Northern Exposure Season Three

 

Season One had 8 episodes. Season Two only had 7. But Season Three? 23. I guess somebody finally decided that this thing was worth doing.

Which is kind of funny, because from the 5th episode of Season One until the last episode of Season Two, I thought this show was really hitting it. But the first three episodes of Season Three..."The Bumpy Road to Love," "Only You," and "Oy, Wildernenss" stopped that momentum dead in its tracks. In fact, if you didn't tell me...and if the plot elements hadn't been there to prove otherwise...I'd have thought that those first three episodes were from early on in the first season. They had all the hallmarks of the worst of those shows: the whiny, obnoxious Joel & the whiny, teen-age demeanored Maggie. What's going on there? I don't know, but it was really disappointing. Thank the TV Gods that things picked up with Episode 4, "Animals R Us," which, despite the vapid silliness of the "reincarnated as a dog" schtick, the focus on Ed Chigliak (played to perfection by Darren E. Burrows, who I'm beginning to see is the heart of this show)...and a side order of Marilyn Whirlwind (played by Elaine Miles)...pulled this show back onto the Good side. Interesting that both of these actors (and characters) are of Native American heritage...given the dearth of Native American actors in Hollywoodland. 

On to the second disc.

"Jules et Joel," "The Body in Question," "Roots, " & "A-Hunting We Will Go." There were some good moments, for sure. But I wouldn't call any of these episodes good, and there were some truly groan-inducing moments in every one of them. In fact, the first (5th) and last (8th) episodes were pretty much wall to wall groan. There also weren't a whole lot of fantasy elements...which was definitely one of the key factors to making the second season so brilliant and, I thought, definitive. 

I've only got a couple of days left on this library loan, and with 15 episodes left in this season, I'm finding it hard to imagine me finishing it. Sad to say.

But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the 9th episode will be brilliant.

So...Disc 3. First up, "Get Real." I don't know if I could call this episode brilliant...but it was interesting. Especially because one of the guest stars was none other than Bill Irwin (as the mime, Enrico Bellati). I fell in love with Bill when I saw him play Lucky in Waiting for Godot. (Not sure where I saw this, but it was definitely on film. Possibly a filmed version of the play with Robin Williams and Steve Martin as Estragon and Vladimir. Or possibly vice versa.) And a few years back when my then wife and I went to New York City to see John Goodman in Godot, there was Bill Irwin as Pozzo. Go figure. So seeing him appear in Cicely, Alaska, was quite a thrill. 

Heh. Just thinking about that made me want to hit the Becket on Film  collection that I bought a long time ago. In fact, I think it was one of my first Amazon purchases. (Spot check: purchased the set on  October 13, 2002. And my first Amazon purchase was Aug 20, 2000: Two items: an annotated version of Bleak House and a Bleak House movie. On VHS. So much for memory.)

After that, "Seoul Mates" and "Dateline: Cicely" didn't do much for me. I thought that the latter of these was a real missed opportunity. One of the stories was about Ed making his first film...something that's been building for awhile...and when the film was actually shown it was just a trite little thing about the town. No Bergman, Allen, or whatever else influence. Just a short travelogue. At the very least they could have delved into some native heritage material. In fact, that would have been particularly appropriate since the next episode, "Our Tribe," was about Joe's travails as he was inducted into a native tribe. Speaking of which, this episode was actually pretty good, but it occurred to me that the focus of this show has shifted dramatically. All of the wild vision / fantasy stuff has been forgotten. Now the focus is on the drama of the locals. Which can be good at times...but it's really just pretty much what every show has. There's not really much to distinguish it from any other show so far as I can see--other than the temperature. 

Disc Four.

"Things Become Extinct" is the lead off batter. And while it does have its moments...like Holling saying, "I'm 63 years old. My life is half over."...it is for the most part, once again, just a little melodrama. With this exception: Ed begins working on a film piece about a native flute-maker, and his conversations with that guy go a little deeper into the culture of the local folks. 

The next episode, "Burning Down the House," was just awful. One of the storylines is about Chris' desire to fling a cow from a catapult. When Joel points out that the impact will break every bone in the cow's body, Chris responds that it's okay, there will be a big feast afterwards. Every other person who is asked about the plan has no problem with the idea of this. On the one hand, this is just a tv show and it means pretty much nothing. On the other hand, this made me dislike every character except Joel...and I already disliked him. So watching this one took a lot of steam out of my engine. My doubts about being able to finish this season have increased immensely.

But I went ahead and watched "Democracy in America." And? Well, the "banter" between Joel and Maggie has become unbearable. It's like watching two teenagers screech at each other. The only good thing about this episode was that Ed read a quote from de Tocqueville. You don't get that in too many shows. But otherwise...a true waste of my time, and a waste of good film, too. The main story, about Holling running for mayor against Edna Hancock, was beyond idiotic. 

To be honest, I was ready to quit then and there. But since there was only one episode left on this disc, and since today was due day for Season Three, I gritted my teeth, took a big gulp of coffee, and hit the play button. 

And? Well, it was okay. But it had none of the elements that made Season Two so amazing. And I just don't have it in me to watch any more of this show right now. Maybe after some time away I'll want to come back and finish off the season...but I wouldn't bet on it...much less Seasons Four and Five. 

 "For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: 'It might have been!'" ("Maud Muller," John Greenleaf Whittier)

You know, not so long ago I was walking through Walmart and saw the complete collection of Northern Exposure on sale for $40. I almost bought it. I am really glad that I didn't do that now. Not only would it have been a guff waste of money, but I probably would have felt compelled to continue watching the show...so it would have been quite a waste of time as well.