Original subtitles

* Here it comes, let's clear the sky, *

*

* Means every little Christmas wish *

* is coming true. *

* Santa's making moves and I am, I am too. *

* Santa's making moves and I am, I am too. *

*

* That Christmas clock goes tick tock tick, *

We've been learning about the surprising history

of Christmas traditions across America.

Now, I see some of you are all finished with your ornaments.

Let's start sharing some origin stories.

Ella, your turn.

Saint...

Um...

Hey.

Public speaking makes everyone nervous.

It's okay.

I believe you can do this.

-Really? -Really.

Deep breath.

Saint Nick gave us the tradition

of Christmas stockings

when he threw gold in his socks

hanging over the fireplace to dry.

Well done, Ella.

Good job.

All right, you can hang up your ornament and take a seat.

Ten across, 12th night practice at Christmas caroling

was sailing. Duh. Nailed it.

Hey, Avery. Congratulations.

Congratulations to you, too.

Psst.

-Ruby! -Hi.

You came to join me for lunch?

I haven't made you lunch

since our elementary school days.

Remember when I went through my Michelin Star phase?

Remember it? It still haunts me.

Hey, what's wrong with peanut butter and tuna?

Well, I'm just glad you've shifted your career aspirations

to personal training. Let me guess, you're here

because you booked your airline ticket.

What? No.

Yes.

I can't believe my entire family's abandoning me

right before the holidays. Mom and dad on a cruise,

you and Tim going to Jersey, it's nuts.

Mmhmm. Yeah, about that.

I've been thinking about something

that you could do while we're gone, you know,

to pass the time and get your mind off of...

Great news, Avery. Just wonderful.

Did I win the lottery or something?

What's happening?

Kind of like the lottery, yeah.

In the sense that there's money involved.

A lot of money.

Ruby, what did you do?

I think they announced

the contestants names online already.

Contestants? Contestant for what?

Remember how you were saying that you would love to have

more excitement and adventure in your life?

No, I never said that. I value my downtime.

Downtime, yes. But relentless hibernation. No.

Don't you want to go to the places

you're always reading about?

- Ruby? - Hmm?

What's happening?

Promise me you won't get mad when I tell you what I did.

No.

You pretended to be me, and you signed me up for a race?!

I wanted to surprise you.

A surprise is a party with cupcakes and balloons.

It's not this.

Okay, hold on, hold on, hold on.

Just- just look, please? Okay?

Just... here.

What makes the Great Holiday Dash

more than your typical TV game show?

It's about ordinary people embarking on a race

to complete a series of Christmas-themed challenges

for the chance at $1 million.

I'm your host, Keegan Edwards.

Join me to find out who will play along

in this once in a lifetime Christmas celebration.

Fasten your Santa hat that someone is you.

Okay, I've seen this show.

I can't believe you thought I would be good for this.

You're great at puzzles. You could totally win this.

Yeah, I can great at puzzles in the comfort of my own home.

You have a chance to win a million dollars.

Imagine the places you could visit with that kind of money.

Ruby, I'm not gonna win.

I'm a bookworm. I'm not a triathlete.

Okay, well, imagine what that kind of money could do

for your after school reading program.

You spend so much time fundraising

that now you could put that time

towards actually launching it.

What do you have to lose?

Oh, I have so much to lose.

My privacy, my dignity, you know, a leg.

Mom, dad, and me, we love you so much.

So this is coming from the heart, but...

when did you become a bystander to your own life?

Not doing the show.

-No. -Please.

-No. -Please.

Hi, I'm Wes Cosgrove, slap shot king of Chicago,

here with a pre-workout tip.

Take it from me.

When you're down OT sudden death

and you need that boost

to score that winning goal, you need...

Mega Juice.

The Juice with the boost.

How was that? What'd you think, huh?

Mega Juice sees that... sponsorship time, baby.

Uh, I hate to break it to you, Wes,

but Nash Reynolds just signed a deal

to be the new face of Mega Juice.

What?

Yeah. Have a look.

Why can't I shake this guy? Why is he always in my orbit?

I retired from the Blackbirds last year.

It's like I never existed.

How can they forget

the most dramatic Stanley Cup win in history?

Me scoring the winning goal in fourth overtime.

It's a new world.

Everyone has a short attention span.

Cole, you're my agent.

What's my next move?

What about joining your brother?

The offer of co-hosting with him still stand.

No, you know I don't want to do that.

Okay.

Guess who's back.

What?

Guess who's the next contestant on the Great Holiday Dash.

We're back, baby.

Boom, boom!

Let's go!

Nash Reynolds... look out.

Surprise!

Miss Müller, remember what you told me?

I believe you can do this, deep breath.

I think you're gonna win this.

Ruby.

Avery?

I'm gonna do the race.

Oh, my God. That's the spirit.

Yeah, but I'm not gonna do it for me.

I'm gonna do it for my students.

Because if I can bring just a little bit

of attention to the school,

I think it's gonna make fundraising a lot easier.

So let's just hope I don't get eliminated right away.

Well, you've got some training to do.

I do.

And because you got me into this mess--

Let's find out what else you can do other than puzzles.

Okay, yeah! Ooh!

I'm so sorry.

We're gonna start with coordination.

Smart.

Mmhmm.

That's a pretty braid.

That's a rope.

Throw it.

Yeah!

Against the wall.

-Oh, against the wall. -Yeah, right here.

*

-Up top. -Yeah, okay.

Yes.

I got it!

I got it!

I don't got it.

Up!

Up!

Oh. Now you're doing it!

Oh, yeah.

I'm good at this.

You have to lift them.

Oh.

Okay. So I travel around the whole country with no recess.

Well, there's gonna be breaks, silly,

at hotels along the way for you to rest.

I mean, I guess it is pretty cool, you know,

learning about how all these different regions

celebrate Christmas.

Your students are gonna love it.

Shoulder press.

Yeah, sure.

Yeah, let's hope I live to tell the tale.

Yeah.

Hey, are you okay to finish up the circuit on your own?

I have to go home and pack.

Tim and I are leaving in the morning.

He can't find the travel-size toothpaste.

To be fair, it's very small.

Yeah. Of course.

You should get out of here.

I think I can figure out how to run on my own.

I can't believe the show starts tomorrow.

You're gonna be great.

Okay.

-You got this. -Thanks.

Okay.

Cardio.

Okay. Here we go.

Oh...

Sorry.

Excuse me. So sorry.

That was actually my machine. That's my towel.

And I was just about to run on that machine.

You... uh...

-Ok. -Thank you.

-Yeah, no, you're welcome. -Thanks.

No problem.

Also, uh, that machine's broken.

-Good? Wow. -Yeah

That's cool.

I'm so sorry.

-Yes. -So sorry again.

The on button isn't, like, on-ing.

Do you know why?

-It's on-ing for me. -Oh.

You obviously turned off the safety feature, right?

Oh.

