I spent the first four years of my life in my Dad's plane as he worked the coastal and inland areas of British Columbia. So when I heard of Arctic Air, I was really intrigued. The characters are very believable and the scenery is outstanding. I also love the humour and characters, particularly Adam Beach's Bobby. Finding that the path to yourself usually winds through your past, and shows you the future. It might not be pretty, but Bobby has a lot of learning to do. What I really enjoy is seeing regular folks working and living their lives without glamour, flashy costumes or unrealistic scenarios. Seems very true to life and respectful of the North West Territories. Lots of contrast between the locals and the wannabes. And the planes. Very nice to see DC3's and the lore associated with them. I'll definitely keep watching!
20 Reviews
off to a really good start
orion_moore18 January 2012
The show has all of the basics for greatness. Mix a little out of your element in a fashion that reminds me a little of Northern Exposure with just a touch of Wings, I couldn't tell you why on that second part. Add two of Sanctuary's finest women Pascale Hutton and Emilie Ullerup. Mix it with a well played hometown hero who has lost his way. I did see Smoke Signals but, Adam Beach will always be Kicking Wing(Joe Dirt) to me. Top it all off with Kevin McNulty and stir well. All cooking metaphors aside Arctic Air is a great show. I'm always eager to embrace a new sitcom or comedy, I mean who doesn't love to laugh but, it takes a while for me to warm up to a show with a good amount of heart and warmth. Arctic Air pulls this and more off in stride. In just the first couple episodes I'm eager to see what the future holds next for these characters. I hope that this is just the beginning of show greatness and I'll be watching.
A Canadian Classic
sophia5524 August 2020
This show is a prime example of what Canadian television should be. Interesting and action-packed story lines with well developed and unique characters. The balance of comedy and drama is well done, and the show covers topical issues in an informed and nuanced manner. The acting is top notch, and showcases some lesser-known Canadian talent. My only complaint is that the show often tries to pack too much into one episode- we don't need 3 or 4 stories at once, especially when the main plot is already quite interesting!
Great Show
ellenparker14 February 2012
I truly enjoy Arctic Air. I like the actors and the characters they play. I am so glad that Canada is getting more and more Canadian television series. Don't take Arctic Air away. Please bring it back for many more seasons. The scenery is awesome, makes me want to visit the North West Territories and Yukon. I like the idea of using Canadian actors and actresses in this show as I do with shows such as Republic of Doyle and Murdoch Mysteries. I'm glad the actors who are in the USA focus (movies and series) are willing to come home and do Canadian shows. It helps to put Canada on the map in the entertainment world. I see more and more producers and directors making Canadian film. Thanks!
Criminally underrated
untermensch-306-686451 March 2012
It's hard to fault this show! There is a broad range of are believable and personable characters, portrayed with solid acting. I appreciate the understatement and subtlety with which the tension is built, which gives the few action scenes a lot of impact. The story lines feel fresh, and each episode has a distinct character.
The premise clearly borrows heavily from Ice Pilots (I wonder if Buffalo Airways are actually involved?), but it hasn't taken long to grow into its own identity. This is now one of my favourite shows of the last few years.
Deserves at least a 7, and a renewal!
The premise clearly borrows heavily from Ice Pilots (I wonder if Buffalo Airways are actually involved?), but it hasn't taken long to grow into its own identity. This is now one of my favourite shows of the last few years.
Deserves at least a 7, and a renewal!
Really Enjoyed The First Episode
trevor-duggan11 January 2012
I really enjoyed the first episode, from beginning till end. It was funny, happy & sad. It was the perfect combination, not too much of one or the other. It was a perfect blend. The acting in my opinion was great, and the story line was great as well. Many people are comparing it to other Northern shows: ie: Ice Pilots. This is not the case. Ice Pilots is a reality show. Arctic Air is a drama, and is not just about flying planes. There is an actual story line, a great one I may ad. Also, many northerners who live or have at least been to Yellowknife are being a little over critical with regards to some of the scenes in my opinion. This is a TV show. This is not real life. There are of course going to be non real settings and surroundings, manipulations etc. Hollywood does it all the time. Take New York Minute for example, filmed in Toronto Ontario. All in all Arctic Air is A lot better then what I was expecting. I am hooked after show one and I cannot wait to see the next episode.
