Finding Mr. Christmas Episode 5 was a wild rollercoaster ride because, on the one hand, we were really happy to see Parker be given a second chance. On the other hand, by the end of the episode, it was clear that Parker was the one who had to go. It wasn’t fair to cut out any of the other guys.
But even just bringing him back in the first place—quirks of Daxton having to leave early, we know—was such a nice moment in the show, and encapsulates the feeling that makes Finding Mr. Christmas such a good holiday reality TV watch. Sure, this is a competition. That part is becoming clearer by the moment, with some people rising above and some crashing when it matters most. But deep down, it’s also a fun Hallmark show about friends! And we’re digging that.
MORE: Check out our interview with Jonathan Bennett and the cast of Finding Mr. Christmas.
IMPROV IS HARD
I think improv might be one of the hardest things—I was a theater kid in school, I know—and it feels like it’s not necessarily a skill Hallmark actors need. And yet, watching Jonathan, but especially B.J. in the scenes with the guys, not to mention the brilliance that is Melissa Peterman, it was easy to see why this was chosen as a challenge.
Part of being the face of a franchise and the winner of a show like this is being comfortable in whatever situation you’re being thrown into, whether that is an interview—I interviewed part of this cast, and they were great, so they’ve definitely learned—or a moment that doesn’t go exactly according to script. Improv is the foundation of that. Are you good at thinking on your feet and going with the flow? Some of these guys are certainly better than others.
MORE: What did we think of Finding Mr. Christmas Episode 1? Check out our review! What about Finding Mr. Christmas Episode 2? Finding Mr. Christmas Episode 3? And Finding Mr. Christmas Episode 4!
THE COMPETITION HEATS UP
Jonathan had a bad week, but he’s been a strong contender. Hayden and Elijah have had bad weeks. So has Ezra. Blake, on the other hand, has been pretty steady throughout. To me, they could all win, and I often think that Hayden—even when he stumbles—has so much charisma and is so good at thinking on his feet, that he might be the runner-up. But I cannot count out Blake, I just cannot. Not just because he’s steady, either, it’s mostly because I didn’t think he was going to be one of my favorites, and he’s quickly wormed his way into my heart.
There’s just something so genuine about these guys, and Blake embodies that. When I think of a Hallmark leading man I think of someone that’s good-looking, of course, but I especially think of someone I see on the screen and I’m immediately rooting for. Not necessarily someone I can fall in love with, but someone I want to see the leading lady fall in love with, because he seems like a good guy and if I were in her shoes, I’d fall. And that’s been a lot of these guys at various times, but it might just be Blake more than anyone else. Who knew?
New episodes of Finding Mr. Christmas are available on Thursdays on Hallmark+
