Up River was written by Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, and it first aired on 14 November, 1994.

Maurice (Barry Corbin) sends Ed (Darren E. Burrows) up river to find Joel (Rob Morrow) after Maggie (Janine Turner) asked him to move out. And that’s sad, because they seemed on the edge of some serious potential at the end of the previous episode. So what happened?

Well, they have some minor clashes as they tried to settle into their new domestic situation. Cleaning up in the bedroom, using their first names, a loaded gun in the bedroom. In fact, it seems that every time they start to become intimate, a gun goes off – symbolic?

And Maggie also realizes that Joel exhausts her because he never stops. He’s always a lot, and it never stops. So she needs her space, and… her life to be her own?

Meanwhile, a contractor, Willie (Gary Basaraba) mucks up Chris’ (John Corbett) trailer renovations. And he had such big plans! And the constant living in chaos is pushing Chris to his breaking point.

Ruth-Anne (Peg Phillips) is very much in love it seems, because she’s pining for Walt (Moultrie Patten) who is deep in the woods checking traps. This is something she didn’t realize when he was leaving The Brick and bidding goodbye. She struggles with it, but finally admits to it, and when he comes back early, at her request, they get a perfect little ending.

Frolov and Schneider have written a large portion of the show, but the joyous joie de vivre that filled the earlier seasons seems to have faded a bit. The characters are all still there, but aren’t given as much attention as they used to, and honestly, I’m not a fab of how things are playing out for Maggie and Joel.

And despite the set-up, Joel remains up river, at a remote village as the episode closes out. This is only episode 8 of the final season. Is he done? Will we see him again?

Sons of the Tundra sees a new doctor and his family arriving in town! Written by Jeff Melvoin, this episode was first broadcast on 28 November, 1994.

Dr. Phillip Capra (Paul Provenza) and his wife, Michelle (Teri Polo) are on their way to Cicely ready to take over the practice. They are very enthusiastic at the start, but as the reality of what Cicely, Alaska is and means, they begin to be a little unsure of things.

Holling (John Cullum) learns that Maurice is part of an exclusive club Sons of the Tundra and is rather envious, as he wants in. So he practically invites himself, through Maurice, to the next dinner. Shelly (Cynthia Geary) is less than impressed that the club doesn’t allow women. And will he be voted in to the club?

Ed, just trying to enjoy a meal, ends up eating a spirit trout, and is able to live events before they happen. I like the eccentric side of the stories coming back. He begins to wrestle with the implication of changing future events, or if things should progress naturally.

And Joel shows up for a quick appearance, chatting and trading with Holling for Holling’s hunting knife.

And over the course of two episodes, we are only given a glimpse of Marilyn (Elaine Miles) which seems a waste, as she is such a joyous character.

So, is the new doctor going to stay? A good episode, but nowhere near as charming as the series when it first got underway.