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 3 episodes

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← Season 2

Episode 1

The Bumpy Road to Love

45m7.3 / 10

Maggie is devastated when the unveiling of a statue in Rick's memory uncovers his life and loves away from Cicely. Maurice stumbles in his pursuit of Officer Semanski when she learns he favors tax loopholes. Joel is kidnapped and held prisoner by the reclusive Adam and his hypochondriacal mate Eve.

Episode credits

Directed by Nick MarckWritten by Sybil Adelman, Martin SageGuest stars Peg Phillips, Valerie Mahaffey, Cathryn de Prume, Adam Arkin, Grant Goodeve, Diane Delano

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Episode 2

Only You

45m8.0 / 10

Maurice sulks over what he believes is an unflattering photo taken by Holling, Maggie worries about needing glasses and getting old, and Joel tries to explain Chris' uncanny appeal to women, who is busy chasing the one woman immune to his charm.

Episode credits

Directed by Bill D'EliaWritten by Ellie HermanGuest stars Peg Phillips, Caitlin Clarke, Heidi Swedberg, Denice Duff, William J. White

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Episode 3

Oy, Wilderness

45m7.4 / 10

Maggie and Joel are forced to rough it when her plane is forced down by mechanical problems, and Shelly receives a visit from her former best friend, who is seeking a divorce for her boyfriend, Shelly's husband back in Saskatchewan.

Episode credits

Directed by Miles WatkinsWritten by Robin GreenGuest stars Christine Elise

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Episode 4

Animals 'R' Us

45m7.2 / 10

Maggie becomes convinced that the stray dog that's adopted her is Rick reincarnated. Maurice tries to convince Marilyn to join him in a multi-million dollar scheme to produce and market ostriches. Ed looks for help in making a movie about Cicely.

Episode credits

Directed by Nick MarckWritten by Robin GreenGuest stars Frank Welker, Sparkle, Harry Pringle, Bryson G. Liberty

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Episode 5

Jules et Joel

45m7.2 / 10

On Halloween Joel hits his head, presaging a visit from his twin brother Jules. Chris and Ed set out to meet a criminal from Chris' hometown in West Virginia, and Holling pays an old debt.

Episode credits

Directed by James HaymanGuest stars Diane Delano, Raymond O'Connor, Douglas Rowe, John Procaccino, Peg Phillips, Lou Hetler, Gary Taylor, Shelley Henning

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Episode 6

The Body in Question

45m7.5 / 10

Chris' discovery of the frozen body of a Napoleonic Frenchman raises many questions for Joel, has Maurice dreaming of the economic benefits for Cicely, Shelly worrying over fertility and Holling confessing over his despicable ancestors.

Episode credits

Directed by David CarsonWritten by Henry BromellGuest stars Allan Miller, William J. White

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Episode 7

Roots

45m7.8 / 10

Joel's former fiancé Elaine, now a widow, comes to visit. Chris' half-brother Bernard returns just as Chris is having dreams of Africa. The reclusive Adam takes a job with Holling to pay his insurance premiums.

Episode credits

Directed by Sandy SmolanGuest stars Adam Arkin, Jessica Lundy, Richard Cummings Jr.

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Episode 8

A-Hunting We Will Go

45m8.0 / 10

Joel decides to explore the fascination of hunting by accompanying Chris and Holling on their annual pilgrimage. Ed becomes worried and over solicitous when he learns that Ruth-Anne is seventy-five years old.

Episode credits

Directed by Bill D'Elia

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Episode 9

Get Real

45m7.0 / 10

A stranded bus of carnival performers brings romance to Marilyn, doubts about her future to Maggie, the mysteries of magic to Chris, and a break to the studious Joel; Shelly however, is pained when Holling becomes fixated on her large feet.

Episode credits

Directed by Michael KatlemanWritten by Andrew Schneider, Diane FrolovGuest stars Armenia Miles, Richard Brestoff, Judith Kahan, Remy Ryan Hernandez, Bill Irwin

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Episode 10

Seoul Mates

45m8.0 / 10

The holidays in Cicely see Joel experimenting with an unfamiliar Christmas tree, a clumsy Maggie suddenly left alone, Shelly pining for the religious pageantry of her childhood, and Maurice meeting a family he never knew as everyone awaits the pageant of the raven.

Episode credits

Directed by Jack BenderWritten by Andrew Schneider, Diane FrolovGuest stars William J. White, Kim Kim, James Song, Chi Muoi Lo

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Episode 11

Dateline: Cicely

45m7.2 / 10

Maurice hires a colorful but questionable new investigative reporter for his newspaper, Maggie tries to enlighten Joel about the ""talking"" trees, and Chris becomes a co-owner of the Brick when Holling needs money to pay an unexpected tax bill.

Episode credits

Directed by Michael FrescoGuest stars Adam Arkin, William J. White

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Episode 12

Our Tribe

45m7.2 / 10

Joel agrees, under pressure from Marilyn, to be adopted by a grateful village elder, but wonders if he'll survive. Maggie becomes concerned when Holling shuts down the Brick while Shelly's away, ostensibly to wax the floors.

