CULTURE
FROM OUTNUMBERED TO GOSSIP GIRL: THE BEST TV HOLIDAY SPECIALS PARKS AND RECREATION - VALENTINE’S DAY It’s rare that a seasonal TV episode based around Valentine’s Day of all things isn’t a) overly cliché b) better than its series Christmas/Halloween episodes (although ‘Meet N Greet’, Season 4 Episode 5, is a personal favourite) and actually offers something original to the pre-existing group of episodes around the same topic. ‘Galentines Day’ brings something new to the table; it’s a Valentine’s Day episode that isn’t really about Valentine’s Day, and brings a cool new holiday for you and your friends to celebrate (me and my pals have been celebrating Galentine’s Day for the last 4 years). Leslie Knope tries to set her mother up with an old flame, only to realise that you can’t really force love on anyone, and April hits a revelation about what she really wants in life, namely to be closer to Andy. It hasn’t got a typical happy Valentine’s Day ending; two couples break up in the episode, and another seems to teeter on the rocks. Even so, it’s lighthearted and gratifying, with the overall message being that yeah, sometimes relationships don’t work out, and that’s okay! ALICE FORTT
OUTNUMBERED - CHRISTMAS The show itself is one of the most easy-watch programmes ever. With its hilarious characters, little to no plot-line and some extremely memorable moments, there’s really nothing to dislike about it. Although all have been spectacular, the 2016 Christmas special was particularly special as it marked the one-episode return of the brilliant series. It’s Boxing Day, and as all three kids were grown up, it was so heartwarming to see. The banter from Pete and Sue was brilliant, and the kids were familiar yet older. Karen on Instagram, Ben causing a car crash and Jake with a girlfriend were all lovely reminders of the characters’ unique traits. It wouldn’t be an Outnumbered episode if it didn’t contain at least one small catastrophe. The car crash was coupled with the fact that the family were transporting the ashes of Grandad, which flew everywhere. This combined humour with sentimentalism, as David Ryall (Grandad) had passed away in 2014. Spreading laughter, happiness and Christmas spirit, Outnumbered delivered it all. GEORGIE HOLMES
GOSSIP GIRL - THANKSGIVING
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This isn’t just the best seasonal episode of Gossip Girl but the best episode of all time. Season 3 Episode 11 captured everything we loved about Gossip Girl, intense smouldering, dramatic exits and arguments. Before I go into detail, just know Jason Derulo’s ‘Whatcha Say’ is playing softly in the background to set the scene before the drama unfolds. It begins with Nate telling Tripp’s wife, Maureen, that Tripp and Serena are having an affair, whilst Blair tells Jenny that Eric was the one who plotted to ruin her cotillion. Poor Rufus begins his Thanksgiving toast which sparks the truth to be revealed about Serena and Tripp, Serena dramatically leaves the table, continued with intense smouldering from Nate, Chuck and Tripp. But don’t worry, the drama hasn’t ended just yet: Jenny dramatically leaves the table, Blair also leaves the table proclaiming, “and I want pie”. More smouldering, then Vanessa dramatically leaves the table (why Vanessa was there we will never know). And that is why this episode goes down in Gossip Girl history. MORGAN MCMILLAN Image courtesy of Production co, BBC, The CW
