Nilaja Sun

Only days before Christmas, Liz's (Tina Fey) parents ditch her to celebrate the holidays at a couples-only retreat, leaving her all alone for the holiday. To fill the void, she participates in a charity program, "Letters to Santa," to help underprivileged kids have a nice Christmas. Meanwhile, Jack (Alec Baldwin) takes his frustration out on the TGS staff when his plans for a dream holiday vacation away from his overbearing mother, Colleen (guest star Elaine Stritch), are crushed. The TGS crew are forced to give up their plans to produce a last minute Christmas special. Also stars Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, Judah Friedlander and Keith Powell.

After an unexpected validation from Grace, Jackie is determined to stop dealing so Jackie and Eddie decide to make one last purge of their stash. Just as the deal goes awry, their relationship reaches a new level.  When Zoey blames herself after a patient dies, Carrie steps forward as an unlikely ally. Prince and Akalitus bond over lunch when she reveals something from her past.

Newly-appointed Secretary Of State Elizabeth McCord is immediately faced with a maelstrom of complex political challenges, and an international hostage situation is her top priority. Meanwhile at home, Elizabeth questions whether she did the right thing by taking this job, as her children are finding it difficult to adjust to their new schools. (TV-PG)

Elizabeth, Henry and Isabelle launch their own investigation into the plane crash that killed former Secretary of State Vincent Marsh. Also, Nadine takes a step back into the dating pool when she agrees to go on a date with a NASA scientist. Brian Stokes Mitchell guest stars. (TV-PG L)

While Elizabeth works to successfully broker a peace treaty between China and Japan, a Chinese student seeking political asylum threatens the deal. Meanwhile, tensions rise at home between Alison and Stevie during Alison's sleepover party.