'NORTH OF NORTH, Ep. 3: Dumpcano' REVIEW [4/5]
Single Mom Siaja Finds Herself Stretched Thin Between Parenting and A New Job
[Rating 4/5] - dir. Aleysa Young - 2025 - Canada - 14A - 23m - Comedy
“Dumpcano”. This warm and fuzzy workplace comedy wears its heart and personality on its sleeve.
Siaja (Anne Lambe), attempting to settle into a new job as an assistant in a government office in her fictional hometown of Ice Cove, Nunavut, struggles with workplace responsibilities as well as the news that her daughter, Bun (Keira Cooper), has been “flipping people off” at school. This is no doubt the influence of her grandmother, Siaja’s mother (Maika Harper), a vivacious, rough-around-the-edges Inuk woman intent on showing Siaja the ropes of life even if it means tough love.
To make work even more complicated for Siaja, her father (and the man she kissed as the cliffhanger of episode one…), played by Jay Ryan, shows up and becomes part of the most important project of the year… taking care of the dreaded town dump. The foreboding “Ottawa” has apparently already given seven warnings to Mary Lynn Rajskub’s mean, but ultimately harmless boss character.
The responsibilities are clearly laid out. Where do Siaja’s priorities lie? Is she professional enough to combat workplace politics? Does she have the patience, let alone the time, to correct her daughter’s worrying (if hilarious) behaviour? What about her dad! What about the aptly named “dumpcano”? Ultimately light stakes for a sweet show.
The cast is so game for this television show that it’s contagious. There is a palpable sense of a team coming together for a greater good (the greater good being getting North of North made, bought, and shown to an audience that they probably worried might be indifferent).
There’s plenty of room left on the bandwagon, everyone! These are stars in the making.
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‘North of North’ is out weekly on Tuesdays on CBC Gem and elsewhere on Netflix.
Selected TV Show Quote: “She’s also flipped off parents… and the Canadian flag.”
[Rating 4/5] - dir. Aleysa Young - 2025 - Canada - 14A - 23m - Comedy