I liked the first episode just enough to keep going, despite the editing choice to run with an unnecessary and awkward scenario that doesn't work comedically and doesn't push the storyline forward in any way. (I tend to assume a show will rely on cheap laughs when they use scenes like this - thankfully, that's not the case at all for North of North.) By the end of the second episode, though, I knew I would finish the season. Cut to three hours later, and I had totally fallen in love with the characters.
The four leads (Lambe, Harper, Ryan, Clarke) are fantastic, and they have phenomenal chemistry. They're also well-supported by a solid ensemble cast, although some of the supporting actors should be given more to do. (Siaja's friends, played by Qaunaq and Poching, are delightful. There's a lot of comedic potential here.) Getting a glimpse into the Inuk culture is also a gift (words can't do justice to the location or the jewelry alone), but naturally we can only scratch the surface of this rich history in one breezy season. While I understand many of the Inuk people do currently identify as Christian, I was also hoping to see more of the traditional spiritual beliefs depicted. We do experience this briefly, with Siaja's visions, and I'm hopeful the culture (including spirituality, location, etc.) will get to shine even more in the next season.
The revelation in the last episode brings things together in an unexpected way, and it's both heartbreaking and refreshing. It's a reminder that every life is full of complexities - and often tragedies. When it comes to other people, we are usually seeing small fragments of a kaleidoscopic whole.
Anyway. I've been looking for smart, feel-good television (The Good Place, Ted Lasso, Shitts Creek), and I'm thankful to have found exactly that with this humble show, which deserves a much bigger audience.
