From: hrfortso@unix.amherst.edu (HARDY RYAN FORTSON)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.northern-exp
Subject: good again
Date: 12 Nov 92 21:09:51 GMT
Organization: Amherst College
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]


Those of you who were waiting for Nothern Exposure to return to its old form
were rewarded with last Monday's show.  IMHO, this was definitely their best
show this year and as good, if not better, than many of the shows last year.
It contained elements of waht makes NX such a great show -- bickering between
Joel and Maggie (not as much as last week and not as much as they should be
having, but at least it hasn't disappeared altogether), some weird pseudo-
philosophical stuff with Ed, Maggie being neurotic and afraid of relationships,
and a small role for Shelley.  Throw in the Flying Man and his awkward but
touching relationship with Marylin and you have a great show.

A couple of questions, though.  What do other people think of Marylin's 
rejection of Bob.  The people that I was watching the show with thought that
she was being cruel.  Come on, she has seen this guy for a total of probably
not more than three or four weeks of her life and he wants her to travel the
world with him. (?!)  I thought that her rejection was totally in character 
and perfectly reasonable.  Call me old fashioned, but . . .  However, I did
think that his attempts at courtship were deeply symbolic about the tradition
of romantic love.  His inability to speak signified the inability to grasp
an immutible ideal.  But anyway, I hope to see him around again from time
to time, though I hope they don't start beating the story line with Marylin
to death.  Along these lines, my other question is this: Did any one else 
notice any parallels between Joel's mention of a traumatic shock to one's
emotional system, the Flying Man's sudden ability to talk, and the Bubble
Man's willingness to take an unemcumbered walk?  Both of the latter to faced
the eminent loss of a romanitc interest (though, admittedly, this was
questionable with Mike) and too drastic steps to avoid this.  Just a little 
food for thought.

A couple of gripes about the show along the lines of characters that I miss.

First, and most obviously, I long for the return of Adam and Eve.  I realize
the desire not to expand the cast too much, but if these two don't symbolize
the quirkiness of NX, I don't know who does.  Besides, shouldn't Eve be coming
in for a pre-natal exam sometime soon?  Or maybe she is having this done in
London? :)  Does anyone know if the actors are still under contract?

Another person that I mis is Amy, Chris's gilfriend(?).  I saw a great deal of
potential for a relationwhip between the two of them.  Just imagine the 
possible angles.  She could get into motorcycles, he could get into animals.
Plus, I would love to see Chris actually in a relationship rather than
giving random musings on the nature of love.  IMHO, his character is getting
a little bit stale and, although he does act as the narator for the show,
needs to have something more to it than his radio show.  (Which, BTW, I
do not think I have ever heard anyone listen to.)  I know that Chris is
supposed to get in trouble with the law sometime soon, maybe she will show
up and be someone for him to confide in.  (I know that most people would
have rather retained Rolf, the German clock repairman, but I think that he
would have gotten awefully boring awefully soon.  I mean, do we really need
another Shelly?)

Every once and a while, I would like to see Sgt. Semanski.  I'm not saying
that she and Maurice have to go out again, though I'm not sure that I would
object to such a development, but I think that she adds an element of order
and stability otherwise missing from the show.  I know that this is not what
NX is about, but it is an aspect of personality that could be interestingly
developed.

Finally, I miss Joel.  No, not the Joel who is an accessory to plots.  I miss
the Joel whose character is explored and who actually gets to have one of the
three plot lines focus on him.

One final, joking, prediction.  (This is totally unserious, so don't take it
as otherwise.)  All of the people that Maggie has slept with have died
somewhat after the fact in accidents beyond her control.  Mike will be the
first person she kills by actually having sex with him.  Don't ask me for
details, I just know that it will happen.  (Maybe she will forget to take
of her PURPLE lipstick again. :) )

I appologize for the length of this message, but this is my first time posting
and I got a little bit too excited.  Bye, Ryan Fortson
Newsgroups: alt.tv.northern-exp