'NORTH OF NORTH, Ep. 1: Top of the World' REVIEW [4/5]
A "Modern Inuk Woman"
[Rating 4/5] - dir. Anya Adams - 2025 - Canada - 14A - 30m - Dramedy
A pilot episode (that is, the first) carries a tall order. Establish the world, the smaller setting, the characters, and their motivations, and you’d better not force feed us all that necessary but boring information in boring ways otherwise we’re out. Harrumph.
Luckily, a sense of cheer buoys viewers through CBC Gem project North of North’s premiere, “Top of the World”, which boasts an incredibly charming cast, at the heart of which is the easy-to-root-for actress Anna Lambe. She plays a young Inuk woman, “Siaja”, seeking to revamp her day-to-day life.
North of North knows its average audience member doesn’t hear much about its setting and its subject (Indigenous women and societal roles in the Arctic). Therefore, within the first 30 seconds the viewers are treated to the context. In a satisfyingly tongue-in-cheek way (“Keep going… no keep going… keep going…”) we learn the show is based in a small Arctic town of “Ice Cove”, Nunavut, we learn the way the town’s major players relate to one another (and get around — truck and snowmobile), and we learn, most importantly, “Siaja’s” lot in life, and her plans to navigate and improve it further, all with her baby at the fore of her mind.
Exclaim! Toronto film and television critic Rachel Ho sat down with the creators and cast to chat about the show. Star Lambe had this to say about expectations pushed on to Indigenous-made media:
"When we get to be centred in stories, it's often about our trauma and how colonialism has done this or that," she explains. "And that can be true, but having the spotlight on the joy that we create and foster in our communities, and the love that we have for one another — and that is, at its core, what our communities are about and who we are — was most important to me and made me want to be a part of this show. [It] makes me incredibly proud to see what we've created."
This is what I was referring to by saying “sense of cheer” at the start of this review. Serious projects about trauma and grief are important, and valid, and often good, but there’s equal value to showing a little light — otherwise how can a fuller picture develop?
Rounded out by happy faces and (thank goodness) modern music (Caleb Chan, Brian Chan) with an occasional cultural twist, premiere episode “Top of the World” lands with its feet firmly on the ground, ready to move forward and pull us with it.
Is it funny? Yes, but even moreso, it’s sweet.
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P.S. Mary Lynn Rajskub is always a good addition to a cast!
Note: I’m going to get caught up on what’s available and then get into the rhythm of posting an episode review the day after one airs.
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‘North of North’ is out weekly on Tuesdays on CBC Gem and elsewhere on Netflix.
Selected TV Show Quote: “I get really cold whenever I have to tell someone the truth about themselves.”
[Rating 4/5] - dir. Anya Adams - 2025 - Canada - 14A - 30m - Dramedy