-Obviously. -Yeah.

Good. Thank you.

Oh... ah... ahh!

Oh god. Are you ok?

Oh, I'm so sorry. That was totally my fault.

That was my fault. Do you need an ice pack?

I'm so sorry.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

No, I don't want an ice pack.

You've done enough.

Okay.

Yeah. Lucky I'm thick-headed, yeah.

I... I think you mean hard-headed.

That's- the phrase is hard-headed.

That's what you meant, right?

Thank you, professor.

You sure there's nothing else I can do for you?

You know what?

Actually, there is something you can do.

You can find another gym.

I like this gym.

And I'd rather not have to wear a helmet.

That was rude.

-Ooh, yum. -Right?

Gingerbreads are my favorite, too.

Hi, I'm Katie.

Oh, I'm Avery.

Are you as nervous as I am?

Oh, God, I'm sweating like a snowman in July.

Right?

I've never done anything like this before.

This is intense.

Yeah. So intense.

-I know. -Mmhmm.

- Excited though. - I know, me too.

Hey, slap shot king?

A selfie?

Yeah, sure.

Oh, my goodness! It's the...

Oh, my goodness! Nash Reynolds!

Hi! Can I get a selfie, please, please, please?

Nash?!

-Oh! -Oh!

Oh, my god! Is that Nash?!

You!

What are you doing here?

What are you doing here?

I'm here to win this.

What are you, the producer? Director? Catering?

No, no.

I'm just here to show a thick-headed guy like you

that the professor has her strengths as well.

Don't you mean hard-headed?

No.

Hello. Hello, everyone.

Can I have your attention, please?

I'm Dirk Simms, the producer of "The Great Holiday Dash"

and I want to thank you all for being here today

and we are ready to go, so best of luck to everyone.

All right, let's hear it.

Hello, everyone. I'm your host, Keegan Edwards.

I want to welcome you to "The Great Holiday Dash".

You will be competing

to find the ultimate Christmas treasure,

a silver bell hidden somewhere in America.

Whoever finds and rings it first,

will be our winner.

Who among you will emerge as leader of the pack?

Get used to those cameras.

They'll be filming the games to be televised later.

And just a little reminder, no cell phones allowed.

Thank you.

Now I've got a little surprise.

For the first time ever, you will not be competing

as individuals, but as two-person teams.

And lucky for you, those teams have been pre-selected.

-What? -Come on!

Now, each member from the winning team

will win $1 million!

So, are you ready to meet your teammates?

-Yes! -Yeah!

Okay, when I call your name, please step forward

to get your team jacket.

First up, team Fab-u-lous.

Oh, I've got Brad and Ramone.

Next up, Polar Party.

It looks like Carol and Nash.

What? Oh! Nash!

-Are we going to do this? -Oh, you know, I'm ready.

* Wait a second, wait a minute. *

* City covered with the snow. *

* To the family, Merry Christmas. *

* Happy New Year to my folks. *

* Bells are ringing, children singing, *

* all together, young and old. *

* How you like that? *

*

* We wish you a Merry Christmas. *

Okay, we're down to our last two teams.

We've got team Jingle Bells, Katie and Shirley.

Which leaves Wes and Avery, Team Sleigh Whaat?!!

Come and get your jacket.

Okay, so I think we should get

the Great Holiday Dash started, huh?

Alright.

For your first challenge, each Santa mailbox

contains an envelope with the first clue.

Solve the riddle inside to find the location

of your first Christmas challenge.

But... there's a twist.

There are more teams than mailboxes,

so the last team to make it to the mailbox will be eliminated.

All right, everyone, are we ready?

-Yeah. -Yeah.

And set... and go!

*

* Christmas is near, *

* Christmas is just round the corner. *

You're already in the windy city,

so head to the square of Illinois's favorite son.

Abraham Lincoln.

-Lincoln Park. -Lincoln Park.

On the west facing corner

is a storybook gingerbread Tudor.

It's gonna be German Town, which is in Lincoln Park.

This place is famous for its sauerkraut, schnitzel, and--

--Lebkuchen.

No, it says "gingerbread".

Yeah, it's gotta be Dusseldorf Restaurant.

It's famous for its carols and lebkuchen treats

this time of year.

Come on, we can take a cab from the corner.

It's rush hour, so we'll take the side streets.

No. Everybody knows the expressway's faster

this time of day.

-No, it's not. -Yes, it is.

* Saint Nick is just 'round the corner. *

* Santa with toys, crack out some sleigh bells. *

Are we the first or the last?

Probably the last because we took the expressway.

* Christmas is just round the corner *

German immigrants established Chicago's German Town

in the late 1800's, bringing with them

the magical Christmas tradition of the--

Nussknacker.

Looks like you got competition for the smarty pants title.

Okay, folks, it's not Jeopardy.

You don't have to yell things out.

So for your team to advance, you need to crack every walnut

in the jar with your nussen kracker, or nut cracker.

The team with even a single walnut left will be out.

Yo Wes.

Try not to blow it, buddy.

That's right. Yeah.

Looks like you've got competition

for the muscle head title.

All right teams, ready?

And go!

Here we go, here we go, here we go...

Jacket off, jacket off, jacket off.

*

*

Oh, that's it!

Yeah!!!

Ah, team Fab-u-lous!

Nash is really good at this.

Eyes inside the rink.

-Okay. -Okay, that's it!

We did it, we did it!

Team Jingle Bells!

Team Run, Run Reindeers!

Team Holly jolly!

-Last one. -Oh, we did it.

-We did it! -Yes.

-Come on! -Yes!

-Yes! Woo!

Thank you.

Which means, of course, team Ice Babes,

you melted our hearts, but your time here is done.

Okay, here we go. Here we go.

Ooh, it's freezing. Okay.

In the city of the famous tea party-

-That's easy. -Yeah, Boston.

Head to the state park with an Algonquin name.

That's not easy.

All right. Beginning of the school year we studied

native American tribes,

so this would be Wachusett in this area.

Find the Black Diamond overlook.

Yes. That means we're skiing.

We could totally rock a black diamond.

No, no, no. It says "find".

It means that we're looking

not necessarily, you know, skiing.

Downer, smarty pants.

I wear it well though, don't I?

Taxi!

What's your name and where are you from?

I am Brad and I'm a flight attendant from Georgia.

My name is Ramon. I'm a cashier,

and I'm Delaware's reigning crossword king.

Hi. We're team Jingle Bells.

I'm Shirley, mom of four.

And Katie here is from the Big Apple.

It's Manhattan.

No one's called it the Big Apple without cringing

in, like, forever.

Sounds like I'm at home.

I guess you can call us

the mother daughter duo of the show.

Okay.

Cringe.

And what would you two do with the money if you won?

Quit my job.

It's horrible.

What's going on, everybody? I'm Wes Cosgrove.

Former pro athlete and celebrity.

Celebrity?

I didn't know that.

