It’s a long-standing TV tradition to do a Christmas-themed episode around Christmastime, but not every show suits the treacly sentimentality of a typical Christmas story. Christmas episodes are usually really sweet and uplifting, but some TV shows have subverted those expectations and delivered a dark and disturbing holiday special, whether a volatile mother drives a car through the house or a mental patient dressed like Santa escapes from the institution.

Sitcoms like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Curb Your Enthusiasm have already eschewed the hugging and learning of a standard TV comedy, so they’re just going to double down when they tackle the most saccharin sitcom trope of all. Horror shows like Black Mirror and Tales from the Crypt get even darker with their Christ

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