"For Whom the Sleigh Bell Tolls" is the fourth Christmas episode of the animated sitcom American Dad!
Synopsis
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Stan continues to reject the idea that Jeff is now a member of the family despite Francine's suggestion that he be included in their family traditions. Despite Francine's objections, Stan gives Steve a gun for Christmas and when Steve accidentally shoots Santa Claus, the family is forced to attempt to hide the body in the woods. Meanwhile, Roger goes off in search of the strongest whiskey possible and he is directed to a moonshiner who teaches him his ways. Despite their attempt to hide the body, Santa is recovered and resuscitated by his elves and vows vengeance on the Smith's. The Smith's take refuge in the moonshiner's cabin. Jeff arrives to spend the holiday with Hayley but Santa soon arrives and the family is forced to where fend off an attack of elves, reindeer and snowmen led by Santa. Santa tries to convince Jeff to abandon the Smiths, recognizing that he was not involved in their plot to hide his body but Jeff turns on Santa and is able to pull Stan to safety where Stan sees Jeff as a true member of the family. Santa vows to kill them all and the family is almost overrun until Santa's army is forced to retreat at dawn, vowing to return the next year.
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References
- Roger's whisky hallucination is parody of the game Donkey Kong.
- Santa is seen floating in a tank of fluid similar to the tank of Bacta where Luke Skywalker recovers in Echo Base' medical lab.
- Roger breaks character to lament the plight of Ned Beatty,who despite playing many other roles since,is still most famous for being "rammed in the woods" in Deliverance.
- A large snowman is led into battle chained and ready to attack much like the Cave-troll that is set loose upon the Fellowship in Balin's Tomb.
- The elf wandering around the battlefield to pick up its severed arm is a reference to Saving Private Ryan.
- The rifle that Santa uses has "Red Rider" carved into the stock. This is a reference to the BB gun in A Christmas Story.
Trivia/Notes
- The cover of Carol of the Bells is by the band August Burns Red. [1]
See also
- "The Best Christmas Story Never"
- "The Most Adequate Christmas Ever"
- "Rapture's Delight"
- "Season's Beatings"
- "Minstrel Krampus"
- "Dreaming of a White Porsche Christmas"
- "Ninety North, Zero West"