Probably not a hockey fan.

My name is Avery. I'm an elementary school teacher

and a true cruciverbalist.

A what now?

It just- it means I'm very good at crossword puzzles.

You should probably lead with that.

Anyway, that's us, the brains and the .

Team Sleigh Whaat?!.

Hi, Katie.

Hi. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

What are you- what're you doing?

Saying hi.

This is a competition, ok?

The only spirit you should have is the warrior spirit.

Copy that, coach.

These are our seats right here.

Um, taken, as you can see.

F and G.

You're- you're in our seats, guys.

36 F and G.

Yeah, you just said that, but these are our seats.

Wes, Wes. We're C and D.

Yep. Listen to her.

Over there.

Kind of looks like an F.

You sure it's C and D?

-Positive. -Fasten your seatbelt.

Thank you.

It's my first time on an airplane

I know how to put my seatbelt on.

Oh, this is your first time in an airplane?

It's not my first time in an airplane.

She's telling me to put my seatbelt on.

-Of course I know how to put my seatbelt on.

-You must be so nervous.

Naughty.

What?

Two down. Santa's book of misbehaviors.

Naughty.

Figures you'd get that one.

You know, I've been doing some figuring of my own.

Why are you here? In this race?

You don't seem the type.

What?

What type is that?

Sporty.

Let's just say I have something to prove to myself.

Huh. Okay.

You don't want to open up yet? That's fine.

Do you have more pretzels?

No, you hoovered mine already.

I'm gonna see if the flight attendant has any more.

See if she wants your autograph, too.

That's a great idea.

-I'll be back in a flash. -Mmhmm.

Hi. Excuse me. Can I get some more pretzels?

I'm afraid I'm all out.

Oh, sorry. You want some of these, too?

No. Too many carbs.

Well, real athletes load their carbs.

In preparation for landing, please return to your seats.

Okay.

I cannot believe we're going to Boston.

This is so cool.

Or should I say wicked cool?

Oh, no. I left my cah keys in my khakis.

I'm starving.

Oh, you ah hungry?

You want me to order you a chowd-ah?

Yeah? You're having a good time?

My boy is wicked smaht.

We have begun our descent. Please fasten your seatbelts.

It's gonna be a bumpy ride.

*

* The snow fell down on London town, *

* as the children slept so sweet and sound. *

* Carried on the wings of a turtle dove *

You'll notice there's a team missing.

Team Snow It All really didn't know it all and solved

the puzzle incorrectly, ending up in the wrong state.

As they won't make it back in time, they are out.

Eight teams remain.

Fruitcake, originated in England,

was brought to Massachusetts in the 1800's.

-Why is history like fruitcake? -Both are full of dates.

-Of course you'd get that one. -Yeah.

It has a reputation for being hard as a rock.

or in our case...

hard as a puck.

So contestants, for this next challenge,

in order to advance, each team member

must shoot a fruitcake through the snowman's buttons.

Fail to complete this challenge before the other teams,

and it's bye bye.

Wes! Wes! No, you don't understand.

How are we gonna win this if I can't win this challenge?

Okay, wait. We might have gotten off on the wrong foot

or head, for that matter.

But we need each other to ensure

our mutual survival, right?

Right.

So we need to focus and come together as a team.

No, you don't understand. I have no aim.

Did you forget who you partnered up with?

I'm the slap shot king of Chicago, baby.

How could I forget? You remind me every five minutes.

I am positive that I can teach you

how to make that shot.

Don't give me that look.

Bundle up, because this challenge starts

in five minutes.

Oh, yeah. Let's do this. Come on!

Slap shot king is gonna have his work cut out for him.

*

* Midnight chimes, Jack Frost... *

*

Ohhhh!!!

Sorry, Mr. Edwards.

-Sorry. -Sorry.

See? I told you I can't do this.

-You can do this. -I don't know how to do this.

All right, look, line back up again alright?

This, look like this.

Separate your hands just a little bit.

Okay.

-A happy medium in between... -Uh-huh.

...the two distances.

Yup.

-Open up your stance. -Okay.

-Lower the blade on the ice. -Okay.

-On the ice. -Okay.

And now follow through, up into the target.

-Okay? -Okay.

Up to the target.

Visualize.

Are you ready? Here we go.

-Oh, that was a little better. -That was better.

-A little bit, right? -That was better, yeah.

Three teams have successfully completed the challenge.

Just reminder that the last team to score is gone-zo.

-I got this. I can feel it. -Come on, come on.

Team Fab-u-lous advances!

Okay, look, forget about them.

-Alright. -Forget about them.

We got this right now, it's time.

It's our time. It's our time.

-Ready? -Yes.

And.

-Visualize. -Yes!

-Yes!! -Yes!!!

Team Sleigh Whaat?!! Scores!

Come on.

I was really impressed on how you nailed that challenge.

I'm just looking forward to next year's hockey tryouts.

I had a great coach. Thank you.

Team Sugar Plums advances,

which means the party is over for team Polar Party.

-That's Nash's team. -No way.

Pit stop tonight, the game resumes early tomorrow morning

where each team will get their clues.

So let's all rest up.

-Be nice. Be respectful. -Okay, alright, okay.

Wow, that's a bummer.

Did not see that coming.

Thank you, Keegan.

Thank you, guys.

Good game, Nash.

I'll get you next time.

Not if I get you first.

Good game.

-Yeah. Great job. -Mmhmm.

-Yeah. -Thank you.

-Good job. -Thank you.

He kind of grew on me.

Oh, sorry.

We have a problem.

Nash was our biggest celebrity.

We needed him for the romance demographic.

But I might have a solution.

Wes. A moment?

Yeah. What's up, Dirk?

Look, I consider you to be the true star of our show.

And as the star, I need you to lean into

your relationship with Avery.

You know, flirt a little for the cameras.

Uh, really?

Yeah.

I don't want to make her, you know,

feel uncomfortable or something.

No, no. It'll be good for the show, great for the ratings,

and amazing for your career.

All right.

What's wrong with a little flirting, right?

Nothing.

Okay, great. I'll see you inside.

Yeah. Yeah. Star of the show, huh?

Yes! Trips on the river, baby. Woo! Ow!!

Your partner is, like, so hyper competitive.

Even on his downtime, he's playing a game.

Well, so are we. Check.

We play to relax.

He plays to win at everything.

Kind of hot, though.

What? No. No.

Hmm?

So, Katie, what made you sign up

for the Great Holiday Dash?

Changing the subject or genuinely curious?

Stop it. Answer the question.

Since I was, like, six,

I've dreamt of being a legit writer.

I won a few awards at NYU for plays.

That's cool.

Mostly, yeah.

And I graduated summa cum laude.

But now I'm grinding to make ends meet, waiting tables,

working as barista, so the money would really allow me

to finally pursue my dreams.

That's so cool. Congratulations.

I am so sorry, but I do have to take your bishop.

