Surprisingly Dark Christmas TV Episodes to Watch
Christmas specials typically serve as a delightful opportunity for television shows to spread holiday cheer, yet some festive episodes opt to explore the more somber realities of the season. While timeless classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas have earned their place as cherished family traditions, a segment of the audience finds greater enjoyment in Christmas specials that confront the challenges often inherent in this season. Although it may be surprising to witness a particularly dark Christmas special, it is essential for TV shows to retain their unique flair, even when the holiday season is synonymous with joy and togetherness.
Many of the most memorable Christmas specials delve into profound and often dark themes, tackling elements of sadness and existential dread. While there is certainly value in uplifting holiday specials, there’s a unique satisfaction that comes from a Christmas special that dares to challenge genre conventions, embracing a narrative that defies the traditional festive format. Although these Christmas specials may have a surprising darkness, this should not detract from their legacy as some of the finest episodes in television history.
10 “The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe”
Experience the Heartwarming Yet Dark Themes in Season 2, Episode 8 of Doctor Who (1963 – Present)
The iconic BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who has delivered numerous memorable Christmas specials throughout its extensive and celebrated history. While the original series did not emphasize special episodes, the revival in 2005 saw the introduction of annual Christmas and New Year episodes that became a cherished tradition for families who loved Doctor Who. Although many of these specials are often light-hearted in nature, some episodes, like “The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe,” venture into darker thematic territory, adding depth to the holiday experience.
This particular Christmas special features the Eleventh Doctor crash landing on Earth in 1938, where he encounters Madge Arwell, who assists him in returning to his TARDIS. As the narrative unfolds, we learn that Madge’s husband was lost during the Second World War, and the episode poignantly addresses themes of loss, grief, and sacrifice. Interspersed with moments of levity and sentimental holiday scenes, “The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe” encapsulates the bittersweet realities many face during Christmas, showcasing the emotional struggles that prevent families from reuniting during the festive season.
Doctor Who
Doctor Who (1963) is a British sci-fi television show that follows the adventures of the Time Lord known as the Doctor, who travels through time and space in the TARDIS, a time-traveling ship disguised as a British police box. The Doctor, played by various actors over the years, encounters numerous foes and allies while striving to right wrongs and save civilizations.
- Release Date
- November 23, 1963
- Finale Year
- November 30, 1988
- Cast
- William Hartnell , Patrick Troughton , Jon Pertwee , Tom Baker , Frazer Hines , Nicholas Courtney , Pat Gorman , Elisabeth Sladen
- Creator(s)
- Donald Wilson
- Seasons
- 26
- Writers
- Sydney Newman
9 “Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas”
The sitcom Community was renowned for its ability to blend genres seamlessly, and one of its standout episodes is “Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas.” This episode cleverly pays homage to classic holiday specials by adopting a stop-motion animation style reminiscent of the beloved 1964 special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. However, rather than simply being a charming stylistic choice, the stop-motion format serves as an integral part of the narrative, reflecting Abed’s psychological state after learning that his mother would not be visiting for the holidays.
By intertwining holiday cheer with a mental health crisis, Community manages to create a dark yet heartfelt tribute to traditional stop-motion specials while simultaneously exploring themes of loneliness and belonging during the festive season. The episode emphasizes the importance of found family, as the study group rallies around Abed to support him during this difficult time. Through its clever parody of overly sentimental Christmas specials, Community retains its unique voice while providing an unexpectedly touching holiday experience.
Community
Created by Dan Harmon, Community is a comedy series that follows a study group at an unorthodox community college where zany antics occur daily. When disgraced lawyer Jeff Winger is forced to enroll in a local college to get a degree and reinstate himself, he gets roped in with fellow students from different backgrounds, races, religions, and ages and reluctantly forms a study group. Together, these lovable misfits will navigate their school lives in some nigh unbelievable situations as they all try to figure out where their futures lie.
- Release Date
- September 17, 2009
- Seasons
- 6
