DISCLAIMER: This recap of Shoresy Season 2 Episode 4, “Players Only,” contains spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
You better think twice if you want to talk about space with Shoresy. “Players Only” is lighter on the hockey action and heavier on the laughs. It finds Shoresy trying to put out multiple fires, ones that were set up in the previous episodes. Thankfully, he solves the Jims and Michaels issues in one fell swoop. But what about the JJ Frankie JJ scandal? Methinks we’ll see more fallout from that in the coming episodes.
“Players Only” leans into its Letterkenny roots with clever wordplay and fun running gags. It’s not the show’s strongest, but it’s an easy, breezy watch with heart.
Ready to delve into “Players Only”? Let’s get to it.
RELATED: Check out our recap for Shoresy Season 2 Episode 3, “Set the Tone”
We open with Nat (Tasya Teles) posing in front of her bathroom mirror. A brief montage plays out, featuring Nat trying on various outfits for, presumably, a date. Sure enough, she opens her door to the American hockey player from the previous episode. She settles on a different ensemble that shows a bit more skin for her rendezvous with said player. (Or “slut,” as she called him in episode three.)
Later, Shoresy (Jared Keeso) yields the floor to Sanguinet (Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat), who leads a “players only” meeting (Title of the episode!). Sanguinet calls out Dolo (JoDolo), Goody (Andrew Antsanen), Hitch (Terry Ryan), Michaels (Ryan McDonell) and the Jims (Jon Mirasty, Jordan Nolan, Brandon Nolan) for f*cking up on the ice. At least Fish (Jacob Smith) surprisingly got his act together. JJ Frankie JJ (Max Bouffard) asks Shoresy if he can make a phone call. His girlfriends (yes, that’s plural) are ghosting him.
We learn the Jims aren’t setting the tone because they’re losing in Reach for the Top at the jail. They lost their fourth player. Sanguinet proposes that one of the fellas fill in. However, this “players only” meeting is running too long not to have beer, so they take it elsewhere. While out for pizza and booze, Sanguinet asks the boys who’s smart. When that doesn’t get much response, he switches gears, asking the group who’s “dumb.” Most of the table raises their hands, save Michaels and Hitch.
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Shoresy suggests that, as the dumbest man of the bunch (he’s the self-deprecating type), he should put Michaels and Hitch to the test to determine who should join the Jims’ quiz team. Okay, now the “players only” meeting is pushing past an acceptable limit, especially for not having ladies. So, they move the festivities to the club. Now, they can drink beer and admire the scenery. Hitch suggests he and Michaels talk about space to prove who’s smarter. They can’t offer too many descriptors beyond that it’s “big.”
However, Shoresy proves he knows a thing or two about space. He rattles off words like “metagalactic” and “intercosmic,” thoroughly impressing his peers. You better think twice if you want to talk about space with Shoresy. Our titular mother-loving chirper changes the subject, asking Michaels why he’s down in the dumps. Michaels knows he’s the best goalie, and the Bulldogs are poised to be the best ever. But success isn’t worth it if there’s no one with whom to share it. Aw. Michaels is lonely.
Well, Michaels’ statement gives Shoresy an idea. He knocks on Laura’s (Camille Sullivan) door. He asks if he can come inside. Then, he recites Michaels’ words about success, hoping it’ll move Laura to reconsider dating him. After some flirting and Laura teasing him by inviting him to her garage, she shuts the door in his face. Laura doesn’t believe Shoresy truly wants to be with her. She knows hockey players all too well.
RELATED: You can catch up on the Texas-sized 10-4 fun with our Letterkenny recaps if you want to.
Later, Sanguinet moderates a practice quiz round to test Michaels and Hitch’s intelligence. After making a case for folks discriminating against Newfoundlanders, Hitch falls flat on his face. Michaels takes the gold. Side note: I love the Trailer Park Boys namedrop as something popular that emerged from Nova Scotia. I now need a Letterkenny/TPB crossover. Dolo asks Frankie if he’s heard from his girlfriends. Unfortunately, he hasn’t. This next scene shows us why…
Next, Marie-Camille (Jordana Lajoie), host of Hey! You Guys, introduces a trio of women from Frankie’s life: Rêve, Catherine St-Laurent and Lysandre Nadeau. She interviews them in French regarding Frankie. Apparently, he cheated on Catherine with Lysandre. Then, he cheated on Lysandre with Rêve. See the pattern?
The trio switches to English since Frankie’s now in Ontario. They complain about his messy, questionable diet. Frankie was the pride of Québec, but is that the case now? Rêve insists it’s Céline Dion. I’m not a Quebecer, but I concur. She’s an international treasure.
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Then, we see Nat sauntering through the hockey arena. She high-fives Miigwan (Keilani Elizabeth Rose) and Ziigwan (Blair Lamora) while walking to her office. Shoresy is there waiting for her. He claims there’s a problem. However, before addressing it, he becomes distracted by Nat’s appearance. She looks … refreshed. Ziigwan mentions the same. Hey, get it, girl. Nat scolds Shoresy for not putting out all the fires as she ordered. Thankfully, one situation is resolved: the Jims.
Sure enough, we see the Jims and Michaels preparing to square off the team formerly known as “Baroque Obama” for Reach for the Top. Now, they’re called “Tropic of Answer.” Meanwhile, our “Iroquiz” boys changes their team name to “Algonquiz.” Perfection. Anyway, Algonquiz smashes the competition, thanks to Michaels’ contributions. Huzzah!
Later, Jory Jordan (Maclean Fish) interviews Shoresy for a pre-game spot before the Bulldogs play the Norsemen. They become distracted by looking at photos of hot wives on Jory’s phone. Ew. Next, Benny (Jacob Tierney) and Remy (Jonathan Torrens) sit in the commentator’s booth while remarking on the game. They notice Shoresy getting antagonistic with one particular Norsemen player, especially after the latter asks Frankie if he’s seen The Whale (rude). Suddenly, a handful of the Bulldogs are seen fighting the Norsemen on the ice.
At least the Jims are in top form again. They can set the tone.
RELATED: Catch up on all the Sudbury Blueberry Bulldog antics with our Shoresy recaps!
Shoresy Season 2 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.
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