Un medico fra gli orsi

No matter where you hear about this show it is obvious even here that people can only say good things about it. I decided to comment on it based on my belief that the series contained some of the greatest television writing that I can remember. The scripts were excellently compelling and intriguing. Just when you thought that you could label a character and prophesize what they were to do next their personalities were stretched. Over the course of the shows six seasons they characters acted out brilliantly by the likes of John Corbett, Janine Turner, and Rob Morrow created what I and many others would select as the best hour-long program to ever hit the tube.

I love this series. With the current state of affairs, it seems like a nostalgic glimpse into Americana that, for the most part, no longer seems to exist. The first season has its ups and downs but as it continues the characters develop as a wonderful ensemble.

The story revolves around a doctor just graduating from medical school, Joel Fleischman (Rob Morrow). Lacking the funds to pay for medical school outright, Dr. Fleischman agrees to practice in the state of Alaska in exchange for financial support. Expecting to practice in a larger city, Dr. Fleischman ends up in the small town or village of Cicely. He longs to return to New York but begins to learn how to adapt to small town life. Along the way he becomes a part of fabric of his community.

Having aired over thirty years ago there may be some moments that would be questioned now but not many. The fictional Cicely and its inhabitants are now a throwback to a time where everyone knew almost everything about anyone in the town but without the anger, outrage, talk of vengeance or desire to seek retribution that floods the collective American experience today. The writing in the series is superb and the breadth of humanity in the episodes is a treasure. Maybe I am wrong that it is not a white-washed version of the 1950s but instead a more hopeful exploration of the potential of life well lived in the United States of America.

Dr. Joel Fleischman (Rob Morrow) graduates from medical school expecting to fulfill his scholarship obligations in Anchorage. Instead, ex-NASA astronaut and town big wig Maurice J. Minnifield (Barry Corbin) forces him to be the new doctor in the remote small town of Cicely, Alaska for three years. It is an eccentric town filled with eccentric characters. Maggie O'Connell (Janine Turner) is the beautiful pilot. Holling Vincoeur (John Cullum) runs the diner with his child-bride Shelly Marie Tambo (Cynthia Geary). Marilyn Whirlwind (Elaine Miles) is his quiet assistant and Ed Chigliak (Darren E. Burrows) is the film-geek sidekick. Chris Stevens (John Corbett) is the philosophical radio DJ.

It was in the dead of winter out in the cold backwaters of Manitoba as a bunch of us mostly college kids on a 3 month job stint sitting around watching Northern Exposure. For some reason, it was fitting. And it was the first time I saw a trebuchet. This has a fun cast with Fleischman as the fish out of water character. It could have gone much longer, but Rob Morrow often disappeared in the later years. It wasn't the same show without him.

Was a big fan of Northern Exposure when it started back in 1990. Always wondered if it would hold up and why it wasn't streaming. Fortunately Northern Exposure is now available (I saw it free on Amazon Prime) and indeed holds up close to 34 years later. I'm pretty sure I'm enjoying Northern Exposure as much now, an old man, as I did then. The stories are still good and the characters are like old friends. Ed is my favorite, then Ruth Ann, then Chris-who has the best job in the world. Yeah, Joel is still annoying...but it's key to the character. The age difference between Shelly and Holling is odd, but was 34 years ago as well. Forgot how good the music was also.

I'm not much of a "TV series" watcher. Most of them are extremely shallow or violent or forced funny. The very few I have really enjoyed over the years are MASH, TAXI, and Northern Exposure. That's not many, in over 40 years of viewing.

All 3 of the series I've enjoyed have common threads - they are set in unique locations, have a broad array of quirky characters, are extremely well-written and acted, are genuinely funny in just the right places, and most of all, leave you with a really genuine "message" about life and relationships. Without fail.

Of the 3 I mention, Northern Exposure is the best, in my opinion. My favorite is the episode where Maggie and Maurice go half-and-half to buy and build a small airplane, have a falling out that ends up just perfect, and the final scene, with the airplane flying during the funeral was so emotional that it brings tears to my eyes every time I see it.

Unfortunately, when Rob Morrow left the show, it was never the same. I suspect the same would have happened if any of the 5 or 6 key characters had departed. After 5 years it was probably time anyway. But it lives on via DVD sets.

In a completely unexpected way I was able to meet Barry Corbin who created the memorable character Maurice. He was in the cast of a TV movie called "A Face To Kill for", being filmed near my home in August of 1998. My wife and I were extras for a week at the horse track and during the set up for an inside scene Corbin sat with me at a small table. We chatted for a couple of minutes as the sound man got things sorted, he was very gracious and kind. So I have an extra special memory of "Northern Exposure."

Update January 2024: The seasons are now available streaming on Prime, I have been enjoying re-watching them from season one, episode one. It is like seeing old friends after a long absence.