Through the magic of Ed’s (Darren E. Burrows) film making, and Marilyn’s (Elaine Miles) storytelling we get a look at a legend of Cicely. Set in the 1900s, the regular cast take on other but familiar roles as Marilyn relates a tale of how the Romanovs came to Alaska.

Written by Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, the episode was first broadcast on 31 October, 1994.

Anastasia (Tushka Bergen) and Lenin (Christopher Neame) meet in Cicely to discuss a possible return to Lenin’s Russia. Traveling with Anastasia is a familiar face, Maggie (Janine Turner) and in Lenin’s camp, Joel (Rob Morrow).

Holling (John Cullum) and Shelley (Cynthia Geary) are still running the local bar, Maurice (Barry Corbin) is the richest man, and Chris (John Corbett) is a philosophical preacher.

And Ed, his alter-ego falls for Anastasia. It’s a nice, little romantic tale that you know can’t end well.

We explore ideas of the turn of the century, like music (jazz) and new machines and motors, and weaving around them are familiar character interactions, all lovingly shot with a sepia tone to the film.

It’s a different kind of episode, but it works because Northern Exposure has always had eccentric stories and characters, and they have a history of different kinds of episodes.

I do like the idea of how much things change, the more they stay the same. At least in familiar stories like we have here.

It’s also really nice to see Burrows get to have a romance, and it seems that no matter when Maggie and Joel are, they will always have chemistry and a destiny together.

Full Upright Position debuted on 7 November, 1994 and was written by Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess.

Maurice’s young cousin, also named Maurice (Trevor Bullock), arrives and the elder Maurice is hoping to mentor him. Maurice the senior is less than impressed with the young man, who is eager to live his life, and isn’t super keen on Maurice’s style, he’s smart but also makes simple mistakes that cause grief between the two.

And Maurice reams out young Maurice in front of everyone at The Brick. Ruth-Anne (Peg Phillips) gives Maurce elder grief over it and he gets snooty over all of it. Will he come around to everyone else’s way of thinking? And is it all about Maurice wanting an actual heir and a family?

Joel and Maggie find themselves stuck on a grounded, smoke-filled plan to Russia. This is the first time the pair are planning on going away together, and that is going to be a trial for the pair of them. Before the plane even takes off, they learn that they are going to be stuck on the runway for awhile, and the plan has none of the amenities with which they are familiar.

Joel is a complainer, and Maggie is a little more peaceful, but his complaining really gets to her. Not to mention his know-it-all attitude. And everyone SMOKES.

The pair have mini clashes, and discussions, attempting to be honest with one another, but the confines and the environment are getting to them. And as things escalate, there are arguments, lots of grief, and Joel proposes!! Will it take or will they settle for living together first?

Chris takes a sudden interest in electrical projects when he gets a static shock from his microphone. This causes him to go down the rabbit hole with experiments and explorations. He wants to find a way into it, but he can’t find it. Will he be able to pursue this muse? Will he be able to create?

As charming as the previous episode was, this one is much more fun.