Hopefully that doesn't take away

from any of your accolades, but it had to happen, sorry.

Oh. I see how it is.

So what about you?

Oh, my sister signed me up without telling me.

Big yikes.

Yeah.

You know what, though?

I'm kind of impressed that I've lasted this long.

I just can't lose, baby!

* I just can't lose. *

* I just can't lose *

I'm jonesing for TikTok.

And I miss my best friend, Grace.

That's my daughter's name.

Oh, how I miss my Gracie.

I love that name.

If I were home, I'd be watching my kids' Christmas concert.

If I were home, we would be trying different recipes

for our big family Christmas dinner.

My sis always does the turkey. Fried, mind you.

-Mmhmm. -So good.

I always do the sweet potato pie

with my secret ingredient... bourbon.

Oh, okay. I see you.

Right.

My dream is to be a chef.

So you like to cook, too?

Yeah.

Oh, that's interesting.

Well, y'all, it's getting late.

Yeah.

Good night, everyone.

I'll see y'all in the morning.

Okay, you too.

-Have a goodnight. -Goodnight.

Goodnight.

-Yeah. I was gonna ask- -I feel a little bit-

-I'm sorry to interrupt you. -No, no, no.

-I did interrupt you. -I actually interrupted you.

-My bad. -You were gonna start.

You were gonna say something, right?

I was, but I don't have to.

Please go.

You are- is your family from Chicago?

Well, my parents are living in Winnetka.

Oh, yeah.

And I have a brother in River North.

Oh, my sister lives in River North.

Really?

Yeah.

She can be real pain, but she's my touchstone.

So are you gonna spend Christmas with your family

when the race is over?

The holidays were always a little different for me.

Hockey kept me on the road, and I didn't really

spend a lot of Christmases with my family.

Right.

Well, I'm sure they understand, right?

It's part of the job.

Yeah. Yeah, they do.

It's complicated.

-I come from a hockey family. -Mmm.

My dad played hockey and my brother and I played together.

But I went pro and he didn't,

and I... guess we just, like, drifted apart.

He's a brain like you. And I'm the jock.

And I guess, you know,

just spending a lot of time on the road just...

made things weird between us.

Mm.

And I sometimes regret it because...

I barely know my nephews.

That sounds really hard.

I'm sure your nephews miss their uncle.

Well, you know, maybe you could still reach out to them.

Yeah.

Oh, it is- it is late.

Oh, yeah, it is. It's so late.

-Goodnight. -Goodnight.

And what do you think of your teammate?

What do I think of Wes?

Um... Well, in the beginning, I thought he um...

Well, in the beginning I thought he was one thing,

and now I'm starting to think he's something else.

Okay. All right, all right. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I'm hoping, I'm hoping, I'm hoping. I'm hoping.

Okay.

Tis the season when shopping overruns.

So head to the borough of Kings in New Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is New York City, but I don't know

which of the five boroughs is Kings.

I spent my career trying to beat New York,

not learn about it.

Kings. Kings and Queens.

And Brooklyn sits right next to Queens.

It's gotta be that borough, right?

Find a Christmas named street to wrap up yourself around.

Garland Street, Brooklyn.

-Let's move it out, Brain. -You got it, Brawn.

Come on! This way! This way!

*

*

The arrival of plate glass in 1830's New York

heralded a new display aesthetic,

allowing shops to create

elaborate holiday storefront tableaus.

Your challenge is to design

a Twelve Days of Christmas-themed window display

to rival... this.

Oooh!

-That's cool. -I can't do this.

Can you?

Now, each team will have a donation box in front of

their window to solicit contributions

for the Yuletide project,

which helps the most vulnerable residents of Brooklyn

during the Christmas season.

Whichever window display scores the most donation from shoppers

on the street will win the challenge.

The team with the least amount is finito,

so make those windows shine.

Choose your theme.

Every Christmas, my family does a walking tour

of the city's window displays.

My mom loads up the thermoses with hot chocolate,

and we go from store to store.

So I've seen the best New York has to offer.

We got this, Mom.

I mean, Shirley.

Oh, we definitely got this.

She's gonna be good.

Three French hens.

That's not easy.

Hope we don't lay an egg.

Lay an egg?

What?

Lay an egg. Lay an egg. Hope we don't lay an egg?

That's a joke, right? I've heard that before.

Is it? I don't think I have.

Never heard of it?

Seven teams remain.

Let's start designing!

There's more space to fill than I thought.

What do you think? Any ideas?

Don't look at me. I'm the brawn.

Well, then we're in big trouble,

because I'm the brains, and I got nothing.

the Great Holiday Dash?

Win? No, no, no.

I'm not gonna win. No, I'm just-

I'm trying to just make it through

a couple of the challenges

without making a total fool out of myself.

That's the entire goal. And to not get hurt.

But winning? No, it's-

I'm not gonna. That's not gonna-

I mean, that would be cool, but that's not gonna happen.

Did all the other teams leave to go get supplies?

Eyes on the prize, okay?

Come on. Ideas, ideas, ideas. We need to spitball!

Okay. All right, all right. Don't stress me out.

I don't work well under pressure.

Remember, when the going gets tough--

The tough put a sock in it.

I don't- I don't think that's how the saying goes.

Okay, what can we create that's visually stimulating

for three French hens?

Three French men.

Paint a picture.

Paints, painting, berets...

-I got it. -What?

Okay. Hens.

Roasted, carved up in a red wine, like a jus.

Red, seeping around the hens.

Kind of a depressing palette for the holidays, no?

Palette.

Wait a second.

Palate. There's a palate.

There's palate. Palettes.

Palette.

What?

It's the same thing. What's the difference?

Doesn't make sense, Avery.

It will. Come on.

Palette.

Very clever, smarty pants.

Hey, why did you retire from hockey?

You know, playing pro after 30 is really hard on the body.

I wanted to go out on top, so I figured it was time.

Huh. So what's next then?

I do not know.

I feel like...

the only skill I have is being

the slap shot king of Chicago.

What if you moved from the rink

into the broadcast booth, you know?

Feels like a natural progression.

Like my brother?

Yeah.

They offered me a job to co-host with him.

There you go.

I turned it down.

Why?

It's not my speed.

I want to be on the ice in the middle of the action,

not in a broadcast booth with a headset on.

Hmm.

And voila.

Whoa! That's great.

Really nice for a three-year-old, huh?

No, for a grown-up, it's wonderful work.

Well done.

Can I give you a hand with this?

Oh, yeah, please.

Yeah, I can use all the help I can get.

-Here, there's this. -Thank you.

Some scissors. Go to town.

Uh... I have no idea what I'm doing.

Oh, really?

Okay, I can show you.

Here, so you take--

-Do you see this seam side? -Yeah.

You're just going to want to cut along that

in whatever way you want.

You get to create your own magic and just make sure

that you go off at the end.

You don't go back.

Okay. Okay.

