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Show:		7.0
Picture:		8.0
Sound:		8.0
Extras:		7.0
Score:		7.0

Director(s):	Jim Henson
Starring:	Jim Henson • Jerry Nelson • Gerard Parkes • Steve Whitmire • Dave Goelz
Genre:	Children & Family
Release Date:	November 03, 2009

List Price:	DVD - $14.98
Amazon:

While “Fraggle” and “Christmas” might not seem completely synonymous at first glance, this package isn't quite the straight-up ploy it seems. The series did present a society populated with creatures that had to care for others and be cared for, after all; and altruism was appreciated as a literal value, fitting in with the whole December-patented spirit of giving. Obviously, it still is a ploy, since this DVD doesn't even contain a special, but just three episodes from the series that you already own if you have one of the other seasons—only one of them even being about the holidays. But, at the end of the day, anything Jim Henson is better than most other drivel your kid might pick up, so here are what the episodes are about to help you make the leap into purchasing.

“The Bells of Fraggle Rock”

The Festival of the Bells has arrived at the rock and everyone is excited, except Gobo, who prefers to remain agnostic. He doesn't exactly not believe in the Festival of the Bells—and the supposition that if they don't all ring their bells at the same time every year, everyone in the rock will freeze to death—but at the same time, he is turned off by the blind faith required and goes off to find the truth.

At the end of his journey (which religious leader Cantus respected in its determination and error, heh), Gobo finds the holiday is a myth, but also finds that everyone froze from waiting for his proof anyway. Gobo doesn't understand, but Cantus (Henson) shows him that although the story may not be necessarily accurate, there is a “heart” to it that is nonetheless real. Meanwhile, in “outer space," Doc teaches Sprocket some history and holiday traditions.

So, on the off-chance you are buying this DVD for kids and not just your ironic friend, you should feel secure that you will be teaching them the value of recognizing that other people's beliefs have power over them, and that in Mexico they have pinatas. Actually, you should probably teach that to your ironic friend too.

“The Grapes of Generosity”

Gobo finds the tasty Grapes of Generosity, and is eager to share them with his friends, but for some reason can't seem to get around to it. He can't understand why he does this, but he just has this compulsion to keep them for himself, which is played kind of creepily, but true to life. This results in Gobo feeling the side effect of weightlessness, which he must then also hide.

The episode is pretty straightforward sharing-is-caring, and will not be as enjoyable to adults as the previous complex one, but you will appreciate Wembley asking Gobo to go with him to the “Mess-Around” room and his response that Wembley should “mess around” with himself.

“The Perfect Blue Rollie”

Just as holiday-less and the same spirit of giving concept as “Grapes,” in that the empty-feeling Boober finds a one-in-a-million marble that he refuses to share, but even creepier in that he is completely conscious and secure with this decision. Boober also scares the Fraggles by taking them to his secret cave, where he's been secretly collecting and arranging things for years, from buttons to bathroom lint. It reminded me of the mother in Bee Season who did the same thing, which was tied up into Kabbalah, so maybe this episode has more holiday/religious connotations than I think, but in the end was clearly just about mental illness (I know, I know, what's the diff). These lessons are important on the holidays.

DVD Bonus Features

I don't know if kids actually play with DVD special features or if it's just completely fake, but there is a memory game, an international holiday trivia game, and a sing-along for them if they so choose. There is also an entire episode of Fraggle Rock: The Animated series, which is similar to Muppet Babies; and Doc even gets the Nanny treatment, where you can't see his face. As much as I loved Muppet Babies, I think the magic of Fraggle Rock is in the puppeteering; so the animated version feels senseless, but still a cute extra.

In summation: Muppet-y holiday fun.