Maebh Springbett
If you weren’t already feeling festive, the first few notes of ‘Fairytale of New York,’ with the classic Marvel opening theme will surely do the trick. Or if nothing else, the sight of Drax in a Christmas jumper might.
“And that’s how Yondu ruined Christmas forever”
The scene is set as Kraglin (Sean Gunn) remembers Yondu (Micheal Rooker) scolding him and Peter (Chris Pratt) as boys for celebrating Christmas, which was too sentimental for Ravagers apparently. Kraglin transports us to the present as he concludes his sorry tale, ‘and that’s how Yondu ruined Christmas forever,’ to which Drax (Dave Bautista) chuckles, missing the point, as usual.
We find the Guardians of the Galaxy where Thor (Chris Hemsworth) left them at the end of Thor: Love and Thunder – attempting to rebuild the colony of Nowhere with the hope of calling it home. Daunted by the task ahead, the Guardians appear more than a little defeated, especially Peter. Mantis (Pom Klementieff) notices and enlists Drax to help find a way to cheer him up.
The solution? Travel to earth. Kidnap his childhood hero Kevin Bacon. And then bring him back as a thoughtful Christmas gift, of course!
“What better gift for the guy who has everything”
“What better gift for the guy who has everything,” exclaims Rocket (Bradley Cooper) when Kevin Bacon confronts Peter.
Surprisingly, he does not agree and demands they send Bacon back to Earth. Before he leaves the floating celestial planet, however, he agrees to put on a show for Nowhere’s ragtag residents.
This holiday special boasts an impressive score. While The Wombats tag along with Mantis and Drax on their fun adventures through Hollywood, including an unfortunate run-in with a fake Captain America, later The Smashing Pumpkins serenade Peter as he marvels at the Christmas decorations which have transformed Nowhere from a ramshackle underworld to a winter wonderland for outcasts.
As a whole, the importance of family is what drives the narrative of the show. More specifically that those we find family in, are found along the way.
Since The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, we know of Peter’s dark familial past, which coloured his experiences growing up to become Star-Lord. Even more touching then, as he reminisces about Yondu and their complicated father-son relationship towards the end of the show. Set against the backdrop of a Christmas, saved by Mantis’ caring nature (and Kevin Bacon), this holiday special is certainly a heartwarming forty-five minutes just in time for Christmas.
Featured image courtesy of Thalia Ruiz via Unsplash. Image license found here.
Maebh Springbett
While Head of Entertainment for Empoword Journalism, Maebh works in the Careers department at the University of Reading. Their writing focuses on music and has been published by the likes of Music Is To Blame and Dead Good Music. They aspire to work in non-fiction publishing.