1313 - The Christmas Dragon
Premiere Date: Friday, December 16, 2022, 5:00 PM PST
Host: Joel Robinson, Emily Connor and Jonah Heston
Special Guests: Friar Nolte
Writers: Jonah Ray, Nate Begel, Ross Bryant, Matt Conent, Yvonne Freese, Allie Goertz, Rebecca Hanson, Lesley Kinzel, Emily Marsh, Conor McGiffin, Matt Oswalt, Kirk Thatcher, J. Elvis Weinstein, Hampton Yount
Triple Riffle? Yes, please. So where to begin, there's so much to talk about. The on-the-spot inventions set the tone (Emily's paperweight, lmao, this after Jonah and Joel's elaborate improvised pieces).
Max's Friar Nolte was another highlight (I wonder what Mike will think of this, as Nolte has been his thing in the world of riffing).
And how about the concluding sketch? While the escape runs a bit long, I dug seeing Joel, Emily and Jonah rocking out, all while the bots cheer them on. Then there's the reveal of who's driving the Deep Hurting, and boy, Pearl laughing like a mad... er, Mad, was perfection, a memorable moment, like Major Kong whooping and hollering and waving his cowboy hat in Dr. Strangelove. In truth they should have ended with that, her face, the laughter and into the time bag.
As to the flick? I'm not into these old-world fantasy movies, with the swords and sorcery and long walks in the woods (those Deathstalker, Delta Knights, types) saying that, MST often turns them into comedy gold (the Ator eps), and this is no exception.
Sure (in my opinion) there are funnier experiments this season, but much like the Halloween episode, there's a tangible upbeat, event-like feel to the whole affair that was energizing. And I liked that they gave each group a section of the film to riff on, as it highlighted how different their personalities, interactions and riff-styles are. For example, Baron's given several lengthier quips, one about the quest ("and so they did come on again..."), another on tennis balls taped to a stick as a stand-in for the dragon - and these suited him, and his Servo quite wonderfully and distinctly. Another? Joel bringing up Carl Reiner was just what the elder statesman of the group would and should say (it's another perfect riff assignment).
While I think Team Emily shone the brightest of the three groups, it was the concluding piece, where the human hosts join forces in the theater, that was the knockout, laugh-wise. The scene where they take the romance out of riding a sleigh through the sky was hysterical. In addition, I liked the gift giving sequence, and Joel's bit about taxes (which caped off a running gag).
Joel makes a special announcement
The livestream makes the season finale all the more exciting - they fold in shots from the backer's premiere show, we see the cast interact with the fans, then Matt comes out for introductions and such; after that he and Joel riff on The Blob trailer, wow! And it was funny (the best riffs are the ones left unspoken, says Joel), double wow! And while there are no details, he announces that there are plans for a 14th season... TRIPLE WOW!
The audience's laughter added an extra jolt, I don't even remember Emily's "Your inflight movie, is Cats" from my morning's viewing (the regular version of the ep), but the reaction from the crowd ensures that I'll never forget it. I also received greater enjoyment out of Conor's gameshow line after a bell rings, and those are just two early examples, which makes me wish we could have an audience for every episode. At the very least this needs to be included as a download, or made available on disc.
The show concludes with another round of questions from the fans.
Favorite Riffs: "Uuh, watch the leprosy" - Emily as child hugs parents | "No penicillin, but they got hair jell" - Crow | "Oh please, who laughs at puppet shows?" - GPC | "You know she's just going to write about her in her burn scroll" - Servo | "Gruel Hub" - Joel (after knock on door) | "Fin really puts the oar in orphan" - Servo | "The Snyder Cut" - Joel, in slo-mo | "This must be the 'War on Christmas' Fox News is always going on about" - Crow | "Come on, let's give these kids something to talk to their therapists about" - Jonah as lovers love | "Huh, not getting much sympathy from the orphans for the 'mom not being here' thing" - Crow | "Come on dad, you're not even checking it once" - Jonah as Santa sleeps with list in hand | "Oh man guys look, they sleighed the dragon!" - Emily | "Well at least Quicksilver's here to save the day" - Joel | And Crow starting the old classic, "Hello" gag... but no other stooge shows up
Favorite Host Segment: Max as Friar Nick
Amazing Colossal Grade: 3.5 - In terms of my laughter, I'd rank this third among the Christmas episodes, behind Santa Claus and The Christmas That Almost Wasn't, but it has an all-around great vibe that's given a boost for the livestream.
My Season 13 Rankings
1. Beyond Atlantis (Emily) 4.25-stars
2. Dr. Mordrid (Emily) 4
3. The Bubble (Joel) 4
4. Batwoman (Emily) 3.75
5. Munchie (Jonah) 3.5
6. The Christmas Dragon (Joel, Emily, Jonah) 3.5
7. Santo in the Treasure of Dracula (Jonah) 3.5
8. The Mask 3D (Jonah) 3ish
9. Demon Squad (Joel) 3
10. The Million Eyes of Sumuru (Jonah) 3
11. The Shape of Things to Come (Emily) 3
12. Gamera vs. Jiger (Jonah) 2.5
13. Robot Wars (Jonah) 2.5
Screengrabs
Festive Mads
Kabahl under the mistletoe
Jonah's impromptu B-52s wig for Tom
Friar Nolte arrives
A memorable MST moment, 3 Hosts in the theater
Joel can only remember the lyrics to Mike's theme 🤣
A gathering of bots
A couple of shots from the live show
