The excellent Northern Exposure discussion thread! by chrisisall

OTHER SCIENCE FICTION SERIES

The excellent Northern Exposure discussion thread!

POSTED BY: CHRISISALL
UPDATED: Tuesday, November 8, 2005 08:14
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VIEWED: 3808
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Thursday, November 3, 2005 8:37 AM

Z and S, this one's for you!

Overpriced, but brilliant, not all seasons are on dvd as of yet.

And remember, the moose is the real star of the show.

Chrisinthemorning

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Thursday, November 3, 2005 8:41 AM

SAFEAT2ND

I've got the first two (orange and yellow jacketed) box sets. And I agree, WAY too overpriced.

Quirky show. I like Adam Arkin's role the best.

Safeat2nd, Chief Handyman of Destiny

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Thursday, November 3, 2005 8:48 AM

EMBERS

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
And remember, the moose is the real star of the show.

interesting...
I always thought that the sun was the real star of the show
there were so many stories that (rightly)
centered around the lack of sun during the long winter
and the continuous sun of the short summer...
I always loved the emphisis of the seasons on the people in 'Northern Exposure'

actually the title kind of supports my position,
I mean, I think Joss named the TV show 'Firefly' and the movie 'Serenity' because he wanted us to realize that the ship is the central character...
it is what protects them from the black
and binds the crew together as a family.
And I suspect that 'Northern Exposure' was given that name because the extreme North really does create an alien landscape....

(okay, I get that you were joking about the moose, but I'm serious about the sun...)

**********************************************
watch the R. Tam Session vids: http://www.hittarivertam.nu/
and buy the 'Serenity' comics published by Dark Horse,
and have you joined the Browncoats yet?
http://browncoats.serenitymovie.com/serenity/?fuseaction=tools.invlink
&u=embers&linkID=36

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Thursday, November 3, 2005 8:57 AM

CHRISISALL

Interesting point about the 'alien ' landscape.

I always thought that Northern Exposure was a joke on the thing of people always wanting a southern exposure in their kitchen to catch the sun in the morning, and in Alaska, a southern exposure wouldn't make that much of a difference, i. e. everyone has a 'northern exposure'.

Chrisonthethread

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Thursday, November 3, 2005 9:04 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by safeat2nd:
I like Adam Arkin's role the best.

I was gonna say something about Adam, but we have to watch the spoilers here, Zoot might be along any minute, and she just started lookin' at it.

But yeah, he was a hoot and a half.

FF sort of reminds me of NE in that the characters are sort of a family and all have their quirks and personal dramas. Also the writing was of such a high calibur (like Vera)

Chrisisallexposed

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Thursday, November 3, 2005 9:11 AM

SAFEAT2ND

Add that to the unpolished feel and look of the show, same as Firefly.

I have to admit, some of the storylines were a bit...out there.

Safeat2nd, Chief Handyman of Destiny

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Thursday, November 3, 2005 9:21 AM

CALLMESERENITY

I love NE. I've got the first 3 seasons on DVD (I was really annoyed that I couldn't find a season 3 with a parka. I love the parkas!)

It was overpriced, but I used to watch reruns on A&E for years until they stopped showing it, so I just HAD to have them. Anyone know when season 4 is coming out?

Serenity, First Officer of Destiny

I have a live journal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/callmeserenity/

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Thursday, November 3, 2005 9:32 AM

ODDNESS2HER

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Interesting point about the 'alien ' landscape.

I always thought that Northern Exposure was a joke on the thing of people always wanting a southern exposure in their kitchen to catch the sun in the morning, and in Alaska, a southern exposure wouldn't make that much of a difference, i. e. everyone has a 'northern exposure'.

Chrisonthethread

There are several ways to interpret the title. It also refers to Joel's exposure to people and a way of life that are far outside his previous experience.

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Friday, November 4, 2005 11:25 PM

SIMONSAYS

Quote:
Originally posted by safeat2nd:
Add that to the unpolished feel and look of the show, same as Firefly.

I have to admit, some of the storylines were a bit...out there.

Safeat2nd, Chief Handyman of Destiny

Northern Exposure was an awesome show! They filmed it in a little town in Washington. I had planned a trip up there to see the town and then they cancelled the show!

Remember what LOUIS VUITTON said: "It's in the bag!"

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Monday, November 7, 2005 6:24 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Loved N.E. Almost too much, for a number of reasons. Great stuff, except for the latter episodes. Once Joel moved out into the sticks..... I digress.

