The show begins with Seth asking Ryan to choose between
the candy cane (Christmas) and the menorah (Hanukkah). He then tells Ryan he
doesn’t have to choose because of Chrismukkah, the “new holiday sweeping the
nation (or at least the living room)”. Sandy and Kirsten ask for help with
the Christmas tree they are bringing in. Ryan goes to help as Seth directs
the placement of the tree encouraging them to use their muscles. Kirsten
tells Ryan they didn’t really know how to raise Seth. And he chimes in
telling Ryan how he “raised himself, and in doing so created the greatest
super holiday known to man kind, Chrismukkah. For his Jewish father he
incorporated Chinese food and a movie and for his Christian mother a tree
stalking and all the trimmings. He tells Ryan another highlight of
Chrismukkah is 8 days of presents followed by one day of many presents. The
Cohens try to get Ryan to incorporate something from the Atwoods Christmas
traditions. After some prodding he informs them that his Christmas memories
consist of his mom drunk and him getting his ass kicked. After an awkward
pause they tell him this year will be different, he says he’ll do whatever
they tell him. Seth tells him that is the spirit and opens his arms for a
hug. Ryan avoids the hug and leaves the room. Seth replies with “Oy humbug”.
Sandy and Kirsten tell Seth it’s a big holiday and to give Ryan time. They
begin to trim the tree and Seth tells his parents that “soon Ryan will learn
the magic of Chrismukkah, worry not, I will convert him”.
After the opening credits the scene begins with Seth sitting on Ryan’s bed
surrounded with present wrapping tools. Ryan comes out of the bathroom and
wants to know how Seth turned his room into Santa’s workshop in the 5
minutes he was in the shower. Ryan asks Seth what he is wrapping and he says
2 Seth Cohen starter packs which consist of CDs by Death Cab For Cutie,
Bright Eyes, and The Shins; The Goonies DVD; and "The Amazing Adventures of
Kavalier and Clay. He is giving one each to Summer and Anna. Ryan tries to
tell Seth that no good can come from him giving them both the same thing.
When Ryan tells Seth he has to choose between Anna and Summer Seth responds
saying there is no choosing on Chrismukkah. Ryan asks Seth if he got him a
present and Seth says no but turns and whistles mischievously. Ryan stares
blankly at Seth. Seth tells Ryan to lighten up. Ryan stares back at him and
Seth tells him fine he can stay dark, dark works.
Kirsten is sitting at the kitchen bar making a list as Ryan and a whistling
(12 days of Christmas) Seth enters the kitchen. Kirsten wants to know Ryan’s
shoe size, Ryan doesn’t answer the question, but asks why she wants to know.
Seth asks Kirsten if she is making a Chrismukkah list. She says it is not
but as Seth tries to see it she tells him it is work and won’t let him look
at it. He tries to convince her he loves her work and wants to look at it.
Ryan says to Kirsten that he thought they had said there would be no gifts.
She says that they meant he didn’t need to get gifts for them. Sandy hangs
up his cell phone as he walks into the kitchen. Announcing that Chrismukkah
is ruined. Seth stops his father saying that Chrismukkah is unruinable, as
it has twice the resistance as a normal holiday. Sandy explains that Caleb
(Kirsten’s dad) has refused the settlement offer and once to go to court so
he will have to spend the holidays working. Kirsten agrees with Sandy that
Chrismukkah is ruined. Seth tries to convince her not to “give up on the
miracle that is Chrismukkah”. He tells them that they will all see. Ryan
informs Seth that he is starting to scare him and Seth replies he is ok with
that.
Jimmy Cooper comes down the stairs all dressed up for a job interview asking
Marissa which tie he should wear. She chooses one and he begins to tie it.
He tells her he’s just going to a meet and greet but that he is trying and
will get a job. Marissa tells him that they should just skip Christmas
because it depresses people. He asks if she is depressed and she says no
she’s great. He tells her they are not going to skip Christmas, that he’s
going to get a job and everything will work out.
Seth and Ryan walk down the school hall together. Ryan asks Seth about about
the fact that Anna and Summer are coming to the party later that night. Seth
says that they are both coming but neither as his date. Ryan wants to know
if they are both ok with that. Seth says Ryan may be all doom and gloom “but
me, I’m snowflakes. I’m latkes. Chrismukkah is coming. Ryan wants to know
what happens when Chrismukkah ends. Seth gasps and sadly says “I hate when
Chrismukkah ends”. Summer walks up to them and wants to know the deal about
the party that night. If he’s going to pick her up or what. Before he can
respond Anna walks up and asks the same question. She notices Summer and
they greet each other uncomfortably. Seth tells them both that they should
all meet at the party and whatever time they choose. They both angrily say
fine and walk away. Ryan tells Seth he should pray for a Chrismukkah
miracle. Seth says he has Jesus and Moses on his side.
