The fourth season of Northern Exposure came to an end on 24 May, 1993 with Old Tree. Written by Diane Frolov and Robin Green, the final episode of the season focuses on an old tree, Vicky, that seems to be dying , everyone turns to Joel (Rob Morrow) for a diagnosis.

Maurice (Barry Corbin) is the only one who is happy to learn that Joel agrees the tree is dying. The town prepares for its death, and prepares a wake.

Maggie (Janine Turner) is rethinking her relationship with Joel but she may be overdoing it with all of the kindness she seems to be smothering him with. And causing him a number of accidents.

And in a strange twist, Shelly’s (Cynthia Geary) pregnancy caused her to wake up singing. Not talking, just singing.

Chris (John Corbett) gets a headset that doesn’t tie him to the radio station mic, and gives him some freedom around the studio.

There’s a lot of fun stuff to help wrap up the season, as Joel continued to settle into the wacky wildness that is Cicely. Everyone seems to get a moment. I like that Joel and Maggie try to find a balance in their relationship, just as Holling (John Cullum) and Shelly do, he joins her in a song.

It’s a delightful little episode, and after Vikcy comes down even Maurice realizes that something is missing, and works, like everyone else in the episode, to find balance, and plants a new life there.

Three Doctors opens the fifth season of the series on 20 September, 1993. The episode was written by Frolov and Andrew Schneider.

Ed (Darren E. Burrows) is trying to figure out why he keeps waking up in strange places, like up a tree. Is he sleep flying? Could he be called to be a shaman?

Joel is exhibiting strange symptoms but is wary to trust anyone else’s opinion, even Leonard’s (Graham Greene). It seems everyone in the town knows what it is, but he doesn’t believe them. They call it tundra fever or glacier dropsy.

The entire town turns out to check in on him, look after him, and tend to his needs despite the fact that he doesn’t believe in tundra fever. But that sure won’t stop the strange hallucinations and dreams he’s having.

And Shelly, she’s still singing. Is there a cure? Or maybe it will sing itself out? Something happens when she sings happy birthday and she’s just talking again. Leonard has an answer for that as well, and yes, it has to do with her pregnancy.

There’s a nice scene between Shelly and Ed as they attempt to reconcile the changes in their lives and what they may mean.

It’s a great way to open the season; great character bits and growth, continuity, all mixed to the wonderful eccentricity that is Cicely Alaska.