Mini-Article: Thanksgiving TV Episodes 2025
11/25/25
Like last year (see Newsletter here), below is a list of Thanksgiving episodes to watch. But first, a few thoughts on thankfulness.
Three Thoughts on Thanks
Last year I explained how thankfulness forces us to recognize external benevolence (read Part 1 here) and then I gave some personal stories where one external Giver (who I believe is God) provided for my needs (read Part 2 here).
As you may know, I’m writing a book on humility. Consequently, I’ve been reading books on humility, and several quotes stood out. I never gave much thought about the tie from gratitude to humility. If you haven’t explored this connection and aren’t feeling particularly thankful – you’re welcome for me doing you this incredible favor!
We’ll start with something not directly spiritual. Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey said, “Thankfulness is a soil in which pride does not easily grow.”[i] I remember in elementary school around this time of year, putting pumpkin seeds in wet paper towels and watching them grow. In the same way, giving humility new life comes from thankfulness. You can’t-er-bury pride seeds in thankfulness soil.
As we move into the more spiritual side of gratitude, it was said of Puritan titan Matthew Henry that “he was an alert and thankful observer of answered prayer…”[ii] I love that reminder of action. First, Henry prayed but when those prayers were answered, he didn’t forget to thank the Gifter. Coincidentally, my Thanksgiving meals are Puritan: bland, simple, but nevertheless guilt-inducing.
Thankfully unrelated to that tastelessness, we’ve arrived at our last quote where Pastor Stuart Scott explains, “Humble people thank God and others often. They expect nothing, so anything that is received is greatly appreciated (1 Thessalonians 5:18).”[iii] I wouldn’t assume someone who is not a Christian to expect nothing; but for the Christian, we should recognize that because as humans we don’t intrinsically deserve any gifts, we shouldn’t expect anything. That’s not to say God doesn’t provide basic needs for all people,[iv] but recognizing those provisions and anything beyond as a gift, is humbling yet healthy.
Healthier (and ultimately more fun) than a tofurky!
List of 2024 Fogle Thanksgiving Episodes Watched
Brooklyn Nine-Nine, “Thanksgiving” (S1, E10). Read summary here. Thanksgiving dinner is repeatedly ruined but Jake and Holt partner up for the first time. Classic 99 perfection.
Gossip Girl, “The Treasure of Serena Madre” (S3, E11). Read summary here. I’ve watched dozens of Thanksgiving shows somewhere in the middle of their seasons and never been more lost than here. And. this. show. Wow. Not my cup of drama, although I enjoyed the witty title.
Blackish, “Auntsgiving” (S3, E7). Read summary here. Although not overly Thanksgiving-y, still a pretty funny episode and seems pivotal for several of the character’s relationships. Also the second episode in a row where someone pulls an emergency stop in an elevator to make out (i.e. Gossip Girl). Interestingly, the first episode (vs. upcoming It’s Always Sunny) where people resolve to make amends.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, “The Gang Squashes Their Beefs” (S9, E10). Read summary here. A chaotic episode which, nine seasons in, has a lot of inside jokes, but was still enjoyable. Food for thought: The idea of making peace is probably more in the vein of the holiday than just sitting around a traditional meal.
Bob’s Burgers, “An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal.” (S3, E5). Read summary here. I think of this classic episode semi-regularly. It’s the first time Bob talks to food (and gives it a voice), includes a Totoro homage, and highlights the Belcher’s quirky but beautiful familial love. As a bonus, it has Lin’s “Pass the Cranberry Sauce” song, which my wife sings multiple times around the holidays.
Xoncluding Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this, have a great Thanksgiving!
Thanks, in Him,
-Chris (the Bearded Wonder) Fogle
[i] Michael Ramsey, The Christian Priest Today, 1972.
[ii] Ready for a wild ride? Ligon Duncan said that others said this about Matthew Henry in the book Method for Prayer, 1994. And that was said by C.J. Mahaney in the book Humility: True Greatness, Multnomah, Penguin Random House, 2005, p. 70.
[iii] Stuart Scott, From Pride to Humility, Focus Publishing, Minnesota, 2002, p. 21.
[iv] Psalm 145:9; Job 25:3; Matthew 5:45, etc.