Julie Cooper is directing the decoration of a huge Christmas tree in Caleb
Nichols back yard. Kirsten walks up and Julie wants to know how she likes
the tree. Kirsten says it’s fine it’s just that her mom used to put it in
the foyer. Julie says that she didn’t want Caleb to be reminded of the past.
Julie wants to use Kirsten’s office as a holding area for the elves they are
using for a Christmas thing for some kids. She asks Kirsten why she is
there, her father said she was working from home. Kirsten (who is upset with
her father) goes inside to speak with him. Caleb tells Kirsten that he
decided he wants more money out of the land trust. She is upset with him for
trying to get more money from Sandy. He says they will need to work over the
holidays. Kirsten tells him to have fun, she is taking Christmas vacation,
and he thinks that she will hate it, but Kirsten disagrees.
Ryan and Marissa are walking down the halls at school talking about how they
hate Christmas (and Chrismukkah). Marissa tells Ryan she has to spend
Christmas Eve with her dad and Christmas day with her mom. Plus her mom is
making her go to a Newport Group Holiday Party that night. Ryan tells her
the Cohens are going to. Marissa is happy that they can be miserable
together. She asks what he’s doing after school and he tells her he is going
to Southcoast Plaza to do some Christmas shopping. She thinks it is funny
that he is going to a mall alone. She tells him he needs a seasoned expert
to protect him.
Montage of Marissa and Ryan at the mall (to the song “Maybe This Christmas”
by Ron Sexsmith). Ryan watchs Marissa try on lipstick, Ryan looks at a woman
carrying a little dog with antlers, Marissa kisses Ryan on the check with
her freshly applied lipstick, Marissa tries on high heels that make her much
taller then Ryan, they walk through the store holding hands and laughing,
they kiss by a clothes rack, they look at expensive watches. Song fades away
as they are walking through a store. Marissa says she can’t really afford
anything there anymore, she just loves it because everything is perfect, and
when she’s there it feels like all her problems can be solved by the right
nail polish or a new pair of shoes.
As Ryan and Marissa are about to get into the car a security guard tells her
he needs to look through her purse and if she doesn’t let him he will have
to call the police immediately. Ryan tells him to back off. Marissa hands
the security guard her purse, he dumps it out on the hood of the car and
finds one of the watches they were looking at earlier inside. Ryan can’t
believe it.
Kirsten is sitting at the kitchen table working. Seth walks in and asks her
why she’s working from home. She says she is on vacation, he says he can
tell. She explains that she hasn’t taken a vacation in a long time and is
easing into it. Seth asks about 2 Christmas presents sitting on the table,
Kirsten says that they came for Ryan from his mother and brother. Seth tells
Kirsten that when Ryan talks about how he remembers the holidays he doesn’t
know what to say. Kirsten tells him to just be himself. Kirsten finds
something in the files she is going through that upsets her. She tells Seth
he need to go get ready for the party. He leaves. Kirsten calls someone to
get a copy of a survey her father had ordered on the Heights.
Jimmy Cooper and Marissa are sitting in the living room of their apartment.
Talking about the shoplifting. Julie barges in raving about how the incident
has in convinced her, and then begins to blame the whole thing on him.
Marissa interrupts yelling at her mom that it was her fault not her dads.
Jimmy tells Julie they were discussing an appropriate punishment. Julie
angrily tells him that it’s not up to her. She then tells Marissa no car, no
weekends, no allowance. Marissa tries to get out of the party, but Julie
tells her she has to be there so as not to ruin the party. Julie asks her
why she did it. Marissa tries to explain, but can’t seem to. Julie tells
Marissa that she called the therapist and Marissa has an appointment in the
morning. Marissa promises she won’t do it again, that she can handle it.
Jimmy tries to convince her that maybe it will help. She angrily says
whatever and goes upstairs.
Ryan is in his room getting ready for the party. Seth tells Ryan he thinks
it’s cool that his mom and brother sent him gifts. Ryan responds with saying
sure, but now he has to buy 8 gifts when he only saved enough for 1. Seth
says it reminds him of the story oh Hanukkah. Ryan tells him about Marissa
shoplifting at the mall. Ryan says he wishes there was something he could do
or say for her, with all the stuff that’s been going on with her family.
