Northern Exposure

Aurora Borealis- A Fairy Tale for Big People

Season 1, Episode 8, Aired 8/30/90

Episode Summary

The approach of the Aurora Borealis and the constant light produces some strange behavior among the residents of Cicely. Chris abandons the radio station to build an unusual piece of modern sculpture and to get acquainted with a new soul mate that has come into town on some predestined mission. Joel journeys into the back woods to visit an isolated forest ranger and, when he gets stuck coming home, remembers the stories of a strange Bigfoot-like creature named Adam rumored to be roaming the area. Joel is rescued by Adam, who turns out to be real and a damn good cook, only when he returns to town no one believes him. 'moreless

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Cast & Crew

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Barry Corbin

Maurice J. Minnifield
Janine Turner

Mary Margaret "Maggie" O'Connell
John Corbett

Christopher "Chris in the Morning" Danforth Stevens

Fan Episode Reviews (2)

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One of the single greatest ever episodes of this series.

9.5

"Superb"

By pynchon82, Jun 08, 2007 Report Abuse

An already better-than-average first season comes to a bittersweet close with an episode that knocks one out of the park.

Two story threads here: One concerning Joel getting lost in the woods, only to be rescued by Adam, a mysterious Bigfoot-like apparition that the denizens of Cicely don't even belileve actually exists. Adam Arkin makes a hilarious guest appearance as Adam, the mysterious recluse who is seemingly good at everything (especially cooking). The other story thread, just as excellent, albeit more heartwarming, concerns a stranger named Bernard who feels compelled to travel from his home in Portland to Cicely, where he creates a fast bond with Chris. I am confused as to how they could have the same birthdate, I'll admit, but the realization that they are, in fact, brothers is a television moment that I will never forget.moreless

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Great episode.

9.4

"Superb"

By sipowicz, Apr 01, 2006 Report Abuse

This is the episode that made me love Northern Exposure.

It just is a hilarious episode, with the hilarious introduction to Adam, and the damn near greatest storyline in TV history, that is...Chris has a brother, who is literally a Brother, with a connection that is drop dead hilarious, and the great Northern Lights make their first appearance, and will make a few appearances in the show, and are by far the greatest episodes in Northern Exposure history.

if you don't love this episode, then you don't love TV. And you for sure, do not understand Northern Exposure, so change the channel.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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Notes
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- Music:- "Moon River" by Louis Armstrong - "Bad Mood Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Little Egypt" by The Coasters - "Blue Moon" by Billie Holiday - "Mr. Sandman" by The Chordettes - "Full Moon, Full of Love" by Kd Lang - "Woody the Indian" by David Schwartz - "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven Edit
Quotes
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- Bernard: Well, do you ever have any trouble with the IRS? Chris: Oh, I don't pay taxes. Bernard: Do you ever make it down to Portland? Chris: I will now. Edit
- (Chris and Bernard are both dreaming of being in a truck driven by a stranger) Mysterious driver: I'm Carl Jung, and while I know a lot about the collective unconscious, I do not know how to drive! Edit
- Shelly: What were you talking about this morning? "Yoong" and, what was that other stuff? Chris: The collective unconscious. Shelly: Do they tour, or do they just cut records? … I missed something, didn't I? Edit
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