You're good at it.

Oh, well, every teacher is a wizard with scissors

and construction paper.

We get to decorate the classroom every year

for the holiday, so... I love my job.

Why teaching?

Oh, you know what?

I was the smallest one when I was growing up,

and uh, the kids teased me.

I was painfully shy.

And, uh, you know, my teacher said

that I didn't have to go on the playground at lunch,

instead I could go hang out in the library and read.

So I fell in love with books.

That must have been tough, being bullied like that.

You know what, though?

I think she recognized that I needed something different

than the other kids, and she put me in a safe space

where I could flourish.

So that's what I do now. I'm-

I became a teacher because I want to support kids

the way that Ms. Massaro supported me.

That's amazing.

Okay, here we go.

All right. You ready for the big reveal?

I think so. Let's see.

Here, let me help you. This is the exciting moment.

It might be. It could be.

Let's see.

No, this is--

-This is the worst snowflake... -Oh, look at that.

I have ever seen in my entire life!

I told you, limited skills.

Thank you for your help.

Thank you.

You wanna, um.

Yeah, I think we should-

-We should hang the snowflakes. -Hang the snowflakes.

-Let's do that. -Okay.

Are we gonna hang this one?

Yes. This will be the- the piece de resistance.

Ooh, very French.

-Yeah. - Well done.

*

* Merry Christmas, gather one and all. *

* Look to the sky and see the snowflakes fall. *

* Ooh, it's Christmas time. *

*

* Family celebrating everywhere. *

* Let's make some memories for us to share. *

* Oh, it's Christmas time. *

-Here we go. A-ha! -Ha!

* Oh, everybody is here, everybody is here. *

*

* Such a beautiful sight when you're all by my side. *

* Oh, everybody is near. *

* And the time goes so fast. *

* It's Christmas time, Christmas time... *

And that puts team Winter Wonder in the lead.

Next up is team Fab-u-lous with a partridge in a pear tree.

Let's see if they can best them.

Their donations... ooh, that bird is flightless.

Unfortunately, you are dropping down to third.

That's okay.

Next up, team Jingle Bells with

* Five Golden Rings. *

Your donations tell us

those rings might be fools gold, ladies.

You're now in fourth place.

-Fourth? -That's okay.

Last but not least, Team Sleigh Whaat?!

with Three French Hens.

C'est magnifique, eh? Mon ami?

Interesting.

Your donations tell us that you're the winner.

-Really? -Serious?

And as the winner, your display will be recreated

at the world famous Lord's Department Store

on 34th in Manhattan.

Yes!

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Unfortunately, Run, Run, Reindeer,

your time with us has trotted to an end.

-Amazing. -We did it.

Yeah, we did.

Well, I couldn't have done it without you.

Well, there's no "i" in team, coach.

Awe. Come on, bring it in.

Uh, Team Sleigh Whaat?

Yeah.

Your envelope.

-Oh, yeah. -Yeah.

I'll get the backpacks. Give us a jump start.

Okay.

Very convincing. Keep it up.

Thanks.

Okay. Here we go. Here we go, here we go.

-Okay. -Open it.

-Let's see. -Right.

In the lone Star State... Texas,

this city sits at the end point of a western trail

where cattle are lowing away in a manger.

Wait, there was a majority cattle trail that was used

post civil war that began in Kansas.

We're looking for the trail end point.

The end point was Abilene. It was Abilene, Texas.

Amazing.

Yes.

Okay, look for a wagon wheel sign and a hall

who's name is an evergreen that rhymes with fine.

An evergreen.

Pine. Pine Hall.

Let's go! Come on!

Thanks.

Right.

Okay, here we go.

Wes, Avery, your window display sure was impressive.

Lords is iconic.

Thanks, friends.

Come on, come on.

Quit consorting with the mistle-foes.

Wes!

Sorry. His competitiveness is bringing out his inner Scrooge.

You know, I don't see team Fab-u-lous.

Oh, they didn't board.

Yeah, we're the last ones to board the plane.

Maybe they solved the puzzle wrong.

If they solved the puzzle wrong,

that means that they're in the wrong state.

Which means we got one less team to beat, baby.

Avery. Avery.

What? What?

Your competitiveness is really bringing out

your inner Scrooge.

Wow. Merry Christmas, yuletiders.

Hey.

Perks of being a flight attendant.

I know people.

Did you miss us?

We did.

We missed you so much. I'm so relieved you're here.

...hold the plane.

Ho, ho, ho. It's mail call time.

Now, since no phones are allowed in the race,

I come bearing greetings the old-fashioned way,

-from family and friends. -What?

Oh, it's from my kids.

I mean... I mean, my students.

Oh.

No matter what happens, you're still our champion.

Love, Ella.

That's really sweet.

What'd you get?

It's from my brother.

Wow. Those are beautiful boys. What a gorgeous family.

Proud of you, bro.

Looking forward to celebrating at Christmas,

no matter what happens.

Love, Tyler, Steph and the boys.

*

Way out in western Texas where the clear forks waters flow,

where the cattle are a browsing and the Spanish ponies grow.

Those are the first lines of a poem from 1890

about a famous Texas tradition,

a Christmas ball for cowboys to celebrate

after long stretches on the range.

That poem became the basis for the hit country Christmas song-

Rooty-tooty Santa Claus!

Oh, my gosh. No.

Cowboy Christmas ball.

Yeah. You're correct.

Yes!

Way to go, brainiac!

Now, please give a warm welcome as I introduce

country dance world champions, Chip and Lainey.

-Howdy, y'all. -Howdy.

*

Yee-haw!

*

* Every creature is stirring *

* at the party... *

* Poppin' all the bottles baby, every last drop. *

And that's how it's done.

Okay. That is how it's done.

Well, it's up to you to perform your best dance moves

and get a tap on the shoulder from the judges here.

But dang it, there's a twist.

Songs will move from fast to slow and vice versa.

So it's up to you to keep up.

The last two teams that don't get that tap on the shoulder...

Dag, nabbit.

You'll be riding off into the sunset.

No, I can't dance.

Hey, I got this. I can dance.

No, but I can't. Why don't you dance?

Just follow me.

I don't even know how to follow.

-You don't understand... -You want me to dance by myself?

I'll cheer you on.

We need to do it together, Avery.

Well, can I get a yee haw?

Yee-haw!

Alright. Okay.

Avery, no, no, no. Where are you going?

Avery, turn around. We got this.

We're doing this, and we're gonna win this.

-Okay? -Okay.

Look at me.

The grapevine, you ever heard of it?

No.

Back foot behind the front foot, okay?

And we're going to go to the left first, come this way.

-Little bit. Yes. -Yeah.

Five, six, seven, eight. Step, step, boom.

Yeah, yeah.

-Okay? -Okay, I got it.

-And back. Next to me. -Alright.

Aah! Okay?

Yep, yep, yep.

* ... secret Santa saving me *

*

Yes!

