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"Sabrina's Christmas Wish" is the Christmas episode of the Netflix animated series BoJack Horseman, produced and released following its first season.

Synopsis

Todd shows up in BoJack's room on Christmas morning clanging on a pot with a candy cane, waking BoJack from his sleep, and questions if BoJack knows what day it is. BoJack asks if it's the anniversary of the day he's supposed to tell Todd how annoying he is. Todd says no, that is July 14 which is also Bastille Day, before excitedly opening the blinds in BoJack's room and exclaiming that it's Christmas Day. BoJack tells Todd not to get too excited, because he did not buy Todd a Christmas present. Todd says he stole BoJack's credit card to buy himself a yellow beanie as his Christmas present from BoJack, that looks identical to his old one. Todd then says that they could watch "Sabrina's Christmas Wish", the Christmas episode of Horsin' Around. In that episode his youngest adopted daughter Sabrina, upon discovering Santa's existence, decides to wish for her parents to be alive again. BoJack says, despite how he loves Horsin' Around, he usually skips the Christmas episodes. Todd asks if it's because the themes of family and togetherness remind him of his own isolation. BoJack responds it's because of "cynical cash grabs by greedy corporations looking to squeeze a few extra Nielsen points out of sentimental claptrap for mush-brained idiots who'd rather spend their Christmas watching a fake family on TV than actually trying to have a conversation with their own dumb families." Todd just replies that he likes seeing people on TV hug each other. BoJack then says if Todd will shut up they can watch the episode together. Also, he gets a residual check every time someone watches an episode.

The episode then starts in the kitchen with Olivia making chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, and hash browns for breakfast. The Horse then asks, "Who are you and what have you done with Olivia?" Olivia then says her ulterior motive was the cute leather jacket she likes is on sale at the galleria. Ethan replies, "I gotta say, I've never understood the appeal of fashionable clothing." Olivia replies, "um, that's the understatement of the century." Ethan replies all he wants is a sensible pair of socks to "keep his tootsies toasty" for years to come.

The Horse then asks the kids, if they have ever heard that it's better to give than to receive. Olivia then replies "Well, by that logic, isn't giving you the opportunity to give me a leather jacket really the best gift of all?" The Horse then says, "Well, I've heard of a one jacket mind, but this is ridiculous." BoJack in present-day questions what a one jacket mind is. Olivia then says, "I just want to look good when I'm on the back of Joey Saratoga's motorcycle. Besides, I've never had a Christmas before and I want to make sure this one's really special."

The Horse then questions if the kids had ever had a Christmas at the orphanage. Sabrina walks in then questions what a Christmas is. The Horse replies, "only the most wonderful time of the year." The Horse then starts talking about Christmas carols, hanging up stockings, and Santa Claus. Sabrina then questions what a Santa Claus is. The Horse then tells Sabrina, Santa is an old man who gives gifts to all the good boys and girls. Sabrina gets excited over the idea of getting presents for being good and says her famous catchphrase, "that's too much man." The Horse then promises the kids he will make it the best Christmas ever for them.

The Horse then shows up at his place of work, Liberatore and Associates, INC to try to work early so he can spend time with the kids on Christmas. Tracy, the secretary questions if the orphans are making The Horse go soft, to which the Horse replies he's still the top earner at the firm. Tracy then says she will buzz Mr. Liberatore and let him know The Horse is in.

Tracy then says Mr. Liberatore wanted to check your progress on the Manzanita briefs. The Horse and Tracy then start flirting with each other. Someone from the live audience then tells The Horse to kiss her.

The Horse then complains about Mr. Liberatore making him come in on Christmas. He then says, "You know, he has got to be the meanest, snootiest, penny-pinchingest and he's right behind me, isn't he?" Tracy tries to motion for The Horse to stop talking. The Horse then asks if Liberatore is behind him. Liberatore replies, "actually, I'm listening over the intercom. Oh! I can't say I'm not disappointed. Time was, I thought you were a go-getter." The Horse protests, "Hey, I go, I get."

Liberatore then says, "ever since those orphans moved in, you've become awfully distracted. If you want to be made partner, you'll have to show some initiative. You know, Jacob Goldstein's coming in on Christmas." The Horse replies that Jacob Goldstein's Jewish! Liberatore then says, "The boys at the country club are not gonna like that. Anyway, you can spend Christmas morning with your little tater tots, but I want you in here by the afternoon. Remember, this is your career we're talking about," which The Horse sighs sadly to.

Meanwhile, at the Horse's house Ethan and Olivia both comment on how it's too quiet, while they are sitting on the couch reading magazines. Suddenly, Goober walks in wearing a Santa suit and sunglasses. He then says he is there to bring "holiday cheer into their dull lives" as he was invited by The Horse himself. He then flirts with Olivia, asks her to kiss him under the mistletoe, and she rejects him.

