🎅 The Santa Clauses – Season 1 🎄🛷

Firstly, ain’t nobody asked for this. This series just came out of nowhere more than a decade after The Santa Clause 3, which wrapped up the films pretty definitively. And yet… here we are. Against all odds, I was genuinely surprised at how much it still felt like the films in tone and atmosphere. But also — this is one bizarre continuation, and not just because of the new faces.

Let’s start by showing y’all the trailers, shall we? 🎥✨

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❄️ Non-Spoiler Rundown

Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) has been Santa for nearly 30 years, and he’s starting to feel his magic fade. He’s also thinking about spending more time with his family, which now — somehow — consists of two kids. Remember at the end of Santa Clause 3 when Scott and Carol only had their baby son, Buddy? Yeah, apparently since then a daughter named Sandra appeared in the family tree without so much as an explanation.

When Scott considers retirement, the search for a replacement Santa begins… and not all goes smoothly. While it’s nice to return to the North Pole, some choices feel odd, some characters feel underused, and the show plays fast and loose with established continuity.


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🧑‍🎄 Character & Actor Breakdown

Scott Calvin / Santa Claus (Tim Allen) – Still the sarcastic, stubborn, heart-in-the-right-place Santa we know. This time, he’s wrestling with whether it’s time to pass on the coat.

Carol Calvin / Mrs. Claus (Elizabeth Mitchell) – Warm, caring, and once again doing her best to keep Scott grounded while balancing life in the North Pole.

Cal (Austin Kane) – The teenage version of Buddy from Santa Clause 3, now older and in full awkward mode.

Sandra (Elizabeth Allen-Dick) – The new daughter who seemingly appeared between installments with zero explanation. Tim Allen’s real-life daughter plays her, which adds some charm, but it’s still continuity-breaking.

Simon Choksi (Kal Penn) – A tech CEO who’s in the running to be the next Santa. He’s ambitious but doesn’t fully grasp the weight of the role.

Grace Choksi (Rupali Redd) – Simon’s sweet and innocent daughter, a stand-out among the newcomers.


🧝 New Elves at the North Pole

Betty (Matilda Lawler) – The no-nonsense head elf taking over Bernard’s old duties. Strict, sarcastic, and not impressed by Scott’s jokes.

Noel (Devin Bright) – Overly eager and excitable, borderline annoying but still likable.

La Befana (Laura San Giacomo) – A holiday figure who drops in for some quirky moments.

Eyepatch Elf – Supposed to be a “battle-hardened” elf, but the joke wears thin fast. His entire personality is “I have an eyepatch,” and it stops being funny after the first scene.



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🎁 The Bernard Letdown

Yes, Bernard returns… and yes, they made it a big deal in the marketing. But don’t expect much — his role is barely more than a cameo. For longtime fans, it’s frustrating, especially when you remember how important he was to the first two films. His absence through most of the season is glaring.


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👍 Pros

Still has the Santa Clause cozy holiday vibe.

Grace Choksi is adorable and well-acted.

The sets and costumes still feel magical.

Bernard, even with a tiny role, remains iconic.

Noel has some surprisingly sweet moments.

Bernard will always be my favorite, no matter how little they give him to do here.



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👎 Cons

The sudden appearance of a daughter with no explanation.

Over-reliance on new elf gags that aren’t funny (looking at you, Eyepatch Elf).

Bernard’s return being hyped up only for him to vanish after one scene.

Feels like some of the movie magic got lost in the streaming format.



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📜 Final Thoughts & Rating

I still don’t know why this was made, but I can’t deny it was more entertaining than I expected. It captures some of the old charm, but it’s also weighed down by unnecessary changes, weird continuity decisions, and the feeling that Bernard’s cameo was a marketing stunt. If you’re a fan of the trilogy, it’s worth a casual holiday watch — just temper expectations.

Rating: 7/10 🎄


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🚨 Spoilers Ahead 🚨

Scott decides to retire as Santa, feeling his magic fading and wanting a more normal life. Simon Choksi is chosen as his successor, but his tech-driven approach to Christmas starts draining the magic from the North Pole. The elves begin disappearing, and it becomes clear Simon isn’t cut out for the job.

Meanwhile, Scott struggles to adjust to civilian life with Carol, Cal, and Sandra in Chicago. Cal feels disconnected from the “real world” and struggles socially, while Sandra struggles with anxiety and being away from the North Pole.

Bernard appears briefly to guide Scott, delivering exposition about Santa’s history and hinting at Scott’s unique role, before disappearing again. In the end, Scott reclaims the Santa role, restores the elves, and Simon steps down gracefully. Christmas is saved, the Calvin family returns to the North Pole, and everything is neatly wrapped up for Season 2.

BTW didn’t this all sound a bit too familiar? Like uh Santa Clause 2? A new Santa who takes over ends up ruining the spirit of Christmas, hmmmmmmmmmm.