From: daviderl31@yahoo.com   
      
   https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/the-buffy-the-vampire-s   
   ayer-thanksgiving-episode-is-the-best-thanksgiving-tv-episode-of-all-time.html/   
      
      
   It’s a time-honored tradition for many TV shows to have holiday-themed   
   episodes. Maybe not every year, but long-running series often have a   
   Halloween or Christmas episode or two. Thanksgiving episodes are also ones   
   fans look forward to, and will often watch every year to get into the   
   pie-eating spirit. While fans praise Friends and Cheers for their Turkey Day   
   episodes, Buffy The Vampire Slayer has the best, most original Thanksgiving   
   episodes. If you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out, and here’s why.   
      
      
   Buffy is the host and determined to put on a good meal   
      
   Buffy Summers is known for many things: slaying demons, rocking a mean ‘90s   
   outfit, and delivering witty remarks while fighting. But what she’s not so   
   good at — and doesn’t have as much practice in — is cooking big feasts.   
   In   
   “Pangs,” the eighth episode in Season 4, Buffy’s mother, Joyce, isn’t   
   going   
   to be in town for Thanksgiving. So Buffy is determined to cook a grand meal,   
   get all her friends together, and be the hostess with the most…est.   
      
   Like most things in Sunnydale, Buffy’s preparation doesn’t go well. She’s   
   frantic and short-tempered when the meal seems to be coming apart. But!   
   Being the slayer she is, she’ll be damned if she can’t make good peas or a   
   casserole. Like in real life, tons of stress goes into creating   
   Thanksgiving, so this episode delivers on that.   
      
      
   An epic battle in front of the dinner table that doesn’t involve religion or   
   politics   
      
   After their college disrupts a Chumash building, it was built on top of   
   because Xander falls into it while doing construction on the area, the   
   Native American spirits seek revenge. When the battle between Buffy and one   
   of the spirits happens, it’s appropriately in front of the dinner table.   
      
   You’re not supposed to bring up religion or politics each year, but there’s   
   always that one person who does. So this battle is a more lively substitute   
   for that scenario than what most TV shows have.   
      
      
   It highlights the culturally insensitive issues with the holiday   
      
   On the topic of the Chumash tribe, they’re a central part of the episode for   
   a reason. They, of course, are seeking revenge for the genocide colonialists   
   committed against them. But they’re also angry for the disruption of their   
   land and artifacts. Willow points this out along with the problem   
   surrounding the whole holiday.   
      
   Most teachings about the first Thanksgiving, pilgrims, and Native Americans   
   are false, and the episode highlights this through Willow’s arguments.   
   Unfortunately, this is also highlighted by Giles and Spike’s insensitive   
   remarks, as well.   
      
   Giles calls them “Indians” and dismisses their pain. Yes, they’re seeking   
   revenge and shouldn’t be allowed to kill people currently, but the way Giles   
   went about it was insensitive. Plus, Spike brushes off colonialism and   
   genocide like it’s nothing. The episode does more for this conversation in   
   regards to Thanksgiving than other shows, so that’s a plus.   
      
      
   There’s family drama at the dinner table   
      
   To top it off, it’s not just a physical brawl that is a parallel to real   
   life. There’s also family drama at the table too. The whole episode, Angel   
   was sulking around in the shadows, a mini crossover from his show Angel. He   
   was helping with the Chumash and interacted with each member of the Scooby   
   Gang except Buffy. He did this on purpose, of course, so that he didn’t   
   interfere with her life since they had a pretty rough break up.   
      
   Xander points out that their holiday was a bit more physically violent than   
   other families,’ but the main traditions were all still there. Willow notes   
   that it was just like old times, and the Xander blurts out, “Yeah,   
   especially with Angel being here and everything.” You could feel Buffy’s   
   stare through the screen.   
      
   Lastly, the episode should be at the top of your Thanksgiving list for one   
   reason alone: “It’s a yam sham.” As perfect as mashed potatoes and gravy.   
      
      
   David   
      
   David   
      
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