Tread Merrily heads to San Francisco for an episode of Trapper John M.D. called "'Tis The Season."
Although Trapper is trying his best to get to Aspen for a Christmas ski holiday with his kids, the hospital is overrun with problems. Dr, Gates is taking care of a boy who needs his spleen removed, but there's not enough AB- blood in the county to make the procedure safe. Dr. Riverside is driving everyone crazy with his custom-made Santa suit. Trapper, meanwhile, is driven to distraction by an old man working as s corner Santa who won't give his name, but needs a serious life-saving procedure. Will the chance meeting between "Santa" and the boy change all their lives?
Justin is struck by just how generic Trapper John turns out to be. And yet, the episode does not play by the rules of a medical drama Christmas episode. Guest star Ray Walston turns out to be the MVP while Erik tries to figure out why E/R's Lynne Moody gets the "special guest star credit." Justin reveals a subtle Stranger Things mistake. He also does an admirable job leading the entire discussion into the weeds and celebrating the talents of Madge Sinclair. Paulie from the Rocky film series makes his way into events again and more plot details of the never-made Shield holiday special emerge.
