The passing of Harold Ramis made me think about the iconic film Groundhog Day, a movie he directed and co-wrote, and the fact that the Groundhog Day Loop has since became an actual television trope.
Science fiction and paranormal shows obviously lend themselves to this kind of narrative, so here are five fave groundhog day tv show tribute episodes from writers who obviously love that crazy god damn movie as much as I do.
Science fiction and paranormal shows obviously lend themselves to this kind of narrative, so here are five fave groundhog day tv show tribute episodes from writers who obviously love that crazy god damn movie as much as I do.
THE BEST
The Stargate episode Window of Opportunity is one of the all-time best examples of the kind of hilarity that can ensue when characters live the same day over, and over, and over. AND OVER.
Jack O'Neill's meltdown is incredibly funny. He rides a bike through the base, takes up pottery, learns to juggle, plays golf with Teal'c (using the Stargate as a green), and even resigns so he can make out with Sam!
LET'S PARTY. AND PARTY. AND PARTY.
This recent episode of Lost Girl's aptly titled Groundhog Fae. Bo and Tamsin are trapped in a loop that happens to take place at a party... Hola!
What I love most about GHD episodes are the way the audience really clicks with the character's emotions. At first, you enjoy the novelty of the experience and the lack of repercussions right along with him/her, then you, too, become increasingly exasperated.
Funniest scene? When Tamsin lays one on Bo, not realising she, too, is trapped in the time loop and won't be forgetting that lip lock anytime soon.... AWKWARD.
HOT SAUCE
Because Supernatural has always fabulously melded humour and tragedy, this series is a perfect match for time loop shenanigans. The repeato elements in the episode Mystery Spot are, for the most part, entertainingly funny- the recurring death of Dean, not so much, but that storyline ties in nicely with the season's overarching narrative.
This is solid scripting, really using the Groundhog Day trope to great effect. (And the nod to the original movie, with the radio coming on as Sam wakes up? Nice touch.)
WORKING RETAIL
A time looping slayer seems destined to kick some comedic ass, but surprisingly, the groundhog-style episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, titled Life Serial, is comparatively weak (considering how clever/hilarious the series is overall).
While still amusing, this episode isn't the best of the Groundhog bunch. I've included it though, because anyone whose worked retail knows that even when time's moving forward, it can still feel like forever...
While still amusing, this episode isn't the best of the Groundhog bunch. I've included it though, because anyone whose worked retail knows that even when time's moving forward, it can still feel like forever...
TRY ONLINE BANKING
Ah, Mulder and Scully. Who can forget the sight of Mulder bleeding on the floor, and the look in Scully's eyes in the opener for the episode Monday? Also, props to Mulder for using the term "deja vu", and getting all clever-cute with the Freudian reference...
Such a damn fine show, especially when X-Files perfectionism melds with the Groundhog Day trope, taking it well beyond the comedic elements. This one's a stunner.
THE BEST
The Window of Opportunity episode of Stargate is one of the all-time best examples of the hilarity that can ensue when characters live the same day over, and over, and over. AND OVER.*
*See what I did there? YOU'VE BEEN GROUNDHOG'D! x
