The holiday season is officially underway. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, good television is definitely a must when one is too full to move. Television shows love to make Thanksgiving-themed episodes since they include all the best things: delicious food, a little bit of drama and lots of laughs. Since it can be overwhelming finding the best episodes of TV to watch, here’s a guide of the best of the best.
1. “Gilmore Girls”: “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving,” Season 3, Episode 9
How could a Thanksgiving episode guide not start off with the most iconic fall show of all time: “Gilmore Girls?” Just about every episode in this classic 2000’s show would fit the vibe of a Thanksgiving day watch. However, “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving” should be your first pick. I mean, how chaotic does four Thanksgiving dinners in one episode sound? Plus, there’s plenty of the mother-daughter banter and delicious looking food.
All seasons of “Gilmore Girls” are available to stream on Netflix.
2. “How I Met Your Mother”: “Slapsgiving,” Season 3, Episode 9
If you’re a “HIMYM” fan, the “Slapsgiving” episodes will always be a top contender for Thanksgiving day. There are three total “Slapsgiving” episodes, but the first one is, of course, the most iconic. When Lily hosts her first Thanksgiving for the group, the episode follows Barney as he waits for his third slap from Marshall that came from the notable “slap bet” from season one.
All seasons of “How I Met Your Mother” are available to stream on Hulu.
3. “Friends”: “The One With All the Thanksgivings,” Season 5, Episode 8
Another obvious choice, “Friends” has some of the funniest and wholesome Thanksgiving episodes out there. With every season having its own episode dedicated to the holiday, it can be overwhelming to choose which one to watch first. Unless you want to watch them all in order of seasons, “The One With All the Thanksgivings” is the best and first episode with which to start. It begins after the big dinner when Ross complains of his divorce making it the worst Thanksgiving ever. This, of course, leads the whole group to reminisce and share their terrible, albeit silly, past Thanksgiving memories.
All seasons of “Friends” are available to stream on HBO Max.
4. “Felicity”: “Thanksgiving,” Season 1, Episode 9
Who doesn’t love a little bit of drama and college angst on a day that’s already bound to have some arguing anyway? Felicity and her friends decide to stay on campus instead of going home for Thanksgiving since each of them want to avoid their families and any drama. The latter ends up not entirely happening, as Noel’s girlfriend comes to town and enlivens the love triangle between Noel, Ben and Felicity. It’s safe to say that it’s not easy to be bored watching this episode.
All seasons of “Felicity” are available to stream on Hulu.
5. “The O.C.”: “The Homecoming,” Season 1, Episode 11
In the mood for some soap opera drama and a distraction from the impending cold weather? Look no further, because “The O.C.” always has your back. The show’s first Thanksgiving episode, “The Homecoming” is filled with so many different plot points, it’s hard to even know where to begin. Ryan goes to visit his brother in prison, Caleb brings Julie Cooper to the Cohen’s Thanksgiving dinner and, of course, the best storyline of all, Seth Cohen spending the entire holiday debating if he should date Summer or Anna.
All seasons of “The O.C” are available to stream on Hulu and HBO Max.
6. “Grey’s Anatomy”: “Thanks for the Memories,” Season 2, Episode 9
If you want a relatable episode to watch on Thanksgiving, you need to put on this Thanksgiving episode of ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ Izzy takes the day off to try to make the most perfect Thanksgiving dinner, as all the other interns decide to not skip work. Of course, nothing goes her way, and anyone who has tried to make Thanksgiving meals by themselves can definitely relate to her on this one. Luckily, Burke ends up helping her, making this episode not just relatable, but incredibly wholesome.
All seasons of “Grey’s Anatomy” are available to stream on Hulu and Netflix.
7. “Charlie Brown”: “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”
Although not a part of a series, it would be remiss to not include the most classic television episode to watch on this holiday. This 70’s television special centers around Charlie and Sally Brown as they go to their Grandmother’s for Thanksgiving and are interrupted by Peppermint Patty as she invites herself to the dinner. If you want a classic way to start off your Thanksgiving holiday, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is definitely the way to go.
“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is available to stream on Apple TV.
By Cyna Mirzai