Northern Exposure - The Complete First Season

Rating:
Summary: The very best tv show; the worst presentation
Review: I agree with the other reviewers who thought: At last! My favorite show, characters I will never forget and now don't have to. The episodes are there, so I am happy. But, except for the neat zip-up parka packaging, the producers of this set should be ashamed of themselves.
Surely they could have included more outtakes, commentaries, etc., like all the other DVD's out there. The very least, they should have included a package insert listing the episodes with their synopses. For the price, this is the cheapestly produced DVD set I've yet to see.
If not for that, I'd have given it five stars.


Rating:
Summary: Greetings From Cicely, Alaska..Wish You Were Here!..
Review: This review refers to the DVD edition of "Northern Exposure - Season One"(2 discs - Universal)...

Chris in the Morning...the one and only DJ at the little radio station (KBHR), in Cicely, Alaska is about to give the traffic report..."Maggie O'Connell just drove down Main St, and she's going a little too fast". That about sums up the pace of this little remote town, elevation 6,572, that with the addition of Dr. Joel Fleischman, newly arrived from New York City, has a population of 215 quirky, but very lovable residents.

Dr. Fleischman(Rob Morrow) is being held against his will. Going through medical school with the financial help of the good people of the state of Alaska(as he is constantly reminded), he is now committed to serve his time...a few years of medical services in return for his Columbia University education. It won't be so bad...a condo in Anchorage, golfing on the weekends, a nice office in the city..but wait..hold the phone...instead of Anchorage, he's roped into serving his time in Cicely!

As Joel tries everything to find some loop-hole in his contract, you will fall more in love with the wonderful characters and the beautiful surroundings with each episode. And...you'll have lots of laughs doing it. He is like a fish out of water as this big city yuppie deals with the everyday happenings in Cicely. "I'M A DOCTOR", he says over and over, as he contends with wild animals, plumbing problems, the wilderness, and interacts in the seemingly odd lives of the residents.

There are only 8 episodes in this first seasons, but in those stories you will find some of the best writing TV has to offer.
You can't help but to become attached to the residents. From the native Indians, to the ex-astronaut, the beauty queen, and to the folks who just found themselves there, wanting to start a new life and stayed. And apparently, Dr. Fleischman can't help it either, as by the end of this season we see he has begun to warm to them and has started to discover the beauty of his surroundings as well.

The story lines will definatly keep a smile on your face. There is even the start of some great romantic tension between the Doc and Maggie(the local bush pilot, who also happens to be Joel's landlady).The cast is a marvelous ensemble. It includes Janine Turner, Barry Corbin and John Corbett.

Okay, The DVD pacakaging....There wasn't anything about it that would make me take off a star from this wonderful program. I was so invloved with the stories, the characters and the scenery, I didn't notice any music missing(If I didnt read about that, I wouldn't of even known). The catchy theme music is there, along with music from KHBR. The discs are 2 sided with 2 episodes on each side. Also included are deleted scenes and outtakes(maybe would have been nice to have a few interviews with cast members or the creators, hopefully these will be included on future releases). The picture is beautiful, the sound is in DD2.0 surround, and there are captions in English for those who need them(this is always a plus in my book). It may also be viewed with French or Spanish subtitles. One thing I might have liked would be an insert with info about episode placements(which disc and which side they are on). Total running time is 6 hrs. 24 mins.

If you are a fan, you will enjoy reliving some time in Cicely with the Doc, Holling and Shelly, Chris, Ed, Maurice, Marilyn, Maggie, and one very large moose! If you have never seen this and are looking for some really fine entertainment, you will find that here...but..be careful, you may want to pack it all in and move there!

enjoy...Laurie