The 2018 Turkey Day is really a tale of two Turkey Days. It marked the first time the Turkey Day marathon didn't actually air on Thanksgiving, and that was because Netflix dropped the entire twelfth season of the show on Thanksgiving day, in celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the show. The classic episode Turkey Day hit a week prior, which made the occasion less momentous. In a way, the entire twelfth season is the 2018 Turkey Day marathon. Unfortunately it didn't have specialized bumpers to go with it.
This year is similar to last year, as Joel Hodgson and Jonah Ray discuss the show in a couch interview format. The difference between this year and last year is that the previous year's Turkey Day aired after a new season which means the hosts were openly talking about it, while this Turkey Day airs before the new season and Joel and Jonah can't say too much about it except that "It's coming!" They mostly find themselves talking about the importance of the episodes they've selected for this year, including one from the first season, the introduction to Pearl, and the final episodes of Trace and Frank.
On the subject of our feast full of episodes, 2018 is probably the least appetizing Turkey Day since its inception. Things get off to a sour start with my least favorite episode of the series, Moon Zero Two, which is a popular first season episode that I clearly just don't jive with. Things rebound with Warrior of the Lost World (even though it's a repeat from the previous year) and, a personal favorite, Bloodlust. Samson vs. the Vampire Women isn't quite the low point that Moon Zero Two is, but it's also a dish I don't personally care for. Classic MST closes out with Laserblast, which is fine enough. Then to close the marathon we're given the surprise addition of a Jonah episode in Cry Wilderness, which is one of the better episodes of the day, so we end on both a shock and a high point.
If I were to make an observation on the episodes selected, this is really the first Turkey Day to include a season one episode featuring Josh Weinstein since 1995, and it's also the first to show a Jonah/Hampton/Baron episode at all. They miss a step by not offering an episode from the Sci-Fi era of the show, so we can see Bill Corbett's Crow in action. There is a missed opportunity to celebrate every era of the series here that's kind of wasted.
As for the twelfth season episodes, I'll save that for a season overview. Long story short, they don't help nor hurt the marathon in any way.
Warrior of the Lost World (2nd Turkey Day)
Bloodlust!
Samson vs. the Vampire Women
Laserblast (2nd Turkey Day)
Cry Wilderness
Average Rating (out of 4): 2.667
Season 12 Thanksgiving Premieres
Mac and Me
Atlantic Rim
Lords of the Deep
The Day Time Ended
Killer Fish
Ator, the Fighting Eagle
Full 12 Episodes Average Rating: 2.667
These segments are very brief, but the affair concludes with a small sneak peak at the behind-the-scenes of the twelfth season, The Gauntlet. There was some neat footage and even a few tasty riffs. Adding into the fact that The Gauntlet can be considered the true Turkey Day marathon this year, the whole shebang is moderately enjoyable instead of a must see. I wish it wasn't the case, but the Turkey Day magic just isn't here.
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