[7.7/10] There’s not much of a point to these classic *Charlie Brown* specials. Which is to say, there’s little in the way of conflict or story. Instead, they’re mood pieces, slice-of-life observations, and cute cul de sacs for the regular viewer to lose themselves in. There’s not much in the way of payoff to Linus’ hope to see the Great Pumpkin, or Charlie Brown’s first Halloween party, or Snoopy’s WWI ace misadventures with the Red Baron. But each is cute and endearing on their own terms, to where you’re happy to just watch these characters inhabit their own little world.

Some of that’s from the combination of the charming, homespun art style of the specials, which uses simple designs to evoke plenty of character and a welcoming vibe to the autumnal setting. Some of it is Vince Guaraldi’s famous score, which is both super on its own terms, but helps convey the tone and kid-sized emotions of individual scenes. And some of it is the animation. There’s some great physical comedy in this, from Linus rolling a large pumpkin, to Charlie Brown’s little dance upon receiving an invite to the big party, to the fun and frenetic sequence where Snoopy imagines himself as a dogfighter from the 1910s.

Charles Schultz also finds the humor in juxtaposing these (relatively) innocent kids with little adult phrases or perspectives. Lucy convincing Charlie Brown to try to kick the football yet again using the allure of a signed document, only to demur that it turns out it isn’t notarized, is the biggest laugh in the episode. Sally insisting she’ll sue Linus for wasting her opportunity to get tricks or treats, replete with a declaration that she “demands restitution” is rightly iconic. Even Linus himself deciding that he needs to find the “most sincere” pumpkin patch to earn a visit from this Santa-adjacent gourd, setting up shop in one without a hint of “hypocrisy” is an oddly grown-up perspective.

Still, part of the charm comes from Linus’ sincerity about something that is, on its face, unbelievably silly. We never hear where Linus discovered this belief of some magic pumpkin-esque gift-giver, but his devotion to believing in it despite coming up empty year after year is strangely endearing. There’s something about true believers that can’t help but allow them to worm their way into our hearts, even and perhaps especially when they’re this devoted to something this low stakes and nonsensical. The fact that his prickly sister, despite all her gripes and bossiness, ferries him into bed after he gets too chilly in the pumpkin patch, is an extra dose of sweetness to boot.

All-in-all, *It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown* is a warm, wry, and above all charming little All Hallow’s confection for kids and the young-at-heart alike. The distinctiveness of the special, from its music, to its art, to Schulz’s well-observed slices of childhood, make it a winner even when it’s a little elliptical by nature.