State of the #SHEA for the 2020 Holidays

 

So far, in four seasons of The Good Doctor December episodes, we’ve had exactly ONE that carried any references to Christmas… and it ended like this:

 

 

To be fair, it’s probably tough trying to incorporate the holidays into what amounts to the top-shelf “Winter Finale” drama. (Not so much this year, as the pandemic has thrown things out of whack.) Even though Annie Lennox's version of “Silent Night” led the montage at the end of “Quarantine Pt. 1,” they had to wiggle around the fact that “Quarantine Pt.2” dealt with a pre-Christmas setting (picking up right where it left off, no less) on an episode that aired in mid-January!

But none of this can stop #Shea shippers from picturing Shaun and Lea’s first Christmas-as-a-Couple, so... 

What I’ve done here is posed a series of questions to three different readers (via email) and collected their individual responses, which I’ve compiled below. Since they didn’t know how each other was responding, it led to what I feel are even more interesting and varied answers! See what you think… and of course, feel free to debate the possibilities in the comments.

Extra special thanks to PAMELA, TONY and STEVEN for taking the time to participate! 

(NOTE: I haven’t edited & formatted these as I might normally do… at least, not yet. I may well come back and clean this up after Christmas, but for now I’ve got holiday things of my own to tend to!)

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      If Shaun and Lea were to bring up one good and one bad Christmas memory apiece (from childhood), what would they be?

 

SHAUN-  GOOD MEMORY: BUILDING SNOWMAN W FAMILY DURING ONE SNOWY CHRISTMAS. BAD MEMORY: DAD RUINING SANTA CLAUS FOR HIM AND STEVE. THEY HAD LEFT COOKIES AND MILK OUT FOR SANTA ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND WHEN THEY WERE CAUGHT BY THEIR DAD STAYING UP TO WATCH FOR SANTA'S ARRIVAL, HE GOT UPSET AND TOLD THEM SANTA WASNT REAL AT ALL.  -- Pamela

 

Shaun’s bad memory: Shaun’s father saying that Shaun’s too ‘different’ to enjoy a Christmas present. So why bother?

Shaun’s good memory: Steve getting Shaun a present anyway. Such as a rabbit! -- Tony

 

            The bad has to be a drunken abusive Christmas with the Father.  --Steve

 Shaun good: The time Steve took him to see a big Christmas tree in town that he was never able to see before. 

Shaun bad: Almost all Christmas with his father drunk.—Shea Endgame

LEA-  GOOD MEMORY:  FAMILY CHRISTMASES AT THEIR LAKE HOUSE IN PENN. WHEN EVERYONE GOT ALONG.  NO BAD MEMORIES FROM HER YOUTH. THOSE CAME WHEN SHE WAS OLDER AND ESTRANGED FROM HER BROTHER. --Pamela

 

Lea’s bad memory: Delivering a heartfelt, meaningful present to a High School boyfriend – only to catch him making out with another girl.

Lea’s good memory: Grandpa Rod promising her that she’ll inherit the Striped Tomato one day.--Tony

For Lea the good has to be a visit with her grandfather.   The bad is her brother ruining a nice family Christmas.  --Steve

Lea good: Her grandpa Rod gave her a toy replica of his car with the promise of give it to her one day 

Lea bad: Not having a dinner because her mom was having a hard time, maybe with prescriptions related. –Shea Endgame

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    What are Lea’s favorite Christmas recordings? Of these favorites, which would Shaun come to enjoy?

 

JINGLE BELL ROCK, ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU, HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS… SHAUN WOULD COME TO ENJOY THE FIRST TWO ABOVE-- FUN, SINGABLE SONGS AND 2ND ONE HAS NEW MEANING AS NEW COUPLE. –Pamela

Something with a bit of pop/rock – like Bruce Springsteen’s “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town" or Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.”  Along with some classics like “Sleigh Ride” (perhaps a lake house memory?) and “12 Days” of Christmas” which I think Shaun would enjoy just because of the permutations of all the gifts! –Tony

Songs... Lea is upbeat so Rocking around the Christmas Tree but I would also think All I want for Christmas is you would be the song to share with Shaun. -- Steven

 Lea's: I can see Lea loving Wham's last Christmas, and also Jingle bells rock, Pretty Penny by Stone Temple Pilots. – Shea Endgame

Is there one that you’d see Shaun discovering/appreciating on his own (hearing it on TV, radio, etc.)?

