"A First Christmas" is the thirteenth episode of season 3 of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.
Dr. Mike intervenes when a Jewish peddler family arrives in town and is met with prejudice and harassment from townsfolk. Itzhak, the head of the family, enters Loren's store to scope out his competition, which enrages Loren. Loren refuses to give credit to Robert E. and Horace if they buy from Itzhak, and has a grudge against Jewish people because one of them put his father out of business, which ruined him. Sully tells Itzhak the Cheyenne would be willing to do business with him, and Itzhak wins Cloud Dancing over after struggling to barter. Brian tells Aaron (who is Jewish) about Santa Claus and Christmas. Aaron's mother takes her son away while the children are caroling because she feels it's threatening their culture and religion. Dr. Mike tries to invite her to Christmas supper, but she refuses. Loren, deeply annoyed by Itzhak's presence, tries to get Jake and Hank to take his side, but Hank reveals he was once stuck in a blizzard and a group of Jews saved his life, so he refuses to play along. Jake, who dislikes the ruckus Itzhak makes in the street, tries to throw his weight around as mayor and forbids peddling, but Dr. Mike believes Itzhak deserves a fair say from the masses, calls a town meeting, and they vote to allow him to stay. After Mrs. Frankel arrives at the clinic with her sick baby, she invites Dr. Mike and the family to a Hanukkah celebration. Loren, inflamed over his competition, incites others to commit violence against them, and a group of drunken men tries to tip over Itzhak's wagon. However, the wagon lands on top of Itzhak and Loren is scorned for taking out his hatred of Jews on an innocent family, causing him to seek forgiveness. Also, Matthew masquerades as Santa Claus for Brian, who thinks he won't show up in a town that lacks people who have not been acting good. When the family prepares to leave the next day, everyone shows up to convince them to settle there claiming it was because of the Christmas spirit and to show they cared and were sorry for mistreating them. With everyone giving something to them out of generosity, the family decides to stay in town, while Santa Claus pays a surprise visit to Colorado Springs.
This episode provides examples of:
- Christmas Episode: As you might expect from the title.
- Jerkass Has a Point: When Loren points out the way the peddlers drive other merchants out of business—offering lower prices, then raising them once they take over—it sounds grossly unfair, regardless of religious prejudice.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Hank (of all people) refuses to take Loren's side, revealing that a group of Jews once saved him from a blizzard.
- "Not So Different" Remark: Mike is surprised when Sully tells her that the Cheyenne don't approve of mixing among the various Native American tribes, an attitude similar to the prejudice being waged against the Jewish family by the Christian townfolk.
- Removing the Rival: Loren thinks his business is threatened by Itzhak, and tries to get rid of him to protect his business.