The Horse then asks Sabrina if she is ready for the surprise. She then makes a comment about a tree being inside the house. He tells her that's not all. She then sees Goober and tells him to go home. The Horse then tells her it's not Goober, but Santa. Sabrina then complains she recognizes his cologne, as he reeks of it.

Todd in present-day makes a comment about that being "classic Goober." BoJack then tells him to stop talking. BoJack then questions, "why they have to watch cheesy Christmas specials at all?" Todd says it's because of tradition. Todd then makes a comment about how he still can't believe Goober molested all those Laker girls to which BoJack replies it wasn't Goober but the actor who portrays him.

On screen, Goober tells Sabrina he is actually Santa's helper, and she can ask for anything. Sabrina then says, she wants a set of personalized pencils with her name on them, because at the orphanage she always had to share. The Horse asks her to think bigger, she then says she wants a Pretty Pony Princess Play-Set. The Horse tells her now she is talking and encourages her to ask for whatever she wishes for.

She then says she wishes for her mommy and daddy. The Horse gets a heartbroken look on his face, and Todd tells BoJack he is a really good actor. BoJack questions if Todd will keep interrupting every five minutes. If so, he would ask Todd to leave. Todd then asks if he really wants to spend Christmas by himself.

Todd then goes on to say no one should be alone on Christmas, saying "Did we learn nothing from John McClane in Die Hard?" BoJack responds that "John McClane was alone on Christmas, that's how he saved the day." Todd says that John had the dad from Family Matters helping him, but BoJack insists it wasn't the same character.

Back in the episode, The Horse gets a call from Mr. Liberatore, asking him to come to work. Olivia makes a comment about The Horse working on Christmas Day being a bummer because he can't spend time with the family. The Horse then says they could spend more time together. For instance, he could chaperone Olivia's prom. Sabrina then comes in from shoveling the walk, saying she's trying to do good deeds, so Santa grants her wishes.

The Horse tries to explain to her, that there are some things even Santa can't do, like bring her parents back. Sabrina then translates this, into The Horse is trying to make her think it won't happen, so she'll be even more surprised when it comes true.

Olivia then suggests they trick Sabrina into acting bad, so she'll believe her parents not coming is her own fault, she'll act good for a whole year—and she'll still believe in Santa. The Horse then tells Sabrina to guard the cookies for Santa.

The episode then cuts to Christmas morning. Joelle gets a helmet to ride on the motorcycle, Ethan gets his holiday socks, and Sabrina gets the play-set but is disappointed her parents did not show up. She does get a letter from her parents in heaven, saying that they are proud of her. Sabrina storms up the stairs, sobbing as that is not what she asked for, saying she hates The Horse and Christmas. Ethan asks if it was something he said (a joke that Todd finds confusing).

On screen, The Horse goes to Sabrina's room to talk to her. Sabrina questions, "why Santa wouldn't want [her] to be happy?" The Horse says he is sure he does want her to be happy. She says she tried to do everything right to make her wish happen and doesn't understand why it didn't work. Sabrina then questions if making others miserable is how Santa gets his kicks.

The Horse panics and explains to her Santa isn't real, but a lie made up by grown-ups to get kids to act good, but you need to act good all the time—not just because Santa says so. He then tells her he is glad her parents aren't alive—so he can be apart of her, Ethan, and Olivia's lives. Sabrina finally says she is too. She then runs off to show Ethan and Olivia her new pencils that have her name on them.

The Horse then calls Liberatore and explains he is not coming in on Christmas Day because he would rather spend time with family. Liberatore says the phone call took guts and offers him a promotion and a partnership. The Horse then says he will spend the Holidays with the people he loves.

Sabrina is seen playing downstairs with her gifts. Olivia questions how The Horse made her come down he says he made her an offer she couldn't refuse. Olivia says she was impressed The Horse wrote that letter from her parents. The Horse says he didn't write it and Olivia and Ethan both claim they didn't write it. The Horse questions, "if none of them wrote it, who did?" The camera then pans to the star on the tree and a familiar voice is heard, revealing it was the real Santa Claus who wrote the letter. The title card reads "Merry Christmas From Horsin' Around."

The ending brings much confusion to Todd. An initially skeptical BoJack suggests they watch the series' eight other Christmas specials. The special ends with Todd suggesting doing Christmas things with Bojack, all of which he refuses until he gives into Todd's suggestion to drink bourbon.

Cast

Voice actor/actress Character(s)
Will Arnett BoJack Horseman
Alison Brie Olivia
Aaron Paul Todd Chavez
Raphael Bob-Waksberg Loud Audience Member
Adam Conover Ethan
Fred Savage Goober
Kristen Schaal Sabrina
Nicole Sullivan Tracy
Stanley Tucci Mr. Liberatore
Herb Kazzaz

External links

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