A newly graduated doctor is required to set up his practice in an eccentric Alaskan town.
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While Joel gives Ed golf lessons, the Indian warns him Adam is around, the never actually seen monster-prankster, blamed for all kinds of weirdness since 15 years. Passing the night in his car in the...
S3.E23
Joel encounters a 108-year-old man who has come home to Cicely. He tells Joel that Cicely, founded by two incredible, free-thinking women named Roslyn and Cicely, was once considered the "Paris of ...
S2.E5
Holling picks fights with patrons; Ed seeks a once-a-year kleptomaniac; Maurice falls for a trooper.
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Title: Northern Exposure (1990–1995)
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Cast
| Series cast summary: | |||
| Barry Corbin | ... | Maurice J. Minnifield / ... 110 episodes, 1990-1995 | |
| Janine Turner | ... | Maggie O'Connell / ... 110 episodes, 1990-1995 | |
| John Cullum | ... | Holling Vincoeur / ... 110 episodes, 1990-1995 | |
| Darren E. Burrows | ... | Ed Chigliak / ... 110 episodes, 1990-1995 | |
| John Corbett | ... | Chris Stevens / ... 110 episodes, 1990-1995 | |
| Cynthia Geary | ... | Shelly Marie Tambo / ... 110 episodes, 1990-1995 | |
| Elaine Miles | ... | Marilyn Whirlwind / ... 110 episodes, 1990-1995 | |
 |
Peg Phillips | ... | Ruth-Anne Miller / ... 107 episodes, 1990-1995 |
| Rob Morrow | ... | Dr. Joel Fleischman / ... 102 episodes, 1990-1995 | |
|
|
William J. White | ... | Dave the Cook 49 episodes, 1991-1994 |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Joel Fleishman is fresh out of medical college, and fresh out of luck. Failing to read the fine print in his scholarship conditions, he finds he has no choice but to move to the remote and somewhat eccentric town of Cicely, in the wilds of Alaska. Once there, he is welcomed by the peculiar locals who are not keen to see him go, most especially Maurice Minnifield, the ex-NASA astronaut. Despite Joel's adamant denials, one gets the impression that he enjoys life in Cicely more than he admits. Written by Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>
Certificate:
See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
12 July 1990 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Northern Exposure See more »Company Credits
Production Co:
Cine-Nevada Productions, Universal Television, Falahey/Austin Street Productions See more »
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
(110 episodes)Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
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Dr. Joel Fleischman: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"?
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
John Cullum and Janine Turner appeared together in an episode of Quantum Leap, Season 2 EP 10 - Catch a Falling Star - May 21, 1979. See more »Goofs
At KBHR, the needles on both of the illuminated VU meters (on the control board) do not move when Chris is talking or at any other time there is modulation. That would never be the case in a real radio station. See more »Quotes
Maurice Minnifield: Do you know what the motto of the state of Alaska is, Joel?Dr. Joel Fleischman: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"?
See more »
Alternate Versions
Only the first season retains the Universal Television logo on its DVD release, whereas further seasons edit out the logo. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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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.