As a Moments subpage, all spoilers are unmarked as per policy. You Have Been Warned.
- Unlike in past adaptions, the Grinch isn't simply annoyed by Christmas — it has all the hallmarks of a postraumatic trigger. He stockpiles food to avoid having to enter Whoville during the holiday season, stress eats it all so that he's forced to, and when he finds himself thrust down into the tree lighting ceremony, is paralyzed with fear as he's hit by flashback after flashback. For him, Christmas is the embodiment of his darkest, loneliest days in the orphanage he once lived in, and stealing it a desperate attempt to alleviate his own pain. Thankfully, he gets better.
- After the Grinch reveals that he was the one who stole Christmas, he solemnly returns home and is completely shocked and confused when Cindy Lou invites him to her house. Then when he does arrive, he anxiously talks to Max about how he thinks everyone is going to hate him and even after Donna lets him in, he is very shy around everyone. Not only does it show how much the Grinch regrets his actions, but it can hit pretty close to home if you suffer from anxiety.
- That there's at least a subtle Surprisingly Realistic Outcome in this adaptation, and the Who's, at first, just stare at the Grinch with silent shock and bewilderment as he very meekly apologizes, not sure what to make of his actions. He didn't even expect to be forgiven, and for a moment, it looked like he was right.
The Grinch: Uh... it was me... I stole your Christmas. (the Whos gasp softly) I stole it because... because I thought it would fix something that happened a long time ago... but it didn't... and I'm sorry. (walks up to Cindy Lou) I'm so very sorry. For everything. (he and Max walk away, ashamed)- Even after he gets an invitation to have dinner with them, it's still clear he's rattled from the years and years of depressive spiraling. Even as he's at the front door to a party he was personally invited to, a part of him is nagging him to give up and leave because they all would hate him anyway.
- During the scene where the Grinch attempts to steal Bricklebaum's sleigh, he looks through the window while climbing onto the roof and sees that Bricklebaum and his friends and family are celebrating the arrival of Christmas by singing carols together. The Grinch becomes somber when he sees this, as it reminds him how alone he is. Even worse is that it happens in the middle of an otherwise funny scene.
