DISCLAIMER: This recap of the Shoresy series premiere episode “Never Lose Again” has spoilers. Proceed at your peril, and give your balls a tug.
Welcome, hockey players! The latest installment in the Letterkenny universe is finally here. Shoresy captures its parent series’s energy, razor-sharp humor and fast-paced vigor, giving Jared Keeso a chance to spread his comedic wings as “the dirtiest hockey player of all time.” Shoresy is such a far cry from Wayne. Thankfully, it doesn’t take long to adjust to Keeso as this character. That said, it’s still strange seeing Shoresy’s face.
The series sprinkles a few Letterkenny references here and there to maintain that connection while establishing an original setting on its own. It’s just as funny, brash, crass and unexpectedly heartwarming as the flagship show.
Ready to dig deep into “Never Lose Again”? Let’s get to it.
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We open with Anik (Kim Cloutier) hosting an episode of BROdude Presents: Questionable Call. Anik sits with a panel of sports experts, answering questions from hockey fans. After giving a breakdown of what they believe are the “dirtiest plays” in the game, one of the panelists presents her pick for the “dirtiest player” — Shoresy. She rattles off a list of Shoresy’s peculiar quirks, courtesy of Jonesy and Reilly, I assume.
While they’re talking, we see shots of Shoresy (Keeso) on the ice, serving chirps, foul-mouthed insults and body blows in equal measure.
Later, Michaels (Ryan McDonell), coach of the Sudbury Bulldogs, gives his team the third degree after another devastating loss. Shoresy delivers quick-witted verbal punches while perched atop his porcelain throne, a.k.a. the toilet. He reveals that Michaels’ gal has a reputation in town. Even Sanguinet (Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat), who Shoresy orders to “shut the f*ck up” repeatedly, spent time with Michaels’ lady love. Inevitably, as with all of Shoresy’s targets, Michaels storms out.
Shoresy and Sanguinet meet with Miigwan (Keilani Rose) and Ziigwan (Blair Lamora), reiterating the team’s string of losses. They also debate whether Sanguinet received a helpful handy in a lake or a river and if humans can own a body of water. Oh, and aqua dumps.
Ziigwan and Miigwan inform Shoresy and Sanguinet that Jim wants to meet with them at the Coulson, a local pub. As is the Letterkenny universe’s modus operandi, we see a lovely dance montage while Shoresy and Sanguinet enter the bumping establishment in slow motion.
Instead, Shoresy and Sanguinet have a nice heart-to-heart with Nat (Tasya Teles) about the Bulldogs’ subsequent defeats. There’s talk about folding the team, which Shoresy won’t have. He plans never to lose again, after all. Nat urges the boys to put butts in those seats.
Later, our titular hockey player serves as a ref for high school hockey. He incessantly hurls insults at the players, mostly about taking their moms to pound town. I love the Clearasil/Neutrogena/Accutane jokes. Comedy in threes, baby! He catches wind of the Bulldogs folding from one of the kids.
Side note: I love the references to Letterkenny properties, i.e., BROdude and Puppers.
Next, Nat tells Shoresy and Sanguinet that she fired Michaels and plans to dissolve the Bulldogs. Nat reveals that it’s “f*cking embarrassing” to have a team that loses so much. Not going to lie; I was hoping to see Coach barreling into the office while kicking a trashcan at that moment.
But never fear, for Shoresy has a plan! He proposes that Sanguinet take up the coaching mantle while they fill out the team with “Canadian studs” and the “toughest Natives” they can find. Ziigwan responds, “‘tough Natives’ is redundant,” and I love that.
After some prodding, Nat allows Shoresy to implement his plan. But if this goes tits up, the team says “bye-bye.” Then, Nat tasks Shoresy with meeting someone from the press — Laura Mohr. It sounds like they have history.
The episode ends with Shoresy reciting his famous line: “Give your balls a tug.” With that utterance, balance is restored to the Force.
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I’ve wholly invested in Shoresy already. I hope we get more Letterkenny cameos besides Anik, although the references and its brand of humor maintain the essence of this ever-expanding universe. Screw the MCU — I want the Letterkenny Cinematic Universe!
Do you think Shoresy and Sanguinet can whip the Bulldogs into shape? How many moms will our hockey player claim to bed? Join me while I continue recapping Shoresy, only on Geek Girl Authority.
Shoresy Season 1 is now streaming on Hulu.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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