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‘The O.C.’s Chrismukkah Episode Means Extra Than You Assume



As described by The O.C.‘s ever-sardonic Seth Cohen (Adam Brody), “Chrismukkah” is “the best tremendous vacation recognized to mankind, drawing one of the best of what Christianity and Judaism have to supply.” No matter viewers’ non secular statuses, The O.C.‘s Season 1, Episode 13 is such an iconic staple that it needs to be primary on Christmas TV episodes must-watch lists in every single place. Seth’s reasoning regarding why he loves Chrismukkah is much less healthful and analytical and far more primarily based on pleasure over materialism. Nonetheless, this does not make the episode, twenty years after its inception, something in need of one of the best. The episode is chock-full of presents and fairly lights, however underneath its floor, it is teeming with messages of inclusivity and acceptance that the world can at all times be reminded of.

The O.C.‘s first vacation episode, “The Greatest Chrismukkah Ever,” was written by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage and aired on December 3, 2003. As its title would counsel, ‘Chrismukkah’ is a mixture of Christmas and Hanukkah, the title conjured up for a vacation mashup created by Seth Cohen when he was little. Seth’s mom, Kirsten (Kelly Rowan), is Christian, and his father, Sandy (Peter Gallagher), is Jewish. The 2 did not really feel a must make Seth select one non secular vacation custom over the opposite; thus, the inception of ‘Chrismukkah.’ TV’s hottest and re-watched vacation episodes have lengthy centered round Christmas and Christmas alone. There are solely a handful of non-Christmas-related episodes on community tv which might be comparatively well-known: The Workplace‘s “Diwali;” The Nanny‘s “The Hanukkah Story;” and The Proud Household‘s “Seven Days of Kwanzaa” come to thoughts. That is what made the early aughts’ finest teen drama, The O.C., so groundbreaking with a seemingly easy episode in its first season that aired come Christmastime in 2003.

Why Is ‘The O.C.’s Chrismukkah Episode So Necessary?

Picture through The CW

As famous in The Hollywood Reporter, Josh Schwartz cited his inspiration for the seminal episode from questioning what it might seem like for a Jewish teenager residing in Orange County to rejoice the vacation season: “How do you rejoice your heritage whereas making the most of all of the presents you will get by combining each holidays?” It is a humorous idea, however one which holds extra weight to it as soon as one pulls again the crimson curtain. Seth might get double the presents, however he additionally will get double the publicity to traditions. By way of the facility of handy exposition, Seth introduces Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie) to the Chrismukkah custom throughout Ryan’s first 12 months of formally residing within the Cohen family, and viewers are given the storied historical past of how Seth grew up navigating the vacations. He did not have to decide on between a menorah or a sweet cane, as a result of with Chrismukkah, he might have each and nonetheless honor the beliefs of each of his mother and father. It confirmed viewers probably fighting an analogous drawback (no matter whether or not they have been the mum or dad or the kid) {that a} little one might coexist inside a “divided” family. This rang true whether or not the difficulty was faith or anything.

The O.C.’s Chrismukkah is lighthearted and never preachy, introducing a plethora of traditions for individuals to attract from. Seth spends his vacation break with double the vacation decorations to cozy up his mother and father’ McMansion, offering viewers with loads of decor inspiration to go round. His mother would not must labor over a prolonged Christmas dinner within the kitchen and miss out on household time, choosing the stereotypical however infallible Chinese language takeout. Regardless of the enjoyable, Seth Cohen was not the one particular person to rejoice Chrismukkah, nevertheless, and it wasn’t at all times a easy choice like his allegedly was. In keeping with statistics reported within the aforementioned Hollywood Reporter article, roughly one-third of Jewish People are married to non-Jews, that means arguments over Christmas bushes and whether or not to serve kosher meals at dinner aren’t surprising.

