Lays ketchup crisps, real Maple syrup, and poutine (loaded chips) - Canada was made for bingeing.

In this episode we’re heading to North America. Gorge on our pick of a film, book, podcast, TV show, and song inspired by the politest people in the world...

Matthias & Maxime

In Canada, two men kiss and it causes them to question their platonic relationship…

Show of hands. Who thought we’d be doing Brokeback Mountain? Tricksy.

Matthias and Maxime sounds similar to the cowboy cult hit, but Xavier Dolan is all about 20-something angst… not quiet shepherds in the mountains.

Maxime is leaving Montreal for Australia to find himself (groundbreaking) which makes Matthias upset. Before he leaves, the pair are asked by a friend to act in her student film, where they have to kiss.

The kiss seems to throw up feelings about their relationship. Cue lots of loud conversations and mirrors being punched. It’s moody and emotional - just the way we like our films

Also, the soundtrack is by Jean-Michel Blais - who lives in Montreal - and it deserves its own shout-out.

Alias Grace

In 1843 the real-life murder of Thomas Kinnear and his housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery, took place. Two servants from the house were convicted - Grace and James…

Margaret Atwood (yep, of Handmaid’s Tale fame) used this true crime story as the basis of her novel, Alias Grace.

The Canadian writer weaves extra characters and plotlines into the true story. In her version, Grace is hired out of prison to work at the Governor's house, but she’s hysterical and doesn’t remember the murders.

A doctor takes a special interest in her and tries to discover the truth…

It won the Canadian Giller Prize and was shortlisted for Booker Prize. So you best believe it’s read-in-one-sitting good.

Yas Kween

“ETHNIC. WOMEN. FUNNY.”

Got it? Good.

Yas Kween is Canada’s first monthly comedy show featuring women of colour. Expect sketches and improv from the lineup which is recorded at Bad Dog Comedy Theatre in Toronto.

Schitt's Creek

“I’m trying very hard not to connect with people right now.”

We hear you, which is why we’ve chosen a TV series with six seasons.

The Rose family are mega rich until they aren’t. When they lose all their money they have to relocate to Schitt’s Creek - a small town they brought as a joke.

Give it a couple of episodes to get into and you’ll soon forget what day/time/realm you exist in (if you haven’t already).

First Six Months of Love by Michelle Gurevich

Michelle Gurevich sings the kind of songs that make you feel like you’re filthy rich and on an oligarch’s yacht in Eastern Europe…

The Canadian singer used to go by the stage name of ‘Chinatown’, but ditched it and rebranded with a smokey jazz bar sound.