Rating: 
Summary: It's here, it's finally here, but............
Review: Ok, the first big problem is that when you put in side one of the two sided disc in your DVD player, it plays side 2. On top of that, they don't number the episodes, so at first I thought the pilot episode might be released at some future time. I got up and flipped it, and got my pilot, and the first couple of episodes. It is great to see the old episodes, and in high quality DVD. I am upset that they don't have it in widescreen, so it is a pain b/c I have to take my DVD player out of progressive scan, and re-configure my TV to play the old and outdated 4:3, I mean, they did film it, so they should have been able to put it in widescreen. A little pricey for a no frills DVD. Cute jacket, though.
Rating:
Summary: Best show ever, bad DVD release
Review: If you're a Northern fan, you can't not buy this. That said, the amount of work put into the production and packaging (aside from the cute parka) of this DVD is absolute minimal. No epsiode list?? Not even a sound track while viewing menus? AND I have to watch a preview?? I don't feel ripped off paying $40 for the first season only, as this is the best televison show ever created, but I do feel bad that Universal didn't put more of an effort into it. Cicely and her residents deserve better!
Rating:
Summary: 5 stars for the show, 1 star for the greed of Universal
Review: I can't help feeling cheaped off with this one - the dvds themselves are blank, shiny silver except for the tiny inner ring label. Episodes 3 and 4 are on side 1 of disc 1, so it's a safe bet that were no rocket scientists involved in the production process. The plastic dvd case is devoid of any booklet or insert, where's the episode list or liner notes? Just a little something to say thanks for blowing 50 bucks would have been ok - they didn't even bother to put some advertisement flyers in there. The little parka zipper case is damn cute, if gimmicky.So with that said, the transfer is effing beautiful, it's glorious to see the episodes in broadcast+ quality... and that's what really matters. The extra features and deleted scenes are great to see, I can't say how much I appreciate that they took the time to dig them up and include them. Is it worth the 40+ bucks? It really seems like it while you're watching, but as soon as you take the dvd out to put it back in the case, that sour taste creeps back into your mouth... like maybe you've been had a little. Considering the number of episodes and the total running time (features included), it really is hard to see how they came to the conclusion that 60 bucks was a good starting price tag to slap on. If Universal tries to pull the same stunt with (mini)Season Two, I'm afraid that sales will be so weak that they will scrap plans to put out any more seasons. I can't see a lot of people falling for the same trick twice, especially after they've already gotten a fix.
Rating: 
Summary: Great show, waaay too expensive DVD release
Review: I probably don't have to sell anyone on the quality of Northern Exposure. It was a simply charming and wonderfully entertaining show. For its content it deserves every star. But I just bought from Amazon the 22 full episodes of the second season of West Wing for $39, the 22 second season episodes of ER for about the same, and the 18 episodes of cruelly cancelled Freaks and Geeks for just a bit more. Those shows were pretty high-quality too. And Universal wants to charge me that much for the *eight* NX first season episodes? Not in this life, fellas. I'll just rent the NX shows, recognizing that this could damage the prospects of further Northern Exposure releases. That would be a shame, but you've got to throttle this kind of greed right in its tracks if you don't want to see more of it.
Rating:
Summary: Five Stars Period
Review: I just received notice that I will be getting my DVD soon. I haven't even watched it and I'm giving it FIVE STARS! Even 8 episodes is worth the $41.00 I paid. As others have said, so well and descriptively....this show....this show...well...it seems to have fallen right out of heaven! I truly CAN'T IMAGINE living without it. Yes, I have most episodes on tape, but with commercials. God, is it going to be sooooo slamming to watch uninterrupted. Three things matter the most to me in my existence on this here "Planet X" (as Chris would say) and this piece of art is one of those three things. Yes...I want the DVD's tossed in my casket with me...or creamated with me. Northern Exposure, although I didn't create it, is a major part of me. Deep, deep THANKS to all who did create this breathtaking jewel, especially the writers AND the CASTING DIRECTOR and UNIVERSAL!!!
