

Garry:

And then, while he's tearing, up as he's talking.

Amy:

He's like that's the magic of love, so it's. It's kind of cute. I mean it is. It's holidays are, like what, perfectly imperfect usually, and you have all these stories and and I don't know. I thought it was cool that they all were together in that moment. Right, the wedding venue. And then they kiss, and then they kiss. And then Chuck hits his confetti button and Everything comes up, and they got the song playing. Yeah, so, and then, at the very end, they take a. They take a picture.

Garry:

Neighborhood picture, oh neighborhood picture, oh family picture, which I thought was awesome. It was really cool From the bucket lift From the bucket lift.

Amy:

Oh, is that where it was from. I didn't even realize that.

Garry:

It was from that height.

Amy:

yes, the camera was probably on the bucket lift. Yeah, the cherry picker.

Garry:

I do have to say one thing. All right, say it I really love how the director and Stacey Harding shot this episode. Yeah, because it was always focused on one group, one family, right, while all the other families were in the background just having fun at the party. And then it switched to another family and everybody else is having fun. I just love the way they shot that Well done.

Amy:

It was seamless. Yes, it was it really, really was seamless, just like the first episode. It was chaotic, but they did it so well and it went so fast and there was so much, there's so much going on, but you don't feel like I never really felt lost.

Garry:

Yes. You know, like I don't know and I didn't have a hard time remembering who was what happened prior.

Amy:

I mean, I might need a minute to like jog, but they showed a little bit at the beginning, like the previously on. So I definitely, you know, think that helped.

Garry:

And also a great job to the writers. Yes, yes, there was three of them.

Amy:

There were three writers on this episode. Yes, this particular episode, okay.

Garry:

And it was Claudia Grazioso, gina Matthews and Grant Sharbo. I'm sorry if I mispronounce your names.

Amy:

We didn't say the writers and directors of the other ones but maybe they wrote some of the other ones also. I think they all wrote. Yeah, I have a hand in all these, but I just thought this episode was so well done. It really was, with all of those families in it. Yeah, what do you think of the series as a whole?

Garry:

five easily. Yeah, I thought it was brilliant.

Amy:

Yeah, I mean well okay, are we doing ornament? You said five, we're doing ornaments okay no, yeah, I mean you're right.

Garry:

I'm sorry. What was your tinsel-toed moment? A tinsel-toed moment. Have some more wine Sip sip, I don't.

Amy:

My tinsel-toed moment for this episode would really be the entirety of the episode. How they wrapped it all up. Yes, I really loved it. Yeah.

Garry:

I know I really really it was really well done.

Amy:

I really loved it. I loved the series. I loved the beginning was called the Beginning and you get a glimpse of everybody. Yeah, it's a little frenetic, it's a little chaotic and you're kind of like who's what and then they break it down by family. These are very real issues for people. They're very you know, some of them are non-homework. You know like they're not what you would traditionally think of a Hallmark film or series.

Amy:

So I mean they really I mean it was serious, but it wasn't like so serious that it, you know. But so it was good that they started to tackle those things and I thought it was just a good look at. You always have the neighbor that people can't stand. You have the neighbor who puts up too much Christmas lights.

Garry:

Hello, that's us probably in our neighborhood.

Amy:

We do it for the kids, but they all love it, they all tell us they love it anyway. So I mean, we're, you know, decked to the nines, um, but I just thought it was a good glimpse. Kids that grow up together feel awkward together, maybe have history like the bullying. I just thought it all really worked well and I would love to see another. You know, I don't know if they could bring these, all these families back, but maybe another cul-de-sac yeah you know, I don't know where they could go, but that's the genius of writing right and directing.

Amy:

So I just, I, loved it. I, I loved it from start to finish me too, no notes no notes, no notes. So out of five ornaments 100, 100, five, five, me too. Five, five, five. So it's a total grand total of 40 ornaments for me and 40 ornaments for you, right?

Garry:

heavy loaded tree yep, yep, yep all right. So all right. Is that a wrap for Christmas in July?

Amy:

That's a wrap. Holidays, holidays.

Garry:

Yes.

Amy:

Yep, that's a wrap, all right.

Garry:

Well, thanks for tuning in. If you really really liked the show, we would really really appreciate your positive review on Apple, Apple, Apple.

Amy:

I know you get to this point and you're like you've had too many sips.

Garry:

Apple Podcast or Spotify, and if you didn't really really like the show, we'd still appreciate your positive review.

Amy:

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, cheers.