Northern Exposure poster

TV series

Northern Exposure

1990TV-PG6 seasons7.8 / 10

Welcome to Cicely, Alaska

After receiving a scholarship from the state, a recent Columbia University medical school graduate is required to set up his practice in an eccentric Alaskan town.

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Checked Sep 3, 2026

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Synopsis

After receiving a scholarship from the state, a recent Columbia University medical school graduate is required to set up his practice in an eccentric Alaskan town.

Season 1 episodes

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Episode 1

Pilot

45m7.3 / 10

Dr. Joel Fleischman arrives in Anchorage, Alaska to fulfill his part of a bargain that paid $125,000 for his medical education in exchange for service in the state as a doctor. Sure, it'll be tough for a guy from New York to adjust to Anchorage, but... then he learns Anchorage doesn't need him, and he's been assigned to Cicely, a small remote town owned and dominated by the strong minded Maurice Minnifield, a former astronaut set on developing his little part of Alaska into a vacation paradise and equally decided to make Fleischman honor his professional obligations.

Episode credits

Directed by Joshua BrandWritten by Joshua Brand, John FalseyGuest stars Elaine Miles, Peg Phillips, Grant Goodeve, Art LaFleur, Lois Foraker, Robert Nadir

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Episode 2

Brains, Know How and Native Intelligence

45m5.2 / 10

Ed asks Dr. Fleischman to help him convince his uncle, a traditional tribal medicine man, to seek medical treatment for a health problem. A self-reliant Maggie chides Joel about being helpless around the house. Chris angers Maurice when he reads some poetry by Walt Whitman and uncovers some facts about the poet's life that Maurice would prefer not knowing.

Episode credits

Directed by Peter O'FallonGuest stars Grant Goodeve, Armenia Miles, Frank Salsedo

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Episode 3

Soapy Sanderson

45m7.0 / 10

A hermit takes Joel's advice to put his affairs in order and leaves all his considerable land holdings to be jointly administered by Maggie and the good doctor, who has definite ideas about how to dispose of the windfall.

Episode credits

Directed by Stephen CraggWritten by Karen Hall, Jerry StahlGuest stars Christa Miller, Darryl Fong, John McLiam

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Episode 4

Dreams, Schemes and Putting Greens

45m7.0 / 10

Joel's mind is on helping Maurice sell Alaska as the "new Riviera" to two Japanese businessmen in hopes of becoming the "attending physician"--and playing golf--at their proposed resort. Meanwhile, Holling has proposed to Shelly when he learns that she is carrying his child, when the wedding day arrives, he is somewhat reluctant to go through with ceremony.

Episode credits

Directed by Dan LernerGuest stars Grant Goodeve, Lenny Imamura, Anthony Curry, Michael Paul Chan

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Episode 5

Russian Flu

45m7.3 / 10

A virulent strain of flu, whose only treatment is a smelly Indian concoction brewed up by Marilyn, keeps Joel from enjoying a visit by Elaine, his New York fiancée who is developing a friendship with Maggie.

Episode credits

Directed by David CarsonGuest stars Grant Goodeve, Jessica Lundy, John Aylward

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Episode 6

Sex, Lies and Ed's Tapes

45m6.8 / 10

A young man from Saskatchewan further rocks the already delicate relationship between Shelly and Holling. Ed suffers from writer's block and a lack of focus as he tries to begin work on his blockbuster movie. Maggie and Rick tiptoe around ""Maggie's curse"" when he shows symptoms of a serious medical problem.

Episode credits

Directed by Sandy SmolanWritten by Joshua Brand, John FalseyGuest stars Grant Goodeve, Brandon Douglas, Jerry Morris

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Episode 7

A Kodiak Moment

45m7.2 / 10

Maurice feels his mortality after his brother dies, and decides to adopt Chris as the Minnifield heir, but the title doesn't sit well on the younger man. Shelly distracts Holling when she tags along on a journey to capture an elusive bear on film. Joel is irritated when Maggie takes over the childbirth class he's disdained and makes a success of it.

Episode credits

Directed by Max TashGuest stars Teri Lee Thomas, Kellee Bradley

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Episode 8

Aurora Borealis: A Fairy Tale for Big People

45m8.0 / 10finale

The approach of the Aurora Borealis and the constant light produces some strange behavior among the residents of Cicely. Chris abandons the radio station to build an unusual piece of modern sculpture and to get acquainted with a new soul mate that has come into town on some predestined mission. Joel journeys into the back woods to visit an isolated forest ranger and, when he gets stuck coming home, remembers the stories of a strange Bigfoot-like creature named Adam rumored to be roaming the area. Joel is rescued by Adam, who turns out to be real and a damn good cook, only when he returns to town no one believes him.

Episode credits

Directed by Peter O'FallonGuest stars Adam Arkin, Grant Goodeve, Richard Cummings Jr., John Procaccino, Elaine Miles, Peg Phillips, Ryan O'Neill, Lou Hetler

Where to watch Northern Exposure

Episode information updated Sep 17, 2026

More about Northern Exposure

Cast

Rob MorrowJoel Fleischman
Janine TurnerMaggie O'Connell
Barry CorbinMaurice Minnifield
John CullumHolling Vincoeur
Darren E. BurrowsEd Chigliak
John CorbettChris Stevens
Cynthia GearyShelly Tambo
Elaine MilesMarilyn Whirlwind

Credits

Created by
Joshua Brand, John Falsey

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
110
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • CBSUnited States
  • Falahey/Austin Street Productions
  • Cine-Nevada Productions
  • Universal TelevisionUnited States
  • Universal Television EntertainmentUnited States

Themes

alaskafemale pilotnative americansmall town