Mistletoe Murders Season 2, Episodes 5 and 6, “Twas the Fight Before Christmas”
Spoilers Ahead
Mistletoe Murders concludes its sophomore season with an emotionally exciting two-part narrative that makes everything around the holidays feel cozier. It’s a true sign of great writing when we’re able to wrap up arcs while also keeping things exciting with the type of cliffhanger that’s both earned and shocking.
More than anything, “Twas the Fight Before Christmas” does plenty with so many little moments worth discussing that if we wanted to, we’d be here breaking down every delicious and delightful moment for days, making it a winning finale in every way.
Forced Proximity in a Freezer, Yes, Please
Like last week’s “The Ides of December,” Mistletoe Murders Season 2, Episodes 5 and 6, don’t miss a single moment in utilizing the best tropes, and few things top forced proximity. Putting Sam and Emily together in a situation that’s not only life-threatening but one that forces them together both physically and emotionally is gorgeous in every way because it allows them to realize that they’re safe together.
If something as awful as this had to happen, the fact that it happens while they’re together makes everything a little easier because they both know that the other person would do anything for them. And that knowledge then helps them bring down the emotional walls, which result in honest conversations about how all they want is to protect each other.
It’s also moments like this that put so much into perspective, so the fact that Sam opens up about his regrets in not asking Emily out is so lovely and tender because it’s real. In that moment, nothing matters than being transparent with Emily, and if something does happen in this freezer, the fact that he vocalizes this gives us a clear understanding of how often he thinks of her—how desperately and sincerely he wants her.
Pair that with the idea of trust being a delicate thing, and we get something so vulnerable to deconstruct how these characters are actively trying to break down their walls for each other. Trust is extremely delicate, but more than that, it’s near impossible for both of them. Yet, at this very second, none of that matters as much as giving each other whatever they can in the little time they think they have left.
And the kiss? The softness? I wept.
A Perfect First Date
Grand gestures are cute and all, but nothing will ever top the simple moments like a quiet night under a gazebo, where every secret is laid bare and hearts are fully open. Writers know exactly what they’re doing with the ending of Mistletoe Murders Season 2, Episodes 5 and 6, “Twas the Fight Before Christmas.” They’re delivering. Sarah Drew and Peter Mooney are also so precious with the amount of sincerity they bring, which makes every beat feel more tender and honest.
There’s something so worthwhile in this moment under the gazebo because everything leading up to it ensures that it feels so earned, wholesome, and right. We can see visible changes in Emily’s physicality that go beyond how different she looks from Grace. Her shoulders are looser, her smile is more effortless, and the clear showcase that her walls are down makes the whole scene that much more achingly intimate. It feels twice as vulnerable because, for the first time, there’s nothing standing between them.
It’s just Sam and Emily and all the possibilities of a relationship that can last forever: it’s two people who’ve spent too much alone, finally finding the person who makes everything a little easier and brighter. It’s lovely, in every way, and it continues to be one of the things that makes Mistletoe Murders so incredible.
Violet’s Truth to Her Mother
The season also does such a great job of fleshing out Violet as a character and fortifying the dynamics she has with everyone around her. But also, it’s so admirable that we don’t get any toxic animosity between Sam’s ex-wife and Emily. It’s refreshing to see two women immediately get along and be good to each other while acknowledging the roles they both carry.
At the same time, it’s always commendable when a kid understands what she wants and is able to communicate it through an honest conversation, with great reception from her parents. Violet voicing that she doesn’t want to go into law, and the conversation with her mother is a bright, unexpected spot in the episode. It contributes to the season’s overall cozy charm and adds layers to the character in a way that makes everything twice as exciting.
The Cliffhanger? The CLIFFHANGER.
We all knew that was coming, right? Because of course it was. There are plans for a third season, and we have an interview with Sarah Drew coming up where we break a lot of this down, but so much of this intrusion is so good for the angst that it can deliver. Sam’s on his way to Emily’s just as Aaron’s at her door. Things are finally good, so naturally, wherever this will lead, it’ll continue to prove how trusting Sam is the right path. It’s earned.
And all of this simply proves how it’s going to be even more credible with Aaron’s presence because it’s going to make the show even juicier in hindsight. It’s what makes Season 2 a thrilling ride in every way.
Stray Thoughts
- Emily’s BANGS!! The nose ring!! Love love love.
- Oh, hurt comfort, this is delicious.
- We’re getting so much vulnerability 😭💜
- “I also regret not asking you on a date.” “It’s not too late.” 😭
- “Trust is a delicate thing.” I’m weeping. Weeping, I tell you.
- I loved getting more insight into Chimera and how it was supposed to be about exposing corruption and what Aaron turned it into.
- This kiss is so soft. What if I cry?
- “You’re really bad at the quiet and unassuming part.”
- Thank you for letting me in.
- Why am I crying??!!
- Oh, I love it here so much.
- This first date is the prettiest. I can yap for hours about how romantic gazebos are.
Now streaming on Hallmark+: What are your thoughts on Mistletoe Murders Season 2, Episodes 5 and 6? Let us know in the comments below.
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