The colorful cast of characters from Cicely, Alaska, returns for a new set of adventures in
Northern Exposure: The Complete Second Season. While much of the first season was devoted to establishing the plot, each of the seven episodes in season 2 helps us to know the offbeat ensemble of Cicely residents a little better. Dr. Joel Fleischman (Rob Morrow), the New York urbanite stationed in small-town Alaska to pay off his medical-school tuition, still complains constantly about his assignment, but it's clear the town's growing on him when he passes up an opportunity to return home (if only temporarily). We learn from town patriarch Maurice (Barry Corbin) that retired astronauts have groupies, and when a beautiful woman steals the voice of DJ "Chris in the Morning" (John Corbett), it's no huge surprise when the long-deceased spirit of "One Who Waits" provides Chris with an ancient Indian cure.
But it's the chemistry between Joel and Maggie (Janine Turner) that really makes the series sizzle. The season is book-ended by a pair of breakups that leave first Joel, and then Maggie single, clearing the way for the romance to come in later seasons. The season includes "Spring Break," one of the best-loved episodes from the series. With the impending arrival of spring, libidos run amok, a wave of petty crime hits the town, and the men in town blow off steam au naturale in the annual "Running of the Bulls."
Season 2's packaging and extras are virtually identical to those from season 1. The two-disc set comes sheathed in a collectible mini zippered nylon "parka," and each episode includes deleted scenes and bloopers. There are no retrospectives or interviews with cast and crew, and no printed materials accompany the discs. --Shane Burnett
This 7-time Emmy Award-winning series is a remarkable blend of quirky humor and heartwarming storytelling. With an ensemble cast including Rob Morrow (Quiz Show), John Corbett (TV's Sex and the City, My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and the beautiful Janine Turner (Cliffhanger), Season Two takes us back to the slightly bizarre, yet charming, little logging town in Alaska. Relive the Complete Second Season of the show TV Guide calls "...one of television's truly fine series."
1 Greed by any other name....
It basically amounts to theft to be charged more per episode for a show on the premise that the music liscensing makes them more expensive to produce -- and then not include the music. In fact, it amounts to theft to be charged at all if the product inside the package is not what is advertised on the outside packaging.
Like any other film, television show, piece of recorded music, or other electronically reproduced media artform, this show's integrity depends on seeing the episodes in order, complete, uncut, unedited, and unaltered -- including the soundtrack. Imagine some pumpkin-headed suit deciding to release "Grease-The LImited Edition Classic Version" with all the vocals dubbed by a girl-scout troup in MIlwaukee. Or trying to pass off "Star Wars Episode IV - the Acoustic Version" with John William's score being hummed and tapped out on the kitchen counter.
If it's not the original show, folks -- it's theft. The greed of the suits with no moderating voice of good business. I won't be buying any more DVDs in this series. I may not be buying any more at all until I read reviews written by real people who really like the shows they are talking about (and who else is going to buy entire television series-packages but real fans?)
You cheated me. You stole from me. You spoiled good memories and what should have been pleasant diversions. You lied. I"ll vote with my $$ from here on out.
2 Smart show...dumb packaging!
We are reviewing the DVD's right? The show is a 5 star plus no question. It's aging well too I might add but let's be real people! The DVD packaging is by far the worst I've ever seen. You get the feeling the marketing people thought if they put a bright enough bow around it (the incredibly unnecessary parka) we won't notice anything else.
C'mon double sided discs...that's just lazy and is so obviously a way to cut corners but the dumbest and most blatant disregard for the fans is the lack of ANY episode info. There is no program listing or insert or anything. You are forced to stick the dumb two sided disc in your player and wait for the commercials before you see which episode is where and even then there's no episode desciption.
And the saddest thing of all is...I've had the first season for a while and the second since it was released and I've yet to watch them all only because it is such a chore to watch. Other series I have on DVD (Arrested Development for example) are in simple packages with clearly marked episode descriptions, the date it was first broadcast etc.
