I have watched this episode a dozen or so times. I watch it ever Christmas. It is a such a tightly written story in that not a single gag or story beat doesn't do at least like 2 narrative functions. Add in that the sentimentality is not cloying nor wears thin and this is a one finely balanced episode. Grammer is just so charming and likeable in this story of a man relearning the meaning of Christmas. This is one of the few holiday specials I have seen that are built around the Christmas blues; that makes it standout.
The final scene in the diner-especially the line of "Christmas belongs to guys like us"-is one of the few times the show does overt populism-it really lands in 2021.
The final scene in the diner-especially the line of "Christmas belongs to guys like us"-is one of the few times the show does overt populism-it really lands in 2021.