* ... you can hang your hat on the Christmas tree *

Shh. It's okay.

What're you doing? What're you doing?

No, no.

Ow!

We're gonna try again. Here we go.

*

Okay, uh...

It's a switch up. Yeah, okay.

Just follow me, alright?

I'm gonna put my hand underneath you.

Underneath?

I'm gonna put my hand underneath you.

Stop looking at other people. I'm- I'm going underneath you.

You're going under?

-I'm going under. -I'm above?

Yes, yes. Okay? Now look at me.

Don't look around.

I'll lead you.

-Okay. -Okay.

Alright. Here we go.

* Welcome home... *

-Feel the music? -Mmhmm.

*

-I'm gonna spin you. -Really?

Yeah, I'm gonna spin you right now.

Okay.

* Put a star on the tree a ball on the wreath *

* and come lay your head on my shoulder *

* cause it comes and it goes so pull it in close *

* and hold me real tight before it's over *

* 'Cause time is a gift, let's all be like kids *

* grateful to have... *

We're gonna win this.

-I'm gonna dip you. -Okay.

* the season of lights and wonder *

* the angels sing and the church bells ring *

* as the years fly past *

* we can still hold by. *

Avery and Wes...

After that dip, congrats, y'all.

-Really? -You got it!

-Really? -Yeah.

Yeah.

Come, all ye faithful to the city of holy faith.

Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Whoa, A+ for geography.

Our goalie got married there last year.

In the main plaza, find the adobe

with the Spanish name for star.

Do you speak Spanish?

Nada.

Well, except for nada.

We don't have our phones,

so we can't translate what star means in Spanish.

What do we do?

What we do is figure it out when we get to Santa Fe.

Hey, here's to surviving another day.

You did good.

Well...

Well, what?

Nothing.

I had a question.

What's, um...

What's going on with you?

Like, in the romance department?

Wow. That sounded lame.

I mean, you're a-- You're a famous hockey player.

You must just have many... women?

Many women?

I have many women?

I don't know.

Uh, well, I don't have many women.

Um...

I was in a serious relationship,

and about a month after I retired from hockey,

she retired the relationship.

Oh, I am so sorry.

No. You know, I...

I always wondered if she was with me

because I was a famous hockey player

or because she actually wanted to be with me.

I guess... I guess I know the answer.

I guess being famous isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Yeah. You might be onto something there.

I've got a mister almost perfect ex-fiance.

Oh, no, not one of those.

Big time.

Yeah, he said that I was risk averse

and that I had no sense of adventure.

Well, joke's on him when this airs.

-Right? -Yes.

The look on his face.

Oh, so satisfying.

I mean, the truth is, I've always wanted to travel.

But I'm still paying off my student loans,

and also a lot of my energy goes into my nonprofit.

Your nonprofit? What's that?

Little Readers. It's a program I'm developing for kids

so that they can read in a stress-free environment.

So that's your secret motivation for winning?

You know, I mean, winning was always

a super long shot for me.

Like, my entire goal was just

to not get eliminated first.

But...

But?

I'm just- I'm starting to feel like we might--

Like we have a chance?

Like we might have a chance.

Right?

Yeah.

Hey, Wes.

Wes.

Wes!

Mega Juice!

Hey.

Hi, sleepyhead.

Where are we?

We are at the airport.

Well, actually, we're gonna go to the rental car return

and then to the airport for our flight.

It's clear skies up above.

Well, it's a couple little storm clouds,

but no big deal.

We're gonna be high above them before we know it.

Look at that. Right on time, partner.

Ha! Finally, we're the first ones here!

Yes! Santa Fe, here we come!

We're at the wrong airport?

We gotta be at Dallas Fort Worth?

I've never been to Texas before!

How was I supposed to know

there were two airports in Dallas?!

Another airport is 20 miles away.

Which means we're gonna miss our flight.

And with no later flights from either airport--

-We're gonna lose. -No, we're not gonna lose.

-We're not losing. -We are.

We're not gonna lose.

Stop saying lose, okay? I can't--

My chest is so tight.

No. No!!!

And it's snowing!

-Okay. -Great!

No, we're not gonna panic. Okay, let's not panic.

When people say don't panic, that's when we panic!

Okay, I'm really sorry

that I drove us to the wrong airport.

Really sorry.

I'm really sorry that I took a nap

with a couple mil on the line.

Hold on.

I have an idea.

We go rent the same car.

There's no way they've rented it out

to somebody else, right?

-There's no way! -Come on.

No, no, no. No rental cars available?

-No plane, no car? -No way.

Now what?

Ugh. We've been out here an hour and no one stopped.

Just be patient, okay?

At this rate we're never gonna get to New Mexico.

Wait a second.

Look at this.

Touchdown! Here we go, New Mexico!

-Woo! -Yeah!

Yeah!

Wait a second. Estrella means star.

So we gotta get to the adobe Estrella in New Mexico.

-Come on! -Yes.

Oh, thank you for stopping.

*

We're the only ones here.

Yes.

And we're five hours overdue.

Yes.

Which means we're eliminated.

Which means you're not--

What?

--eliminated. -Yes!

You are, in fact, the first to arrive,

courtesy of Zachariah.

Zachariah?

Winter storm Zachariah,

which cancelled all the flights out of Dallas.

You had the good fortune to get ahead of the storm

before the roads became impassable.

Your fellow contestants were also blessed.

Welcome, everyone or should I say...

Bienvenido!

*

Across the southwest, piñatas are a Christmas tradition

in the latino culture.

Used at celebrations known as passadas,

the piñatas are typically filled with sweets

and the act of breaking a piñata

is like receiving a Christmas gift.

So your next game is sure to be a smash.

Only four teams remain

with three envelopes hidden somewhere in these piñatas.

Christmas. The Mexican Christmas.

You know, my family's tradition is to break the piñatas,

drink ponche navideño and feast on my abuelitas tamales.

Wow. That sounds great.

It is.

Well, decide which one of you will be blindfolded

as we race for that envelope, and...

Bash away. Bash away. Bash away, all!

*

*

*

*

Yes!

Yeah!

Here, here, here!

Alright, alright. Head for the beaver state.

Whose nickname is that, professor?

Uh, uh, Oregon.

Yes.

In the snowy hills of Fruitland

vines lay dormant, but spirits flow with Christmas cheer.

There's gotta be a wine vineyard, but which one?

There's tons of them in Fruitland.

Go to where you'll find Santa's saintly alias.

There's gotta be a nickname, like Kris Kringle.

Okay, okay.

Yeah, but it says saintly.

-Saintly... -Um...

Saint Nick! Saint Nick's Vineyard!

Hooah!

To the final three teams! We did it!

Wait, where is Wes?

You know what? I'm not sure.

You look worried.

Oh, no, no, no.

I just-- I hope he's not lost amongst the cactus.

So, like, what you're saying is you care about

what happens to him?

