“Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special” is the MCU’s Christmas celebration for 2022. It also marks the end of MCU Phase 4. “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” which is slated for February 2023 release, will be the beginning of phase 5. The show is a typical feel-good Christmas special of approximately 40 minutes that reminds us of the significance of sharing and togetherness. While abduction is punishable, especially after the Avengers, Earth’s mightiest heroes, had to face the Sokovia Accords for the destruction at the cost of saving the planet, “Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special” gladly keep aside the issues. It goes the feel-good way and looks at the happy times, with Peter’s best friends bringing him a Christmas present straight from Earth. Hallelujah!
Spoilers Ahead
‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special’ Plot Synopsis: What Happens In The Film?
Kraglin tells Drax, Mantis, and Nebula a story from Peter’s childhood when Yondu ruined the Christmas tree that Peter and young Kraglin had made together for Christmas in Nowhere. That was the last time Peter celebrated Christmas. So with Earth about to celebrate Christmas, Mantis tells Drax how she wants to do something special for Peter, who is her brother (something Peter doesn’t know yet; Mantis and Peter are children of Ego). Peter has never really been able to come out of the pain of Gamora’s passing. A gift is the least Mantis can do to cheer him up this Christmas. Drax mentions how they can present Peter with a legendary hero, saying he has told them countless stories about Kevin Bacon.
Mantis and Drax head to Hollywood and track down Kevin Bacon’s house, thanks to a map that shows the houses of Hollywood actors in Hollywood. It’s Christmas everywhere, and both of them reach Kevin’s house after dancing and drinking at a nightclub. Naturally, when they ring the bell, Kevin Bacon, who is by himself at his house, respectfully tells them to leave. Obviously, Mantis and Drax don’t leave but break into the house. Kevin manages to call the cops, but all of them fall prey to Mantis’s mind-control ability. She then uses her power on him to calm him down. Mantis and Drax then bring him to Nowhere, along with lots of gifts and Christmas décor.
Peter is in his room when he sees Groot noticing him and running outside. He follows Groot and goes outdoors. To his surprise, the whole place lights up in multiple colors, there are Christmas trees all around, and it even starts to snow (although artificially). The happiness is evident on Peter’s face. That’s when Kraglin calls Groot to bring in Peter’s Christmas present. It’s a big box. Peter’s smile slowly disappears when he hears a familiar voice from inside the box. He unwraps and opens it and is shocked to find Kevin Bacon, who is unusually calm despite having been abducted to a different planet. Peter realizes that Mantis has used her powers on him and asks her to bring Kevin’s senses back. Kevin freaks out when he sees a talking raccoon and a man who is a plant, among other beings. Peter reassures Kevin that he will go home very soon and tells Kraglin to prepare the ship.
On the ship, Kraglin tells Kevin that all Peter’s friends wanted was to give him a present for Christmas, and since Kevin Bacon was Peter’s hero, the guys brought him. That’s when Kevin’s wife Kyra (Kyra Sedgwick, his real-life spouse) calls him, courtesy of the satellites that allow communication across 400 million light-years. He receives the call and tells her that he will be a little late (Kyra doesn’t know that Kevin is on another planet) because he is with some friends who need to learn about Christmas. What follows is Kevin Bacon performing Rhett Miller’s “Here It Is Christmastime.” After a lovely performance and everyone exchanging gifts, Kevin Bacon hugs the Guardians of the Galaxy and bids them goodbye with the promise to meet them again at Easter.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special” ends with Mantis telling Peter why she wanted to bring him a gift. She tells her the story Kraglin told them. Peter adds to the story further, saying that after Yondu found a gift wrapped for him by young Peter, he gifted Peter with his laser guns, which he still uses. Mantis then reveals that she is his sister. This is the best Christmas gift Peter could ever have. They hug and wish each other a Merry Christmas.
The post-credits scene shows Cosmo the Spacedog and Rocket Raccoon decorating Groot for Christmas, but everything keeps falling apart. Rocket Raccoon then declares that they need to have another special. So do we have another Christmas special on the way? Hopefully.
‘Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special’ Easter Eggs
Cosmo the Space Dog: Cosmo the Space Dog (voiced by Maria Bakalova) has more than a cameo role in the show. She, as opposed to “he” in the comics, has telekinetic powers. She will have an important role to play in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which will deal with Rocket Raccoon’s past.
Isaiah Bradley: At the nightclub where Mantis and Drax party, we see a surprise appearance from Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), the first super soldier whom we met in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” This is the first time we have seen him since the show.
DC References: The map that Mantis and Drax get their hands on shows the houses of many famous actors, including Margot Robbie and John Cena. Both of them have played famous DC anti-heroes in the DCEU; Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn and John Cena as Peacemaker. James Gunn takes another dig at DC by making Kevin Bacon speak like Batman, aka Bruce Wayne, when Mantis tells him to be a real hero when they are inside the ship on their way to Knowhere.
Gamora is Missing: Gamora may be dead, but the version of her we saw during the final fight in “Avengers: Endgame” is missing. She rejected Peter Quill in the film but will return in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.”
Bucky’s Arm: Nebula gifts Rocket Raccoon with Bucky’s arm. He had shown his interest in it in “Avengers: Infinity War.” We do not know how it landed with Nebula, but this should have some significance going forward in the MCU, especially Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. We shouldn’t forget that it is made out of vibranium.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special” is a 2022 Marvel television film directed by James Gunn.
