"Chapter Five: Across the Yule-Verse" is the fifth episode of the Disney+ series The Santa Clauses and aired on December 7, 2022. It was written by Eugene Garcia-Cross, Hayley Frazier, and Emalee Burditt and directed by Katie Locke O'Brien.
Synopsis[]
Scott is taken to the Yule-verse where he learns the truth about how he came to be Santa. Meanwhile, things at the North Pole get worse as more elves disappear and Christmas spirit is all but destroyed. Scott returns from the Yule-verse and, with Noel, heads back to the North Pole to save Christmas. Before he can, he is quickly captured by Simon. Carol, Cal, and Sandra race back to the North Pole to help Scott.
Plot[]
Scott is surprised by the appearance of Bernard who years ago left the North Pole and met and married Vanessa Redgrave and gave up his immortality. He tells him that Simon is ruining Christmas, but Scott still refuses as he thinks he simply needs to settle in. He is suddenly transported to the Great Depression era where he encounters the previous Santa, dubbed Santa 17, who also tries to convince him to return to the role. Santa 17 had actually met Scott when he was a child and was impressed with his giving spirit. He, just like every other child, had to have his memory wiped of the meeting, much to Scott's consternation.
Scott encounters previous Santas including Papai Noel, St. Nicholas, and even the Krampus, who all tell him why it is important that he return to the role as he was not supposed to give up the coat yet. Bernard finally tells Scott the truth about his induction as Santa Claus. All the previous Santas were ethereal and Scott was the first human to don the coat. Santa 17's fall from the roof was planned as the times were changing and they needed someone who was capable of adapting to the new era; The Clauses being invented specifically for him. They show Scott the Christmas orb with how Simon has turned the North Pole into a heartless corporation and all the elves are disappearing.
Scott returns home and tells his family what has happened, though upset, understand the consequences. Back at the North Pole, Simon continues his plan for EverythingNow's "Christmas Everyday" campaign. Elf technician Hugo warns Simon that the magic is draining, but he ignores it. Scott and Noel use the Christmas orb to travel back to the North Pole and leave the rest of the Calvins behind. Riley shows up and uses the EverythngNow app to order a shirt which she gets in a matter of seconds. The Calvins realize that things are getting worse and Cal is forced to tell Riley that he and his family are leaving. While she disbelieves his dad is Santa, he displays his abilities by correctly guessing her younger brother's toy.
Betty speaks with Grace who confirms with her that the elves are disappearing, but that they will solve it. Shortly afterwards, Betty disappears. Scott and Noel split up with the former running into Gary who claims to have survived disappearing by wearing a Hershey's tin foil hat. As they search around the North Pole, they are suddenly captured. Sandra convinces her horse Buttercup that he can fly and the Calvins take a carriage ride into the sky with Cal guiding them through a portal back to the North Pole. Simon locks up Scott and Gary before taking the Christmas orb and leaving with it.
Cast[]
- Tim Allen as Scott Calvin/Santa Claus
- Elizabeth Mitchell as Carol Newman-Calvin/Mrs. Claus
- Austin Kane as Buddy "Cal" Calvin-Claus
- Elizabeth Allen-Dick as Sandra Calvin-Claus
- Matilda Lawler as Betty
- Devin Bright as Noel
- Rupali Redd as Grace Choksi
- Kal Penn as Simon Choksi
Guest starring[]
- David Krumholtz as Bernard
- Jim O'Heir as Santa 17
- Mitch Poulos as St. Nicholas
- Latarsha Rose as Olivia Choksi
- Ruby Jay as Riley
- Izaac Wang as Hugo
- Liam Kyle as Gary
Co-Starring[]
- Mauricio Mendoza as Papai Noel
- Mia Lynn Bangunan as Pontoon
- Liam Seja as Young Scott
- Dirk Rogers as Krampus
Trivia[]
- The title is possibly a nod to Marvel Comics' famous Spider-Verse story.
- This is the second time Jim O'Heir played Santa. The first time being in an episode of Austin & Ally.
- It’s also the second time Mitch Poulos has played Santa/St. Nicholas. The first time was in the 2022 television movie The 12 Days of Christmas Eve.
- The Krampus is depicted stealing toys from children. In the actual folklore, he kidnapped children who misbehaved. This was changed most likely to make it more family-friendly.
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