DuckTales takes The Christmas Carol trope in an entirely unexpected, ambitious direction
TV Reviews RecapIf there’s one amazing thing about this season of DuckTales, it’s its willingness to really push its narratives in wildly unexpected directions. Who would have expected that Scrooge’s most defining behavior–being bitter and angry at Christmas for just existing–would just be an act for the guy to party in the past with the three Christmas spirits from from the apparently-now-canon Mickey’s Christmas Carol? And who would have expected that “Last Christmas!” would mostly stick to the past, turning one of said spirits into a slightly psychotic, self-absorbed, clingy villain? And that young Donald was, at some point, an emo kid who was terrible at writing songs?
Backing up a bit, “Last Christmas!” is the current iteration of DuckTales’ attempt to blend its nostalgic love for its past with the narrative developments of its present to hint at the potential depths of its future. And while this season has been stronger in playing around with its history for more contemporary storytelling, it does still struggle a bit with its focus. Splitting the story between Scrooge and Dewey as they go on their own unique adventures in the past is a bit jarring, mainly because there’s an emotional resonance that is never given the chance to breath. I’m speaking of Dewey’s very clear pain at recognizing that he won’t see Della at Christmas, and the rich reward of hanging out with her younger self, even thought they’re being chased by that deadly Wendigo. Really, the Scrooge narrative is the set up for the Dewey narrative, and it’s not a particularly smooth connection from the one to the other, but when it works, it works, especially if you’re the kind of viewer who is willing to just go along for the ride.
After Scrooge expresses the very expected irritation at all things Christmas, he retreats to his room. Meanwhile, Dewey is already in his room, alone, looking at a photo of Della, wishing for time to be with her during the holiday. Donald bursts in, seeing Dewey hide something under his pillow, and when he forcibly checks to see what that thing is, he sees the photo. The nuance of that moment is powerful, made even more painful when Donald, clearly, has no idea what to say to comfort his nephew, and leaves him alone to himself. (Donald, amazingly, has been DuckTales’ surprisingly most emotional lynchpin, so it’s pretty disappointing that we really don’t get Donald’s take on all this.) Dewey then sees Scrooge chilling with his spirit buddies, and hitches a ride on Christmas Future’s robe as they trek off into the past.
This is where things get both wildly ambitious and a bit jittery. Scrooge reliving his business-Christmas party is a mixed bag for the old miser. He’s comfortable seeing his old self (and his old self as comfy seeing him), and while he enjoys seeing everyone having a good time, he’s still stuck being the wealthy center of attention, having to “mingle” with corporate bigwigs and dealing with desperate people willing wanting him to “invest” in their terrible ideas (he even misses a chance to talk with Goldie). So with Christmas Future hanging with Beakley and Christmas Present rolling with the random Beagle Boys who rob Scrooge for restitution from their “stolen” land (which we learned in “McMystery at McDuck Manor!” and really needs to be expanded upon one day), Scrooge goes off with Christmas Past, away from the noise and distractions, only to end up bored. He thinks this is a lesson about dealing with minor inconveniences to enjoy the excitement, but it’s not; Past just wants to hang with Scrooge basically forever (since other Scrooges move on after learning their lessons). I don’t think any other take on A Christmas Carol went in this kind of direction, and I kind of wish that, given how this played out, the episode just focused on the spirits being completely off and bizarre.
Instead, we follow Dewey, after hitching a ride on Christmas Future’s robes and falling off, who wanders into a different past at the mansion and stumbles on young Donald, who is at this point an emo loner teen with terrible songwriting skills. Sporting the voice and mannerisms of the triplets from the original DuckTales while maintaining Donald’s overt clumsiness and anger (which is a hell of a clever idea), he is convinced by Dewey to find his sister Della, mainly so the blue triplet can see her mom in some manner. But they run into the Wendigo, and while being chased and captured by a net, they find Della indeed, who is just as adventurous as Webby. Della is hurt because Donald never joined her on their outing, and while it’s a strong moment between those two siblings, I don’t think it makes the Dewey-loner parallel work (Dewey’s aloofness is based on a real emotional beat, and I think it’s a little disingenuous to imply Dewey was in the wrong for wanting to be alone). But still, the three of them overcome the beast and take him down. And when Donald and Della (who recognizes Dewey is indeed a future Duck that has come back to the past) make up and go inside, the Wendigo awakes, ready to pounce.
