Tim's Christmas season is not off to a good start, as he learns the neighborhood lighting contest will now be regulated, courtesy of the newly instated Tim Taylor Clause, only 220 amp breakers. No more bulbs brighter than 25 watts, no more tall elves, and no more Three Stooges in the Nativity Scene. But you know as well as I do that there has never been a regulation Tim couldn't break, so he sets to work on organizing his monstrous decorations while Jill makes...fruitcakes? No, these are cakes that...happen to have fruit. This is a bit of a sad time for Jill, as her mother was visiting for their first Christmas since her father's passing, and she wants to do her best to make things bright and festive for her. She even has the perfect gift prepared: her parents' wedding picture, framed and restored. When Lillian arrived, she seemed to be in good spirits, so when they were alone, Jill prepared to give her mom her gift early, but that's when she dropped a bombshell: Lillian's got a guy friend. They've been dating, and she wants to invite him over for Christmas. Yeah, she just thinks the world of Parker, that's her gentleman caller's name. Parker becomes a hit with Tim, as he's just as much into electrical work as he is, except he knows what he's doing. Tim even invited him to Tool Time. What hit below the belt was Tim suggesting Parker might become a part of the family. Jill becomes so miffed at this she chucks her fruity cake right into Tim's (Keith) Partridge in a pear tree. She thinks her mom is moving too fast and that she seems to be happier with Parker than with her dad, and she wants to talk to her about it, despite Tim's protests.
On to Tool Time, where it's yule time. Tim and Al are pushing last- minute gift ideas for the man who has everything...and still wants more. A sleep enhancer that plays the sweet, soothing sounds of Indie cars, as well as a series of How To videos. Unforgettable classics like Silence of the Lamps, Glueless, and The Nutty Compressor. Tim even shows off the piece de resistance: a souped up jumbo red wagon. At home, Wilson was experiencing insomnia..or Timsomnia, since the man was good enough to let Tim use his allotted wattage along with his own, so he could put up his trademark brights on his roof. Jill uses this opportunity to confide in Wilson. He agrees that she should talk to her mother, in a tactful and sensitive way...he then berates Tim for roller-coasting a Santa into his yard. So, Jill and her mother get to talking. Turns out Lillian had rejected Parker's advances for weeks out of respect to the Colonel. No one could ever replace him. So they clear the air, have a good cry, then Jill finally gives her mom the present, which she loves. So it looks like it's going to be a merry Christmas after all. And to cap it all off, Tim lights up the roof. It's breathtaking, as always. Unfortunately, the Santa roller-coaster derails and, well, it doesn't look like Tim's going to win this year.
What can I say? Home Improvement Christmas episodes capture the spirit every time. Yeah, we're back to the subplot of Tim and the lighting contest...though Doc Johnson is never referred to. Probably because that wasn't the focus of our story. Polly Holliday and Patricia Richardson were very convincing as mother and daughter, and George Coe had a nice cameo as Lillian's new love interest. Too bad we didn't get to see more of him, nor did Tim keep his promise of bringing him down to Tool Time. Anyway, this Christmas, I recommend Bright Christmas, as well as all the other Home Improvement Christmas episodes. In order: Yule Better Watch Out, I'm Scheming of a White Christmas, Twas the Blight Before Christmas, Twas the Night Before Chaos, Twas the Flight Before Christmas, No Place Like Home, Bright Christmas, and finally, Home for the Holidays.
On to Tool Time, where it's yule time. Tim and Al are pushing last- minute gift ideas for the man who has everything...and still wants more. A sleep enhancer that plays the sweet, soothing sounds of Indie cars, as well as a series of How To videos. Unforgettable classics like Silence of the Lamps, Glueless, and The Nutty Compressor. Tim even shows off the piece de resistance: a souped up jumbo red wagon. At home, Wilson was experiencing insomnia..or Timsomnia, since the man was good enough to let Tim use his allotted wattage along with his own, so he could put up his trademark brights on his roof. Jill uses this opportunity to confide in Wilson. He agrees that she should talk to her mother, in a tactful and sensitive way...he then berates Tim for roller-coasting a Santa into his yard. So, Jill and her mother get to talking. Turns out Lillian had rejected Parker's advances for weeks out of respect to the Colonel. No one could ever replace him. So they clear the air, have a good cry, then Jill finally gives her mom the present, which she loves. So it looks like it's going to be a merry Christmas after all. And to cap it all off, Tim lights up the roof. It's breathtaking, as always. Unfortunately, the Santa roller-coaster derails and, well, it doesn't look like Tim's going to win this year.
What can I say? Home Improvement Christmas episodes capture the spirit every time. Yeah, we're back to the subplot of Tim and the lighting contest...though Doc Johnson is never referred to. Probably because that wasn't the focus of our story. Polly Holliday and Patricia Richardson were very convincing as mother and daughter, and George Coe had a nice cameo as Lillian's new love interest. Too bad we didn't get to see more of him, nor did Tim keep his promise of bringing him down to Tool Time. Anyway, this Christmas, I recommend Bright Christmas, as well as all the other Home Improvement Christmas episodes. In order: Yule Better Watch Out, I'm Scheming of a White Christmas, Twas the Blight Before Christmas, Twas the Night Before Chaos, Twas the Flight Before Christmas, No Place Like Home, Bright Christmas, and finally, Home for the Holidays.