I guess I'll accept that this is the way it will be done but it is such a shame. This show, more than any other, really deserved that DVD special packaging extra goodies treatment. Oh well. Thanks Universal. You suck!
Although the DVD rates no stars I give it three out of respect for this incredible show.
3 Joel's Breakup, TV, Breaking Ice, A Duel & The Satellite
For six seasons between 1990 and 1995, television audiences were treated to a unique show called "Northern Exposure", whose premise revolved around a recently graduated NYC doctor named Dr. Joel Fleischman (Rob Morrow). To pay for his medical school expenses, Dr. Fleischman entered a financial program created by the state of Alaska on the condition that he would practice medicine in Alaska upon graduation for a specified number of years. Begrudgingly, Dr. Fleischman travels to Alaska believing that he will be working in one of the major cities. Instead, he is required to work in the small and isolated fictional town of Cicely (filmed in the town of Roslyn, Washington), whose residents are rather quirky and which is owned and controlled primarily by a wealthy retired astronaut, Maurice J. Minnifield (Barry Corbin). Other residents of Cicely include Dr. Fleischman's assistant, Marilyn Whirlwind (Elaine Miles), the pilot Maggie O'Connell (Janine Turner), bar owner Holling Gustaf Vincoeur (John Cullum), his girlfriend Shelly Marie Tambo Vincoeur (Cynthia Geary), the somewhat nosy buy very friendly Edward 'Ed' Chigliak (Darren E. Burrows), store owner Ruth-Anne Miller (Peg Phillips, 1918-2002) and the town's favorite local radio DJ Christopher 'Chris' Stevens (John Corbett). Over the course of the series, a tense relationship develops between Dr. Fleischman and Maggie, Maggie's boyfriends continue to accidentally die off, Maurice fights his own inner demons and Dr. Fleischman slowly adjusts to life in untamed Alaska.
Many people were not pleased when "Northern Exposure" was cancelled after its 1994-1995 season, but its 110 episodes are well worth watching. The short second season includes the seven following episodes:
1. "Goodbye to All That". After Joel receives a "dear John" letter from his girlfriend Elaine in NYC, Maggie tries to help him. Holling's purchase of a satellite TV turns Shelly into a TV-addict.
2. "The Big Kiss". While Chris loses his voice after a beautiful woman visits Cicely, Ed gets advice from a 256-year-old Indian spirit named "One-Who-Waits" (Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman).
3. "All is Vanity". While Holling contemplates getting circumcised to please Shelly, Maurice enlists the town's help to watch over the body an unknown man who died while waiting to see Joel at his office. Maggie also enlists Joel's help to pretend to be her boyfriend while her father (John McCann) visits.
4. "What I Did For Love". Joel worries about a planned visit to NYC after he learns about Maggie's dreams of him dying and isn't too happy with the over-enthusiastic doctor (Leo Geter) who comes to substitute while he's away.
5. "Spring Break". Some people start to get cabin-fever as the imminent spring thaw is warming things up. The result: a few items are stolen that convince Maurice to ask for a sheriff's deputy to investigate. Maurice can't help but be attracted to the deputy, who is a well-muscled woman boxer named Officer Barbara Semanski (Diane Delano).
6. "War and Peace". A famous Russian performer, Nikolai Ivanovich Apalanov (Elya Baskin), comes to visit Cicely a bit early; but he and Maurice don't get along very well. Chris helps Ed attract a farm girl's heart while Holling is suffering from too many vivid dreams.
7. "Slow Dance". The O'Connell curse once again strikes as a wayward satellite burning up on re-entry falls onto Rick (Grant Goodeve) while he's out camping alone to deal with his anger with Maggie after she reported his colorblindness to the FAA resulting in the loss of his pilot's license. In the meantime, Maurice finds buyers for one of his buildings. They want to turn it into a bed & breakfast, but Maurice starts to have second thoughts when he finds out the buyers are a gay couple.
