Santa Claus is still trying to find his replacement, but it seems like the Claus family may be having second thoughts about leaving the North Pole in the latest episode of the Disney+ Original Series, “The Santa Clauses.” Meanwhile, Simon Choksi continues his struggles of being both a businessman and a single father. He’s in a similar boat to where Scott Calvin was in the original “The Santa Clause” film. The difference is he seems more willing to accept the role of Santa Claus, but all may not be what it seems at the North Pole.

Santa Claus clearly understands the limits of his magic, but he also loves what he does and doesn’t want to give up the job. Mrs. Claus clearly wants her own identity but also learns how much she’s valued by the elves in the North Pole leading her to second guess the decision to retire. And their kids are having their own struggles as they have been the only two humans to ever grow up in the North Pole. They are excited about rather mundane things and don’t understand why their dad is ready to leave the North Pole. These are all basic retirement storyline plots with a holiday twist.

The interesting dynamic is clearly between Kal Penn’s character, Simon Choksi, and his daughter, Grace. She wants to live at the North Pole. There’s a lot of what we remember from Charlie in the first film in Grace’s character. Meanwhile, Simon seems to be a blend of Scott and Neil from the film. He is a businessman like Scott, but he presents himself in a way a lot closer to how Neil presented himself. Simon wants to be good at his job and a good father to Grace. He has all the tools to be Santa Claus, but something seems to be holding him back.

This is a cute series. Is it spectacular? No. Does it need to be? No. It’s more fun than a lot of other Disney branded original series available on Disney+. It can be bland at times, but has more heart than “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers” or “Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.” It doesn’t have the standout nature of a Marvel or Star Wars show, but it doesn’t need that. It’s a fun, six-episode series that works very well around the holidays. I think the series format makes it a lot easier to accept as a continuation rather than “Home Sweet Home Alone” did in 2021. Like I said, it’s cute. It’s fun. It’s not great, but it doesn’t need to be.

Rating: 3.5 stars

What did you think of the latest episode of “The Santa Clauses?”

Jeremy Brown

Jeremy has been a big Disney fan since he was a kid growing up during the Disney Renaissance. One day he hopes to go to every Disney Park in the world.

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