The Great North continues to prove that it can be different than Bob's Burgers while still retaining the good things about the show. I don't understand a lot of the criticisms to the show because most of them are "It's not the same as Bob's." Maybe because it doesn't have to be and it shouldn't be. It's definitely its own show. The Great North's main focus is Judy Tobin, and she's easily a more interesting character than another new teen on the Fox animation lineup, Duncan Harris. The Great North is more representable of teenage life than Duncanville, and it's not even trying to be. I just find that really weird, but it's one of the things I enjoy about it. And unlike Duncanville and Bless the Harts, this show continues to hit right out of the gate, with only one episode being in the "not great" range. "Avocado Barter Adventure" proved to me this show has a lot of potential to be really good, and this episode only strengthens my argument.
The Alaskan sibling bond between Ham and Judy is a lot of fun. They play off each other very well, as Ham is the more calm to Judy's wild. While the plotline could be cringe to some, it's very representable to teenage life. There are many teens that just can't take a hint that the other party is not interested in them, and this episode does is incredibly well. There were a ton of giveaways from our end, such as the class notes, the wiping of the napkin at lunch, and Crispin even takes Ham in his snowmobile and leaves Judy in the dust. But we have to think back to when we were teens. If we're interested in someone, that doesn't mean they'll be interested back. It's very relatable to see Judy go through this phase, because for some of us it has happened.
And while the "twist" with Ham and Crispin kissing while Judy goes to the bathroom was a little bit predictable, the delivery of it was not. I liked seeing Judy get upset and sad at the same time. Her imaginary talk with Thomas Wintersbone was really nice. I liked how she finally comes to realize that the theme of the dance shouldn't be about his death, but rather how it should be for anyone and anyone they like. I did like seeing that Thomas was actually gay. That was not expected. And Leslie Jordan does a good voice performance. A bit of a tangent, I already watch Leslie Jordan in Call Me Kat every week and while I don't think that show is as good as this one, like not even a contest, he's still one of my favorite parts of that show. This show does a great job with the characters opening up about their emotions, such as Judy opening up to the imaginary Thomas about her feelings; and it's one of my favorite things about it so far. I'm glad Judy was able to finally realize that Ham and Crispin were meant to be, and it was really sweet to see her move on and let her brother be happy.
I also really enjoy how the writers continue to think beyond what current television is thinking. It's the first primetime animated sitcom to feature a main LGBT character, and it acts like its a normal thing. That is very nice to see. Even though I am not LGBT, I support it and I hope they make Crispin and Ham a thing. It's a bold and different move from other shows, and it's great to see that. It's also good that Ham isn't only defined by his sexuality. In other sitcoms like Family Guy, they tend to make being LGBT part of the joke. Bruce is a perfect example of this. From the way he talks to the way he acts, it just screams like it's the only definition of his character. While Ham is openly gay, it's clear the writers know that's not entirely his character, as he enjoys doing a lot of other things. I'm interested to see where Judy's love life leads into next, as she gets a happy ending as well getting to dance with another single boy.
The subplot was pretty enjoyable too. It can be hard to see your siblings and cousins grow up and then start to distance themselves from you in terms of hobbies and interests. It was sweet seeing Beef do anything to try to relate to his brother, to the point where he helps him sell hot tubs by the end. Their conversation about why Brian needed to go be something more was very moving. One thing I've noticed about The Great North that's different from Bob's Burgers is that the characters are more open to expressing their feelings than the Belchers. It's really nice to see them open up that makes it a lot different than the other shows on the block. It's just really nice to see another family in adult animation joining the Belchers, the Tillermans (Central Park), and the Harts in having loving families at its core. A lot of sitcoms over the years think having dysfunction is the key to success, but Bob's Burgers has definitely proved us wrong with that. Not every sitcom is the same.
Another thing I enjoy about this episode is the continuity. Judy has had interest in Crispin in the pilot, and it resumes here. She even mentions that she wasn't interested in Steven Huang (the previous boy she kissed in "Romantic Meat-Based Adventure"). While it is a network sitcom and as such follows the episodic rules, there are little continuity nods that I enjoy and it shows that the animators and writers pay a lot of attention to details. Bob's Burgers dived into continuity last week by bringing back the Wheelie mammoth, but to be honest, this show feels a lot less sitcom than Bob's simply because it uses its continuity to drive plot.
"Pride & Prejudice Adventure" not only has two interesting plots that focus on real-life issues, but it's also one of the funniest episodes in the show and one of the sweetest. The only thing I had an issue with was that the twist in Act 2 is pretty predictable, but the delivery of the episode is excellent. I don't care if you spoil an episode to me. It's not gonna change my view on it. Rather I care a lot more about how the episode is delivered. Like with Bless the Harts' Black Friday episodes, you know where they're heading by act 2, but it's how they get there that make them so good.
