Letterkenny Says Farewell With a Fitting Ending — and the Potential For More

There’s no tougher episode of television to produce than the series finale. Sure, the pilot sets the tone and the second season can suffer from that dreaded sophomore slump. But once you decide to end a show, there’s a lot of pressure. It is, after all, a creator’s final word on the subject.

Great series finales give the audience closure but include subtle nods from the past for its fanbase. They service their major characters but dole out a sense of finality, and they leave you feeling just a bit better for having spent time in that world. Given all that, wrapping Hulu’s Letterkenny after 12 seasons, a handful of specials, its own line of beer, and a live tour was no small feat. But it was necessary for creator and star Jared Keeso, who felt that he had mined all the stories these characters had to tell.

Luckily for everyone who followed him on this wild ride, the toughest guy in Letterkenny stuck the landing. Letterkenny’s final six-pack of episodes, which dropped December 26, end the comedy similar to how it began: with a look at the lives of quick-talking, small town folks with big hearts who work hard but still have too much time on their hands.

To be fairrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, the final season is the most serialized in the show’s history. In the opening episode Daryl (Nathan Dales) questions his place with the hicks when a new friend, Mickey Gibraltar (Morgan Bedard) shows him the way of the degens. From there, all of the hicks begin to feel a little stuck.

Katy (Michelle Mylett) misses the margaritas in Mexico and contemplates working at a resort. Squirrely Dan (K. Trevor Wilson) begins spouting the merits of the Mennonite religion, influenced by his sweetie. And Rosie (Clark Backo) drops major hints about wanting to move to Vancouver, wondering if her boyfriend, Wayne (Keeso), will move with her. Wayne, naturally, is confused by everyone’s sudden need to move on, but is mostly concerned for Daryl and what will become of him with the degens.

These storylines, along with minor ones for the hockey players and skids, play out over the first five episodes, helmed as always by co-creator Jacob Tierney, who has directed every episode since 2017. But they all come to a close for the final town sendoff in the aptly titled finale, “Over And Out.” Going into the installment without needing to answer any big, lingering questions allows Letterkenny to do what it has always done best: simmer in the moment and allow its characters to simply coexist despite their differences.

Along the way there is plenty of nostalgia and nods for those who have been with these Canadians since Day 1. The first cold open, which was available ahead of time on YouTube, features the characters rattling off an alphabetized list of words from the show (and describing it) in signature jump-cut style.

Episode 1’s “Live at MoDean’s” is the perfect callback to the 2013 web series that started it all, “Letterkenny Problems,” thanks to certain jokes and setups. Throughout the episode various characters take the stage to perform their version of stand-up, with scenes that allow individual characters to shine while still bringing everyone together.

As the episodes continue, the season staples fans have come to expect are all there. There’s the giant donnybrook and the event that brings the town together, plus the always present mantra, “When a friend asks for help, ya help them.” They’re small, comforting moments of a sendoff that leaves you feeling as though life in Letterkenny will continue with the same old chirps and chores long after the cameras click off.

Season 12 isn’t just about looking back and wrapping up though, which makes it even more successful. There are plenty of new moments for fans to appreciates, like learning how the degens spend their time (it will convince you they’re made from spare parts) and the introduction of a couple of key characters, including Daryl’s love interest Harley (Amalia Williamson) and Katy’s new friend Lily (Ella Cannon).

Then there’s the “Sun Darts” episode, which might be the most random episode of the bunch. That’s also what makes it the most fun. In it, town auctioneer Jim Dickins (Alex McCooeye) decides he needs a new career, so he asks the hicks and skids to help him write a country western hit. That episode is a particular gem that tackles A.I. and country stereotypes, but it also produces an actual song and music video that will inevitably chart with fans.

This isn’t all to say that Letterkenny’s final season is perfect. It’s impossible to service all of the characters in a cast this big, and some fans may be disappointed at the sidelining of Rez characters like Tanis (Kaniehtiio Horn) or the fact that fan favorite Mrs. McMurray (Melanie Scrofano) is mostly absent.

Still, it’s a sweet and thoughtful farewell that especially comes together in the final moments, with slow-motion jump cuts to the now-empty locations that have served as the show’s backdrops. You don’t have to be super soft to blink back a tear, because it’s a quiet farewell that marinates and says so much without saying anything at all.

Of course it’s not a permanent goodbye, thanks to the continuation of the Keeso-starring spin-off Shoresy, which wraps filming on Season 3 in Sudbury, Ontario this December.

Meanwhile, Keeso has inked an overall deal with its Canadian streamer Crave and production company New Metric Media on a combined 49 episodes of a new series and Letterkenny spin-offs. It’s a no-brainer for both companies, which have grown significantly thanks to the show over the past seven years.

Which characters will return for a spin-off or what this new show entails, however, are still under wraps. It’s also unclear whether Hulu will get on board with these new projects once they’re announced. But, considering the overall success, the loyal fanbase, and the myriad merchandising and promotional opportunities ahead, it’s hard to see Hulu bowing out of this world anytime soon. Still, in the spirit of the show, pitter patter.

Letterkenny Season 12 is streaming on Hulu. Join the discussion about the show in our forums.

Amber Dowling is a Toronto-based freelancer, CCA member and former TCA president. Her work has appeared in Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Metacritic, The Globe and Mail, Playback and more. Follow her on Instagram: @amber__dowling.