It’s beginning to look a lot like… Thanksgiving! Now that the spooky season is over, it’s time to grab that pumpkin spice latte and your favorite fluffy blanket. There’s no better way to embrace this cozy November than by curling up on the couch and revisiting these fall fan favorites episodes.
Gilmore Girls: A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving (Season 3, Episode 9)- This is a jam-packed episode, full of chaos and revelations. Rory and Lorelei try to fit in four Thanksgivings, as Emily and Richard expect them for dinner… but so do Lane, Luke, and Sookie. The night is brought to a halt after Lorelei finds out that Rory applied for more colleges than just Harvard, highlighting how she’s growing in a direction Lorelei didn’t expect. Oh, and Kirk adopts a cat. This episode balances family tension and small-town charm in a funny yet real way, reminding us that being with the people you love on Thanksgiving is what makes it so special.
Modern Family: Three Turkeys (Season 6, Episode 3)- Jay and Gloria’s plans are disrupted when Thanksgiving is moved to their house for the day, Mitch tries (and fails) to get Lily to wear a dress for the holiday, and Luke and Phil attempt to cook dinner, while Claire secretly prepares a backup turkey, having an inkling that they will fail. This episode is the epitome of disorganization and confusion but also reminds us that chaos is one of the vital pieces to Thanksgiving dinner. At the end of this big misunderstanding, we learn that trying to make the “perfect” Thanksgiving is impossible.
Full House: The Miracle of Thanksgiving (Season 1, Episode 9)- The Tanners prepare for their first Thanksgiving without their mother, Pam. Danny’s mother isn’t able to attend dinner thanks to a snowstorm, and so the men and girls try and cook themselves, ultimately leading to a bigger disaster. Danny struggles intensely with the loss of his wife throughout the episode. Despite the craziness, the Tanners come together to support each other, highlighting the strength of family bonds throughout the holiday season and also underlining how tough it is to continue tradition without someone you love.
This is Us: Pilgrim Rick (Season 1, Episode 8)- Rebecca, Jack, and the big three begrudgingly head to Rebecca’s parents’ house for their yearly Thanksgiving dinner, when a series of unfortunate events unfolds. Unable to attend, they must stay in a cabin in the woods, having a somewhat untraditional Thanksgiving. Jack tries to cheer the family up, by unknowingly starting new traditions. In the present day, Rebecca and the big three gather at Randall’s house and follow the same traditions from that night. This episode reflects how every cloud has a silver lining, and poor situations can quickly turn good when with the right people.
Boy Meets World: Turkey Day (Season 4, Episode 10)- After winning a turkey, Shawn and Cory attempt to combine their families for their Thanksgiving dinner. Quickly learning that their families clash due to class differences, the day turns ugly fast. Shawn’s family tries to kick Corey’s family out of their trailer park, and they all end up having dinner at Frankie’s house. The differences between the two families is prominent, leaving the Hunters feeling judged, and the Matthews feeling uncomfortable. This episode emphasizes how important it is to understand and appreciate the differences between people.
These episodes highlight what’s truly important during the holiday season: spending time with the people who make you feel at home. They remind us that Thanksgiving is about gratitude and connection, the ultimate comfort episodes. So grab your remote, and hit play!