This episode is easily one of my favorites in the show so far, and might even be my favorite episode actually. It will probably only get better with a rewatch. This is an easy recommendation to any person who isn't sold on the show quite yet, and it only strengthens my point with the potential this show has. Keep it up, Great North writers, as you have my seal of approval for one of the best sitcoms of the 2020s!
9.5 rounded up to 10
The Alaskan sibling bond between Ham and Judy is a lot of fun. They play off each other very well, as Ham is the more calm to Judy's wild. While the plotline could be cringe to some, it's very representable to teenage life. There are many teens that just can't take a hint that the other party is not interested in them, and this episode does is incredibly well. There were a ton of giveaways from our end, such as the class notes, the wiping of the napkin at lunch, and Crispin even takes Ham in his snowmobile and leaves Judy in the dust. But we have to think back to when we were teens. If we're interested in someone, that doesn't mean they'll be interested back. It's very relatable to see Judy go through this phase, because for some of us it has happened.
And while the "twist" with Ham and Crispin kissing while Judy goes to the bathroom was a little bit predictable, the delivery of it was not. I liked seeing Judy get upset and sad at the same time. Her imaginary talk with Thomas Wintersbone was really nice. I liked how she finally comes to realize that the theme of the dance shouldn't be about his death, but rather how it should be for anyone and anyone they like. I did like seeing that Thomas was actually gay. That was not expected. And Leslie Jordan does a good voice performance. A bit of a tangent, I already watch Leslie Jordan in Call Me Kat every week and while I don't think that show is as good as this one, like not even a contest, he's still one of my favorite parts of that show. This show does a great job with the characters opening up about their emotions, such as Judy opening up to the imaginary Thomas about her feelings; and it's one of my favorite things about it so far. I'm glad Judy was able to finally realize that Ham and Crispin were meant to be, and it was really sweet to see her move on and let her brother be happy.
I also really enjoy how the writers continue to think beyond what current television is thinking. It's the first primetime animated sitcom to feature a main LGBT character, and it acts like its a normal thing. That is very nice to see. Even though I am not LGBT, I support it and I hope they make Crispin and Ham a thing. It's a bold and different move from other shows, and it's great to see that. It's also good that Ham isn't only defined by his sexuality. In other sitcoms like Family Guy, they tend to make being LGBT part of the joke. Bruce is a perfect example of this. From the way he talks to the way he acts, it just screams like it's the only definition of his character. While Ham is openly gay, it's clear the writers know that's not entirely his character, as he enjoys doing a lot of other things. I'm interested to see where Judy's love life leads into next, as she gets a happy ending as well getting to dance with another single boy.
The subplot was pretty enjoyable too. It can be hard to see your siblings and cousins grow up and then start to distance themselves from you in terms of hobbies and interests. It was sweet seeing Beef do anything to try to relate to his brother, to the point where he helps him sell hot tubs by the end. Their conversation about why Brian needed to go be something more was very moving. One thing I've noticed about The Great North that's different from Bob's Burgers is that the characters are more open to expressing their feelings than the Belchers. It's really nice to see them open up that makes it a lot different than the other shows on the block. It's just really nice to see another family in adult animation joining the Belchers, the Tillermans (Central Park), and the Harts in having loving families at its core. A lot of sitcoms over the years think having dysfunction is the key to success, but Bob's Burgers has definitely proved us wrong with that. Not every sitcom is the same.
Another thing I enjoy about this episode is the continuity. Judy has had interest in Crispin in the pilot, and it resumes here. She even mentions that she wasn't interested in Steven Huang (the previous boy she kissed in "Romantic Meat-Based Adventure"). While it is a network sitcom and as such follows the episodic rules, there are little continuity nods that I enjoy and it shows that the animators and writers pay a lot of attention to details. Bob's Burgers dived into continuity last week by bringing back the Wheelie mammoth, but to be honest, this show feels a lot less sitcom than Bob's simply because it uses its continuity to drive plot.
"Pride & Prejudice Adventure" not only has two interesting plots that focus on real-life issues, but it's also one of the funniest episodes in the show and one of the sweetest. The only thing I had an issue with was that the twist in Act 2 is pretty predictable, but the delivery of the episode is excellent. I don't care if you spoil an episode to me. It's not gonna change my view on it. Rather I care a lot more about how the episode is delivered. Like with Bless the Harts' Black Friday episodes, you know where they're heading by act 2, but it's how they get there that make them so good.
This episode is easily one of my favorites in the show so far, and might even be my favorite episode actually. It will probably only get better with a rewatch. This is an easy recommendation to any person who isn't sold on the show quite yet, and it only strengthens my point with the potential this show has. Keep it up, Great North writers, as you have my seal of approval for one of the best sitcoms of the 2020s!
9.5 rounded up to 10