Scrooge arrives and stops him though! In a perfect cane stomp against the head, the Wendigo breaks open and it’s revealed to be Christmas Past, who has morphed into this obsessive, desperate beast over the years. But Scrooge, soft-hearted, is willing to forgive him since no one should be left behind at Christmas. It’s a wonderful sentiment, although it kind of feels a bit rushed for an ending, and on the whole, the two parts feel just too removed from each other, despite the attempt to make them come together in the end. The implication that adult Donald knew and remembered Dewey from his past is a nice touch, but again, without Donald expressing anything reassuring or honest to the nephew that clearly is hurting the most from Della’s disappearance, it feels like a missed opportunity. (Even expressing the idea that Donald doesn’t know how to do something like this would be informative.) “Last Christmas!” gets lots of points being out-there at least, and the animation is incredible for a season that has being churning with incredible visuals. It if could just tie a tighter bow on those emotional gifts, though, then that would be the biggest Christmas miracle of all.
Stray observations
- Is young Donald being an emo loner kid canon in the comics? I can’t imagine that being a thing.
- I love how the episodes glosses over all the potential time travel nonsense, although the “don’t warn past figures of the future” is clearly the most important rule.
- The episode never explains, even tangentially, why Scrooge hates Santa in particular. While Scrooge definitely would hate any figure that provide free handouts to people at any time during the year, the very specific anger he displays to Dewey seems more personal. (Pretty sure that’s the whole joke though, which was creepily funny.)
- I believe a lot of those wannabe-investors were various characters from the old show and/or comics; I definitely remember the sea captain guy from OG DuckTales.
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I like the willingness of the new show to play with what is and isn’t Ducktales canon. The references to Mickey’s Christmas Carol were great to me as was bringing in The Three Caballeros. It’s a way to be nostalgic that can create some interesting narratives and expand the world.
That version The Christmas Carol is still my favorite mainly because it is one of the shortest.
It also stands out in my book as having one of the freakiest Christmas Yet to Come scenes of any version.(Though it’s too bad Goldie wasn’t a more well-known character when it was made, to play Scrooge’s lost love)
This show has become an object lesson in nostalgia done right: not just mindlessly gesturing toward an old popular thing but using the old thing as a jumping-off point for creating something new.
I believe a lot of those wannabe-investors were various characters from the old show and/or comicsThe guy with a square rock looked almost exactly like Arpin Lusene, the gentleman thief villain created by Don Rosa, but the ‘rock’ is based on the Carl Barks story “Lost in the Andes”, where such ‘rocks’ turn out to be eggs laid by square hens in a lost valley where everything and anything is square and rock-hard. I really hope that Lusene will eventually make an appearance in the show, incidentally. He’s like made for the style of the modern series, being simultaneously hilarious and quite menacing.
I liked the touch of Russi Taylor playing young Donald with the same voice as the triplets. And the other mythology stuff was nice thrown-ins too.I’m glad we’ve finally gotten more about the mom too; it was set-up to be a big thing and they haven’t explored it once this season. But, how would she know it’s Christmas on the moon?
I have SO MANY questions about Della on the moon. How has she survived this long? How is she breathing? The list goes on…
If you’re wondering how she eats and breathes, and other science facts… you get it, you get it…
I’m sure it’s a mythology gag to the Duck Tales video game where Scrooge has no trouble running around on the moon without a space suit. The great bard Brental Floss detailed this in one of his songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHEgzRtKC5o
At the final scene, look at the Moon’s night sky carefully. There are clouds! The Moon has an atmosphere in this universe. Hence the breathing.
Maybe they’ll go for an explanation like this:http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Blue_Area_of_the_Moon
The Pogo stomp is proof that Ducks can breath on the moon.
Another stray observation, when Mrs Beakley details the schedule for the night, there’s a screening of “Christmas on Bear mountain” planned. That’s the original comics appearance of scrooge.
Also appreciated: Scrooge’s (David Tennant’s) general exasperation with time travelers who think they’re too clever.
I would have enjoyed a timey-wimey joke. Perhaps delivered by Magica?
Young Donald’s not really emo in the comics, but this was a fun take on the character (speaking as a 90s kid myself). I particularly lost it when I saw the “Geezer” poster on his bedroom wall. Holy crap was that funny.
The lack of eyeliner and obvious Nirvana tee and flannel ensemble indicate Donald was a 90s grunge fan, not a 2000s emo. In hindsight, I’ll admit the difference isn’t very huge, but I’m not able to just retcon my teenage years because self-absorbed miserablism takes many forms over time but never fully goes away.Also, since the ghosts aren’t actually Jiminy Cricket, the Giant, and Pete, and merely suggest them, I don’t know that we can call Mickey’s Christmas Carol part of DuckTales canon just yet.But enough critiquing. I just saw Scrooge pogo-jump an end boss and heard Russi Taylor say “Quackaroony!” in the same half-hour. If this isn’t my favorite gift this year, I don’t know what could top it!