How on EARTH did they warrant 3 seasons?
Pizzaowner30 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The first episode, as has been mentioned before, was excellent, with a little bit of everything. Sadly the writers ( if they were in face the same writers ) felt that if 1 teaspoon of excitement per episode was giving good results then 2 cups must be the formula for even better results. Like a lot of amateurish writing and game sequels, writers can't seem to resist 'bumping' up the formula percentages to in the mistaken belief that more is better. By episode three I was tearing out my hair in frustration as they bumbled their way from one ridiculous and preposterous situation to another culminating in a skyjacking.....yes...that's right.....a SKYJACKING....of a tiny, poorly equipped, backwoods airline in the far north. I gagged my way through a few more episodes but the 'plots', for want of a more appropriate and less rude word, were so fantastic and reused....they even recycled emergencies on supposed nearly-unknown landing strips....that I finally gave up in disgust. With all the appeal and inevitability of a Road Runner cartoon I'm amazed that this monstrosity made it through one season...never mind the three it miraculously landed. Somebody wasn't paying attention to the numbers methinks. Anyway.....don't waste your time with this crap unless you're really hard up for some airline drama....picture a cross between the Young and Restless and First Blood.......
The series is great and can hardly wait for next season.
snetram30 April 2012
I can hardly wait for the next season, I thought the characters were perfect and the story themes were very good, 10 out of 10 for me, I have watched the show on netflix and therefore can watch 3 episodes at once. I enjoyed this series more than north of 60 because the adventure of aircraft and problems with contracts and such I find are two issues that make this show successful. I recognize Adam Beach but the others were unfamiliar to me, even though, since watching the show they are very suitable for the parts they play. It is always good to see a villain get his at the end even though it seems he is going to get away scot free. The love triangle between two of the main characters is great, never knowing if they will get together and when they get close something always seems to get in the way, somewhat leaving you on the edge of your seat.
What a shame
brian-btapple19 February 2023
I really wanted to like this, but it is terrible. Better direction would have gotten much better performances from the cast, but nothing fixes a ridiculous script. Anyone with even half a brain will find the plots silly. The dialogue comes straight from a 12 year olds mind. I watched as many episodes as I could but finally gave up. Save yourself the frustration of hoping it gets better, it doesn't. Maybe turn down the volume and watch some beautiful scenery or just take a nice long nap. Nothing in this series will keep your interest. Adam Beach is a good actor, but you'd never know it watching this.
Nice show!
markimel116 January 2013
Well...I really like the show. It's very relaxing, laid back. It's interesting, and it gets better with every new episode...it just absorbs you more and more into it. It makes you read and research more about Canada, the Northwest Territories, Native peoples, DC-3 planes, De Havillands...If you like flying, don't miss this show. And if you need to relax and not take Diazepam...don't miss this show. :-)
Season 1 was "exploring the territory" and trying to put it on the map, to see where it stands, so my opinion is that the next seasons will further expand the main storyline which was slightly underdeveloped in the first season, hence the 9 out of 10 from me. But, that's not a negative point, at all! The show has much potential, and I expect to see it fully developed in the future seasons.
Cheers! :-)
Season 1 was "exploring the territory" and trying to put it on the map, to see where it stands, so my opinion is that the next seasons will further expand the main storyline which was slightly underdeveloped in the first season, hence the 9 out of 10 from me. But, that's not a negative point, at all! The show has much potential, and I expect to see it fully developed in the future seasons.
Cheers! :-)
Entertaining. Nothing too special but worth watching.
marco-30-3843285 May 2015
Arctic Air is a typical show that has a little bit of everything. Romance, Action, Family drama, culture and nature. I would classify the acting slightly above average, the stories quite entertaining and after 5-10 episodes you already feel like part of the family. First I didn't like the character of Bobby. Thought he does not represent the typical hero of a TV-series, but I got used to it. Perhaps because the acting got more convincing through the series. Always have to think of R2-D2 and C-3PO when it comes to Dev and Astrid. You cannot expect amazing special-effects from this kind of show but what it offers is satisfactory. Only from time to time some poor CGI-planes disturb the smooth impression of reality. I am actually very sad that the show was canceled after the third season. If it had continued, surely I would have followed the show through the next seasons.
