Perhaps this is one of those shows that you really care about but you still don’t want to watch. It’s the ultimate example of a spoiler. We know the end of the story; and, for Toronto Maple Leafs’ fans, it isn’t anywhere near a happy ending.
The best-laid plans, right? Still, is it worth watching?
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The Documentary Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
Early during the 2020-21 season, there was an announcement that a documentary crew from Amazon Studios and NHL Original Productions and Cream Films would follow the Maple Leafs around during the season. The goal was to do a behind-the-scenes look at the team as it “successfully” rose to the top of the NHL’s North Division. When the season was over, there would be a record of the team moving through the regular season and then the playoffs.
The producers of the documentary got it half-right. The team had a great run and ended the regular season in first place – actually quite easily. But that’s where it all went South – literally.
Someone who decided to make the documentary decided that the Maple Leafs were going to finally have a break through and generate playoff success. They obviously didn’t ask any long-time Maple Leafs’ to weigh in. But, honestly, I would have gotten it wrong, too.
The Plan and the Reality
The plan was to chronicle the team’s 56-game season (shortened by the pandemic). And, they did. Except the reality is that the documentary went shorter than it probably was originally scheduled for because – after a 3-1 series lead over the Montreal Canadiens – the Maple Leafs simply couldn’t find their offense and lost three straight games to exit during the first-round of a playoff series yet again. The end of the documentary was, most importantly, also the end of the season for Toronto.
The reality is that there’s now – and Maple Leafs’ fans can see it starting on October 1 – a five-episode mini-series that highlights this frustration. It’s narrated by lifelong Maple Leafs’ fan Will Arnett. Arnett was born in Toronto and has always been a huge Maple Leafs’ fan. He’s best known for his role as George Oscar “G.O.B.” Bluth II in the television show Arrested Development.
“All of Nothing” Is the First Canadian Amazon Original Series to Be Shown
As noted earlier, the five-episode series is titled “All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs” and will be the first Canadian Amazon Original series to be shown. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how the organization operated during the 2020-21 season.
To take a look at the trailer, see the tweet below.
Will Maple Leafs’ Fans Skip It or Watch It?
I can’t even venture a guess about whether Maple Leafs’ fans will tune in or not. The one thing in the trailer that peaked my own interest was the short clip of Maple Leafs’ general manager Kyle Dubas stating, “My patience is running thin.”
That alone might make the Maple Leafs’ mini-series well worth watching. It’s not the Kyle Dubas I’ve come to know.
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