Bob’s Burgershas 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 ofBob’s Burgers, is not likely to disappoint those looking for more wholesome and hilarious stories with a family of characters that you may really feel a part of when watching.
The Great Northfollows the many adventures ofa single father named Beefand his children in the rugged terrain of Alaska, where their experiences with nature and with each other teach them about themselves as individuals. LikeBob’s Burgers, the story is centered around the family and their abilities as a unit are what drive the story.
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Although the structure ofThe Great Northis similar to the story structure ofBob’s Burgers, the dynamics of the family, the location, and the kinds of adventures that make upThe Great Northare entirely different. This puts a unique twist on thealready familiar and successful styleof story that fans love inBob’s Burgersand nearly guarantees that fans will enjoy it.
Fans ofBob’s Burgerswill surely recognize several elements inThe Great Norththat are somehow reminiscent ofBob’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 makeThe Great Northunique are sure to stand as well, creating a clear balance between formula and creativity in the show. It is fair to considerBob’s Burgersas examining family in urban life andThe Great Northas examiningfamily 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 loveBob’s Burgerswill also be glad to know that the hilarious and iconic musical quality ofBob’s Burgersis also somethingThe Great Northcarried over. It is full of both familiar covers and original ballads, written for the show, that have the same humorous qualities that reflect thetheme or focus of the episodethey 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 Northis 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 anew 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 gayis 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 giveThe Great Northa try will likely find themselves learning something from it, as it offers anew perspective of lifestyle, and is sprinkled with true facts and realistic interactions with nature. LikeBob’s Burgersdoes a great job capturing the struggles and accomplishments of local business owners trying to raise a family despite it all,The Great Northcaptures 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 giveThe Great Northa try, its consistent ratings among viewers and critics shouldspeak 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.
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