Jingle Bell Run (2024) Movie Script

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 Mller,
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.
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!
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.
Are we the first or the last?
Probably the last because
we took the expressway.
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.
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.
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'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.
- Here we go. A-ha!
- Ha!
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
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!
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.
Yes!
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.
- Feel the music?
- Mmhmm.
- I'm gonna spin you.
- Really?
Yeah, I'm gonna spin
you right now.
Okay.
We're gonna win this.
- I'm gonna dip you.
- Okay.
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, piatas
are a Christmas tradition
in the latino culture.
Used at celebrations known
as passadas,
the piatas are
typically filled with sweets
and the act of breaking a piata
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 piatas.
Christmas.
The Mexican Christmas.
You know, my family's tradition
is to break the piatas,
drink ponche navideo 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.
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!
Team Fab-u-lous is moving on!
Aren't you glad
we gave them a ride now?
Just keep stomping!
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. Mller.
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?