With Thanksgiving finally here, it’s the perfect time to revisit the best Thanksgiving television episodes on Netflix. While Friends won’t be added to the streaming service until January 1st, here are a few classic episodes from other shows and to get you in the mood.
1. How I Met Your Mother – “Slapsgiving” (Season 3, Episode 9)
“Later we’re going to eat turkey, and then I’m going to slap you in your face.” – Marshall
“Slapsgiving” serves up many of the tropes you probably find at your own Friendsgiving’s – hours of cooking, minutes of eating, small talk with that guy who shouldn’t have been invited, sexual tension with an ex and treating friends as family. Bonus viewing: “Slapsgiving 2: Revenge of the Slap” (Season 5, Episode 9)
Pair with: Scotch for the Robin’s, red wine for the Lily’s.
2. New Girl – “Thanksgiving” (Season 1, Episode 6)
“The most sexy holidays are Fourth of July, Independence Day obviously, Women’s History Month and Christmas.” – Schmidt
This episode of New Girl is like your grandmother’s famous stuffing recipe. All the weird ingredients (sausage?) mix together to create perfection. Start with guest star Justin Long’s geeky teacher Paul as a perfect complement to Jess. Add a few explosions from Schmidt in the kitchen for hilarity. Stir in a classic Nick/Jess scream fest fueled by a little I WANT TO BONE YOU subtext. And add a dead body at the end. What more could you want?
Pair with: A glass of rosé.
3. Orange is the New Black – “Fucksgiving” (Season 1, Episode 9)
“We’re the Pilgrims and you bitches are the Indians.” – Mendez
What’s a Netflix list without a Netflix original? Let me tell you, OITNB’s “Fucksgiving” does not disappoint. It’s a cornucopia of sex, drugs, pee infused gravy, dance parties and awkward family interactions. Sounds like a typical Thanksgiving, am I right or am I right? If nothing else, the moldy bologna Piper is given in solitary will make you extremely grateful for your own Thanksgiving dinner.
Pair with: Homemade toilet hooch.
4. Gossip Girl – “Blair Waldorf Must Pie!” (Season 1, Episode 9)
“There’s no chance we’re related, right?” – Dan
I can’t tell you how fun it is to rewatch an old Gossip Girl episode, especially a doozy like “Blair Waldorf Must Pie!” Sick of studying for that exam? Roommate driving you insane? Why not sit back, relax and get lost in the dramatic world of Gossip Girl’s Upper East Side. We’re talking overdoses, binge eating pie, purging pie, borderline incest, football games that would make Abercrombie and Fitch weep and the human mannequin that is Chace Crawford. All this set to the coolest music of 2007. What’s not to love?
Pair with: A Cosmo or Martini.
5. Gilmore Girls – “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving” (Season 3, Episode 9)
“It’s not too much food. This is what we’ve been training for our whole lives. This is our destiny. This is our finest hour.” – Lorelai
Watching “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving” is like digging into a warm pie. There’s just something so comforting about it. This episode is filled to the brim with sweet moments. We’ve got Lane’s first kiss with Dave Rygalski, local Christian guitar player (aka Seth Cohen). Lorelai realizing Luke enjoys spending Thanksgiving with the Girls. Rory and Jess smooching all over Star’s Hallow. Not to mention some top notch foliage in the opening credits. Want to know one of the things I’m most thankful for this year? Gilmore Girls being added to Netflix.
Pair with: A hot cup of coffee, preferably at Luke’s.
6. Friday Night Lights – Thanksgiving (Season 4, Episode 13)
“Buddy Garrity is bringing a deep fryer to my house on Thanksgiving and cooking a turkey? When I’m making dinner?” – Tami Taylor
What’s Thanksgiving without a little football? This is the only series finale on the list, so you know this episode is bringing the heat. Vince and the Lions face off against that mouth breather JD McCoy and the Panthers. Matt is back in town from Chicago. Landry (aka Matt Damon and The Cowardly Lion’s love child) is put to the test as the team’s kicker. Tami faces potentially being fired. If all of this isn’t pulling you in, I’ve got two words for you: Tim. Riggins. Texas Forever.
Pair with: A domestic beer. America!