Episode credits

Directed by Lee Shallat ChemelGuest stars Frank Welker, Harry Pringle

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Episode 13

Things Become Extinct

45m7.8 / 10

The death of his uncle sends Holling out to his still and into an orgy of self-doubt, Joel feels isolated as he searches for proof of other Jews in Alaska, and Ed widens his own horizons when he films Ira Wingfeather producing his unique wooden flutes.

Episode credits

Directed by Dean ParisotWritten by Robin GreenGuest stars Bryson G. Liberty, Jerry Morris

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Episode 14

Burning Down the House

45m7.5 / 10

Maggie receives an unexpected visit and some unwanted news from her mother. Meanwhile, Chris searches everywhere for just the right cow to fling for his conceptual art piece and Joel becomes obsessed with a local chimney sweep that he believes is a former pro golfer.

Episode credits

Directed by Rob ThompsonWritten by Robin GreenGuest stars Bibi Besch, John M. Jackson

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Episode 15

Democracy in America

45m7.2 / 10

The mayoral incumbent, Holling, faces opposition from an old friend with a long memory. Chris grows eloquent over the democratic process. Ed worries over casting his first vote. Election commissioners Joel and Maggie argue over the decor of the polling place.

Episode credits

Directed by Michael KatlemanGuest stars William J. White, Clayton Corzatte, Rita Taggart

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Episode 16

Three Amigos

45m7.7 / 10

The death of an old friend sends Maurice and Holling packing off into the snowy wilderness to bury him at No-Name Point. But the way is hard, including an unexpected run-in with the man's attractive widow.

Episode credits

Written by Robin Green, Mitchell BurgessGuest stars Joanna Cassidy, Norbert Weisser, Brian T. Finney

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Episode 17

Lost and Found

45m7.6 / 10

The hypochondriac, Eve comes to town to ask about her latest symptoms, but Joel is preoccupied with the ghost of a lonely old soul haunting his cabin. Maurice receives a visit from his old Army commander, who needs to borrow money.

Episode credits

Directed by Steven RobmanWritten by Andrew Schneider, Diane FrolovGuest stars Valerie Mahaffey, William J. White, Time Winters, Noble Willingham, Gary Taylor

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Episode 18

My Mother, My Sister

45m7.2 / 10

An abandoned baby gets attention from the whole town and helps awaken Adam's paternal instincts while Shelly's life is unsettled by a visit from her youthful, giddy mother and her new boy friend.

Episode credits

Directed by Rob ThompsonWritten by Mitchell BurgessGuest stars Wendy Schaal, Adam Arkin, William J. White, Sean O'Bryan

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Episode 19

Wake Up Call

45m7.2 / 10

As spring blossoms, Shelly suffers from a skin rash, Holling gives away eggs, Joel gets a new outlook on patient care from a tribal medicine man and Maggie experiences a spiritual and physical re-awakening with a handsome stranger.

Episode credits

Directed by Nick MarckWritten by Andrew Schneider, Diane FrolovGuest stars Graham Greene, William J. White, Andreas Wisniewski

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Episode 20

The Final Frontier

45m7.7 / 10

Maurice becomes curious about the influx of Japanese tourists to the area during the Northern Lights, Holling sets out to discover if Jesse the bear is really dead, and Maggie leads the curious townspeople in trying to discover what is in a mysterious package covered with foreign stamps.

Episode credits

Directed by Tom MooreWritten by Jeff VlamingGuest stars William J. White, Doug Ballard, Don McManus, Rob Narita, Akemi Namei

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Episode 21

It Happened in Juneau

45m7.2 / 10

Joel foresees sophisticated delights when he travels to Juneau for a medical conference but winds up with good old Maggie, meanwhile back in Cicely, Chris finds himself tongue-tied with the return of Bernard, his cosmic doppelganger.

Episode credits

Directed by Michael KatlemanGuest stars James Marsters, Richard Cummings Jr., John Billingsley, Beth Broderick, Kent MacLachlan

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Episode 22

Our Wedding

45m7.5 / 10

As their wedding approaches, Adam debates with Joel about women and Eve lets a gung-ho Shelly take over the wedding plans as she worries about more important matters. Maggie and Joel try in their own ways to come to grips with their experience in Juneau.

Episode credits

Directed by Nick MarckWritten by Andrew Schneider, Diane FrolovGuest stars Valerie Mahaffey, Adam Arkin, Diane Delano, William J. White, Richard Cummings Jr., Ralph P. Martin

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Episode 23

Cicely

45m8.2 / 10finale

Joel meets an old man who's returned to Cicely after many years. The man tells him the story of two remarkable women, Roslyn and Cicely, whom transformed the town into ""the Paris of the North"" back in 1909.

Episode credits

Directed by Rob ThompsonWritten by Andrew Schneider, Diane FrolovGuest stars William J. White, Yvonne Suhor, Roberts Blossom, Michelle Joyner, Krisha Fairchild, Brian T. Finney, Jo Anderson

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Episode information updated Sep 15, 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