Seth gives Ryan a stalking with his name on like the ones they all have. He
says thanks, and appears touched by the gesture.
Kirsten is sitting in her bedroom drinking some wine as Sandy comes in. He
tells her that he reached a settlement with her father for 250 million.
Sandy tells her that maybe Caleb is changing as he wants to spend the
holidays with the family. Kirsten tells him that she found something, but
doesn’t know if she can give it to him, but knows that she can’t not give it
to him. She is worried that her father will fire her, but she gives it to
him anyway. Sandy reads the paper and says that it changes everything. They
decided to go ahead and go to the party.
The doorbell rings Seth answers it to Anna all dressed up for the party. She
has brought mistle toe and kisses him on the check. He says that he though
they were meeting at the party. She says she was hoping they could go
together. He tells her he thinks it would violate the agreement they made
with Summer. She says Summer doesn’t have to know. The door bell rings
again. This time it’s Summer with mistletoe. Summer and Anna are both angry
at the other for being there. Seth tries to keep the peace by suggesting
they all go with his parents.
Seth is sitting on the couch with Summer on one side and Anna on the other.
Anna tells Seth she has a present for him that she will give to him later.
Summer says she also has a gift to give him later. He says he can’t wait.
Kirsten and Sandy come into the room and are a little confused to see both
Summer and Anna with Seth.
Ryan is helping Marissa put on a necklace. She has told him about her
parents making her go to therapy. He suggests that maybe it’s not such a bad
idea. She gets angry with him saying that if no one is going to make her
parents go to therapy she’s not going either as she’s the only normal one in
the family. She apologizes for getting angry with him and asks him to get
her wrap from upstairs. When he leaves she gets a bottle of alcohol out of
the bar and slips it into her purse.
Party at the Nichol mansion. Sandy, Kirsten, Seth, Anna, and Summer enter.
Anna tells Seth to come with her one way, Summer says he should come with
her the other. Seth darts off, saying he’s going to look for Ryan. Summer
and Anna glare at each other and then walk off in different directions.
Sandy and Kirsten say hello to Julie and Caleb. Caleb acts like nothing is
wrong and asks Kirsten if Sandy told her about the settlement. Sandy tells
Caleb he wants to follow up on a few things. Caleb tells Sandy to relax it’s
a party and walks off. Sandy tells Kirsten he is going to nail him now and
follows. Julie asks Kirsten how she likes the party and if Caleb said
anything about it. Julie wants this to be a party Caleb will never forget.
Kirsten says she has a shot at that and walks off.
Marissa is standing by herself. Ryan brings her a drink and asks if she is
ok, he knows it’s been a rough day and she doesn’t really want to be here.
She responds that she wants to be where he is. They kiss, and Julie walks
up. They argue and Marissa leaves. Julie and Ryan agree on hating the
holidays.
Caleb is standing by himself as Sandy walks up and hands him a copy of the
survey Kirsten gave him. Sandy tells Caleb that he knows that the heights
are worthless and therefore never would have gotten the permits he needed.
Caleb wants to know what he wants. Sandy says he wants to buy back the
heights for 1 dollar. He hands Caleb the dollar and walks off.
Seth and Anna are by the pool. Anna gives Seth his Christmas gift. A comic
she made about Seth and Sgt. Oats. As he looks through it Seth notices
Summer across the pool watching them. He tells Anna he loves the gift.
Jimmy and Kirsten are dancing, he asks her how Seth is. She says he’s fine.
He seems worried about Marissa and wants to know if Seth every does anything
that makes her question herself as a parent. She mentions several of the
things that have happened since Ryan moved in. But then says that they have
good kids.
Marissa locks herself in a bathroom and fills her coke up with alcohol and
chugs it down.
Summer takes Seth inside and sits him down on the couch. She stands in front
of him and says that she heard he likes comic books. He agrees. Summer
unzips her dress and lets it fall to the ground, underneath it she is
wearing a wonder woman costume. She throws a lasso around him and draws him
to her. As they begin to kiss, Summer finds the comic that Anna made for
him. Anna walks in and sees them. Summer and Anna can’t believe they way
they are both acting. Summer tells Seth that she likes him and so does Anna
and that he has to choose before someone gets hurt. They both leave the
room.