Most entertaining
goldenstar228 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
As a retired airline and West Coast bush pilot I had low expectations about this show. Other than the obvious flaws when it comes down to the aircraft - the Turbo Otter does not have the sound of a piston engined aircraft, particularly at start-up. Also, the brief shot of the engine controls look very much like a DH Beaver and not a turbine driven plane. The DC-3 did not have it's propellers feathered when the engines were shut down (it would have fallen out of the sky like a brick!). I really like Adam Beach; I think he was well chosen for the part of Bobby. The story-line is very entertaining with lots of larger than life characters. The scenery is beautiful, what a treat to see a part of the world we seldom hear, or even think about. It would be nice if the script writer could tap in to the hundreds of real-life stories that every Canadian bush pilot cherishes. I remember an aircraft, purchased for use in the Yukon in the 1970's from S. America, arriving with a hand grenade hanging from it's pin under one of the seats. The Chief mechanic working for that same airline made his home in an engine packing case in the hanger due to the lack of accommodation in Watson Lake. I look forward to many more seasons of this enjoyable show.
Take a pass on this one
westos44413 January 2013
I tried to give this show a try. It was painful getting through the second episode before I couldn't take it anymore. It is poorly cast, and the actors have little personality and look like they have never stepped foot outside of city concrete. The plot line is predictable, but that isn't even a negative compared to all its other faults. It lacks a sense of reality and believability in every way. The script is bad, and the delivery by actors sounds canned and sophomoric. Furthermore, there is nothing that resembles "Northern Exposure" except it has planes and is filmed in the north! I hate to be so harsh, but I recommend you take a pass on this bore fest, and opt for reruns of something better.
Found it! Going to watch the series again.
gregford-0441223 September 2020
Just found a source for this series. I'm going to watch it again. Really, really enjoyed it the first time around. The North Canadian scenery and the Douglas DC-3 flying shots are simply wonderful - often breath-taking actually.
not terrible....
meaghan_isobel25 January 2012
I guess the first episode was alright. Maybe it will get better but I can't help comparing this show to north of 60. And compared to north of 60...well it doesn't really compare. Where are all the native actors? I saw Adam Beach and a few minor characters. I realize north of 60 was set in a small town but the cast was overall native and I liked that. There was also better chemistry between the actors. I don't like the main girl. She doesn't seem very real and her lines sounds a bit forced. The first episode was very predictable and a little boring. I was really hoping for something to rival north of 60, something really original. This show feels like an americanized attempt at something original and Canadian. I didn't feel that when I watched it. I hope it gets better, it has a lot of potential, I love Adam Beach but it feels fake. I feel like the rest of the characters really don't match up.
A show that had balls of steel that got cut because of funding cuts
ayyappaas-627-5750848 July 2023
If anyone from Amazon, Netflix or even CBC is reading this, please pick this show up and make a few more seasons. This is, if you are looking for genuine Canadian content for your platforms. According to some sources, this series was cancelled because of funding cuts from the Govt. I mean they have funding for series like "Heartland", which would not have had a chance to go past 5, 6 seasons, if it were running on some US based TV channel but it is good enough for CBC. This show was such a refreshing take on life up north of Canada and yes, it takes more money to make this gorgeous show than what it takes to rent horses and make a bunch of people talk. Arctic air requires a lot of VFX treatment as well since the terrain up north of this country demands a lot out of shooting crews that it is almost impossible to pull off some of the shots that have made it into the show without VFX. So everything adds up.
Compared to all the crap that are coming out of the platforms these days including the gazillion "same old" superhero stories where kids, animals and even old people develop superhero powers, this show actually shows what it means to survive in the cold north, which requires a mindset that can equate to superhero powers!
This is a really good show with a solid cast and production that just got left to dry high. The show often went strong against some bureaucratic issues that prevent people up north from getting their stuff done or get the requirements that they need brought to them in time. I wonder if that constituted to the so called "funding cuts" or not. Well, good for this show. I mean horses don't talk. Also, they don't cost you that much money. So I guess, you could go on and on and on with a show that really should have stopped a decade ago. I got nothing against Heartland but you got to look at the quality of the story that you are telling as opposed to what gets broadcast on TV.
