IN REVIEW: THE SANTA CLAUSES (S1 – EP4) Chapter Four: The Shoes Off the Bed Clause

Synopsis: In The Shoes Off the Bed Clause, Scott adjusts to life in Chicago and has an identity crisis, while Simon settles in at the North Pole and winds up further diminishing the Christmas spirit.

The Story

Having returned to Chicago in the last episode. Scott and his family are taking time to adjust to life outside the North Pole. Scott’s Wife Carol seems to be adapting really quickly having given herself a backstory as a daring pilot. Meanwhile, his daughter Sandra is not as keen on their new life as her brother Cal who is extremely enthusiastic about everything.

Meanwhile, at the North Pole, things are not going well for Simon. It’s his first day on the job and he already seems to have lost the magical Santa suit. Worst still he seems to have alienated the Elves in his push to commercialize Christmas to the point of having Christmas every day. Which of course only diminishes the Holiday’s special place in the year and further depletes the Christmas spirit.

Acting

Tim Allen once again nails it as he gives us a Scott Calvin who is struggling to disassociate from his old life as Santa Clause. This makes for a few amusing encounters. The funniest of which is at the start of the episode where he is ordering himself a coffee with everything but the coffee in it. Austin Kane gives us a fun performance as Scott’s son Cal who is super enthusiastic about his new life at an actual American High School. Elizabeth Mitchell has fun with her portrayal of a super-confident Carol Calvin who is greeted by the school where she worked as somewhat of a legend.

Kal Penn gives another fun performance as Simon who finds himself overcompensating for having lost the Santa suit by pushing to make it Christmas every day. Despite warnings from Betty about how it will mess things up. Of course, Simon is oblivious to anything she has to say.

Overall

The Shoes Off the Bed Clause does a great job of building onto the story and giving us a bit more nuance to the characters. You really find yourself feeling a little sorry for Scott who seems to be rather lost and at sea given that he has been Santa for so long. I loved how Carol seemed to have her entire life planned out and knows who she is when she is not Mrs. Clause.