LITTLE DRUMMER BOY -- Pamela

Song Shaun would discover is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”- sweet and sentimental.  –Steven

Shaun:  I think Shaun would enjoy any of these. –Shea Endgame

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    Do either of them have any decorations they’ve brought from Hershey/Casper?

 

TREE ORNAMENTS-- SHAUN HAS ONE HE CREATED DURING SCHOOL DAYS AND HE'S KEPT ANOTHER ONE THAT STEVE CREATED. LEA HAS ONE GIFTED TO HER FROM HER GRANDPA ROD AND A PITTSBURGH STEELERS CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT. --Pamela

I have to think Lea has at least a few car-themed decorations. And perhaps some Hershey Kiss-shaped Christmas lights! I think Shaun would have something, though I’m less certain on what. I’ll go with a pancake ornament made by one of the Casper locals who helped Shaun. –Tony

 

Decorations- Lea brings something from Chocolate World so a Hershey kiss ornament.  Shaun has from Casper a rodeo horse ornament that Steve gave him. -- Steven

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      What about their Christmas tree? Real or artificial?

DEFINITELY REAL -- PINE TREE SMELL!!! – Pamela

    I’ll go with a real tree for Lea (chopped down from around the lake house), artificial for Shaun (wanting to hold onto a single tree for years, instead of spending money every year). In the spirit of compromise, they go for the real tree, in exchange for dinners with the Glassmans. --Tony

Shaun loves trees and maybe he will be in with having a real one. – Shea Endgame

Would they have white lights, multi-colored, or something else?

WHITE LIGHTS -- LESS STIMULATING FOR SHAUN PLUS IN THEIR OUTSIDE/INDOOR PATIO THEY HAVE WHITE LIGHTS AND DATE NIGHT WAS WHITE LIGHTS.  –Pamela

I think they would both enjoy multi-colored lights, reminiscent of their karaoke fun times! –Tony

Lea will have lights multicolored. – Shea Endgame

What’s on top—star? Angel? Neither?

ANGEL – Pamela

 I’ll go with a star. Just as it guided the wise men, and astronomers in later years, the idea of a star as that symbol of guidance for anyone’s uncertain life could resonate well for either Shaun or Lea. --Tony

On top there should be a Star as a symbol of guidance for them to keep growing as partners. –Shea Endgame

Definitely a real tree and multi-colored lights and a star on top. -- Steven

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     Does Shaun have any holiday movies and/or TV specials that are favorites?

 

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE—Pamela

I can see Shaun enjoying “A Christmas Carol” and identifying with Ebenezer Scrooge’s struggles with finding selflessness and the fear of ending up alone. – Tony

 Charlie Brown Christmas-- Steven

 I think both like the Charlie Brown's Christmas special and I see Lea digging into The Grinch and maybe home Alone. For sure Shaun would find both entertaining. –Shea Endgame

     What are Lea’s faves? And does Shaun appreciate them? Why or why not?

    ELF, NATIONAL LAMPOONS CHRISTMAS VACATION…

    SHAUN APPRECIATES ELF FOR THE HUMOR, BUT NOT SO MUCH NLCV -- HE WOULD THINK IT WAS TOO SILLY. --Pamela

 

I can see Lea enjoying “It’s a Wonderful Life” and identify with George Bailey’s position of “would the world be better off without me,” as I suspect people close to Lea have abandoned her and left her wondering if she really matters in the big picture…

I think Shaun and Lea would greatly appreciate each other’s movies. I also think that they would find a way to assure each other that they are not what they fear to be (that Shaun doesn’t think of others; or that Lea is insignificant).—Tony 

Lea is definitely a Frosty fan. And I think she’s a romantic, so Love Actually is the movie she’s going to show Shaun.  Shaun has to fall for the line “Let’s go get the shit kicked out of us by love.”   -- Steven

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     If Glassman and Debbie invite them to Christmas dinner, do either of them have any family recipes for holiday food (sweet or savory) that they bring to contribute? (And yeah I remember Glassy is Jewish, but for sake of argument—and Debbie—I’m imagining they still might do something celebratory on Christmas day.) 