One thing I never undestood. The locals up in Alaska, it is said, HATED that N.E. They called it their 'Dukes of Hazzard'. Now, I'm born and raised in GA, and have never watched a full episode of DoH. It's just too horrible for me. Sorry, I'm just not inbred, nor play a banjo,chew tabacky, etc... But N.E., that to me was brilliant writing, and I flat out disagreee w/ anyone who tries to compare it to DoH. Sorry, it's far better. Far, FAR better.

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Monday, November 7, 2005 7:27 PM

LIMINALOSITY

What? Northern Exposure is an 'other science fiction series'? Ok, I'll bite.

Great show. Chris in the morning is the philosopher god. Loved the (ooh it's been a long time) kid who wanted to be a filmaker. Adam Arkin and his woman. Marilyn! Each of the characters was so eccentric and human, NE was a wonderful place. Developmental arcs everywhere. I love it that they were always willing to take big chances, even when I wasn't crazy about a particular phase of the show, I appreciate that they were always willing to get their butts way out on the edge.

The weather and the seasons and many of the locations were as much characters in their own right as any of the humans. I lived in MN for a long time; when you live in a place where the weather can kill you pretty quickly, all kinds of indoor spaces achieve pet-like, special friend status. I liked it that they played on that.

Thanks to viral marketing...SERENITY: reopening soon in a theater near you.
Shiny Trees! Yavanna made Shiny Trees!

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 12:38 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Z and S, this one's for you!

Overpriced, but brilliant, not all seasons are on dvd as of yet.

And remember, the moose is the real star of the show.

Chrisinthemorning

Big 'C'

How'd I miss this!!!!

Cheers you dawg you, nice thread :)

'Mort the moose' bless him.

I remember when I first watched the show and he appeared, it immediately alerted me to the fact that this was going to be different.

...and so it was.

Ok must read what everyone's got to say.

Cheers Chrisisall.

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 12:48 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

OK what to say about Northern Exposure without giving away too much......

Basically the writing was utterly unique. I once tried to encourage my friend to watch it and he said
"So what happens?" and I was like well
"Nothing really...It's just a cozy thing to sit down to"

it almost feels like you're sitting in front of an open fire warming your toes. Snuggled up to your 'main squeeze' keeping warm together....

The characters were genius from 'Chris in the morning' to "Born to Bingo" jumper wearing Peg, who ran the local convenience store

It was sublimely lyrical on occasions and also beautifully poignant - even though you may never have experienced sub-zero temperatures!

Anyone remember when the circus came to town? That was a wonderful show - would have made a great film!!!!

Ok I won't go on coz I could easily with this show! However one thing to say.

'A ladder in the middle of the street'
:)

Cheers
The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 1:21 AM

SUNDANCE

Speaking of NE - which i loved, but it was always on really late in the UK (when i was younger and had to go to bed earlier!) I loved the guy in the hermetically sealed environment - you know the one that was in ER and Top Gun - not doing well on actual names today. Hang on Anthony Edwards that's it got it!!

Has anyone see the Rrrrubbidsh N3mbers (is that how you spell it), it has Rob Morrow, Mr Universe, that guy from Ali Mcsqueel and that chick from Sliders in it and that token Jewish guy (sorry no offence meant - don't know his name) in it. It was on ITV (UK channel) at 11.30 last night and it was uh.. crappo.

xxx

"Who would want a motorised rock?
Another motorised rock?"

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 1:40 AM

ZOOT

Ah, Mr CIA, you are a generous man!

Can’t believe that, like the Somnambulist, I have only just seen this thread!!

I am on series 3 (green box set) …

I too LOVE Adam Arkin – although I keep seeing him as the psychiatrist who psychoanalyses both Josh and the President in the West Wing!!!

I loved all the characters but the Rob Morrow character was both the genius of the show and the thing I have problems with (on separate and distinct levels, you understand) …

1) I love that the character who really is the hub of the show – in that you tend to see everything through his eyes (we’re outsiders and new comers watching it, and so after all is Joel) – I love it that he is so fatally flawed in so many ways, like we all are, but we love him anyhow …
2) My problem is, I suspect, although this is going a little deep, that my character is very similar to Joel’s and that’s what makes me squirm. He is so fundamentally snobby (intellectually and actually) and I can’t help but dislike him a little bit … I feel this distances me from the show as I can’t wholeheartedly get behind him and I kinda don’t want Maggie to end up with him, which I feel I’m supposed to want …

Interestingly enough I didn’t realise there were so many series of the show … I imagine like most TV shows after the first couple of seasons it starts to get either silly or the main characters start to desert it … I guess with only, oh, I don’t know, however many finite plots there are in the world, most series get to the end after a couple of seasons and then just have to start from the beginning again (I exclude Buffy, one show that in many ways GOT BETTER once it had left the first couple of season behind) …

***************************************

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 2:00 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Hey Zoot

I hear you about Joel. My only gripe about this show was to do with him also... in the way Scully never seemed to develop during the course of the seasons for X files, Joel was pretty much the same. One week he appeared to embrace the quirky aspects of Cicely and then the following week a lesser event would once again have him going all 'New Yoik' angst. That could be a little frustrating... However I think what was great about Northern Exposure was how superb the secondary and sometimes tertiary characters could be.

