For me,the first,Christmas Eve 1975 is a particular favourite.Nothing much happens,but it has a nice cosy Christmas Eve vibe and features most of the core characters of the time-mainly in the kitchen.It's also notable for the sole surviving appearances of Simon,Tina and Trevor Wood,as well as Mrs.Witton's only Yuletide episode.The Christmas Day episode is also memorable-and features Amy's last existing appearance(until 1987!).Unfortunately,the Boxing Day episode is presumed wiped.You just want to see what happens when Ted turns up at the motel.Also,I think that Hugh had his heart attack in this episode-Peter Ling didn't want to upset the viewers by having this happen on Christmas Day(how unlike today's soaps).
DJB, I love both the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Episodes for 1975.
Within the Christmas Eve episode we learn that Hugh is due to fly to Australia on Boxing Day, something that cannot be avoided he tells Meg. We also learn that Jill has suspicions and has had them for some time about Hugh and another woman, she was discussing it with Stan, but they are interrupted by Meg and Hugh coming into the sitting room and the conversation gets quickly changed. Typical Crossroads, the episode ends with Meg and Hugh kissing as the credits roll up. I cannot remember whether Hugh has his heart attack Boxing Day, if not, it was very soon after. I do remember it happened off screen and Meg was notified by telephone by the woman whom Hugh was with, the woman whom Jill suspected Hugh of having an affair with, his solicitor Anita Fielding. Hugh's heart attack and the aftermath, his affair went into 1976. I did read somewhere too that Peter Ling was against Hugh's heart attack being on Christmas Day, so not to upset the viewers.
The Christmas Day Episode is just fantastic, from the church service, Christmas dinner, and through to the present opening in the sitting room.
I think we are very fortunate that they survive on DVD, because they are really good episodes.
We're back on more festive form in '78 with two memorable episodes.Christmas Day echoes the'75 episode with Church and Meg hosting lunch for family and friends.It also has the poignancy of Hugh's recent death and Jill's separation.I know that the Boxing Day show is a favourite on this forum-featuring the staff doing their party pieces at a concert.We also have the surreal moment when Meg addresses the televison audience.
DJB, I agree with you that Christmas Day and Boxing Day 1978 Episodes are very memorable. I preferred 1975 Christmas Day because it was more family orientated, i.e. Hugh and Stan were there. But yes, quite poignant when Hugh's death was briefly mentioned when Meg and Jill were by themselves in the sitting room. I did find it funny Archie Gibbs giving Meg a rose for Christmas, but he picked it from her own garden, so she was getting her own rose back, which Meg and Jill bth found funny.
The Boxing Day Episode has to be one of the best Crossroads Episodes on all of the DVD's, because of all the fun of Shughie, Diane, Jane and of course Meg singing and talking to the viewers.
We have Christmas Day 1979 on Volume 1 of the Best of releases.This,of course,features the most famous scene from any Christmas episode when Meg sings "We need a little Christmas".It's good to have so many regulars gather for this scene,but for me this episode suffers slightly from too much Farm action-and a rather long,boring scene with Steve Cater's boss and his wife.
Sadly the 1980 Christmas episode is not on DVD.I'd love to see it again as it's Meg's final Christmas.I think that Sandy may feature in this episode(unlike any of the other surviving Christmas Day episodes).
Also,this is the one where Doris Luke joins in with the Disco dancers.
It was never quite the same after this.Without Meg and the original sets,Christmas at Crossroads lacked that cosy family feeling.
I too also like the Christmas Day 1979 episode where Meg sings, and I have to agree with you too much farm action on this episode, instead of concentrating more on the Motel on this special day.
I think it is a shame that we haven't yet seen Meg's final Christmas 1980, but we can live in hope that one day the Archive Releases will start up again, so that at we can view it. I can't actually recall the Episode, but I am certain that Sandy features because I have seen a photograph somewhere with Meg/Jill/Sandy, caption saying their final Christmas together, because of course within the next 12 months Roger had died and Nolly sacked.
I agree again with you DJB, that Christmas at Crossroads was never the same again after Meg had left because when she was there, there was a cosy feeling about, but that disappeared when she left.
Maria,I agree that of the episodes which survive that 1975 is the most enjoyable overall.I reckon that the earlier years were probably good-the 1972 Fancy Dress Party looks fun.Pity that ,like so much else,they're all gone...
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