Review: Corner Gas Animated “Ruby Reburn”

 

 

Overview:

The Ruby has burnt down to the ground. The entire town is devastated by the disaster. Of course, no one is as impacted as Lacey now that her entire livelihood has been destroyed.

While Lacey re-evaluates her future, it gets everyone else discussing their own plans. Thankfully, most of the locals are pretty content with their humble lives in Dog River. Although, that leaves them in limbo as they await The Ruby’s owner to decide the fate of their favourite restaurant and closest friend.

 

Our Take:

This is not only a series finale but also the end of an era.  Corner Gas has been dominating Canadian television since its live-action debut in 2004. The original sitcom delivered six seasons of over 100 hilarious episodes while raking in near 70 television award nominations.  

Creator Brent Butt wasn’t done with his story about a struggling gas station in the middle of nowhere, Saskatchewan. The live-action series was followed up by an original full-length feature to moderate success.

And even then, Corner Gas refused to drive away.

Canadian audiences were thrilled and intrigued when it was announced that Corner Gas was returning in 2018 in a new animated format. Most excitingly, the cartoon version managed to capture the energy and humour of the source content. Successfully, Corner Gas Animated was enhanced visually and comedically over four seasons. Unfortunately, the ride had to end somewhere. After adding an additional 48 episodes to the Corner Gas franchise, one of Canada’s greatest shows has pressed the breaks tonight.

Thankfully, we have had time to adjust to this ending. The only uncertainty that remained was if the show would address the goodbye. Specifically because the animated series has sat outside the cannon of the original run.

Pleasantly, Corner Gas Animated concluded its run with a tactfully touching episode. Burning down The Ruby may sound a bit drastic. However, it gave the show a chance to go full circle. Same as Corner Gas began with Lacey being indoctrinated into Dog River, it ends with her rebuilding and starting from the beginning once again.

That’s not all, as Corner Gas had one more surprise for the big night. With a longer list of Canadian guest stars than any other show, the series brought in one of its biggest names yet. Deadpool himself made an appearance when Ryan Reynolds arrived on this series finale. The A-list star plays himself in a scene that has Wanda give him a voluntary lobotomy.

As sad as it is to see this franchise close its doors, it is a great time to celebrate its success and value to audiences.  Corner Gas humbly said goodbye tonight and deserves a standing ovation. And while it seems like this little gas station continues to find a new life, this was a satisfying conclusion should it truly be the end.