5/27 - I received my package....it is Adorable...especially the little silver moose hanging on the zipper. The other flaws that others have mentioned, are way minor to me. Lest we take out eyes off the prize. I am set for life now..."Sometimes, sometimes Ed, you just gotta do something bad, to know you are alive." Kesho Ya'll!
Rating:
Summary: Great show... poor packaging.
Review: Having not seen this show in years I was concerned that it might not pass the test of time. No worries! We started with "Dreams, Schemes and Putting Greens" where Shelly and Hollings discover they are pregnant; it brought us laughter and tears of joy again like no other TV series ever has. It has genuine character development and some actual depth. These days TV is too often only a string of innuendoes and one liners; thought provoking situations? new and multiple perspectives? Thank you for Northern Exposure! The reason this DVD has lost rating points for me is design and packaging. There is an embedded commercial at the beginning of side 2 that cannot be stopped, paused, or skipped. At a suggested list price of 59.99 that is an expensive commercial. Also, there is not one printed word regarding episode titles, or week aired. I had to make my own table of contents insert. As an ending note: the show itself is as awesome as ever and deserves all 5 stars!
Rating:
Summary: Packaging Problems
Review: The show rates about a gajillion stars out of five, but when my set arrived it was defective, containing TWO copies of disk #2 and NO copy of disk #1. So I'm having to go through the process of returning for exchange, etc, and wondering how many copies of this set Universal screwed up. Also, the box they've chosen to package these double-sided disks in is wildly inappropriate -- I noticed that one of the disks was already badly scuffed because it had come into direct contact with the hard plastic flap that holds the other disk. Hoping that that the post office won't shake up my replacement set too much. I'm sure the disks will be great when I finally get to see them...
Rating: 
Summary: Flip the Disc Over !!!
Review: Yes it's true the first season is only 8 episodes long ( I wish they had put 3 seasons on one disc) , however, do you know how long true NX fans have been waiting for this ? We've had to sit and watch all the other crummy shows with low level talent be placed into the digital realm while we wear our VHS tapes out ..... All that being said .....Yes the extras are a little thin, yes there is no episode guide inside the case....but the impact of this show far outweighs the little extras that we have been so accustomed to. Quality does not mean quantity. Oh and by the way, the pilot is on the other side of the disc....Flip it over...and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the wait!
Review: At long last, the DVD has arrived at my door step. A carnage of plastic and cardboard surrounded my front stoop and neighbors were startled by my shrieking. Disk 1, side 1 whisked into my DVD player - it's like viewing ithe Pilot for the first time. DVD technology allows you to see and hear things you haven't seen or heard before in crystal clear clarity. The extras make it even better. I may be the biggest NX fan ever (www.moosechick.com) so I may be a little biased but I am very happy with Northern Exposure - The Complete First Season. The cost is worth the complete series and the original music (the cost reflects the necessary fees and rights to use this music). Looking forward to the rest of the series!
Rating:
Summary: It's the music, people...
Review: Yes, this is a lot to pay for eight episodes and a few bonus features. But it isn't Universal being greedy. It's all because of the music licenses for the songs used in the episodes. Back when all the contracts were written for "NE," there was no market for series on DVD, there wasn't even DVD. So they've had to go back and license the use of the various songs all over again, which costs more money, which means a more expensive DVD. Remember how the syndicated runs of "WKRP" suddenly had generic music or even anonymous cover versions of songs? And any mention of a song they were about to play was artfully edited down? Same reason. But the people behind "NE" always had particular tastes in music, always picked just the right song, often identified songs in dialogue, and they care enough now to make sure that the show we all originally fell in love with stays intact, music and all. For my money, it's worth a little extra to hear Etta James herself singing "At Last" while they dance. Why only four stars? Great show, bland packaging, okay extras. Nothing special in the extra features, but they could have provided an insert, if not a booklet, listing the contents of each disc. And packaging the case in a down jacket? Spend a little less on the useless packaging, save the money for the music, maybe bring the price down a little bit. Hopefully, they won't continue putting the future seasons in parkas.
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