irondogm

I'm thrilled this original show found its feet. Well-written, directed, and acted. The characters have a lovely blend of authenticity and comedy. Each episode has heart and humour. Well done, CBC! Keep commissioning these gorgeous nation-loving gems.

I don't feel the need to say a whole lot more. If you're new to the show and unsure, keep watching. You'll get hooked soon enough. It is delightfully quirky, unique in storylines, and some wonderful, uncomfortably awkward moments that push the stories forward. I also deeply appreciate an insight into the Inuit culture, especially from an everyday (albeit TV sitcom) point of view.

All three of my grandchildren are big science, bug, and animal lovers. They love watching this program. They have fun with the imaginative parts and more fun with the learning. They (and we) love that each episode also includes a real expert who offers some insights. Our kiddos like doing things to help the earth and all the critters who live on it, so if they can learn something about what to do to help, they enjoy that.

From our grandkiddos: The only things that would make it better, is if the kids were better behaved with what mom tells them to do. And also if the main kids learned some better communication skills for getting their messages across.

Folks who are fans of the original series don't always understand the medium.

As I read the reviews, I'd like to address a few things.

First, Stowell is one inch taller than Harmon. One inch. Also, when a person gets older, they often lose height. One inch makes little difference. However, the original cast-mates were taller making Harmon look less imposing than Stowell. This is a casting choice to give a character a storied feel.

Second, it doesn't have the same feel as NCIS on purpose. This is an origin story. Gibbs was a very different character in a very different time. You're literally a couple stories into the understanding of who he was and how he came to be the person you knew. Think of doing a story about yourself in grade 5 vs. You now. Would it look exactly like who you are now? I know of boys growing up as 8 yr olds with bowties who ended up bikers. This is the point to the series.

Give the series time to show you the progression. I like the feel of this series so far. I find it well-written, well-acted, fairly true to period and fairly true to the origin we knew of Gibbs. He will grow into the person we know. I look forward to watching more and seeing how this develops.

Get out of your own way and go for the ride...enjoy.