A drunken Marissa walks up to Ryan and kisses him. She tries to get him to
dance. He can smell the alcohol on her breath. He tells her he didn’t see
her with a cocktail, and she tells him that she brought her own. He wants to
know what is going on with her. She doesn’t understand what the big deal is,
he drinks. He responds with ya but not alone in the bathroom. He says she is
starting to remind him of his mom. She tells him to shut up, he says he’s
leaving, she says no she’s leaving. He grabs her and tells her she can’t
drive. She yells at him that she has enough people telling her what to do.
Ryan chases her out of the house and tries to get in the car. She won’t let
him in so he gets in front of it and won’t let her leave. She tries to back
out and hits a car behind her. She begins to cry.
Back at the party Caleb announces that he is transferring the heights back
over to the land trust for the price of 1 dollar. Everyone cheers and Caleb
says he couldn’t have done it without Sandy. Sandy says that Caleb did it
all on his own and toasts Caleb the most generous man in Newport Beach.
Ryan is driving Marissa’s car down the road. Marissa get’s her bottle out
and begins to take a drink. Ryan is mad because she is already drunk.
Marissa claims she’s not drunk, but starts to put the lid back on the bottle
anyway. She drops the lid, and as she is looking on the floor for it, they
get pulled over. Ryan is angry because he is still on probation. Marissa
hides the bottle at her feet. The cop asks if they knew they had a broken
taillight. Ryan says it just happened and he’ll get it fixed as soon as
possible. The cop asks if they have been drinking. Ryan says no. The cop
starts to ask Marissa to get out of the car as she is acting suspiciously,
but is interrupted with an emergency call. He gives them a warning, and
leaves. A very angry Ryan gets out of the car, opens Marissa’s door and
throws the bottle of alcohol. He slams Marissa’s door several times. She
tells him to stop because he is scaring her. Ryan says well because she is
scaring him. He walks to the front of the car and says there’s drinking,
crying and cops it must be Christmas. Marissa gets out of the car and walks
around to him. He tells her that he left all of this behind with his mom and
can’t do it again. She says ok and slips her hand into his.
Ryan is reading the paper and eating cereal when Seth enters the kitchen. He
tells Ryan that the girls told him he has to make a choice. He says he
doesn’t know what to do, and asks about Ryan’s night. Ryan tells him about
everything that happened and says now Seth should see why he hates
Christmas. Seth tells Ryan that what they have is a Chrismukkah miracle. The
old Ryan would of got busted, but this time he had Jesus and Moses working
together to keep him safe and give him a second chance. Seth’s faith in
Chrismukkah has been restored. He leaves to get ready for Anna who is coming
over, saying although he doesn’t know what to say he is sure the words will
come.
Seth is talking to Anna. He can’t seem to find the words he is looking for.
Scene flashes back and forth between Anna and Summer. He tells them both
that they should just be friends, and gives them the gifts he got them. They
both say they don’t want to be just his friend and return the gifts.
The doorbell rings and as Kirsten answers it Caleb bursts in telling her
that he could have had her fired or sued her for what she did. He says that
what she did was ruthless and dishonest, he seems slightly proud of her. He
notices the tree with Kirsten’s mother’s ornaments and she tells him there
just might be a gift under it for him.
Sandy comes into the boat house. Ryan is about to leave. He tells Sandy he
was going to go to Marissa’s therapy with her. Sandy tells him he doesn’t
have to be the parent anymore. That Marissa is going to have to figure this
out on her own.
Marissa enter’s the therapists waiting room and sits across from a boy about
her age. She is nervous and starts to leave. The boy tells her he came 3
times before he actually went in. He recognizes Marissa as the social chair
at Harbor. He introduces himself as Oliver Trask. Marissa sits back down.
She tells him she is embarrassed about being in a Shrinks office. He agrees
that it is embarrassing so suggests that they just tell each other why they
are there. She says that if she knew she wouldn’t be there. He tells her
she’s not an alcoholic yet, she’s ODed at least once on pills. She tells him
that coming there wasn’t her idea. He tells her she’s right, but she
wouldn’t be there if she didn’t want to be. A man comes out of one of the
doors and Oliver tells her that she should go in, he’s waiting for the next
door.
Seth is laying on the couch when Ryan comes into the living room and asks
him how it went with the girls. In response Seth offers him one of the
starting packs. Ryan says he’s beyond that now and has brought his stocking
in to hang. Seth is excited for another Chrismukkah convert. Sandy and
Kirsten come in with movies. Seth gives them the starter packs he bought for
the girls. Ryan hangs his stocking up with others as Kirsten and Sandy watch
him. Episodes ends with a Chrismukkah picture of Sandy, Kirsten, Seth, and
Ryan.
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