Again, please buy the rights of this show from CBC(looks like they have pretty much archived this show) and make some more seasons of this. Let's have some more good TV rather than just churning out another one of that superhero crap. It is getting so boring.
Compared to all the crap that are coming out of the platforms these days including the gazillion "same old" superhero stories where kids, animals and even old people develop superhero powers, this show actually shows what it means to survive in the cold north, which requires a mindset that can equate to superhero powers!
This is a really good show with a solid cast and production that just got left to dry high. The show often went strong against some bureaucratic issues that prevent people up north from getting their stuff done or get the requirements that they need brought to them in time. I wonder if that constituted to the so called "funding cuts" or not. Well, good for this show. I mean horses don't talk. Also, they don't cost you that much money. So I guess, you could go on and on and on with a show that really should have stopped a decade ago. I got nothing against Heartland but you got to look at the quality of the story that you are telling as opposed to what gets broadcast on TV.
Again, please buy the rights of this show from CBC(looks like they have pretty much archived this show) and make some more seasons of this. Let's have some more good TV rather than just churning out another one of that superhero crap. It is getting so boring.
Stopped watching after Season 1 ended
stormguildmaster22 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I stopped watching after Season 1 Episode 109 "New North", this episode was full of racial profiling propaganda, bigotry and political correctness. The East Asian stereotype was very typical as an untrustworthy, conniving lust-driven betrayer who'll do anything for self-gain, of course there's also the US stereotype of a vicious merciless environmentally unfriendly business guru that uses every means necessary to damage the company for no apparent visible hatred, and you have the Canadian stereotype of an ill-tempered employee harassing good old white knight boss that ends up saving the day with his daughter physically harassing the main character Bobby who's of aboriginal decent at the end of this episode with no dire consequences. Disappointing and surprising!
started off ok - gets blase or boring
memine238 August 2023
No spoilers - I really enjoy the lead actors - decent work - but this was a circuitous find that i really only enjoyed in watching season 1 maybe a 6er - popcorn, flaws but - "eh - we will see how it goes in season 2".... and it was not an improvement - plot holes. - jumpy story lines - formulaic nonsense - i found myself skipping lots - romance arc was not well thought out, villain holes etc etc by season 3 - i literally only watched the recap because the story on a whole was uninteresting and the endings and connections most would naturally want to see kept getting further away because of scripted conflicts to otherwise "intelligent" characters... just nonsense for a series that might have gone for 6 or 7 seasons... personally i would not waste time on this one.
Are you serious?
johng-9089312 September 2023
Adam Beach is so bad it makes me almost angry that someone made the decision to put him on my screen. There is no getting past it no matter how much you try. How can an "actor" be so inept? How bad is he? You know those awkward commercials with sports stars where they can't say their lines even after 100 takes? He's worse than those guys. Absolutely brutal.
As for the rest of it, the scenery is the only reason to watch. Maybe with the sound off? Everyone else seems decent enough I guess, but it only seems that way because you are so relieved the scene doesn't have that clown it it. Problem is, he is in nearly every scene.
Don't waste your time hoping it will get better. It actually gets worse.
As for the rest of it, the scenery is the only reason to watch. Maybe with the sound off? Everyone else seems decent enough I guess, but it only seems that way because you are so relieved the scene doesn't have that clown it it. Problem is, he is in nearly every scene.
Don't waste your time hoping it will get better. It actually gets worse.
What where they thinking when they made this?
mayhem-2348913 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The series has interesting bones but the execution is wrong. I watched this and thought it was light hearted not so much exciting show... Something you watch when you don't want to think anything. Actors are handsome and well known by other series. That is why I know they can act. Somehow this series do not show it to their favor. The ultimate worst thing happened in the sixth episode when they had cut scenes from episode one. About 25% was copy-pasted. That is where I draw the big NO-NO line. It was so outrageous that I had to really check my insanity first. Never ever have I encountered this kind off laziness. I have seen scenes used multiple times, but a whole side line scene, where the young boy gets fired, and the whole apartment search. What the actual F?
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