Northern Exposure

Buzz

Northern Exposure ranks 360 out of the 18,225 shows on TV.com.

The 760 users who count themselves as Northern Exposure fans have written a total of 18 reviews.

Status

Premiered

Ended

Genre

Theme

Related Shows

• Deadwood
• Twin Peaks
• Picket Fences
• RAN: Remote Area Nurse
• Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
• Sex and the City

Dr. Joel Fleischman (Rob Morrow) graduated from Columbia University medical school where he attended thanks to a scholarship from the state of Alaska. Though he was slated to work in Anchorage, instead he gets assigned to be the General Practitioner the tiny Alaskan town, Cicely, to pay for his education. The... more »

Dr. Joel Fleischman (Rob Morrow) graduated from Columbia University medical school where he attended thanks to a scholarship from the state of Alaska. Though he was slated to work in Anchorage, instead he gets assigned to be the General Practitioner the tiny Alaskan town, Cicely, to pay for his education. The location is remote, the people are weird and quirky, and Joel wants to return to New York. The show thrived on the "will they or won't they" dynamic between Fleischman and Janine Turner's Maggie O'Connell.

First air date: July 12, 1990
Last air date: July 26, 1995
Original air time: Monday 10:00:00 pm (Eastern)less «

• ROSLYN's Cafe: Question and Answer Thread

  Hey everybody. This is a thread where Northern Exposure fans can come and ask questions about anything to do with the show and get some answers! All are welcome.

  Hey everybody. This is a thread where Northern Exposure fans can come and ask questions about anything to do with the show and get some answers! All are welcome. less «

  MuteTroubadouR Last online 8 hrs, 24 mins ago
  2 comments, last one Jan 16, 2009 + Add Comment

• Song from last scene of Season 4, episode 18 titled "northern lights"

  Does anyone know the name of the song and the artist that sings the song on the last scene of "Northern Lights" which is epi...more »

  Does anyone know the name of the song and the artist that sings the song on the last scene of "Northern Lights" which is episode 18 of season 4? Chris Stevens is talking about light and its significance and beauty, then he turns on some switches and presto, some beautiful lights of all shapes, sizes and colors appear........ and this beautiful song!!! I think it maybe an Irish singer named Enya singing, but I could be wrong. Please shed some light on this! (no pun intended) I want to buy the CD. less «

  matalaunica Last online Sep 13, 2008
  3 comments, last one Oct 12, 2008 + Add Comment

• Discussion seasons 1, 2 and 3

  Okay, who wants to talk 'Northern Exposure'? I don't really know how to make this tread. I think we are all done watching th...more »

  Okay, who wants to talk 'Northern Exposure'? I don't really know how to make this tread. I think we are all done watching the first 3 seasons. If this discussion is a success we could create later on another tread for s.4, etc. So, this is s.1 to 3, please no spoilers about the upcoming seasons! What i LOVE about 'Northern Exposure' is the intelligence. It's in intelligent show that promotes knowledge. I love to hear Christ talk about whatever he feels like, or the film discussion Ed has with everyone, or all the fantastic things Marilin does. This series is getting older, but it doesn't feel dated. The dialogue is great and the stories always fun. It is so well done it doesn't need to be recent to capture the publics imagination. I was happy about the end of s.3. There were two unresolved issues that stated to drag along. Joel hating Cicely and the Joel and Maggie relationship. Although the situation between J & M. did changes in s.3, i think it will still be around a long time. I really like the last ep. of s.3 'Cicely' when Joel finally learns to appreciate and love his adoption town. I feel like the series can move on from there. And i can't wait to see where s.4 will lead us. less «

  Okapilady Last online May 23, 2009
  22 comments, last one Sep 25, 2008 + Add Comment

•  

  8 Great

  strange characters, quirky storylines, and weird happenings out in Alaska hide « show »

  When Northern Exposure first appeared on television it seemed very new and fresh, with some memorable characters who became more real and more interesting through the first few seasons, put in situations which realistically couldn't happen - but did in Cicely! From the moment New York doc Joel takes up the offer of a post in darkest Alaska you know odd things are going to happen. There are fun episodes, sad ones, thoughtful ones, and the whole series buzzed with originality. Yes the last two series were weaker and losing steam, but the original three series were full of pep and pizazz and the whole series is well worth a look. One of my favourite comedy series, memorable, colourful, and fun.

  Do you agree?

    0 0

  Report Abuse

  didi-5 Added Apr 15, 2009 All my reviews
•  

  9.5 Superb

  This show...what can I say... hide « show »

  This was my favorite show growing up a...ahem...young lady in the early '90s. I loved LOVED LOVED Rob Morrow!!! Wonderfully written, charming, funny, sometimes sad but always entertaining. But then...Rob Morrow had to leave because of contract disputes and the show went downhill fast. They tried to replace him, but it was never ever going to be the same without him.
  
  Janine Turner--what a beautiful woman. I watched her on there, with her short hair, thinking "could I ever be as stunning as she was (is)?" Well, of course the answer is no.
  
  All the other characters had their charming ways--but give me Joel Fleishman any day!

  Do you agree?

