supernatural christmas supernatural christmas eighth episode paranormal drama television series supernatural season broadcast december narrative follows series protagonists sam confront pair pagan gods annually human sacrifices written directed episode intended violent christmas special history television flashbacks added plot main storyline came short allowing writers expand young sam dean ridge critics universally praised flashback sequences performances ford differing opinions main storyline plot episode opens man visits grandson christmas seattle washington dresses pulled chimney slaughtered mysterious figure year later sam pose fbi agents investigate disappearance michigan discovery bloody tooth fireplace leads sam suspect evil version santa world tell punish wicked christmas work brothers search town debate celebrate christmas year dean insists sam refuses man taken santa dressed investigation following day sam notices families found pagan rituals lure gods human sacrifice leads sam believe dealing god winter dean later admits wants celebrate christmas chance demonic pact demon hell breaks loose left year live sam responds sit celebrating pretending okay knowing dean alive christmas investigation research lead brothers edward apparently perfect couple dean later refers makers lived seattle year prior realizing couple actually pagan gods sam dean break home finding human remains basement captured tied chairs kitchen gods reveal attempting blend human society reducing annual sacrifices begin preparing sam dean sacrificed interrupted neighbor door return find brothers broken free knowing gods killed wood sam dean stab death branches christmas tree later dean surprised find sam decorated room christmas exchange gifts bought local gas station happily watch football game episode flashbacks depict young sam ford christmas eve father hunt brothers staying room returns sam object obtained present father begins question dean father dean sam reveals read father hunting journal dean confirms father hunts monsters revelation sam afraid monsters come later night dean wakes sam claims father briefly returned left presents sam gifts end doll dean admits stole nearby house despite sam dean tried gives gift meant father necklace dean worn production writing fan christmas television specials growing series creator desired violent christmas special history television myth anti evil santa victims sacks takes eat episode inspiration writers hesitant establish creature anti existence actual remedy dilemma incorporated mythology pagan god generally believed precedent santa noted lore accurate christmas traditions pagan origins episode penned writing staff contributed ideas storyline minutes envisioned scenes teaser grandfather pretending santa pulled chimney slaughtered boy witnessing santa dressed villain brutally killing father eating santa killing christmas tree flashbacks initial draft script focused solely brothers attempts kill pagan gods episode came short suggested addition flashbacks sam dean childhood narrative device provided revelations origins dean necklace beginning sam father supernatural world noted staff loves deemed good opportunity pass able depict sam lost innocence child actor reprised role young dean debut young sam ford viewed series prior audition watched season research character christmas theme principal filming took place vancouver british_columbia visuals influenced holiday theme warm christmas tones home intended set designer create contrast brothers little coal burning old created costumes fun making christmas edward originally going santa worked tired little theme park given ill fitting costumes new altered look santa appearance reflected drunken state despite dark storyline found important maintain traditional christmas special spinning special presentation title beginning episode cbs 1980s adamant including difficult find created scored eventually received permission keeping holiday theme episode away usual rock heavy soundtrack instead featured christmas songs remade different styles composer effects visual effects shots produced ultimately unused episode exception killed script describes edward screaming glory visual effects department interpreted literally transforming tree creature wooden deemed little nose reception initial broadcast episode watched million viewers received mixed reviews critics enjoyed directed written episode glee anticipation christmas nightmare continued criticism season brighter lighting deemed overall christmas tradition watch year christmas dvds guide enjoyed monster week hooked brothers storylines noted ford casting young sam perfect felt performance young dean improved previous appearance season likewise chicago_tribune called gems season disagreed gave episode enjoyed flashback sequences praised ford fierce little performances main storyline pacing felt sluggish overall found basic dense combination half baked dialogue storytelling bits
A Very Supernatural Christmas