Claudia Hernandez

Holy Molly! Who directed this episode? Quentin Tarantino feat George R. Martin? are you even kidding me?

However, I have to say that was the best episode in a while, probably the best episode in the whole series. So stressful and unnerving, yet amazing at the same time.

I love that the writers idea of a "Christmas" episode is literally killing everyone, putting others at risk, leaving others in the balance, hating absolute sweethearts andleaving us hanging until January. But, hey, Merry Christmas, everybody! Yeah, everybody is going to die.

I knew the episode was going to be stressful. I mean, it's entitled "Quarantine", what the hell are you expecting? But killing one patient after another like that made me think about the characters plot armor. But none of them used it. Poor Dr Lim. If she dies I'll take into consideration leaving the show. I've loved her since the first minute she appeared. I love her sassy attitude and how she puts everyone in their place. I don't believe for a second the writers would kill her off right after introducing her and Melendez. The on-off relationship could be interesting.

However, I do think one of the major characters is gonna bite the dust. My money is on Park. Something about him has been off lately.

I loved how this episode changed Morgan and I wonder (if she survives) how she's gonna use her empathy now. I loved seeing her with the ambulance guy.

Freedie Highmore is a treasure. I don't think he gets enough credit for the amazing job he does. I love how they showed that skipping lunch and the buzzing lights can drive him crazy. Autistic people are normally fixed to a particular schedule and if they miss it, well, that happens.

I was expecting some good news and then Dr Glassman had to day that the tumor is back. That news hit me like a tone of bricks.
The last 4 minutes. Shaun is unable to do anything, Glassman's tumor is back, poor Santa in the operating table, that poor guy without his donor, and Lim, I don't even know.

Well, this had everything. It had a main story focusing on the kids, a grand scheme for Louise, Gene at his most exuberant, Tina feeling morally conflicted, Linda so excited to participate in a show, Bob vaguely in disbelief but supportive through it all, the art supply folks at their ornery best, Teddy pretending to be Jewish, the Fishoeders adding their oddball flair to whatever they touch, and Henry mf'n Winkler as Santa Claus.

And if that weren't enough, you have Louise reaching the moment of truth, the moment of her purest Machiavellian excellence, and pulling back from the brink because she realizes it's too much, even for her, and hoping that her siblings can still get their due from Santa despite her. I'm not ashamed to admit I welled up a little bit when Santa came out to tell Louise that she's a leader. There's so much damn heart in the show, and yet it's never treacly, always earned.

And also always funny. Oh man I laughed every time Louise shut down Bob and told him that he knew nothing about Santa, or Teddy saying "oy gevault" or Mr. Fishoeder trying to entertain the crowd. This is a brilliant show, and it's put together yet another wonderful holiday episode.