Synopsis of Thanksgiving


Javier may be having family problems, but Julie's thinking of not seeing the family at all, as she contemplates staying in the dorms during T-day (ed. note: Why?). Felicity learns that Noel and his girlfriend Hanna will also be there.

So while Noel's thinking of Felicity's pit (as in avocado), Felicity's thinking that the outlook is not so good as Noel fiddles with his Magic 8 ball. Especially since Hanna is coming to visit--a fact which he forgot to mention. Even though she reassures him that it's okay to talk about what's-her-name.

What's not okay is the fact that Sean's been using Ben's razor--and his toothbrush--which Ben discovers as he's packing to go home. Sean tells him about some big bash that his brother throws every year for the holidays.

Meanwhile, Elena's preparing to take off as well, to see her father. Even though she plans on hitting the books while she's there.

After talking to Julie, Felicity decides to stay in New York for the holidays (Noel and Hanna just won't cut it).

At a chance encounter by the elevator, Julie and Felicity finally get to meet the mysterious Hanna--though Noel's thinking they're just a couple of kids from his dorm (and is acting weird). After hearing about Noel's beet allergies from his symphony composing girlfriend, Felicity demands that Beet Boy return her pit. Pronto.

But Noel's got other things on his mind--like sex--as he and Hanna madly make out in his room (which comes to an abrupt halt, for reasons that are better left vague).

Meanwhile, Felicity and Julie learn that Ben might not go home after all, and invite him to dinner.

Elena could use a good dinner herself, especially since her visit home doesn't go as she expects (Pops is too busy fiddling with the new TV). And no, she never took Spanish in high school.

Over dinner in the city, Hanna tells Noel that she got accepted to the New York Conservatory, which might possibly involve a relocation to the Big Apple. But Noel, strangely enough, doesn't seem happy to hear it (and it's definitely not the beets).

Felicity's not too happy either as she slams a note on Noel's door ("Give me back my pit").

So while Sean's trying to stretch Ben's stomach with his newest invention, Ben's preparing for his stay in New York (no plane ticket). Though he wish his mom had told him not to come earlier.

Julie's wishing for a simple ol' turkey, considering the current free-range turkey shortage of epidemic proportions. But Felicity's just wishing that Hanna would disappear--as in soon.

In the ladies room, Felicity sort of gets her wish--when she learns from Hanna "I use moisturizer, not zit cream" that Noel "just don't give me any beets" is acting strange, yet again. In true sportswoman-like fashion, Felicity explains that he's just, um, readjusting--and that he talks about her (Hanna) all the time.

But don't get the wrong idea. Not only is Felicity losing sleep over the Hanna thing--as she tentatively heads over to Beet Boy's room--but he's thinking that it's a great idea (Hanna's move to the Big Apple).

Then he's thinking about Ye Waverly Inn, where he wants to take Hanna for dinner--but only after they check out Julie and Felicity's furry bird of a meal. So no, they can't stay, since Noel's not only had dreams about Ye Waverly, but is also allergic to feathers (causing the flight syndrome, as evidenced by his lame-ola actions in The Fugue).

Still hunting for a decent meal, Felicity and Julie ask Javier if he can help them find a moist bird--he ordered his two months ago--but he explains the roasting process instead. Only problem is, they've got nothing to roast. So when Julie suggests that he bring the turkey--and they'll do the rest--Javier surprisingly agrees.

Meanwhile, Elena's thinking that the most agreeable thing is to ditch her dad, which she announces right before the big day. She reminds him that the trains go both ways (since he's never even seen where she lives).

The only thing Hanna's thinking about is ditching is the I-Mac--especially since her new PC is so fast (and cable modem ready, whatever that means). She's busy surfing the Web for places to live in Tribeca, while Noel's busy with his Magic 8 ball--and the outlook is good--though not from Hanna's vantage point. She asks him to put the toy away.

Elsewhere, Ben just wants to get away--to Kelvin, that is--for the Thanksgiving extravaganza, while Sean just wants him to look nice (you know, nice shirt, black jeans, the boy Contempo Casual look). They both say they'll be back around 8 pm.

But the extravaganza isn't so extravagant, after all, since Julie's sweet potato pie doesn't taste like her dad's, and she's too busy thinking about her rape ordeal (and telling her parents about it) to have fun. Meanwhile, Hanna's just thinking about heading to the store, while Noel's thinking about Felicity--more to the point--smooching Felicity, as he follows her to the men's room.

He asks if she's going to permanently ignore him, but she's thinking just the opposite (how much she hates not being able to talk to him). But hey, she's not jealous, and his symphony composing girlfriend can move to New York for all she cares, except she does care, and so does he--so much that he's willing to get frisky in the men's room while his unknowing girlfriend is out buying a ham (or something). They're going at it full speed when Ben walks in.

So when it's almost time for chow, Felicity's still a bit frazzled--though coherent enough to introduce Hanna to Ben as Noel's girlfriend. He may be surprised, but more surprising is the fact that every single person on the show is coming to the dinner, which only happens on TV, but makes for some fun entertainment. While Felicity is busy hyperventilating, Javier asks Julie to change (though she looks okay for basketball).

But Hanna's too tired to have dinner, and Noel's still thinking about her new PC when he learns that she's been seeing someone back in Boston, too. Only she definitely doesn't want to know if she's already met the chick he's been seeing (because she's still in love with him).

Meanwhile, Ben learns that Sean made up the whole party thing--yes, there is a party--but no, he wasn't invited. He asks Sean to come to the dorms with him.

So while Felicity has had a victory of sorts, she doesn't feel quite so sweet about it when she finds Hanna crying in the john. It's definitely weird how things change, but what's weirder is the fact that Hanna needs an entire roll of toilet paper to blow her nose (when a couple of squares should do). She tells Felicity that Noel's a great guy (even though he cheated on her, then lied about it). Not to mention his penchance for I-Macs.

During dinner, while Noel is busy staring at his newest conquest (think frizzy hair), Elena's father stops by to complete the "only on TV" happy ending--all to the tune of Aretha Franklin's version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The end.

©1999 jenoy@pacbell.net Do not reproduce without permission.