The Everwood Rewatch Fest: "A Thanksgiving Tale" (S1, Ep.11)
 

We'll keep this up for one week and then go on to the next episode. After you've watched the episode, you can comment on it anyway you'd like, big or small. You can focus on certain characters, scenes, quotes, or the episode as a whole. You can tie the episode to the rest of the series, or comment about it as a self-contained episode. It's all up to you! You can always give your thoughts after the one week period, as all rewatch threads will stay open for more thoughts and anymore discussion. Thanks!

A Thanksgiving Tale

Written By: Vanessa Taylor
Directed By: David Petrarca

Imdb

The Pilot
The Great Doctor Brown
Friendly Fire
The Kissing Bridge
Deer God
The Doctor Is In
We Hold These Truths
Till Death Do Us Part
Turf Wars
Is There a Doctor in the House?

I have always really loved this episode. Witnessing season 1 of EW as it originally aired was something special, and this episode captured that a lot for me. Season 1 had a sort of whimsy to it, that it didn't quite have in the other seasons. I haven't heard too much love for this particular ep, but the moment I watched it, I loved it....a lot.

This is TH with his 1st review so check me out:



S1 ep 11:


The intro music to this episode (daniel's story) always creeped/cheezy'd me out. Fair trade though; quality story for cheesy music, i can live with that.

In season 1, Berlanti went with these fantasy sequences. I'm not a big fan of them but they are a funny quirk for season 1. I'm glad he left it there and it's funny to look back and see the direction of the show and its roots.

as far as Daniel's story, i'm always surprised at the end result and how it's a foil off of Dr. Brown's loss. I never see that coming, I just see a crazy old dude and a bear who Dr. Brown cures. However, instead of turning crazy, Dr. B realized in order to be the man his wife wanted him to be, he needed to honor her memory by being a better father.

Ephram's acting is too good, particularly the way he portrays a kid hopelessly in love. It's too good and I'm sure all dudes can relate to that feeling.
- what's the significance of the mix cd, if any? I skipped to this episode so I could review it in time.

But yeah, "A Thanksgiving Tale" is more about the Brown's 1st thanksgiving without Julia. Its endearing how Ephram desperately attempts to save this thanksgiving but ultimately fails in the process. Its a big gesture and it's sad how it doesn't turn out as expected. However, Nina shines as she takes command and comforts Delia.
- I wonder if Greg Berlanti knew this whole time that he wanted Nina to be a motherly figure for the Browns?

Other than that, it's typical Season 1 Dr. Brown - naive in the fact that Thanksgiving should be ordered in and its remarkable to note his growth from this naive leader to a loving father figure in Season 4.



I'm loving Dr. Abott's quirky side stories. At first, he seemed like just another sub plot but each rewatch of his adventures makes me realize that he's more that: whether it's a father's sudden ploy to be remember or opening up a bagel shop (mid life crisis), Dr. A represents what it is to be a family man while dealing with his own issues. But above all, Dr. A shows us that even the normal family man has those valuable life experiences.

I can't help but laugh at his strict/uptight behavior interacting on an episode basis... he's one of my favorite characters. Plus you learn a new word every episode!

Lastly, closing on Irv's storytelling is a great way to end. A tale of two kings, too good. You don't expect this episode to give any themes/meanings but they're there and make the cast shine.


-TH

This was the first episode that I ever saw, so while it's not my favourite (although it is good), it will probably always hold a special place for me.

Only Everwood S1 could get away with the opening that this episode has. Hee. It's cheesy, but it does work. Still, even with all the fairy-tale magic this one has, it also has one of the most incredibly real scenes in the series: Andy's"The best thing that happened to me this year... is that I met my son." That has to be one of my favourite S1 Andy/Ephram moments. Even Ephram looks shocked, and the smile on Andy's face...AH! It really reminds me of the scene in "Goodbye, Love" where Andy tells his father that he loves him. Andy just says what he wants to say, and he doesn't hold back, and Eugene is taken aback by it, and Ephram is here too.

An episode like this really makes me wish that we saw more of Delia and Ephram bonding. They do it SO well, and we see it so rarely. Maybe it's more special because we don't get to see them like this all that often in the whole series? Aw, and Delia and Nina! Remember when they used to actually...you know, interact at all? Hee. I miss those two together. Another reason why I desperately wanted another season. There would be no choice but putting a bunch of Nina/Delia scenes in again in S5 with them living under the same roof.

I like how so much of this episode is about Delia. That doesn't happen often. And of course it's back to her connection with Julia, which always breaks my heart. No matter how rebellious Delia gets, Julia is always her constant.

Harold's story is just pure hilarity. Tom is genius all episode. All of his comments toward "Andy" at the funeral (I don't know how everyone kept a straight face when he was calling Andy a horse's ass), his conversation with Rose after it (Harold: Would you say I'm popular? In Everwood? Rose: I love you, Harold. Hee!), throwing everyone out of the house and finally, putting on his napkin again and saying, "More pie?" with a satisfied grin. Love it! And the Harold/Edna scene is fantastic stuff too.

Thanks for the thoughts, you two!

