"twas the episode before christmas" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

bry · 02-22-2004, 11:15 AM

"boy am i glad christmas comes but once a year"

joseph gets killed.
mary has lost her baby son.
three kings are the detectives investigating from the justice department.

ok.
richard belzer stars as a racketeer getting revenge on a friend that sent him to prison. he gets killed but his wife and son disappear. she leaves him in agnes' laundry basket.
the racketeer catches up with agnes, the baby and maddie. dave comes down the chimney dressed as santa clause. they fight with toys against guns. when they run out of toys, the three kings come busting in the house dressed as santa clause to save our heroes.
the show ends when it begins snowing in the office. dave and maddie walk out of the office and right into the tv studio with the cast and crew singing "the first noel".

entertaining and cleverly written.

rating: 8

david&maddie4ever · 02-22-2004, 10:57 PM

This was a great episode. I just thought it was so adorable and clever. The three kings part just killed me!

This was one of those really good character development episodes, too. If I remember correctly, Maddie shows a bit of her soft side for one of the first times. Aww.

bry · 02-22-2004, 11:51 PM

the part i liked best was when david told maddie the specifics here. mary couldn't find a place to stay because all the inns were full, three kings, then he said all they needed was a camel. and then she offers him a camel cigarrette.
now that, was funny.

EricIdlefan · 02-23-2004, 12:56 AM

Maddie wasn't a b*tch like nearly 90% of the shows and showed that she is human and vulnerable
Richard's character got killed and didn't get the chance to clear his name but David and Maddie did end up clearing his name
The gun-toys epsidode was funny and the heros saved the day yet again
Loved the cast and crew singing at the end
Very moving and touching

david&maddie4ever · 02-23-2004, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EricIdlefan
Maddie wasn't a b*tch like nearly 90% of the shows and showed that she is human and vulnerable

Honestly, I absolutely loved Maddie's character.

I think there was an amazing change of heart somewhere in the early years and from there on out, Maddie rocked out loud.

~Lauren

bry · 02-23-2004, 09:56 PM

this episode also featured dave telling maddie that if she ever found that she was going to have a baby, he would be there to help.
that whole conversation was sorta prophetic with the final seasons.

david&maddie4ever · 02-23-2004, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bry
this episode also featured dave telling maddie that if she ever found that she was going to have a baby, he would be there to help.
that whole conversation was sorta prophetic with the final seasons.

I was actually going to comment about that part. I wasn't sure it was in this episode, though. One of the best Maddie/Dave scenes in that first season, IMO.

MulberryGal · 09-02-2004, 09:23 AM

Yes it was strange watching this ep again (just bought it second hand!) after knowing what happens in series 4 and 5. It was really adorable with Maddie and Agnes sitting in front of the xmas tree with the baby....

The bit with the cast and crew singing was cute too. Might be even better if I watch it in a coupla months time!!!

Mul

Dutchie · 09-02-2004, 10:00 AM

I've got the end (the part where they start to throw toys and the scenes after that) on tape somewhere. But I can't remember where exactly. I'm looking for the tape over a year already so maybe I just taped over it.... I can remember bits of it. Like the kiss

I loved that kiss, even if it didn't mean anything

Tazmania · 09-02-2004, 01:26 PM

I think these kisses mean a lot!
This is kissing without preparation without thinking about it, this is spontaneous!
I like this epi, the storyline with the X-mas characters is great.
And indeed Maddie melts holding that baby under the X-mas tree.
Beautiful moment.
Real good absurd humor in the toyfight, THAT is Moonlighting humor for me.
And ofcourse a very very sexy Santi Clause!

CindyK · 09-02-2004, 06:01 PM

Years ago when ML was originally on TV, this was one of my favorite episodes prior to season 3. (BTW, in the USA we classify this episode as season 2...season 2 for us starts with Brother Can You Spare a Blonde and ends with Camille---you guys in England and Europe run seasons one and two together and call that season one).

"Twas" is funny, sweet, holiday charming, and clever clever clever in the allegorical elements. Glenn Caron wrote this one (he is credited 100% with it) and it sure has a smart script full on innuendo, wordplay and amusing Christmas references.

I too love the discussion in the car about Maddie and motherhood.

pmarier · 09-03-2004, 12:24 AM

i love the maddie hayes character too. i do not think she's a b** or anything at all awful. i thought she was nuts in the last 2 seasons, but the first 3 i thought she was simply wonderful.

Tazmania · 09-04-2004, 03:28 AM

Explain nuts, pmarier.

Dutchie · 09-04-2004, 03:49 AM

didn't I read this somewhere before? I think I'm having a deja vu or something

Tazmania · 09-04-2004, 04:56 AM

Read what before, Steph?

02-22-2004, 11:15 AM	#1
bry Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 21, 2003 Location: n.c. Posts: 819	"twas the episode before christmas" "boy am i glad christmas comes but once a year" joseph gets killed. mary has lost her baby son. three kings are the detectives investigating from the justice department. ok. richard belzer stars as a racketeer getting revenge on a friend that sent him to prison. he gets killed but his wife and son disappear. she leaves him in agnes' laundry basket. the racketeer catches up with agnes, the baby and maddie. dave comes down the chimney dressed as santa clause. they fight with toys against guns. when they run out of toys, the three kings come busting in the house dressed as santa clause to save our heroes. the show ends when it begins snowing in the office. dave and maddie walk out of the office and right into the tv studio with the cast and crew singing "the first noel". entertaining and cleverly written. rating: 8
	__________________ that's Y-A-T-E-S.

