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Magical Realism: “Northern Exposure” 25 Years Later (2015)

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Re: Magical Realism: “Northern Exposure” 25 Years Later (2015)

#51

Post by amon_spek »

Kon5ole wrote: post #3

Such a great show, but difficult to classify. No drama, action or nailbites, no big belly laughs, more like smiles and chuckles. I was just a little happier after having watched most episodes. Very few shows like that, but Ted Lasso actually reminded me a lot of NEX in how it made me feel.

I classify it as the peak 'existential comedy' around which all others navigate. I think there isn't a single episode that doesn't have meaning of life/death as at least a minor theme.

Another one with a similar feel is Bridget Christie's The Change, which she has cited Northern Exposure and Detectorists as inspirations.

Re: Magical Realism: “Northern Exposure” 25 Years Later (2015)

#52

Post by alexyoung »

There's a conversation Chris has in an episode called Heal Thyself, I think, where Maggie buys a washer dryer and won't need to go to the laundromat anymore.

Chris reflects that in the future we won't need a lot of things that are part of society, due to technology like fibre optics. We'll watch cinema at home, and he wonders what will happen to these accidental social moments we have in places like cinemas and laundromats.

It was prescient, but the other part of Northern Exposure that sticks with me is the viewer is expected to sit through Chris's other conversations on the radio about Whitman, Jung, mythology, the nature of death, and other philosophical and artistic references.

I enjoy rewatching Northern Exposure, but it's sometimes disturbing how alien it feels today.

Re: Magical Realism: “Northern Exposure” 25 Years Later (2015)

#53

Post by alexyoung »

ArchieScrivener wrote: post #17

Northern Exposure is the otherside Twin Peaks. Hits the same comfy note just at the opposite spectrum.

Funnily enough there's a Northern Exposure episode with a brief Twin Peaks parody. I think it was Russian Flu in season one. Joel and Elaine are on a trip, and they're shown around an area with a waterfall and viewing platform, like The Great Northern Hotel/White Tail Falls.

The scene is a pretty funny Twin Peaks parody, with music and visuals inspired by Twin Peaks, and includes a joke about seeing a woman holding a log... :)

Re: Magical Realism: “Northern Exposure” 25 Years Later (2015)

#54

Post by saghm »

pndy wrote: post #48

As many shows or films from that period the title was "customized" in Poland and "Northern Exposure" was known as " Przystanek Alaska " - "Station Alaska". My dad enjoy it especially credits with moose.

> My dad enjoy it especially credits with moose

Apparently the moose in the credits was a bit of serendipity; it just randomly showed up on the day they were shooting, and they decided it would be perfect for the credits

Re: Magical Realism: “Northern Exposure” 25 Years Later (2015)

#55

Post by anthk »

nephihaha wrote: post #27
ArchieScrivener wrote: post #17

Northern Exposure is the otherside Twin Peaks. Hits the same comfy note just at the opposite spectrum.

I had the same thought. Like its friendlier younger sister. I think Twin Peaks fans realised early on the main point of the show wasn't so much who killed Laura Palmer, but the weird and wonderful characters in the place. Northern Exposure doesn't really have a One-eyed Jacks or a Bob... But it does have a Bigfoot character that could be right out of it.

There were actually filming the same waterfalls from the opposite sides. And OFC the NE director was pretty much aware up to the point of making these references.

TP is about showing the actual dark side of the seemingly cozy rural towns and the American Dream. The Lodge are the dark secrets kept from the locals in order to function as a society and to keep that Romantic -in the German sense- imagery forever. But we all know that's doomed to fail somehow.

NE it's the opposite, it tries to bring some joy from the other stereotyped rural 'bumfuck helltown' to show up actually deep and educated people to the half-spolied urbanite guy. You can even see how die-hard conservatives learn from their opposites and how the urbanite pick ups some useful -real life- skills too.

With TP you are seeing the hidden 'dangers' of depicting a town as a postcard/desktop wallpaper. With NE you are watching what happens when the Romantic image shatters away... from day one, and for a much greater and cozier environment.

When I was a kid/teen and went into a village in Summer, the best moments where not just roaming around a place being 'frozen' in time, but with a pocket radio tuner and science magazines/books bought a few KMs away having the best of both sides (past and future). Oh, and the locals had really great books and music (a heavy metal/ rock compilation) too, in late 90's/early 00's.

Re: Magical Realism: “Northern Exposure” 25 Years Later (2015)

#57

Post by dsego »

pndy wrote: post #48

As many shows or films from that period the title was "customized" in Poland and "Northern Exposure" was known as " Przystanek Alaska " - "Station Alaska". My dad enjoy it especially credits with moose.

In Croatian it was "Život na sjeveru" or Life in the North.

Re: Magical Realism: “Northern Exposure” 25 Years Later (2015)

#58

Post by martijn_himself »

I had the privilege to watch this show last year for the first time and I was completely blown away by it. I still think about it from time to time and it is easily my favourite show ever. Every actor is great and every single character in it is likeable (despite their flaws) and the show is proof that not everything has to be edgy, dark, gritty and have a murder in it to be good.

The writing is phenomenal. Sure, some things wouldn't get past studio execs these days but it holds up very well and there is a spirituality and positivity about it that sticks with you long after you finish watching the 110 episodes.

Re: Magical Realism: “Northern Exposure” 25 Years Later (2015)

#59

Post by martijn_himself »

alexyoung wrote: post #52

There's a conversation Chris has in an episode called Heal Thyself, I think, where Maggie buys a washer dryer and won't need to go to the laundromat anymore. Chris reflects that in the future we won't need a lot of things that are part of society, due to technology like fibre optics. We'll watch cinema at home, and he wonders what will happen to these accidental social moments we have in places like cinemas and laund…

This episode is just one of the gems and if I remember correctly Maggie eventually returns the washer because she misses the social interaction.

I'd have to respectfully disagree and feel the show holds up surprisingly well when you stick with it and forgive it the sort of things you would find in shows of that time. It's like a refuge from the dark and gritty stuff that you can't escape on streaming platforms these days.

Re: Magical Realism: “Northern Exposure” 25 Years Later (2015)

#60

Post by martijn_himself »

liampulles wrote: post #24

The show has its moments - mature, intelligent, human moments found little elsewhere - but its an intelligence that struggles to escape very typical network sitcom trappings. One wishes it had gone a little more in the direction of M.A.S.H. and ditched the pretense of having to make jokes every minute.

I have never seen M.A.S.H. but I agree the human moments were unique to this show. I didn't mind the jokes- I thought they kept it light, almost a reminder of how it didn't take itself too seriously.
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