LETTERKENNY (Season 12) -- A Fitting Farewell To Our Favorite Canadian Farmers

Review by Jonathan Berk

Jared Keeso is a gift to humanity and all things funny. While every member of Letterkenny’s crew delivers year after year, the creative vision of Keeso continues to triumph. The fact that Season 12 of Letterkenny is the final season is probably for the best. The six episodes focus heavily on the fear of being “stuck,” and there are plenty of examples of TV shows overstaying their welcome. While we have likely not seen the last of some of the characters, as Keeso has a deal in place for more content, this feels like a fitting farewell to the show as it stands. 

The three core groups of Letterkenny — the hicks, the skids, and the hockey players — are on full display for this season. However, the Degens are on the rise as they jockey their way into a prominent position this season. The usual Letterkenny format is firmly in place, with bits taking center stage while a continuing plotline plays out in the background of the comedy. 

The dynamic of the core group of “hicks” — comprised of Wayne (Keeso), his sister Katy (Michelle Mylett), Daryl (Nathan Dales), and Squirrelly Dan (K. Trevor Wilson) — is threatened. Katy is considering moving to Mexico, Dan is drawn towards a Mennonite lifestyle, and Daryl’s differences push him towards a new friend group. Wayne’s relationships with his friends and other members of Letterkenny are on his mind, as is where he fits into everything. 

In true Letterkenny style, the humor is often silly and goofy, yet it finds ways to resonate emotionally. While constantly poking fun at the archetypes of the characters, the substance of the humor is far more forward-thinking than one may expect. Episode 1 introduces a stand-up night at Modean’s, which allows for some commentary on stand-up comedy while simultaneously showcasing each of our central character’s talents. 

Reilly (Dylan Playfair) and Jonesy (Andrew Herr), the hockey guys, initially have this season of hooking up with their “Billet” sisters, which is a Canadian term for “the daughter of the family a young hockey player lives with, who is around the same age as players" (according to Urban Dictionary). However, they’re given time to reflect on who they are and acknowledge that maybe it’s time to grow up even further. 
 
The Skids — centered around Stewart (Tyler Johnston) and Roald (Evan Stern) — also find themselves stuck. They’ve exhausted their sales of Snooters and are looking to up their game. However, it takes a few ups and downs to finally help focus their attention on redemption. This leads to a great callback in the final episode of the final season. 
   
There have been so many jokes, characters, and fighters over the 12 seasons of Letterkenny, and almost all of them get some love in the final season. The show does a great job of referencing while not simply rehashing the memories of the things that came before — a trope many final seasons get hung up on. Instead of overstaying its welcome, Letterkenny tugs at the heartstrings while simultaneously causing its fans to bust a gut laughing. 

The final season of Letterkenny is now streaming on Hulu.
    
Rating: 5/5