After a nice long fall break, we’re back atcha with the third of Dickens’ five Christmas stories! This week we cover the first half of The Cricket on the Hearth: A Fairy Tale of Home. For having such a cute title, this story is surprisingly off the chain and makes us wonder, not for the first time, what Charlie D was smoking on those long nighttime walks of his. Rachel is a good tipper, despite owning a girl-fedora. Jackie teaches an impromptu Yiddish lesson. Theo only wants one thing for Christmas, and it’s new fingers. Topics include: Mary Poppins, QWOP, scary old wizards, FedEx shenanigans, Ye Olde Ugly Clubbe, an excellent Taiwanese brunch, Thievin’ Stephen, the 12 days of Christmas, leg mechanics, Frosty the Carrotman, starfruits, and big furry eyes.