This brilliant episode begins by broaching a common source of confusion for many people, that Starland Vocal Band's classic song "Afternoon Delight" was, in fact, not about ice cream. We all know what it's about now, but during this episode, Michael Bluth is under the same childlike assumption that it's all innocent, and when he finds out the truth, there are hilarious consequences. Another highlight is Gob trying to be a company man, but resolutely failing because he keeps going on about how amazingly expensive his suits are, even doing so when he gets a cab dressed as a banana. It gets even better when Buster lies to his mother about things going well at the Army, when in fact, Buster has essentially become addicted to a mechanical crane arcade game, and has been spending most of his time there. It might not be an episode that's the most focused on Christmas, but it provides more laughs and brilliance than the vast majority of those that stringently put mistletoe, Santa suits and ugly jumpers all over the screen. For that, it has to be commended.
