Spinoff shows of successful TV programs have a tough battle. Riding coattails is not enough; these projects must find their footing, justify their existence, and be good.

 

Shoresy is an example of the formula working right. Jared Keeso, creator/star of Letterkenny, has climbed this hill with every Shoresy season. And he only gets better. Shoresy Season 4, premiering here in the US in late February, is still in the pocket and has only become sharper and brighter. As a devout fan of the original Letterkenny show, I am confident in my claim that Shoresy not only rises to the occasion of being the premier spinoff template but also surpasses its predecessor. Yeah, I said it. 

 

A case study scrutinizing the how-to of Shoresy’s spinoff success should be published. I’ll do my best outside academic shackles to make my case here. 

 

Season 3 of Shoresy closes “Part 1” of the overall story. Part 2 begins with Season 4, which has Shoresy off the ice, ostensibly retired from the game. Recalling the events of the previous seasons, Shoresy vowed to “not lose another game; if we do, we fold.” Being the captain of the Sudbury Blueberry Bulldogs, a fictional Northern Ontario Senior Hockey team, Shoresy brings his squad from winless mediocrity to unprecedented victory, setting league records. The price of winning comes at the cost of Shoresy’s health; he suffered an ankle injury and multiple concussions, one of which knocked him out cold. 

 

Coupled with his age, these injuries became the death knell of his playing career. The prideful ethos of “never let ‘em see you’re hurting” and “go till you can’t go no more” catch up. We find Shoresy off the ice in this new season and feeling displaced. He doesn’t know where to go or what to do to replace the sport that has become his life’s work. 

 

The heart of Jared Keeso’s comedy writing is about finding purpose and meaning. The ending of season 3 was such an emotional sledgehammer seeing Shoresy buckle while holding his victory trophy. In Shoresy’s mind, he didn’t just win the big game; he won life. 

 

Part 2 of Shoresy’s story is about finding a new Everest to climb. Set during the summer, the Sudbury players participate in numerous victory laps, relishing tubing, partying, and hoisting their trophy in various Canadian landmarks. When he isn’t celebrating with his teammates, Shoresy tries co-hosting a web TV series with humorous (and mildly disastrous) results. This doesn’t make him happy, and he follows oft-lauded advice to “go where you’re needed,” becoming a mentor to junior league players. 

 

Shoresy continues his slow-rolling romance with Laura Mohr, a relationship that allows him to bring his rough-and-tumble walls down safely. Laura is not some conquest for Shoresy (hockey players are routinely referred to as sluts by the women in the show, and for good reason). Shoresy does not view Laura as a prize, but until he can adequately verbalize this, Laura keeps him at a playful distance. She knows her value and wants Shoresy to see his own finally. 

 

This point brings me to the sharp, clever misdirection of the show’s writing. On the surface, Shoresy takes the funnier, acid-laced profane remarks from the character’s cameos on Letterkenny and dials them up to 11 in the space of his show. The immature, gruff, venom Shoresy banter is the character’s calling card, and the show does play with this feature as just “love of the game.” Talking trash and kicking ass is just what players do. Season 4 lets Shoresy separate from his juvenile introduction and continue growing and maturing. This escalation is also transferred to the players, staff, and recurring characters. 

 

The women are continuously objectified by lavish irony. Shoresy allows the men to ogle and chase, yet permits the women to own their sexuality and not be ashamed for being who they are and knowing what they want. Keeso and company do this so smartly with their storytelling; a moment of reflection reveals to those easily distracted that the women in Shoresy hold power, make the calls, and steer the ship. 

 

Shoresy season 4 exists just like the preceding seasons – in this world, that is a step or two outside of reality where the men find their truth and women find their power. Shoresy, like its Sudbury setting, is far from Letterkenny. This show about hockey players runs deeper than the profanity, fights, and flesh it uses to lure its viewers. It is a small show bigger than life, inciting more laughs, fun, and heart. Letterkenny walked so Shoresy could skate.