The Santa Clauses - Chapter Three: Into the Wobbly Wood (S1E3)
Scott interviews potential Santa candidates while the family gets ready to leave. Simon Choksi, one of the candidates, brings his daughter, Grace, with him to the North Pole. During Simon’s interview, Sandra and Grace go missing. In finding their daughters together, Scott realizes Simon is the best choice to take the coat.
| Runtime (min) | 32 |
|---|---|
| TMDB Rating | 7.0 (13 votes) |
| Air Date | 2022-11-23 |
| Genres | Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi & Fantasy |
| TV Rating | TV-PG |
| Network(s) | Disney+ |
Storyline
Scott Calvin continues his search for a successor to the Santa Claus role by interviewing a series of candidates at the North Pole. Among them is Simon Choksi, who arrives with his young daughter Grace in tow. While Scott conducts the formal interview process, the Calvin family prepares for their eventual departure from the North Pole, though the transition weighs heavily on everyone involved.
The episode takes a turn when both Sandra Calvin and Grace Choksi disappear into the mysterious Wobbly Wood surrounding the North Pole compound. Scott and Simon must work together to locate their missing daughters, navigating the unpredictable forest and its challenges. Through this shared experience of parental concern and teamwork, Scott gains insight into Simon's character that no formal interview could provide. By the time both girls are safely found, Scott recognizes that Simon possesses the qualities necessary to wear the Santa coat, making him the leading candidate for the role.
What kids learn
Children watching this episode learn that the most important qualities in a person often reveal themselves during moments of crisis rather than in formal settings. Simon's dedication to finding the missing girls and his ability to work collaboratively with Scott demonstrate that character is shown through action, not just words. The episode illustrates that being a good parent—or a good Santa—requires quick thinking, compassion, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
The storyline also teaches kids about the value of teamwork and trust. Scott and Simon must rely on each other despite being relative strangers, showing that cooperation can emerge quickly when people share a common goal. Young viewers see that asking for help and working together often leads to better outcomes than trying to handle everything alone.
Additionally, the episode touches on themes of change and letting go. Scott's journey toward finding a replacement reflects the reality that transitions, even difficult ones, are a natural part of life. Children learn that accepting change with grace and making thoughtful decisions about the future are signs of maturity and wisdom.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Wobbly Wood scene scary for younger children? | The Wobbly Wood sequence involves the girls going missing, which creates tension and concern, but the episode handles it without graphic scares or intense horror elements. The focus remains on Scott and Simon's search efforts rather than frightening imagery. Younger or more sensitive children might feel anxious during the search, but the tone stays family-friendly and the girls are found safely, providing reassurance and a positive resolution to the conflict. |
| What makes Simon the right choice to become Santa? | Simon demonstrates his suitability through his actions during the crisis rather than through his interview answers. His immediate concern for both missing girls, his ability to work calmly alongside Scott under pressure, and his collaborative problem-solving skills reveal the compassion and reliability needed for the Santa role. The episode shows that being Santa requires heart and character, qualities that emerge naturally when Simon faces a real challenge involving children's safety. |
| How does the episode address Scott leaving his family? | The episode acknowledges the emotional weight of the Calvin family's impending departure from the North Pole as they prepare to leave. Scott's search for a replacement is driven by his desire to return to a normal life with his family, and the preparations shown throughout the episode reflect the bittersweet nature of this transition. The storyline treats this as a significant family decision rather than a simple plot point, giving weight to the changes everyone is experiencing. |
| Does Grace's presence at the North Pole create any problems? | Grace accompanies her father Simon to the interview, and her disappearance into the Wobbly Wood alongside Sandra becomes the episode's central conflict. While her presence initially seems incidental, it ultimately serves an important purpose by creating the situation that allows Simon to demonstrate his true character. The episode doesn't frame her presence as a mistake, but rather as an unexpected element that leads to Scott's most important insight about his potential successor. |
| What happens to the other Santa candidates Scott interviews? | The episode focuses primarily on Simon Choksi's interview and the subsequent search for the missing girls. While Scott conducts interviews with multiple candidates as part of his selection process, the narrative centers on Simon once the crisis begins. By the episode's conclusion, Scott's experience working with Simon during the emergency convinces him that Simon is the best choice, effectively making the decision clear without requiring extended coverage of the other candidates' qualifications or interviews. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | After stopping at one of his favorite houses on Santa’s delivery list, Scott Calvin realizes that the twenty eight years he’s been on the job has flown by. To make matters worse, his magic begins to falter. Scott trains to get his Santa mojo back, but the following Christmas things only get worse. |
| 1 | 2 | Scott learns that, by way of the Secessus clause, he can retire, but he must find a worthy successor before doing so. Torn between wanting to retire and not wanting to leave the North Pole, Scott taps his children as possible candidates. He quickly realizes none of them are interested in the role, but instead want to know more about the world outside the North Pole. |
| 1 | 3 | Scott interviews potential Santa candidates while the family gets ready to leave. Simon Choksi, one of the candidates, brings his daughter, Grace, with him to the North Pole. During Simon’s interview, Sandra and Grace go missing. In finding their daughters together, Scott realizes Simon is the best choice to take the coat. |
| 1 | 4 | Scott adjusts to life in Chicago, unsure what his identity is now that he is not Santa. Meanwhile, Simon settles in at the North Pole. He learns he can use Santa’s delivery system year round for his e-commerce company, but in doing so he further diminishes Christmas spirit. Scott and the family get ready to spend their first Christmas together, but before they can, Scott is met by an unexpected visitor. |
| 1 | 5 | Scott is taken to the Yule-verse where he learns the truth about how he came to be Santa. Meanwhile things at the North Pole get worse as more elves disappear and Christmas spirit is all but destroyed. Scott returns from the Yule-verse and, with Noel, heads back to the North Pole to save Christmas. Before he can, he is quickly captured by Simon. Carol, Cal and Sandra race back to the North Pole to help Scott. |
| 1 | 6 | The Calvins race against Simon to find the Santa coat in order to save Christmas. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Scott names Cal the next Santa and looks to turn Christmas into a family business. |
| 2 | 2 | Cal begins his Santa training, and the elves keep a secret from Scott. |
| 2 | 3 | Magnus Antas, the Mad Santa, drags another Legendary Figure into his plot against the North Pole. |
| 2 | 4 | It's Easter at the North Pole! Santa and team step in to salvage the holiday. |
| 2 | 5 | The return of an old friend helps the North Pole prepare for battle against the Mad Santa. |
| 2 | 6 | When Mad Santa and Olga finally breach the North Pole, Santa, and the elves must defend their home. |
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