"For Whom the Sleigh Bell Tolls" is the fourth Christmas episode of the FOX animated series American Dad!.
Synopsis[]
Stan continues to reject the idea that Jeff is now a member of the Smiths 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 Smiths are forced to attempt to hide his 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 Santa's body, he is recovered and resuscitated by his elves and vows vengeance on the Smiths. They take refuge in the moonshiner's cabin. Jeff arrives to spend the holiday with Hayley but Santa soon arrives and the Smiths are forced to where fend off an attack of elves, reindeer, and snowmen led by Santa. He tries to convince Jeff to abandon the Smiths, recognizing that he was not involved in their plot to hide his body but he turns on him and is able to pull Stan to safety where he sees him as a true member of the Smiths. Santa vows to kill them all and they're almost overrun until his army is forced to retreat at dawn, vowing to return the next year.
Trivia[]
- The cover of "Carol of the Bells" is by the band August Burns Red. [1]
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 is 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.
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"
- "Santa, Schmanta"