Would you stop?

You know, it would never work out between us.

Or maybe you're afraid it would.

Okay, enough out of you too.

So, Wes, now that you've made it this far,

do you think the show will make you a name again?

Sure.

I'm starting to wonder if it's even worth it.

Maybe those were just the glory days.

You can't make new memories

unless you leave the old ones behind.

Sounds like the show's taught you a valuable lesson.

Or more like somebody else did.

You know, before hockey kept me on the road, I used to...

I used to play Santa for my family on Christmas morning,

a tradition I used to love.

I still do.

Ho, ho, ho.

Oh, okay.

What is happening?

Wes is on mail duty or what.

Figure we spent enough time together now

that we can put competition behind us

and spread a little holiday cheer.

Okay.

We've form quite a bond, right?

Oh, yeah, we have.

And since Christmas is about giving, I come bearing gifts.

Okay, Santa came early.

First up... for you boys.

Oh.

To inspire your love for culinary arts.

It's a cookbook. Thank you.

If I win, I'm gonna use the money to open a restaurant.

I will do exactly the same thing.

But somewhere warmer, which means Delaware's out.

Next up, Shirley.

This is for you, because you said Grace loves reindeer.

She's fascinated by them.

She was fascinated by them.

We lost Grace two years ago in an accident.

I'm so sorry, Shirley.

Oh, it's okay, honey. You didn't know.

It's just a hard time of year for me.

Oh, we're all so sorry.

Thank you.

I'm doing this for her.

This used to be her favorite show.

We used to watch it together as a family.

If I win, I'm going to start a college fund for my kids.

Education is so very important.

Hear, hear.

Gracie would have loved this. Thank you, Wes.

It means so much to me.

You're so welcome.

Uh...

Next up.

Katie... this is for you.

A journal?

Yeah. You know, you've been scribbling

on all those hotel notepads.

I figured you might need something bigger.

Thank you.

Katie's writing a Broadway play.

-Ooh. -For real?

-It's wonderful. -Okay.

-I'll save you all a seat. -Okay.

And last but definitely not least.

Oh, okay. Look at the time.

It's only 8:00.

No. Remember you were gonna show me that whatchamacallit.

-The thing that- -Yeah.

You know what guys, I am getting tired, too, so it's uh...

I'm gonna go to bed.

Ramone, you're tired as well, right?

Not really.

What?

Ow.

Oh, yeah.

You're a good man, Wes. Thank you.

Thank you, Shirley.

Thanks, pal.

Thank you.

Thank you.

-Have a good sleep. -You too.

But don't sleep too well.

Ok, that was so sweet.

I mean, the way that you spoke from your heart

with those gifts is incredibly inspiring.

You know, I think the whole world

should get to know this Wes Cosgrove.

More vulnerable, less competitive.

You do?

I do, yeah.

And also, I have to say, the way you've guided me

through these games,

it's almost like you're a natural born--

Wait.

Don't say coach if you're about to.

I just- I've never...

I've never wanted to be a coach.

You know, I'm a guy that gets in the action.

I don't sit on the sidelines.

But the coach is in the action, right?

I mean, without the coach, the team loses.

I guess you got a good point there.

Right?

The final gift from Santa.

Thank you. This is really nice.

So you'll remember this trip across America at Christmastime.

This is beautiful. Thank you.

You're welcome.

You know, this, um...

This whole show, it's...

It's really been the time of my life.

Me too.

-Right? -Yeah.

When... when I won the Stanley Cup last year,

our team had incredible chemistry.

Oh, did you?

-Yeah. -Mmhmm.

It reminds me a lot of you and me.

We have really good chemistry?

Yeah.

Hmm.

You know, I'm not really much of,

like, a sports human but--

Oh, you're not?

-Well, I'm working on it. -I didn't know that.

It's diligent work.

But, um...

but you know, if I had to assemble my own team,

I think I would pick you first.

-Really? -Yeah.

Except without... without this.

-Thank you. -Yeah.

I think we make an exceptional team.

There's a camera right there, by the window.

Oh.

I'm gonna go to bed.

-Okay. -Okay. Bye.

Bye-bye.

Sleep well. See you tomorrow.

Hey, Wes.

Hey, Dirk.

Listen, saw what happened there.

Next time, follow through, yeah?

Okay.

*

Miss you on the Blackbirds.

They could use a forward like you this season.

Well, yeah, no, they probably could use a forward like me.

You saw the Stanley Cup win last year

when I took it end to end? Remember that?

All right, all right, all right.

No eyes outside the rink.

How about our car?

It's number...

Oh, okay.

Sorry, but these nice folks here just rented our last car.

It's number 15 in the parking lot.

Thanks.

Please.

Here you go. You drive.

You drive.

No, I drove last time, it did not go well.

You want to drive them so badly, you drive.

No, you drive.

You know what? I will drive.

Okay. Not safe to drive when you're angry.

I'm not angry. I'll drive.

No.

Can we play some music?

Did you miss a turn?

No.

Hm.

* On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me *

* a partridge in a pear tree. *

* On the second day of Christmas *

* my true love gave to me *

* two turtle doves *

* and a partridge in a pear tree. *

According to the map,

this is not supposed to be a dead end.

Wait, hold up.

You're supposed to be going north,

not south, Rudolph.

Which means we were supposed to turn left back there.

Not right.

Okay. The other teams are gonna be way ahead of us.

Okay. Thank you very much, Brad. I know that.

I got us into this, I will get us out.

Okay. There was a bridge back there.

There was a bridge. It's that bridge.

-It's that bridge, right? -It's this one!

We gotta turn around. There's a shortcut.

Come on! Let's go! Let's go!

Okay, seat belts!

Team Jingle Bells, being the only team here,

it appears by default that you are our--

Wait a second! Here they come!

Last second, whoa!!!

That was close.

That was a nail biter.

Oregon is a major producer of many grape varietals

and mulled wine is a Christmas tradition enjoyed by many.

So get knee deep and bare feet and fill those bottles.

Stomping grapes, huh?

Roll up those pants and get to work

because the last team to fill their bottle

goes bye bye.

-Go! -Okay!

* Some of us are... *

* Some of us are bright *

* Get a little crazy, guess it's just our style *

* when we come together *

* Mmm *

* I know that people shine *

Team Fab-u-lous is moving on!

Aren't you glad we gave them a ride now?

Just keep stomping!

* Now that we're here, now that we're here. *

That works.

Team Sleigh Whaat?! and team Fab-u-lous

are going to be in the finals!

Yes!

We did really good. I'm so proud of you.

I'm proud of you.

We're gonna miss you so much.

-Friends forever, Avery. -You got it.

Wes, come here.

Shirley!

Oh, don't forget about us.

-Hi. -Hey.

I'm just happy for whichever team wins.

Make mom and me proud.

-You got it. -We will.

Finalists?

See you guys.

That's our cue.