LEA WOULD BAKE HER FAMILY RECIPE FOR CHOCOLATE SFOGLIATELLE.  -- Pamela

I agree that Glassman and Debbie would have a Christmas dinner, and I think they would invite Shaun and Lea over. As for what they’d bring, see my response for the next question! – Tony 

Even though we know Glassman is Jewish, he hedged in season 2 and claimed to be half Jewish.  Debbie’s first husband was Jewish and she kept his name as I recall so Christmas dishes are welcomed.  So Debbie is going to go all out with the feast of the 7 fishes on Christmas Eve… Shaun and Lea would bring some pasta dish (lasagna or gnocchi) which I think Shaun likes.   --Steven

A green apple pie, chocolate cupcakes could be too. –Shea Endgame

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    Favorite Christmas treat for Shaun or Lea? (could include anything from pie/cake/bread to a kind of cookie or candy) What’s one thing you can see them working on in the kitchen together?

 

I CAN SEE THEM MAKING AN ENTIRE CHRISTMAS DINNER TOGETHER. SHAUN'S FAVORITE DESSERT IS APPLE PIE MADE WITH GREEN APPLES. LEA LOVES HER PANETTONE. --Pamela

 

After seeing Lea so delighted that the gas station in Wyoming had mallomars, I can see the two of them working on the art of making their own. Once perfected, they would have a VERY special treat to take to the Glassmans! –Tony 

Ginger cookies… maybe making the cookies could be a very fun activity for both of them. –Shea Endgame

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What gift does each give the other? What’s the reaction from each?

 

SHAUN WOULD GIFT LEA THE COMPLETION OF THEIR ABORTED ROAD TRIP:  A 4 NIGHT STAY IN A CABIN IN YOSEMITE PARK TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR/THEY WILL SNOWSHOE (IF THERES SNOW) OR HIKE UP TO HALF DOME.  LEA WOULD OF COURSE LOVE IT.

LEA GIVES SHAUN A NUMBER OF GIFTS:  A NEW SWEATER, AN APPLE WATCH AND A UKELELE COMPLETE WITH LESSONS ON HOW TO PLAY IT.  SHAUN WOULD HAVE SOME INITIAL RESISTANCE TO THE WATCH BUT ONCE HE GETS THE HANG OF ALL ITS USES, HE'D GLADLY ACCEPT IT. ALSO SOME RETICENCE TO THE UKELELE LESSONS BUT AFTER LEA CONVINCES HIM OF THE BEAUTY OF MUSIC MAKING LIKE SHE WAS ABLE TO INFLUENCE HIS NEW APPRECIATION FOR MUSIC, HE WOULD BE ALL IN. --Pamela

Lea gives Shaun a copy of the keys to the Striped Tomato. Demonstrating her trust in his driving abilities, and allowing him to drive it on a recurring basis.

Shaun gives Lea the AAA batteries she “gave back” during their second encounter. And this time, he’s giving her those batteries for keeps! –Steven 

Shaun to Lea- very nice necklace with her birthstone.  Or maybe a heart shaped diamond necklace.   Has to be meaningful and that will work.  Lea to Shaun- a watch with engraved message.   –Steven

Lea gives him a pen with an encryption in gold of when they first met and I love you. Shaun gives her a massage as a gift. – Shea Endgame

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    Lea wants to start a holiday tradition that’s just for the two of them. What does Shaun suggest, and what tweaks does Lea request (if any) before agreeing?

 

SHAUN WANTS TO GIVE BACK TO THOSE LESS FORTUNATE LIKE BUYING TOYS FOR THE KIDS AT AN ORPHANAGE IN HONOR OF HIS BROTHER.  LEA LOVES THE IDEA AND SUGGESTS THEY COULD ALSO HELP PROVIDE OR SERVE CHRISTMAS MEALS TO THE HOMELESS, POOR AND NEEDY.  EVERY CHRISTMAS THEY WOULD HELP THOSE IN NEED IN SOMEWAY.--Pamela

 

Shaun suggests an annual video message – perhaps as a memory/souvenir to their future selves (similar to some families and their “Letters to Family”). Lea decides on the medium to record these videos. At first it seems that she’s suggesting a digital medium (such as a computer) for ease of deleting should things go south one day. But as it turns out, she makes a custom DVD out of the message for long-term keeps (and hopefully a sizeable buildup)! –Tony

 

They’d go ice skating at the local winter carnival.  I don’t know if either can skate, but hopefully one of them can and that’ll be fun for them. –Steven  

I think that both of them lighting a candle wishing that their relationship keeps going strong and maybe some Christmas karaoke song, could be a good recipe. –Shea Endgame  

 🍏🎅 ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS, #SHEA SHIPPERS!