"Northern Exposure" was a truly wonderful show. The second season DVD set includes all seven episodes, as well as deleted scenes from each of the episodes. Unfortunately, the set is rather pricey and many people have not been happy with the fact that both sides of each DVD have been recorded. Hence, my rating for the second season itself is 5 out of 5 stars, but my rating for the quality of packaging and price is only 3 stars. Consequently, my overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars. Following "Northern Exposure", John Corbett portrayed the character "Ian Miller" in the 2002 film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and the character "Aiden Shaw" in several seasons of the HBO TV show "Sex and the City" (1998-2004).
4 More for our money
Like a fine wine, you have to expect to pay a little more for the best. That said, NX Season 2 was a gift. I believe my wife got it at a wholesale club, and it wasn't overly expensive.
Still, it's next to impossible to know what's on the disc you're putting into the DVD player. I gave Universal a break on Season 1, because it was simply so great to be able to watch NX again.
This time around, I wanted a little more. The show still gets 5 stars. Universal gets 1. This averages out to 3 stars.
Please give us a little more for our money with Season 3.
5 A great show but a shameful DVD effort
This DVD set is a sad insult to what was, in my opinion, the best show to air on television. The 1 star rating is for this DVD set and Universal's attitude towards its customers. The content of the show would have carried the set to 5 stars if they had done even a minimally acceptable job of packaging NX on DVD. But what they have done is utterly unacceptable.
SEASON ONE: Obscenely over-priced but we paid it because we love the show and realize that licenses for great music are expensive. At that price though, double-sided DVDs are a stretch.
SEASON TWO: They gutted the music content and left the price as it was, effectively taking us for idiots and disrespecting both this incredible show (which they do not deserve to market) and insulting the buyers (whose business they also do not deserve) and once again tossed flimsy double-sided DVDs at us. They must be laughing at us as they plan the next rip-off.
SEASON THREE: Press release 3/08/2005: "The complete third season will be spread across three-discs, with all 23 episodes boasting digitally remastered picture in Full Frame with optional English, French and Spanish subtitles. Bonus features include deleted scenes and outtakes, and it looks as though a change of packaging is due, with the description reading as 'Slim Snap Cases with Outer Box'. Releases 14th June 2005 priced at $59.98 SRP."
3 DVDs to carry 23 episodes, so we're getting more double-sided coasters. And I don't want to think of what inane trash they are going to put in place of the real music.
I am more than just a fan of this show. I want the *complete* and unspoiled version on DVD. I am willing to pay whatever it costs to keep the music intact, however, I am NOT willing to pay $60 or any other price for a shell of the real thing. I bought the first 2 seasons but I will not buy the 3rd season unless they shape up and offer us fair value and an apology.
6 Would this show make it today?
In television these days, shows that are labeled quirky, or unique, or often cast aside when their ratings don't immediately shine. Shows like "Wonderfalls" and "Freaks and Geeks" are dropped after a season or less because they don't live up to the network's high ratings expectations.
"Northern Exposure" was one of those quirky shows that did make it, but it took two shortened seasons to get it off the ground, the second of which is now available on DVD.
This show debuted while I was still in high school, so I remember only bits of it from the later years, but I recall a funny show with a lot of great characters. I purchased the first season and was impressed with the presentation of the show, but the lack of episodes is a little strange. The first season contained eight episodes and the second season contained only seven. At more than 40 dollars in most retailers, that is a high price to pay. I wonder if the two seasons could've been put together into one solid release, but that's beside the point.
The second season was just as good as the first, if one episode shorter. The characters continued their great development, as Dr. Joel Fleishman, the New York doctor transplant, recieved a Dear John letter from his fiancee, Maggie O'Connell, the beautiful bush pilot, lost another boyfriend to a strange accident, bringing back talk of her curse on men, Holling and Shelly, the 60+ bar owner and his very young "almost bride" were riddled with television addiction and crazy dreams and Ed, the young Indian, continued his pursuit of directing a movie.
