Bob’s Burgers has been running for over a decade now and even has a movie coming out in May of this year but still, in this era of streaming fans are always looking for more shows to enjoy. The Great North, being created by the same producers of Bob’s Burgers, is not likely to disappoint those looking for more wholesome and hilarious stories with a family of characters that you can really feel a part of when watching.
The Great North follows the many adventures of a single father named Beef and his children in the rugged terrain of Alaska, where their experiences with nature and with each other teach them about themselves as individuals. Like Bob’s Burgers, the story is centered around the family and their abilities as a unit are what drive the story.
Although the structure of The Great North is similar to the story structure of Bob’s Burgers, the dynamics of the family, the location, and the kinds of adventures that make up The Great North are entirely different. This puts a unique twist on the already familiar and successful style of story that fans love in Bob’s Burgers and nearly guarantees that fans will enjoy it.
Fans of Bob’s Burgers will surely recognize several elements in The Great North that are somehow reminiscent of Bob’s Burgers. Some things are obvious, like the classic four-finger animation style, the ever-present childhood mischief, and emphasis on family. However, the elements that make The Great North unique are sure to stand as well, creating a clear balance between formula and creativity in the show. It is fair to consider Bob’s Burgers as examining family in urban life and The Great North as examining family in rural life. Of course, not everyone in either a rural or urban setting has families quite like these, but, nonetheless it’s their quirky and comical love for each other that keeps viewers coming back.
Those that love Bob’s Burgers will also be glad to know that the hilarious and iconic musical quality of Bob’s Burgers is also something The Great North carried over. It is full of both familiar covers and original ballads, written for the show, that have the same humorous qualities that reflect the theme or focus of the episode they took place in. The occasional song certainly adds to the light-hearted feel of the show and seems to balance out some of the more dramatic moments centered around man vs. nature.
An additional perk to the use of songs in this series is the cast that sings them. The Great North is made up of a truly impressive cast whose voices cater well to the songs in the show. Some recognizable voices include Nick Offerman, Will Forte, Jenny Slate, Megan Mullally, and several more.
Aside from offering a new perspective of family, in a new environment, the show is also more diverse with several primary characters that are people of color. Many of these characters are part of the family, though the main character and his children are white. This gives the story the wonderful effect of demonstrating what family really means and how looks play no part in that, making it the perfect show to watch with the whole family.
Further, in terms of diversity, one of the children, Ham, is gay, which gives some representation to the LGBTQ+ community, as well. That being said, his character being gay is not all that there is to Ham’s storyline. Like the arcs of the characters that are POC in this show aren’t reduced to their skin color, Ham’s identity is not reduced to his sexuality. Each of the characters are dynamic and full characters with their own personal trials, strengths, and roles in the family. Everyone in the audience is sure to find at least one character in this series that they understand or connect to.
Lastly, those who decide to give The Great North a try will likely find themselves learning something from it, as it offers a new perspective of lifestyle, and is sprinkled with true facts and realistic interactions with nature. Like Bob’s Burgers does a great job capturing the struggles and accomplishments of local business owners trying to raise a family despite it all, The Great North captures what it’s like to raise a family to be tough yet humble in regard to Mother Nature.
If the promise of comical music, a phenomenal voice cast, diversity, and bright and familiar animation aren’t enough to convince you to give The Great North a try, its consistent ratings among viewers and critics should speak to its worth. Beyond that, while it only currently has two seasons available for streaming on Hulu, season three has been confirmed and can be expected in the second half of this year, making now the perfect time to begin the series before the new season. Those that found themselves falling in love with the Belcher family and their restaurant will almost certainly be glad they bore the harsh climate of Alaska (from home) to give the Tobins a visit.