Picture through FOX

What was most vital concerning the introduction of Chrismukkah to viewers of The O.C. was that their dialogue of it did not fall sufferer to stereotypes. By nature, the character of Seth Cohen is essentially unserious and sometimes defaults to sarcasm in most settings, however he would not essentially use this chance to show Ryan concerning the amalgamation to make enjoyable of himself. Neither Seth nor his mother and father aggrandize one vacation over the opposite, thus leveling the enjoying subject and making every little thing honest for watchers of all cultural backgrounds. A present like The O.C. bolstering Hanukkah, a lesser-known vacation compared to Christmas, had not been executed too many instances earlier than. A present about rich teenagers and their dramatic each day lives (which naturally drew in viewers of the identical age) additionally had a Jewish principal character amidst a sea of blonde, WASP-y Christians (like his personal mom). Seth’s character was thus capable of casually introduce Jewish tradition to its enormous viewers. Whether or not they determined to delve additional into Judaism or did not give it any additional thought, the introduction of different cultural traditions was important to fostering open-mindedness nonetheless.

Teen audiences are of their prime to build up invaluable information and apply it to their growing grownup lives. Thus, one of the vital standard teen tv exhibits of all time airing an episode that mentioned a cultural custom that did not solely revolve round Christmas was an even bigger deal than it initially appeared. The principally seamless fusion of the 2 holidays taught audiences concerning the significance of cultural fluidity, showcasing that conditions such because the Cohens’ have been regular and navigable.

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It’s even fascinating to check Seth’s openmindedness when embracing two disparate end-of-year celebrations tied to completely different faiths with Brody’s efficiency years later in Netflix’s No one Desires This. The actor’s current small display contribution has him enjoying a rabbi named Noah, who’s torn between his calling to develop into the top rabbi on the synagogue he works at and pursuing a severe relationship with a non-Jewish lady named Joanne (performed by Kirsten Bell). This rom-com sequence poses an analogous query to the one on the heart of The O.C.‘s first vacation episode; whether or not it’s attainable to be true to custom whereas additionally embracing the non-traditional.

The impression that the most recent Netflix present had in 2024 is so much because of the breaking of stereotypes that preceded it by way of the early aughts teen drama with Brody’s title connected. Though Seth and Noah are very completely different individuals of their essence, with the latter being far more in contact along with his religion than the candy, comedian ebook fanatic from The O.C., audiences might resonate with each characters and their various methods to navigate faith and their heritage. Whereas Seth decides to rejoice Christmas and Hanukkah in equal measure, Noah continues to be making an attempt to determine whether it is attainable to achieve this practice of thought with out letting go of one thing he values as sacred: his perception system. As No one Desires This exhibits the wrestle to steadiness each the normal and the non-traditional, The CW hit already displayed what two non secular traditions might seem like in the event that they have been each acknowledged inside a single family with mother and father that share completely different faiths.

‘The O.C.’ Talks About Faith Properly Past Chrismukkah

In its first season alone, The O.C. was pulling a mean of virtually 10 million viewers per episode; its most-watched episode (Season 1, Episode 17) attracted almost 13 million viewers to their front room screens. The promised recognition of The O.C. inspired Schwartz and Savage to proceed the overt dialogue of Seth Cohen’s Judaism. Season 1’s post-Chrismukkah episode, “The Nana,” targeted on Passover and what that entailed for Seth and his non-Jewish girlfriend, Summer season Roberts (Rachel Bilson). Provided that Summer season wasn’t conscious of the significance of Passover in Jewish custom, or not to mention how you can learn in Hebrew, the character grows anxious about whether or not she is going to fall within the good graces of Seth’s grandmother, Sophie (performed by Linda Lavin).

All through this episode, Summer season turns into extra educated about Judaism, not simply to impress her boyfriend’s grandmother, who stopped by Newport Seaside for an surprising go to, but additionally out of her personal willingness to point out that she was greater than only a fairly face. This is among the few early glimpses of the character’s true self, proving her brilliance and dedication regardless of others’ preconceived notions about her. Beforehand recognized for her attractiveness and never being very good, Summer season later exhibits everybody that she is greater than able to standing up for herself and others, typically outwitting Seth. Her draw to be taught extra about Judaism was only a sneak peek of her unimaginable trajectory within the sequence.

These two episodes dovetail properly with the start bloomings of Seth and Summer season’s relationship, sandwiched completely inside Season 1. Seth weaponizes sarcasm to guard himself and have an effect on an unserious demeanor, but it surely’s in “The Greatest Chrismukkah Ever” that Summer season realizes how vital Seth’s twin id is to him (and subsequently, realizes there may be extra to Seth Cohen underneath the floor than initially meets the attention). He invitations Summer season to Chrismukkah regardless of their brand-new relationship, and it is by way of Seth’s interplay along with his household that he inadvertently ingratiates himself along with her. They do not get their fortunately ever after simply but, however this episode is arguably the true begin to their relationship arc thereafter.