    1 0

  Report Abuse

  chcknldy Added Jun 24, 2007 All my reviews
•  

  8 Great

  Trendsetter! hide « show »

  The creators of Northern Exposure (NX) gave us a true viewing treat. While many shows tend to dumb down to the audience, NX asked you to wise up to it. With dialogue that in some cases you needed a dictionary for, you had a sense that this is how people should interact with one another. Although the characters were sometimes tough on each other, it was done lovingly. For example, Maurice and Joel never really liked each other, but would always be there to help each other out, out of respect. If only we lived in a world like this. With all that said, you sensed these characters were for real. As if you had been transplanted into Cicely, Alaska.
  
  NX wasn't all mushy either. It picked its moments, and did so with perfect vigor. Intertwined were moments of humor, sometimes laugh out loud, sometimes feel-good with a smile. Joshua Brand and David Falsey found a way to work your emotions, tugging on them like a heartstring. You really fall in love with the characters. Never have I seen a show where you cared so much about what happened to them, with many elements of surprises. I found myself even weeping with Maurice (probably the coldest of the main characters) when he mourned his brother during a Kaddish that Joel was giving in remembrance to his Uncle Manny. You know why? Because you learned of his brother's passing and how it affected Maurice throughout the series. You really felt his pain. As well, I laughed out loud when Joel was being accused of being a Russian spy by the town when they were sick or when a recently squished Rick was brought in on the satellite that killed him during his funeral. I couldn't help but smile when after a picture was taken of everyone at Joel's house; they just scanned over it while Chris talked about being a community and what it means to be neighborly.
  
  This show really taught me a lot, too. I learned of - mushrooms, good French wines, Ingmar Bergman, tribal customs and stories, and clarified butter. I began watching this show in my mid-twenties when it was aired on A&E. I was just discovering the world around me and became a major influence on how I think and act now. I never knew a show that did as much research on things as this. They dig out obscure information that is true. They writers really did their homework and delivered with results. I wish there could be more creative writing in an era where reality shows and asinine sitcoms dominate the airwaves.
  
  If you get the chance, do yourself a favor. Watch NX, and do it from the beginning. You'll be treated to hours of enjoyment. Especially Chris Steven's diatribes, which gave you moments of reflection. I have every episode on tape and watch it over and over. Everyone I've turned on to this show ends up loving it. One person even dreamt (in their sleep) about being there from time to time. I have shared that same experience. It usually comes when I haven't watched it in a while. I guess you can say I get withdrawal symptoms. Northern Exposure is addicting. A kind of drug I love being addicted to.

  Do you agree?

    0 0

  Report Abuse

  da_dunker Added Apr 28, 2007 All my reviews
•  

  9.8 Superb

  Almost perfect... Well written, character driven television at its best. hide « show »

  In my opinion, "Northern Exposure" is one of the best sitcoms ever. A classic fish out of water premise, neurotic Jewish New York doctor Joel Flieschman is sent to Alaska to work off his college loans. Instead of being sent to Anchorage, as promised, he instead ends up in the small, backwater town of Cicely which is populated by a collection of "unique individuals". Among them are;
  
  Maggie O'Connell - A young, beautiful and fiercely independent bush pilot who has bad luck with boy friends.
  
  Maurice Minnifield - A megalomaniac ex-astonaut and local entrepreneur.
  
  Holling Vincoeur - A 60 something outdoorsman who runs the local tavern ( the Brick ) and is shacked up with 18 year old Shelly Tambo.
  
  Shelly Tambo - Sweet but ditzy 18 year old waitress at the Brick.
  
  Chris "Chris in the Morning" Stevens - Highly intelligent and artistic, "road scholar" ex-con DJ at the local radio station.
  
  Ed Chigliak - Shy, innocent half Native American orphan who loves movies and dreams of becoming a filmaker.
  
  Marilyn Whirlwind - Dr. Flieschman's Native american receptionist. Laconic but profound, she speaks much wisdom with very few words.
  
  Ruth-Anne Miller - The sensible and independant widowed proprieter of the general store.
  
  The greatness of "Northern Exposure" derives in part from it's depth and breadth of characters as well as the one hour format that allowed the characters and stories to develop fully. Most episodes had two major plot lines and a handful of sub-plots. One major plot line was the sexual tension between Joel and Maggie. They were mutually attracted and repulsed at the same time. Other major plot lines were the age difference between Holling and Shelly, Ed's search for his father, Maurice's expansion of his economic empire and Chris' ongoing quest for artistic expression. The writers had a real knack for combining humor, pathos and sometimes absurdity into a solid one hour show.
  
  I own every episode available and highly recommend Northern Exposure to any one who enjoys well written and acted, intelligent, character driven television.

  Do you agree?

    1 0

  Report Abuse

  bobtooce Added Nov 4, 2006 All my reviews
•  

  10 Perfect

  This show was exceptional, way ahead of its time. hide « show »

  I tip my cap to the writers of this show, though they weren't well known writers and had only this as a one hit wonder type thing, it really was a wonderful show. If NE was brought back as re-runs I believe it would make a whole new generation fall in love with it. I have and I'm only 14. It is grossly under-appreciated and was the basis to many other shows with the same type of small town, big attitude storyline. An absolutely superb idea and with great writers was handled beautifully.
  A big success in my mind!

  Do you agree?

    1 0

  Report Abuse

  MuteTroubadouR Added Sep 16, 2006 All my reviews