Editor's Note

Our reviews of Fraggle Rock: The Complete First Season (published November 9th, 2005), Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series: The Complete Series (published January 21st, 2010), Fraggle Rock: The Complete Final Season (published November 9th, 2009), and Fraggle Rock: The Complete Series Collection (published November 19th, 2008) are also available.

The Charge

Music, Fun, and Holiday Adventures with the Fraggles!

The Case

Just in time for the holidays comes Fraggle Rock: A Merry Fraggle Holiday. The background and significance of the classic and beloved Fraggle Rock series have already been covered comprehensively in previous DVD Verdict reviews, so let's turn our attention to the three episodes on this disc.

• "The Bells of Fraggle Rock"
While Doc and Sprocket prepare for Christmas, the Fraggles are getting ready for the Festival of the Bells. Despite the long standing tradition of the festival, Gobo believes the holiday has no meaning without empirical evidence about its origins, and sets off to the center of Fraggle Rock in search of proof.

• "The Grapes of Generosity"
Gobo finds the Grapes of Generosity in the caves. Rather than share with his friends, he decides to eat them himself, not realizing the consequences of eating of the grapes alone.

• "The Perfect Blue Rollie"
Wembley and Boober find a dry river bed filled with beautiful smooth stones, including a rare "Perfect Blue Rollie." Wembley gives the rollie to Boober, who becomes obsessively protective about the stone, allowing his possession to possess him.

These are standard Fraggle episodes, featuring songs, silliness, and clear moral lessons. "The Bells of Fraggle Rock" is particularly strong, taking on the theme of faith and what's required to give meaning to social customs. Overall, however, this is a puzzling release because only one episode is holiday themed. The other two deal with giving and sharing, but there's nothing "holiday" about them. It appears Lionsgate is just trying to cash in on the holidays with this release, since all these episodes are already available on DVD. Further, the episodes don't even provide a good introduction to the series because the Gorgs and the Trash Heap are completely absent while there are only brief glimpses of the Doozers.

No much in the way of extras here. The most substantial is an episode from Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series, "The Great Fraggle Freeze," where Gobo learns to not fear the unknown. More standard Fraggle fare. This is followed by a clip from the 1977 Christmas special Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas featuring a sing-along. There is also a clip from the opening of Jim Henson's 1986 special The Christmas Toy about Christmas gifts that come to life. Finally, there are trivia and memory games.

The full screen presentation is not great, but that's to be expected from a television series made in the 1980s. The picture is soft, the color is weak, and the "special effects" aren't so special. The Dolby 2.0 stereo track is fine.

With the entire series now available in both single season sets and a complete series collection, there's no need to spend money on this release.

The Verdict

The Fraggles are innocent of any wrongdoing, but Lionsgate is guilty of greed. Didn't they learn anything from Fraggle Rock?

Similar Decisions

• Charlie's Angels: The Complete Third Season
• VIP: The Complete First Season
• Depeche Mode: Songs Of Faith And Devotion
• Koyaanisqatsi

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