I think it gets knocked on for some of the cheese, and I think the Daniel story is a little silly and rushed, but the Andy/Ephram, Delia/Ephram, Nina/Delia, Harold storylines are all amazing stuff. I think those moments do sadly get overlooked at times because of some of the cheesier moments.

Hee, agreed. That choral kind of music is just a little over the top!

:nod: My favourite acting choice of his in this episode is that smile he gives after Amy invites herself to help cook with him. He's in loooove! ;)

Ephram made a mix-tape for Andy's surgery on Colin in "We Hold These Truths", so I think it's just something he likes doing and an example of him being musical. Other than that, it's just an excuse to get that great song going for the final few minutes! :D

Well said. He shows us that there's a lot to experience and enjoy in an ordinary life.

I believe that they mentioned at one time that a gesture to show how much someone means to you is making a mixed CD for them. It's something personal for the recipient....takes time and thought. I'm sure all of the songs in that CD were very appropriate for the way that Ephram felt about Amy.

I wanted to wring her neck when he had dad tell Ephram that she went away. The devistated look on Ephram's face was so heartbreaking.


How adorable were those two when they were shopping for the ingredients and buying pies! What a sweet older brother was Ephram. Amy definitely noticed. :)


My favorite scene in the episode was when Andy told Ephram that the best thing that happened to him was meeting his son. The look on Ephram face was so beautiful. :love:

The best scene for me in this episode, is the Delia/Nina scene. They both just break my heart there. Why there weren't more between the two is beyond me, because they had great chemistry together. Sad Delia + Nina Monologue = :bawl:

The opening narration, I'll agree is cheesy beyond belief, but it work's for this episode. The ending however is just superb and with the music playing under the words...it creates a series classic end.

I can never really get back into the Daniel story on rewatch. It just...once is enough, sadly. But all of the Ephram/Delia bonding, the Ephram/Amy kiss and then everything Harold, is great.

"More pie?" Hee!

Nothing wrong with some good cheese now and then :)

Great to see this thread busy! I'll start the next one sometime tomorrow.

See, Ephram? The gals like the cute relationship with your little sister and you treating her nicely. He should have exploited that more, hee.

I do agree. Some of the lines seem like a bit of a stretch if you take them out of context, but all together, it's a great ending to the episode. Although I always find it funny that Irv compares himself to a wizard. Ego much, Irv? Hee.

The Daniel story I could have done without.....the best part was the comedy scene with Andy and the bear. :lol: A scene I'm sure he didn't have to face in NYC. :lol:

One other development that I liked about this episode is that for the first time Harold showed a little respect for Ephram. He actually showed that he admired his good qualities and was on his side. :)

"Do you think maybe you could walk me past the bear? I don't think she's fond of me." Hee!

I really do wish they had used John Savage a bit better. You could barely hear what he was saying while he was mumbling through that huge-ass beard, heh.

Yes, that was nice. What did you think of his advice for Amy? It seems clear that he doesn't think that Amy has the same feelings for Ephram that she does for Colin, and he ultimately ends up being wrong about that, I'd say.

I believe that Harold did think that Amy had feelings for Ephram. He told her that he felt that perhaps her feelings were more than that of a friend...but if she weren't going to act on them....she shouldn't toy with him.
I know you love Amy, 'Tos, but at that moment....I wanted to wring Amy's neck. :irked:

Oh, don't worry, I wanted to wring her neck too! And I wanted to a few more times in S1 as well! She can be such a nice girl, but she can be a total bitka as well. Maybe the bipolar story on Brothers & Sisters won't be too much of a stretch. ;)

Hubby and I rewatched this one tonight.

I wish I could decide how I felt about the Daniel/Marty storyline. On one hand, it's cheesy and kind of stupid and Daniel's character is really cliche (Grizzly Adams, much?) but on the other hand, the actor playing Daniel manages to make it work on his end.

The ending monologue = love. Bright as a lovable oaf is perfection. Delia as a wood sprite playing under Edna's shadow made me tear up, I don't even know why. Irv as the wizard who knows how to tame the wild beasts (hee!!!!) made me laugh.

What a fantastic job Harold did with his little speech to Amy. "What you cannot do is remain true to more than one person." Well done.

Poor Ephram, he really thought things were finally moving forward for him and Amy, and then...no.

Delia, oh my heart. It breaks. I kinda think Vivien overdid the anger at the dinner a bit, I think it would have played out better if she were more sad than angry, but still. What a scene. I love that Nina just pretty much stood Andy down when he thought he needed to be the disciplinarian right then, because she knew that's not what Delia needed in that moment.

The look on Ephram's face when Andy sat down to record his best memory was just so lovely. I think he was a bit overwhelmed there. I know I was.

Andy: "Can I have my credit card back now?" Hee.

Which makes me want a S5 so bad now! :( Someone standing Andy down? That's not Ephram? Heh. Ah, that Andy/Nina/Delia/ dynamic would have been so much fun! Especially since Nina and Delia lost touch for a couple of years, but probably still have their bond, they just have to find it again. Stupid Dawn Ostroff. *pouts*

I think it's because it's so heartbreaking for sweet Delia to have lost her mom and it was nice to see her happily decorating with Edna..who was kind of like a mom/grandmom figure.


And stupid Jake! He wouldn't even let Nina go over to the Brown house to bake cookies. :irked: