LETTERKENNY Season Premiere Recap: (S12E01) Live at MoDean’s

Melody McCune

Wayne sits in front of the produce stand outside his house while holding a beer in Letterkenny Season 12 Episode 1, "Live at MoDean's."

How’re ya now? Good, ‘n you? Letterkenny is back with its final season. I’m not crying; you are. Season 12 Episode 1, “Live at MoDean’s,” is a killer opener for what’ll surely be a killer last hurrah. It’s jam-packed with callbacks to previous episodes, mile-a-minute zingers, hilarious performances and an open mic night to remember. Plus, we meet new faces and potentially plant the seeds for a conflict between Daryl and the Hicks. What if Mick is actually a Degen, and Dary joins them? That could be interesting…

“Live at MoDean’s” is a classic Letterkenny outing. I simultaneously can’t wait to continue the season while also not wanting this show to end (ever). 

Pitter-patter … let’s get to the episode. 

RELATED: Check out our recap for the last Letterkenny episode, Season 11 Episode 7, “May 2-4”

These Are Their Problems 

The episode begins with a legen-Dary cold open — Wayne (Jared Keeso) and Daryl (Nathan Dales) deliver a rapid-fire list of words alphabetically. Other folks pop in to move the dialogue along, such as Katy (Michelle Mylett), Reilly (Dylan Playfair), Jonesy (Andrew Herr), Gail (Lisa Codrington), Bonnie McMurray (Kamilla Kowal), Glen (Jacob Tierney), Rosie (Clark Backo), McMurray (Dan Petronijevic), Mrs. McMurray (Melanie Scrofano), Jimmy Dickskin (Alex McCooeye), Tyson (Jay Bertin), Tanis (Kaniehtiio Horn), Slash (Dylan Cook) and Axe (Bradley Trudeau). 

Wayne and Daryl sit in front of the produce stand outside Wayne's house while holding beers in Letterkenny Season 12 Episode 1, "Live at MoDean's."
LETTERKENNY Season 12 Episode 1, “Live at MoDean’s.” Photo credit: Lindsay Sarazin/Hulu.

Then, Coach (Mark Forward) appears with his signature “F*ckin’ embarrassing” (sans kicking of a trash can). Stewart (Tyler Johnston) and Roald (Evan Stern) provide fun words for “Q.” Roald says “queer,” while Stewart (aka STRT) responds with “questioning.” That makes Roald happy (as does the schneef). All in all, the cold open describes Letterkenny and its residents, even commenting on the show’s ability to offer off-the-cuff zingers. It’s a great way to usher in the final season. 

Lafterkenny 

Next, we see the Hicks enjoying the great outdoors by the produce stand while the Skids hoover schneef that’s shaped like a dick. The Hockey Players stand outside the rink with their gear. Ole Gailer and Bonnie McMurray prepare MoD3an’s for the impending comedy night. Rosie reads a book. Katy arrives in town with luggage in hand after vacationing in Mexico. Her boys are there to greet her, and it’s adorable. 

RELATED: Catch up on the Sudbury Blueberry Bulldogs antics with our Shoresy recaps!

Later, the gang heads to MoD3an’s, where Alex (Allie Pearse) and Olive (Olivia Stadler), two standup comics, perform for the crowd. Fun fact: Pearse and Stadler really are comedians, and they’re also writers for Letterkenny and Shoresy. They also penned “Live at MoDean’s” alongside Keeso. 

After Alex and Olive’s set, Reilly and Jonesy decide it’s high time they bone their billet sisters. Yes, Alex and Olive were their billet sisters back in the day. They believe that funny women are the best because they’ll make ya laugh when you’re not boning. Thus, our Hockey Players approach Alex and Olive with the intention of sealing the deal. However, Alex and Olive rebuff their advances. 

