When I originally wrote this post, it was a lot more positive than this version will be. I had written it Tuesday night, directly after I’d finished my spoiler-free reaction (which was written directly after I finished watching the screener of the episode). I still stand by everything I said in my spoiler-free review as it was all true in relation to how I felt directly after watching the episode. However, as time has passed and I’ve reflected on the episode some more, it occurs to me how much it doesn’t hold up to any kind of scrutiny. It was immensely enjoyable while watching it, but the moment I put any real kind of thought into it, more and more problems began appearing. (This review will feature spoilers!)
Episodes 211 and 212: The Miracle of Christmas (Part 1 written by Lauren Greer, Part 2 written by Arika Lisanne Mittman; directed by John F. Showalter)
As Christmas arrives in the Bunker, the Time Team is inspired by a visit from their future selves to find a way to try to save Rufus (Malcolm Barrett). But when the Mothership jumps to 1848 California, they’re forced to put those plans on hold and chase Rittenhouse back to the Gold Rush, where they encounter one of the era’s most dangerous villains. Then chasing the Mothership to Korea in the winter of 1950, our team helps a stranded, pregnant refugee attempt to escape a tragic fate. Stuck with no way out, our team faces its toughest challenge yet, and in the process, come to terms with their feelings for each other. Also starring Abigail Spencer, Matt Lanter, Goran Višnjic, Sakina Jaffrey, Paterson Joseph and Claudia Doumit.