When “The Nana” comes alongside, the 2 are already collectively, however Seth nonetheless has so much to uncover about Summer season’s id. Her draw to get to know extra about his household and their heritage provides him newfound perception into who she really is and her drive. Very like how Summer season will get to see extra of who Seth is in his essence through the Chrismukkah episode, “The Nana” presents a brand new facet to the favored woman that the protagonist had a crush on for eternally. By having her be taught extra about Judaism, not solely might viewers inform that there was far more to her that that they had but to search out out about, but it surely additionally introduced one other Jewish vacation that most individuals have been unacquainted with.

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‘The O.C’s Chrismukkah Episode Is Simply Good Vacation TV, Interval

Lastly, “The Greatest Chrismukkah Ever” can be only a good, old style vacation episode. Regardless of the decidedly non-traditional Christmassy locale of Southern California, that sense of winterly vacation spirit just isn’t remiss. Season 1, Episode 13 exhibits viewers who stay in un-Christmaslike climate (i.e., California, Florida, or Australia) how they will nonetheless get into the temper! Gaudy vacation sweaters are worn proudly, and there is a tacky but heartwarming montage of Ryan and his girlfriend, Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton) purchasing for presents within the mall, surrounded by Christmas music, bushes, and glossy baubles galore. Seth’s pleasure for the vacations can be resonant with how individuals usually really feel at the moment of the 12 months, which is filled with household gatherings (whether or not they’re with those that share your blood or buddies who’re like household).

What sort of present would The O.C. be with out its overly-wrought dramatic conditions? Holidays aren’t with out familial spats or the awkward first vacation celebrations with one’s vital different (or others, in case you’re Seth Cohen on this episode). Ryan loathes celebrating the vacations when he is by no means actually celebrated along with his absent household up to now, however Seth is so good at coercion that Ryan finally ends up having fun with it, anyway. Most episodes of The O.C. do not finish on a light-weight word, however this one ends with an actual smile on Ryan Atwood’s face if nothing else. This episode additionally marks the start of Ryan Atwood’s integration into the Cohen household. The close-up shot of the stockings hanging above the hearth, with one meant for Ryan resting alongside the others, shows the bond that “the boy from Chino” fostered with the Cohens. They took him underneath their wing and made him really feel like he belonged of their residence and of their lives.

Seth Cohen might have began his personal Chrismukkah custom on the grounds of childlike materialism, however not even a bounty of presents was sufficient to make him benefit from the vacation earlier than he might make sure Ryan was comfortable, too. Their brotherhood is at a excessive right here and solely continues to strengthen over the remainder of the present. “The Greatest Chrismukkah Ever” is not afraid to shrink back from exhibiting robust, platonic relationships between two boys who aren’t associated, which was refreshing amidst the onslaught of early ’00s poisonous masculinity.

Holidays are essential instances for bonding and spending uninterrupted high quality time with household. The Cohens settle for Ryan with out a second thought – as a result of that is what the vacation season is all about. It would not a lot matter whether or not somebody chooses to brighten a Christmas tree, mild a menorah, or put up a kinara for Kwanzaa; the center of any vacation season is the individuals that vacation is spent with, no matter whether or not or not they’re blood-related. Moreover, Schwartz and Fedak have been lastly capable of give a reputation to a vacation that many Jewish individuals celebrated however by no means had a reputation for. The frequent phrase “cultural reset” appears becoming when referencing this episode as a result of it launched a vacation fusion that continues to reverberate years after the present aired on TV. Folks felt seen then and proceed to really feel seen now, particularly households with mother and father who do not share the identical religion or cultural background. It confirmed that Chrismas and Hanukkah might be a lot sweeter if mixed!

The O.C. is at the moment streaming on Max within the U.S.

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The O.C.

A troubled youth turns into embroiled within the lives of a close-knit group of individuals within the rich, upper-class neighborhood of Newport Seaside, Orange County, California.

Launch Date

August 5, 2003

Seasons

4



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