Time for me to over think the Peanuts. (a hallmark of our blog here) Since Peppermint Patty seemed to having a more lonely Thanksgiving. She remarks on the phone to Chuck that her father is out of town and he said that she could come over to Chuck's for the holiday. Now, she doesn't know what Chuck's plans are for the holiday and since he is Charlie Brown he is not in the strength to say "Hey Patty, I am going somewhere for Thanksgiving already." Peppermint Patty also self invites her friends Marcie and Franklin. (apparently their families don't mind them not being around for Thanksgiving.) Pin this back for a later paragraph.
Linus being the best friend in the world to ole Charles suggests that they do something for Thanksgiving before Chuck has to leave. Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy and Woodstock all help with this plan. (Now when I talk about the ending ,I am going to add this context here: Charlie Brown and Linus never asked if Snoopy could make them dinner, they only asked if they could help). If I were to over think other aspect of this special is : why do the Browns have like 20 toasters, were they all wedding gifts? The dinner they put together is of toast, popcorn, and jelly beans. A simple and believable feast that you could imagine children making. ( even with a sentient dog and bird)
The time shown preparing for the meal is important as well. Why? Let's say this is another pin to connect it back to the first paragraph. Peppermint Patty and friends join Chuck, Linus, Sally and the rest. Another showing that Peppermint Patty may just want a normal Thanksgiving is that she requests that they say grace. (I'm connecting a point here) Linus once again shows us that his brain is stored with stuff that we could only imagine. When the meal is served Peppermint Patty's reaction is one that is less than pleased at this. (Also Snoopy is dangerous with this food delivery system of his) Going back to my first point now, you can see the Peppermint Patty wanted what I can say would considered a normal Thanksgiving which could explain this rant she goes on. This is not to say, that she is justified in it. You can see the work that Chuck and the gang put into this meal he DIDN'T have to do in the first place. So, of course this hurts Charlie Brown's feelings and he laves the table. Marcie lays out the complete truth here with her defense of Charlie Brown. Marcie brings up that did Charles invite them or did she self invite? Peppermint Patty does feel remorseful about her actions which is also nice. Fitting with her character as some one who is little over the top but never meaning to be well mean. If I go back to my over thinking again, my theory kind of fits a little.
She asks Marcie if she could maybe talk to Chuck for her since Marcie is better at this stuff than she. The special exhibits Thankfulness in a nice way , be thankful for what is there and others. There is even a nice resolution with Charlie Brown's grandmother (Grandma Brown) that she decides to let all his guests come over for Thanksgiving. (She's probably just happy to have less left overs.)
This special is just my over thinking and that plot. The comedy shows well in this special and there lots of funny moments to enjoy, and I am thankful for that. I will note something else, besides the opening skit at the start , there is no Lucy in this special. Linus even hangs with Chuck all day and goes with him to Grandma Brown's house. This is interesting in hindsight even more than Franklin and Marcie's parents not minding them not being home for the holiday. The ending: Snoopy making Thanksgiving dinner himself in his TARDIS dog house. Going back to that line where I sad Charlie Brown never asked if Snoopy could make dinner only to help make the dinner they were planning. Charles Schulz dark humor shows up too with Woodstock eating some turkey. Now, many birds are meat eaters (worms are meaty) but it is great dark humor to have a bird eat his fellow bird life. It's mostly timeless as a special though the idea of kids riding in the back of a station wagon with no seat belts is of that time. (It's the station wagon isn't it?) With that I am thankful for this special and glad it runs every year.
Tune in next time when Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty do stop playing lovers' games.
No comments:
Post a Comment