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Season 1 – Northern Exposure

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Northern Exposure Jul 1990 Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Dr. Joel Fleischman graduates from Columbia University medical school and is assigned to work in the tiny Alaskan town of Cicely to pay for his education. The location is remote, the people are weird, and Joel just wants to return to New York. And yet, the people of Cicely -- particularly pilot Maggie O'Connell -- begin to grow on him.
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Northern Exposure — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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Howard Rosenberg Los Angeles Times 09/17/2018
Morrow could not be better as Fleischman, a devotee of the great indoors now roughing it in the Great Northwest, his eyes holding a hint of terror as he beds down in his cabin each night grasping a golf club to fight off rats. Go to Full Review Noel Murray AV Club 09/17/2018
But what made Northern Exposure exceptional then and now was the way it defied genre. Go to Full Review Elena Lazic Little White Lies 09/17/2018
But what makes Northern Exposure so special is that despite showing these characters dealing with emotions they struggle to understand themselves, it does not take their concerns seriously. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 02/03/2024
Quirky, clever, and easy-going, the hour-long dramedy launched with an abbreviated try-out run that established its offbeat sense of humor and eclectic community. Go to Full Review Sara Martínez Ruiz Espinof 05/01/2023
... The series retains a prodigious validity that amazingly connects our parents' generation with ours. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review David Hiltbrand People Magazine 09/17/2018
B
It's a simple setup: how woefully out-of-place this over-amped self-absorbed guy is in a rural setting. But the series is stocked with good actors playing vivid characters in a realistic environment. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Freddy C. @Snoopy851 Jun 5 Irreverent and original, the show hinges very well on fish out of water Jewish Doctor from NYC thrown into rural Alaska. The show slipped as time wore on through an absolutely dreadful final season. See more Dawn K @RT17822887 06/06/2025 This has been my favorite show my entire life. Finally we can see it again after all these years on Amazon. It seems better now than it was when I watched it 25 years ago. The cast, acting and scenery are 5 star. See more ggbwick T @RT79135978 10/23/2024 As was often the case this first season had to prove itself before the budget got expanded. This means some of the first season is a bit flaky in terms.of.the number of cameras and production etc, but if this puts you off, PLEASE STICK WITH IT. This show's possibly the most rewarding viewing experience of the 90's. Genuinely engaging characters, great dialogue and an endless well of microdramas lead to a wholly satisfying and engrossing viewing experience. 2024 audiences might feel impatient for faster and more obvious story arcs, but that's a point in NE's favour. Let it take you and you will be rewarded. See more Mike P @RT09890132 04/03/2024 Over-rated early 90s medical comedy drama; is basically a reheated version of Green Acres. See more steve d @RT35616104 07/26/2020 It's entire cast have great chemistry and it is a lot of fun. See more Dani M @matyd 05/02/2020 One of the most original, humorous and heartfelt shows of all time. See more Read all reviews
Northern Exposure — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Joshua Brand

Creator

John Falsey

Creator

Rob Morrow

Dr. Joel Fleischman

Janine Turner

Maggie O'Connell

John Corbett

Chris Stevens

Cynthia Geary

Shelly Marie Tambo

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jul 12, 1990 Pilot Joel tries to adjust to his new surroundings while looking for a loophole in his contract with the state. Details Episode 2 Aired Jul 19, 1990 Brains, Know-How and Native Intelligence Joel's ineptitude at plumbing contrasts with his skill at treating a proud, recalcitrant medicine man. Details Episode 3 Aired Jul 26, 1990 Soapy Sanderson Maggie sees Joel in a new light when he donates inherited land to the Indians, then learns of his ulterior motive. Details Episode 4 Aired Aug 2, 1990 Dreams and Schemes and Putting Greens Holling leaves an expectant Shelly waiting at the altar; Joel convinces some Japanese investors to buy his way out of Cicely. Details Episode 5 Aired Aug 9, 1990 Russian Flu A flu epidemic in Cicely spoils Joel's romantic reunion with his visiting fiancée, Elaine, who is befriended by Maggie. Details Episode 6 Aired Aug 16, 1990 Sex, Lies and Ed's Tapes A shocked Holling learns that Shelly is married when her husband arrives in Cicely to ask for a divorce; Ed attempts to write a blockbuster movie. Details Episode 7 Aired Aug 30, 1990 A Kodiak Moment When Maurice realizes he has no heir, he asks Chris to become his son; Maggie helps Joel teach childbirth classes. Details Episode 8 Aired Aug 30, 1990 The Aurora Borealis: A Fairy Tale for Big People Joel claims to have been rescued by a legendary Bigfootlike creature; Chris becomes friends with an artist who turns out to be his brother. Details

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Northern Exposure — Season 1

Northern Exposure Northern Exposure Northern Exposure View more photos

Season Info

Director
Peter O'Fallon, Stephen Cragg, Sandy Smolan, Max Tash
Creator
Joshua Brand, John Falsey
Executive Producer
David Chase, Andrew Schneider, Diane Frolov, Joshua Brand, John Falsey
Screenwriter
Joshua Brand, Charles Rosin, Stuart Stevens, Patrick Sean Clark, David Assael, Karen Hall, Jessica Klein, John Falsey, Steve Wasserman
Network
CBS
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jul 12, 1990