-Bye, guys. Good luck. Bye, you too.

Your next clue awaits.

-Okay. -Okay.

Okay, time to finish the game.

Christmas is just getting started.

Make your way to the park where you first departed.

We're gonna go home.

Home sweet home, Chicago.

Let's do it. Come on.

Thank you very much.

Wes. Team Sleigh Whaat?! is on fire.

The footage is incredible.

Thank you.

Listen, did you book your tickets yet?

Yeah, yeah. We're leaving in three hours.

Amazing. Thank you.

You know, you and Avery have become

the hot new team to beat.

It's gonna be ratings gold.

You know, I knew it was a great idea

pairing the all-star with a bookworm.

But listen, there's just one more teeny, tiny thing

I need from you to really sell it.

Sell it?

Yeah. We need something big for the finale.

So I'm thinking...

Tell Avery you're falling in love with her.

You've been doing such a great job with it so far,

it shouldn't be a big deal, right?

Look, stop. Dirk.

I don't know why I agreed to this in the first place,

but I'm not gonna carry through with this anymore.

But Wes, we--

Look, what you want me to do is not real,

but what I feel for Avery is real.

I'm gonna jeopardize it just to relive my glory days.

Hey, there you are. One cabernet coming up.

Why'd you do it, Wes?

Do what?

I heard you talking to Dirk.

You and me.

You just want to get famous again, is that it?

No, it's not what you think.

You don't have to say that right now.

There's no cameras on us.

Avery, you got it all wrong, okay?

You're not that person I thought you were.

So I'm gonna finish the game for my students,

and then when this is over, I hope I never see you again.

Avery, please.

*

...try to make every single--

Hey, Dirk. Can I talk to you for a second?

Of course, yeah. Just chill out.

What's up?

So, it looks like your plan backfired.

Yeah, I hate to be the one to have to tell the network

that you were the reason why the show's favorite couple

weren't on speaking terms in the season ender.

I've had shows not work out before.

Yeah?

You ever lost someone you cared about before?

Someone you felt so strongly about

that you foolishly let slip through your fingers?

Yeah.

I mean, we all have, right?

So?

So...

wouldn't you do anything for a chance

to win that person back?

Hi. Good luck.

Avery, uh, can I have a word with you?

Go ahead.

Look, it was my idea to push you and Wes together

for the ratings.

And then he went along with it. Yeah, I heard.

Well, you didn't hear him say

he wanted nothing to do with it anymore.

He said that?

It was wrong for me to interfere.

For that, I am sorry.

I see the way he looks at you.

A look like that can't be faked.

Hey.

Hi.

Can I, um, talk to you for a second?

I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything.

I just don't know if I can believe you.

Because I know how much you crave,

like, the spotlight, you know?

I would forget about it all, if it meant losing you.

Let's just let's concentrate on the finale, shall we?

Crossword puzzles are a favorite Christmas tradition

to be enjoyed after the stockings have been emptied

and the presents unwrapped.

The first crossword puzzle was printed

in the Chicago press in 1913.

And now the puzzles inaugurate the Christmas season

by appearing in the paper at the end of October.

Too early for Christmas.

The boards are exact duplicates.

Same clues, same answers.

The sooner you solve the crossword,

the sooner you'll find the location of the silver bells

hidden somewhere here in Chicago.

Importantly, only one team member need find the bell

and ring it first for the entire team to be winners.

Teams, are you ready?

-Yeah. -Yeah.

-Yes. -Yeah.

Dirk?

-Let's go. -Yup.

The end is near.

But do not fear.

One last challenge. So who will persevere?

Make your way to higher ground.

Get a move on to win this round.

Gotta be that way. Come on!

There it is. There it is.

-How are they already here? -Okay.

Look who came.

Okay, okay. You read it out, I'll write it down.

One down. Archaic term for the winter season

often associated with Christmas celebrations.

Okay. Iconic... made of frozen precipitation...

Down.

What word describes a repository

or stockpile of valuable Christmas objects?

I don't even know what that is.

*

*

The mirror image of a divine nativity navigator.

The mirror image of the divine nativity navigator.

Three letters?

Mirror image? Reflection! No, that's not three letters.

Both teams are on their final word!

Star.

-Christmas star. -That doesn't fit, no.

You're the human thesaurus. What's another word for star?

Uh, nova, quasar, orb?

Orb.

-Orb. -Orb.

It's three letters.

It's not right.

Not right, not right, not right. Okay.

One step forward, two steps back.

Backwards.

What do you see when you look in a mirror?

You see yourself.

You see yourself in reverse.

You see everything in reverse.

What is orb in reverse?

-Bro. -Bro.

It fits, bro.

-Yes, come on! Let's go!

All right we're done. Where are the bells?

Here we go.

Shake, shake, shake. Like music to your ear.

Be the first to find the box

heralding the last and final Christmas cheer.

Presents!

*

What happened?

Ah, I rolled my ankle.

No, the other team solved the puzzle. We gotta go!

You can go. Go! You gotta go without me.

You're right, I can.

-Yes! -I can!

Okay.

*

*

Wes and Avery!

You've just won the Great Holiday Dash!

*

There she is.

You're my hero, Mrs. Müller.

Hi! Oh, you're all here. I love it.

Okay, go, go, go.

Hey.

I can't believe you won.

I can't either.

It was so intense.

Tell me everything.

-It was fun. -Yeah.

Like I learnt so much...

Wes.

Tyler?

Hey, man. It's been a long time.

What are you doing here?

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Everyone? Hello.

So, we all want to know,

what are you two going to do with your...

million dollar prizes?

Launch my after-school reading program.

Little Readers.

And I'll also probably use some of the money

to pay off my student loans.

And since Christmas is the season of giving, I...

am going to be starting the Grace T. Perkins

Memorial Scholarship Fund

in memory of somebody very special.

I'm also going to donate to a promising new playwright

so she can finish her passion project.

And I'm investing in a new restaurant

run by two very good friends.

You're kidding.

Wes, what about you?

Well, a very special someone...

made me realize that I should probably

move on to the next chapter in my life.

So I'll be using my prize money

to start a Chicago youth hockey league.

And I'm gonna become a coach, to teach the next generation.

But, you know, I also think that the best gifts

come from the heart.

So I'll be making those same donations to our friends.

Cheers to that! Well, cheers to that!

Cheers!

Well done! Well done!

Thanks Keegan.

Amazing.

You have to meet my sister...

Congratulations, Wes.

Congratulations, Avery.

You did it.

We did it.

I would never have been able to do this

if I wasn't stuck with you.

You know, you didn't give up on me.

Look, Avery...

meeting you was the best part of this whole thing.

You know, originally, when I signed up to do this, I...

I wanted to win.

And we did.

But I would feel like I lost

if I didn't have you in the end.

Those feelings that I had for you,

they were real.

I hope you can believe me.

That... that felt pretty real.

Can we just double-check that?