Ep 9. Miracle on Culpepper Slims Boulevard

Miracle on Culpepper Slims Boulevard begins with the Harts feeling anything but festive about their prospects for the holidays. Jenny isn't feeling the joy of the season because she can't afford her family's Christmas gift wishlist. Wayne is literally "running away" from thinking too much about the financial mess they are in. And Betty is gloomily stuck in her own holiday malaise, so focused on avoiding the past that she can’t see the present.

So when Violet discovers that Jennings Culpepper, the town’s wealthy benefactor, has returned home for his annual Christmas spectacular, Emu-Palooza, she rallies the family, and the whole town, to get in on the festivities. As Violet coaches the family to try to win first prize in the “Culpepper Christmas Tour of Lights,” Jenny tries to get back to her job selling wigs at a women's shelter, but an awkward encounter threatens to ruin the whole thing.

The Harts are determined to win the contest, but they aren't the only ones who have a chance at Culpepper's prize. Boothstormers, a rival group of inflatables, intends to win that coveted holiday prize at any cost, even if it means vandalizing the switch that powers their competitor's display. Meanwhile, as Wayne runs the race of his life to make sure their display isn't sabotaged and to take down the Boothstormers, Jenny navigates the treacherous waters of her co-workers and tries to keep her job.

Throughout the episode, the Harts' financial struggles continue to plague them, leaving them feeling completely disconnected from the glittery Christmas spectacle unfolding all around them. Even a trip to Macy's to see Santa can’t cure their malaise. But as the holiday spirit starts to light up Culpepper Slims Boulevard and their Christmas display takes shape, the family is taken by surprise by the final outcome.

Miracle on Culpepper Slims Boulevard explores themes of friendship, family, and community in the face of hardship, and the idea that even the smallest gestures can carry the biggest impact. It's a heartwarming and accessible holiday story that anyone can enjoy, whether they are a fan of animation or not. The episode is a touching tribute to the power of the holiday season to bring us all together and to remind us of the things that really matter, both in good times and in bad.