6 Highlights of The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

Happy second anniversary to The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special! It’s finally that time of year when it’s appropriate (in my eyes) to binge watch all the holiday-related things. As a Marvel fan, this special is now in my annual rotation. It packs a Christmas-fueled punch with all the elements we love from James Gunn’s films — biting humor, fast-paced action, and plenty of heart as a group of misfits find home among each other.

To celebrate the Marvel holiday season, I’ve compiled a list of the six best things about this special. Obviously, spoilers abound in these here parts.

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Mantis and Drax’s Dynamic (and the Antics that Ensue)

Have you ever met two aliens who acted more like big kids? Perhaps that makes Mantis and Drax the perfect recipients of Christmas cheer — there’s a childlike wonderment to everything they encounter. Plus, Mantis acts as a buffer to Drax’s sullen demeanor. She loosens him up a bit.

Sure, they argue a lot; however, the arguments are so trivial and ludicrous that you can’t help but laugh. Does that giant candy cane decoration resemble a swirly red and white curly man? Why can’t Drax go back to Kevin Bacon’s house and grab his little funny man?

Additionally, it’s fun watching them explore Hollywood before kidnapping Kevin Bacon. Drax beats up someone dressed as a Gobot because one “killed his cousin.” Mantis and Drax make money as costumed street performers on the Walk of Fame. They pop their human alcohol cherries and dance at a bar, promptly blowing through their cash. Their naivete and willingness to try new things make for comedy gold.

A holiday special with comic book characters isn’t complete without a fight sequence or two. Mantis and Drax take on police officers while attempting to capture Kevin Bacon, culminating in one of my favorite scenes in the special: Mantis gives the officers in the overturned cruiser her giant candy cane instead of, you know, setting the car upright. Hey, at least her intentions are pure.

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Kevin Bacon: Super Hero

That’s right – the man who’s six degrees from any performer in Hollywood takes center stage in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. Considering Peter’s dated pop culture knowledge, it’s the perfect celebrity appearance. You can tell that Bacon has a blast here, from savoring the jaw-dropping Christmas decorations in his (definitely not real) home to playing music with a bunch of aliens in the severed head of an ancient celestial being. Is there anything more Christmas-esque than that?

Yes, Mantis and Drax unwittingly commit human trafficking, but this leads to the latter teaching non-Terrans about the meaning of Christmas. I also love the parallel between the gang initially believing Bacon is a bona fide hero who saved his town by dancing and Peter saving the whole galaxy by doing the same thing.

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Easter Eggs

My favorite Easter egg from the special is Kingo’s Christmas banner in Hollywood. If you recall, Kingo, played by Kumail Nanjiani, is a cosmic-powered being called an Eternal, as first seen in 2021’s Eternals. Kingo is also a Bollywood star whose face makes a few appearances in other Marvel projects like She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. As a fan of Eternals, I appreciated this nod to the film.

Next, we have an Easter egg and a character introduction. Cosmo the Spacedog is an homage to Laika, the stray dog who orbited the Earth in 1957. Cosmo burst onto the comic book scene with 2008’s Nova Vol. 4 #8. However, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special marks her first appearance in the MCU, followed by a more significant role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. She’s a — wait for it — good dog.

Lastly, Nebula gives Rocket Raccoon a very special item during the gift exchange on Knowhere: Bucky’s cybernetic arm. In Avengers: Infinity War, Rocket remarks to himself that he’ll “get that arm.” Nebula loves making dreams come true!

Side note: Did anyone else think the drunk Santa Claus on Knowhere was John Malkovich? Just me? (The actor’s name is David Moskowitz.) Anyway, I was today years old when I learned that wasn’t Malkovich.

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The Soundtrack

Guardians of the Galaxy set the tone for the MCU with its vivid color palette, cheeky humor, and modern rock soundtrack. It’s no surprise that James Gunn, who brought these characters to life in this universe, curates another killer soundtrack for the holiday special.

There’s “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses, which Mantis dances to in the bar. “Christmastime” by The Smashing Pumpkins complements the scene in which the gang decorates Knowhere to surprise Peter.

And, of course, Kevin Bacon and Old ’97s (who appear in the special as the alien band) play “Here It Is Christmastime” to get everyone in the spirit (as Nebula angrily dances in character).

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Decorating Knowhere

After Mantis and Drax rob a Christmas store in Hollywood of all its inventory, they (along with assistance from the curmudgeonly Nebula and others) deck Knowhere’s halls to resemble a winter wonderland. Seriously, it’s like Santa projectile vomited Christmas decorations everywhere (too graphic?).

However, it’s more the intention behind this move that makes it heartwarming. Peter is grieving the loss of Gamora. Sure, Mantis and Drax essentially act on misinformation from Kraglin’s sad Christmas story, but the celebration they throw ultimately lifts Peter’s spirits.

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Mantis and Peter’s Family-Oriented Conversation

In a scene beautifully performed by Pom Klementieff, Mantis drops a familial bombshell on Peter: They’re brother and sister. Peter’s reaction is touching. He’s undoubtedly thrilled to have a family member after losing his mother, his father figure, and his maniacal biological dad. I’m sure it’s incredibly lonely living so far from your homeworld with nothing tethering you there, even with the found family he has in the Guardians.

It’s perhaps the most Christmas-like scene in the special — a sweet, uplifting example of the true meaning of the season.

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What are your favorite moments from The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special? Connect with other Marvel fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!