Soapy Sanderson is the first episode up for Northern Exposure this week. Written by Karen Hall from a story by Hall and Jerry Stahl. It first aired on 26 July, 1990.

Soapy Sanderson (John McLiam) gets flown into town by Maggie (Janine Turner) to see the doctor about his worsening condition following a broken hip. Joel (Rob Morrow) gives him some serious medical advice, including moving into town, or with someone else if something should happen to him.

Unfortunately, Soapy ignores him completely and when he passes Joel and Maggie are stunned to learn they are executors of his estate, which is populated by several wolves. Janine wants to turn it into an animal preserve for the wolves, while Joel thinks about a tax shelter.

Soapy also leaves them a journal and a bottle of wine that almost lets the pair discover a romantic moment together. They both realize that there may be something there, but when Maggie discovers Joel’s plan for land it blows it all up.

As the episode progresses they try and sort out their problems as all of Cicely tries to deal with the loss of Soapy.

Meanwhile, Ed (Darren E. Burrows) deals with a documentary crew that has come to Cicely to shoot a film about Soapy, who we learn was a college professor. As Ed shows them around, he is delighted to share his love of film with them, and gets involved in the making of the doc as the entire town is interviewed. He also realizes he may have found his calling.

And Joel’s phone relationship with the unseen Elaine in New York continues, but he and Maggie seem made for each other, and it’s going to be fun watching their relationship develop.

Dreams, Schemes and Putting Greens first aired on 2 August, 1990 and was written by Patrick Sean Clark.

While Joel and Maurice (Barry Corbin) entertain some Japanese investors who are visiting the town as a possible location for a resort, the town learns that Shelly (Cynthia Geary) is pregnant, and the consensus is that she and Holling (John Cullum) need to get married.

Holling loves Shelly, but he’s worried because both his father and his grandfather lost their spouses young in the marriage, and spend the rest of their lives alone. He’s afraid that if he and Shelly get married the same thing will happen to him.

Maurice is asked to sing at the wedding though he still hopes Shelly will come back to him. Chris (John Corbett) is set to officiate and both Maggie and Janine get pulled into the wedding party. Everyone is waiting for Holling to arrive, but he’s taken off and can’t be found. Will he be able to let go of his family past and embrace his new future? Or will the couple find their own way to take care of things and each other?

It’s a cute and fun episode, and we’re getting to spend time with all the characters in Cicely, we’ll see what happens with them next week.