Dave - they fry cook
Peg - the convenience store owner
The police seargent - forgotten her name
Adam and Eve - he,he
Walt
Bernard

And many many more.

Actually I read James Marsters appears in one, which I missed first time around on account of Buffy not having been made yet, but It'd be interesting to see him in it again, knowing what we know about him now.

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 2:17 AM

ZOOT

I KNOW I would have noticed if I'd seen JM and I haven't yet - half way through series 3 ... will be intersting to see him without a bumpy face ...

And I agree with you re Joel - but yes, Ed and the other ensemble characters are phenomenal ... I really love Chris' black brother (name forgotten) ...

***************************************

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 2:26 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

That'd be Bernard - he's great!!! Always liked what they did with those two.

Have a similar thing with my brother and I so it always struck a cord with me. Found the whole thing too, too touching.

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 3:55 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by Zoot:
I imagine like most TV shows after the first couple of seasons it starts to get either silly or the main characters start to desert it … I guess with only, oh, I don’t know, however many finite plots there are in the world, most series get to the end after a couple of seasons and then just have to start from the beginning again

I thought NE maintained a high quality for the first four series, then dipped ever-so-slightly during some of five, and six was totally hit and miss, some shows good, some just unnecessary. But like Buffy, no shows ever worse than normal tv faire.

Chrisisall

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 3:59 AM

CHRISISALL

Hey Somnambulist, how would you rate the series? Did you think it stayed interesting through six? Should Zoot get 'em all, or stop with five?

Chrisisall

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 4:04 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by liminalosity:
What? Northern Exposure is an 'other science fiction series'?

It's Stranger In a Strange Land, only humaned-down to people in a mythical city in Alaska!

Chrisisall

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 4:39 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Hey Somnambulist, how would you rate the series? Did you think it stayed interesting through six? Should Zoot get 'em all, or stop with five?

Chrisisall

Good question Big 'C'

I'd have to say leave it at season five, but I know that'll be impossible to stick to.

While I didn't enjoy where six ultimately ended I spoke to a few people who were happy with what they [shows producers] did (I know!!! Can you believe that Chrisisall???!!!) still there you go. Maybe on repeat viewing it may make sense but I doubt it....

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 4:51 AM

CHRISISALL

I remember my wife and I being almost in tears during the last season. "What did they do to our show...?"

Cisely: the Stepford years

Chrisisall

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 5:13 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Oh I hear ya bud - I think we're talking about the same thing here aren't we... tis a shame indeed.

For my own sake I tend to regard the show as complete when :

Select to view spoiler:

Joel and Maggie go on that hunt for that lost city. Which then leads to Joels exit from the show - moving stuff indeed.

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 5:58 AM

CHRISISALL

My memory of it was

Select to view spoiler:

Joel left, then there was this guy who replaced him, and I just cringed every ep. All the other characters were running on fumes without Joel. It was like they got replaced by pod people, it was them, but not really... Joel's exit should have been the finale, even if it was mid-season or whatever.

Anyway, I sort of erased that part of the series from my mind. And it's kind of why I don't plan to get the sixth season, I'd buy it for only a very few shows.

Chrisisall

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 6:22 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

That's it exactly Chrisisall!

Select to view spoiler:

I felt sorry for that actor - I dare say he would read his script and go "Can I do it my way, and not do an impersonation of Rob Morrow? PLEASE!!!!"

I too will be leaving six well alone.

The
Somnambulist.

www.cirqus.com

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 8:14 AM

LIMINALOSITY

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
It's Stranger In a Strange Land, only humaned-down to people in a mythical city in Alaska!

*putting on jacket to go to the bookstore*
It figures there would be an actual answer, and that you would know it, but don't go gettin' allswollheaded.

I have a friend who will get together to watch NE (he hasn't seen it before). We did BTVS, FF and are just about to watch season 5 of Angel. This will be a good thing.

[spoiler}Season 6, poor season 6. It's always the worst when you see the 'I can't believe they're making me say this' looks of betrayal and disgust on the actor's faces.

Thanks to viral marketing...SERENITY: reopening soon in a theater near you.
Shiny Trees! Yavanna made Shiny Trees!

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