Getting Into Comedy

The Hicks ask Katy about her trip to Mexico. Reilly and Jonesy join the Hicks, licking their rejection wounds. They decide to pursue comedy. It can’t be that hard, right? After all, open mic night at MoD3an’s is around the corner. The Hicks claim it’s not as easy as it looks. The Skids pop into the convo to encourage the Hockey Players to grab that standup comic mic by the mic stand. Squirrely Dan (K. Trevor Wilson) recalls with fondness the one time he tried standup in the Letterkenny Talent Show (Season 4 Episode 4). 

RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: Katy

While Dan’s efforts were met with adoration from the crowd, Dary came down with stage fright. That’s when his good buddies saved the day by dancing with him. I love this callback to a well-loved episode in Letterkenny history. Because of his personality and those extra spicy barn clothes, Katy doesn’t think Dary would make a good comic. Dary looks hellbent on proving her wrong. 

Next, it’s montage time! Wayne, Katy, Daryl, Reilly/Jonesy and Squirrely D prepare their sets for the upcoming open mic night. 

Wayne sits in front of the produce stand outside his house while holding a beer in Letterkenny Season 12 Episode 1, "Live at MoDean's."
LETTERKENNY Season 12 Episode 1, “Live at MoDean’s.” Photo credit: Lindsay Sarazin/Hulu.

Too Much Fun 

Later, Wayne takes to the stage as the crowned “King of Crowd Work.” In typical Wayne fashion, he spends his set asking everyone how they’re doing. STRT yells out as the self-imposed heckler, asking when there’ll be jokes. I love Wayne’s expressions and physicality in this bit. He’s doing his idea of how a comic would act. Then, Squirrely Dan performs his set to an excited crowd. He’s a favorite. Diiid yous ever notice…”

RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: Tanis

Meanwhile, Daryl asks Gailer for a shot of Gus N’ Bru. He meets Mickey Gibraltar (Morgan Bedard), aka Mick, who gives Daryl his sister’s shots to calm his nerves. Mick reassures Dary that he’s gonna kill it onstage. Sure enough, Daryl surprises everyone by being the funniest of the night (thus far). Even Katy and Wayne are impressed. Mick’s exaggerated laughing cracks me up.  

After Daryl’s killer set, Reilly and Jonesy utilize their performance to get those digits from Alex and Olive. They try to put their spin on popular pickup lines, but Alex and Olive’s comebacks are too good. However, once the boys pivot to self-deprecating jokes, they see greater success. Their billet sisters finally give their phone numbers. Dirty f*ckin’ dangles, boys. 

The last comic of the night is Katy, who, as usual, delivers zingers with her usual nonchalance. Everyone takes her ribbing as good-natured except Daryl. Well, to be fair (to be fair, to be faaair), she lays it on pretty thick for Dary. He doesn’t look amused. 

RELATED: You can catch up on the Texas-sized 10-4 fun with our Letterkenny recaps if you want to. 

Later, we see Alex and Olive watching Reilly and Jonesy dance after the show. Admittedly, their dancing is damn cute. Katy boogies with STRT and Roald, while Bonnie McMurray dances with Glen and ole Gailer goes solo. Daryl watches the display in anger with his new buddy Mick next to him. Inevitably, Alex and Olive join the Hockey Players on the dance floor. 

Then, Wayne spots his sweetie across the bar. As he makes his way toward her, he sees Mick run into her. Wayne pins Mick against the wall, his arm winding back to deliver the first blow. Dary orders Wayne to stand down. Rosie asks him to join her outside for a dart. Once outside, we learn Rosie is departing town for a week to travel to a pit bull rescue. She’s a good gal, that Rosie. Rosie addresses Wayne’s need to be the toughest guy in Letterkenny. I like this full-circle moment from the pilot. 

Rosie leaves to finish packing while Wayne “finishes his dart.” Well, it’s more like he heads inside MoD3an’s and tosses Mick out the door to demonstrate why he’s the toughest guy in Letterkenny. 

Letterkenny Season 12 is now streaming on Hulu

https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/rosie-letterkenny-clark-backo/

Melody McCune
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