I adored Northern Exposure whenever I came across an episode on television, and totally dug Chris-In-The-Morning (John Corbett), but I never watched the series from beginning to end. So it’s time to dig in to the classic series.

Rob Morrow stars as Dr. Joel Fleischman. He’s had his med school paid for by the state of Alaska with the understanding that he would work there for four years in return. On his arrival in Anchorage, he’s told he’s not needed there, so his plans are completely upset when he is sent to the small town of Cicely, Alaska to look after the unique characters who inhabit the town.

The pilot episode was written by the series creators, Joshua Brand and John Falsey. It was first broadcast on 12 July, 1990. Both the first and second season were shortened seasons as it began to find its groove.

Joel, and the viewers are dumbstruck by what he finds in Cicely, and the wonderful characters may find their way into viewers’ hearts, but it may take Joel a little longer.

He reports to Maurice J. Minnifield (Barry Corbin), a retired astronaut and town entrepreneur and de facto mayor who won’t let Joel out of his contract. Things aren’t all bad, because he meets his landlady, the town pilot, Maggie (Janine Turner).

He tries to understand the dynamics of the town even as he struggles to get out of his contract and make his escape. He hangs out in the local bar, run by Holling (John Cullum), awaiting a call that will free him. Along the way he encounters Ed (Darren E. Burrows), Marilyn (Elaine Miles), and Holling’s younger girlfriend, Shelly (Cynthia Geary) – who was supposed to marry Maurice until she met Holling.

Realizing he’s stuck here, Joel is furious, cynical, and refuses to play nice with the locals

Eccentric characters, moments, and great dialogue round out a stellar first episode

Brains, Know-How and Native Intelligence opens with Chris doing what he does, broadcasting his thoughts to Cicely from the radio station.

The episode first aired on 19 July, 1990 and was written by Stuart Stevens.

Ed comes to Joel for help for his uncle (Frank Salsedo), who is a witch doctor, Chris’ rambling on air gets him fired by Maurice when he takes on the subject of Walt Whitman.

Joel is dealing with a number of personal issues in his new, rustic digs. It seems his toilet and shower don’t work. He can either swallow his pride in his interactions with her, or maybe jump in the lake?

Resigning himself to the fact that he may be stuck here, he’s going to have to learn how to deal with things, and the people.

But he just can’t get a read on any of them, however, maybe he can help Ed’s uncle, and maybe, just maybe, he can start to connect with Maggie.

At a town meeting, everyone stands against Maurice and his showtunes on the air and demand that Chris gets reinstated.

The whole episode is about pride getting in the way of everyone doing the right thing. Ed’s uncle, Joel not dealing properly with Maggie, and Maurice’s treatment of Chris.

Most things will sort out by the end of the episode, and Joel will continue to settle into Cicely. Let’s see how it plays out for the town next time. I’m already enjoying my time in Cicely, and catching up with old friends, and seeing more of their story than I did when it first aired.

Damn fun.