02-22-2004, 10:57 PM	#2
david&maddie4ever ...the hard way... Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 01, 2003 Location: ...staring at my calendar, counting the days until the release of Moonlighting on DVD... Posts: 3,580	This was a great episode. I just thought it was so adorable and clever. The three kings part just killed me! This was one of those really good character development episodes, too. If I remember correctly, Maddie shows a bit of her soft side for one of the first times. Aww.
	__________________ living and loving and learning ...the hard way...

02-23-2004, 12:56 AM	#4
EricIdlefan USA 250th! Forum Addict Join Date: Oct 12, 2003 Location: East TN Posts: 68,236	Maddie wasn't a b*tch like nearly 90% of the shows and showed that she is human and vulnerable Richard's character got killed and didn't get the chance to clear his name but David and Maddie did end up clearing his name The gun-toys epsidode was funny and the heros saved the day yet again Loved the cast and crew singing at the end Very moving and touching
	__________________ JUSA 250th Anniversary!

09-02-2004, 09:23 AM	#8
MulberryGal Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 04, 2004 Location: England Posts: 333	Yes it was strange watching this ep again (just bought it second hand!) after knowing what happens in series 4 and 5. It was really adorable with Maddie and Agnes sitting in front of the xmas tree with the baby.... The bit with the cast and crew singing was cute too. Might be even better if I watch it in a coupla months time!!! Mul
	__________________ You can lead a horse to water but that doesn't make him a duck Maddie Hayes: I wouldn't want you losing any more sleep over me. David Addison : Believe me, if and when I ever find myself over you, the last thing I'll be thinking about is sleeping.

09-02-2004, 10:00 AM	#9
Dutchie I <3 Moonlighting! Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 09, 2004 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 815	I've got the end (the part where they start to throw toys and the scenes after that) on tape somewhere. But I can't remember where exactly. I'm looking for the tape over a year already so maybe I just taped over it.... I can remember bits of it. Like the kiss I loved that kiss, even if it didn't mean anything
	__________________ aka Stephanie at brucewillis.com and aka Stephanie at cybill.com YAY! A Cyb and Bruce Reunion!!

02-22-2004, 11:51 PM	#3
bry Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 21, 2003 Location: n.c. Posts: 819	the part i liked best was when david told maddie the specifics here. mary couldn't find a place to stay because all the inns were full, three kings, then he said all they needed was a camel. and then she offers him a camel cigarrette. now that, was funny.

02-23-2004, 09:56 PM	#6
bry Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 21, 2003 Location: n.c. Posts: 819	this episode also featured dave telling maddie that if she ever found that she was going to have a baby, he would be there to help. that whole conversation was sorta prophetic with the final seasons.

09-02-2004, 01:26 PM	#10
Tazmania An addict! Senior Member Join Date: Jun 19, 2004 Location: Holland Posts: 1,135	I think these kisses mean a lot! This is kissing without preparation without thinking about it, this is spontaneous! I like this epi, the storyline with the X-mas characters is great. And indeed Maddie melts holding that baby under the X-mas tree. Beautiful moment. Real good absurd humor in the toyfight, THAT is Moonlighting humor for me. And ofcourse a very very sexy Santi Clause!
	__________________ "Why does this keep happening?" "Same reason why Christmas keeps happening! Because it's terrific ! That's why!!"

09-02-2004, 06:01 PM	#11
CindyK Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 10, 2004 Location: Panama City Beach Florida Posts: 639	Years ago when ML was originally on TV, this was one of my favorite episodes prior to season 3. (BTW, in the USA we classify this episode as season 2...season 2 for us starts with Brother Can You Spare a Blonde and ends with Camille---you guys in England and Europe run seasons one and two together and call that season one). "Twas" is funny, sweet, holiday charming, and clever clever clever in the allegorical elements. Glenn Caron wrote this one (he is credited 100% with it) and it sure has a smart script full on innuendo, wordplay and amusing Christmas references. I too love the discussion in the car about Maddie and motherhood.
	__________________ We're not asking for the moon, just Moonlighting DVD's. Moonlightingdvd.com Need more Moonlighting in your life? Visit DavidandMaddie.com

09-03-2004, 12:24 AM	#12
pmarier pmarier Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 12, 2004 Posts: 24	i love the maddie hayes character too. i do not think she's a b** or anything at all awful. i thought she was nuts in the last 2 seasons, but the first 3 i thought she was simply wonderful.

09-04-2004, 03:28 AM	#13
Tazmania An addict! Senior Member Join Date: Jun 19, 2004 Location: Holland Posts: 1,135	Explain nuts, pmarier.

09-04-2004, 03:49 AM	#14
Dutchie I <3 Moonlighting! Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 09, 2004 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 815	didn't I read this somewhere before? I think I'm having a deja vu or something

09-04-2004, 04:56 AM	#15
Tazmania An addict! Senior Member Join Date: Jun 19, 2004 Location: Holland Posts: 1,135	Read what before, Steph?