Seriously Quackaroony and pogo jump.
Was gonna say the same thing. Dewey calls him Emo but he is clearly a grunge rocke down to the combat boots he cleaned with his sisters toothbrush
Ha, good catch!
That whole visual gag with Donald and the Christmas lights at the beginning killed me.
I don’t know what’s more impressive; that the producers can do a quick homage to Hitchcock, introducing Hitchcock to kids, or using Hitchcock for comedy effect.
“The episode never explains, even tangentially, why Scrooge hates Santa in particular.”This was briefly referenced in season 1, with Scrooge only saying “He knows what he did!”. It’s now pretty clear that its never being explained is the joke, which is perfectly fine with me.
This felt like a Legends of Tomorrow episode in the best way.
The wendigo looks like Krampus.Launchpad is Jewish.Teen Donald is more intelligible than his modern self. Does he sustain an injury in the navy during the interim?
How prescient of Teen!Donald to include the line “You don’t understand a word I say” in his song.
Definitely a Nirvana fan.
Launchpad is Jewish.This was actually really neat without being pushy.
I’d also like to point out that Wendigo!Past wasn’t shouting “Wendigo!” but rather “When’d he go?” (Referring to Scrooge, of course.)
David Tennant traveling through time? It’ll never catch on.
I was just giddy the whole episode. Also thanks for the help on the young Donald voice. I couldn’t figure that one out and it was bothering me.
I thought it was interesting how the episode seemed to draw a parallel between Della and Webby, which actually kinda makes me wonder about the boys’ father. Has he ever been mentioned in any version of canon?
I noticed parallels between Della and Webby but didn’t have that thought. Not sure I want to think to hard about on a kid cartoon.
I do find it supremely weird that their father has not been mentioned in the show yet, at all. They feel a strong connection to a Mom that “died” before they were born, but don’t wonder about their Father at all?
I’m guessing that the absence of their father isn’t a mystery. The reason for his absence is probably well-known to the boys and likely something fairly normal (maybe he walked out on Della, or maybe they just had a brief fling which was never meant to be serious.) Donald probably told the boys years ago, and they’ve processed it. The fact that the dad appears in no flashbacks seems to indicate that he was never a part of the boys’ lives. And since Donald’s always been a father figure to them, they probably feel the lack of a mom more strongly.
Disney has never officially established anything about the nephews’ father at all. In fact for about 80 years their policy was to never mention anything about Huey, Dewey, and Louie’s parents as it was seen as too distracting (and potentially, too dark) of a story element. Before this cartoon we basically knew nothing about Della other than her name.
Nonsense! Here’s a portrait of their father right here!
It’s been a running joke since forever that the boys’ father is unnamed.
It was nice to hear Russi Taylor back as young Donald. She does the Donald voice better than Tony Anselmo does, frankly. It’s true enough to the quacky/raspy quality of Donald’s voice, but you can actually understand the words.Speaking of words, I loved the bit that “Wendigo” turned out to be “When’d ‘e go?” And they spent the whole first half setting up that gag with the repeated reminders about time travel being “when” instead of “where.”
The theme song. When I put it on for my kids, the crooner singing the theme song caused my brain to immediately default to Mark Jonathan Davis aka Richard Cheese. I cannot find any proof that he sang it, but it sure does sound like him.
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Was that Richard Cheese doing the main theme and the end song??
Kudos to the Ducktales crew for those end credits cards, which aren’t just done in the style of the ones from Mickey’s Christmas Carol….They were actually drawn by the very same artist, the great Mike Peraza.The Christmas Carol angle in this episode was genius. I love how they play off the fact that everyone knows these spirits by now, to the point that no one is the least bit intimidated by Christmas Future (also Beakly apparently has a thing for tall goth dudes.)
Oh nice! I noted that they were excellently done, but had no idea who on the team had drawn them. Brilliant hatchwork!
He’s comfortable seeing his old young self (and his old young self as comfy seeing him)
That was a funny little beat I wish we could have got more from. But that’s the episode in a nutshell. There are so many neat little ideas here, I pretty much wanted more of everything.
Teen Donald, “This family is so weird.”
I say stop, you say go. But you can’t tell me what to do so I say phooey, phooey, phooey on you.
Extremely late, but as I just finished watching this special and as someone who’s expressed his annoyance at the triplets voices multiple times, hearing Kid!Donald voiced by the same actress who did the triplets back in the original series made the special for me. God, I wish the actual triplets had proper duck voices.