These unique characters all make up the town of Cicely, Alaska. In the second season, Dr. Joel continues to figure out more and more things about the people that make up this town that he has been relegated to.
The show starred Rob Morrow as Dr. Joel and Barry Corbin as Maurice Minnfield, the rich former astronaut who seems to own everything in the small town. Janine Turner stars as Maggie, the pilot with a penchant for having boyfriends die. John Collum, who did a turn as Mark Greene's dying father on "ER" plays Holling, the local bar owner who fell in love with beauty contestant winner Shelly, played by Cynthia Geary. Darren E. Burrows plays Ed, the curious teenage Indian who always seems to be in the middle of the stories. John Corbett, who many know from Sex and the City, stars as Chris Stevens, the radio DJ.
It is Corbett's character that provides a voice for this show. His voiceovers often start episodes and tie things together. His musings and thoughts on life fill the air of this small town, bringing a new level of sophistication, while dealing with small-town problems unique to the Alaskan wilderness. I found this character to be one of the best on the show, and the episode where he loses his voice at the sight of a beautiful woman provided one of the best episodes of the first two seasons. The acting involved in a non-speaking dialogue was great.
This set is a must for a fan of the show, but for someone who may just want to see it, the high price for a small number of episodes may point toward a renting of the show first.
A funny, quirky show that made it. Hopefully we can find some more of those sometime soon.
7 Seriously overpriced
I love Northern Exposure but this dvd set and the set for season one were overpriced for what you get. Just recently got the first season of MacGyver, 22 episodes for $30.00 and the dvds are not double sided.
What is wrong with Universal or whoever it is that is producing the Northern Exposure dvds. I will not buy them at this inflated price and will just enjoy them from the library.
8 Most of the original music is there
Just to set the record straight. Yes, there are some original songs missing. If you turn on the closed caption (no, I'm not deaf), the lyrics are there on print but the sound is way different. Also, they did a lousy job choosing the replacement music. The first and last chapters of the season are the worst in this sense. But, most of the original music is still there. This is a great show. Even with the music flaw and the high price, I am very happy with my set. When are the other seasons coming out on DVD? Can't wait!
9 Wonderful Show
If you are a fan of the show, there is no reason not to buy these sets. Its great to see the shows in order, and enjoy the characters and stories without commercials to jar me from my contentment. The show holds up after 15 years, with plots that still seem fresh, and without too many topical references (like a Twin Peaks mock scene) that new/young viewers would not get. The prints look great.
As for the Universal bashing that seems to be the point of most reviews, it is not as bad as all that. I have bought numerous BBC shows that are comparably priced. I've also seen a lot of Universal sets very well priced, so maybe it is the show's producers, or the music driving up the price. At any rate, if you shop around you can find these for 40, or less. Also, I see season 3 is due in May for the same list price (60), so you won't need to hoc your sled-dog after season 2. The 2-sided disc is an unusual choice, but no big deal.
The parka is great. I left my discs out in the car all night and they were still warm the next morning.
10 Short on episodes because it was a summer filler show
Okay, so it's really expensive, and there's only a few episodes, and the special features suck. Plus, for some ridiculous reason, the original music has been changed.
But it's Maggie, and Joel, and Chris, and all the rest of the amazing cast. If you're really a fan, you'll probably splurge anyway, like I did.
FYI however, the first and second season only have 7 or 8 episodes because it was a "summer filler" show. All the rest of the seasons have about 24 episodes (and they better release them all on DVD, or else I really will boycott it:)
I heard a rumor that the third season is also coming out in May 2005. Can anyone confirm?
11 LOVE the series, but the labeling etc is confusing/wrong
I love Northern Exposure, so of course, I do still love the episodes, but the packaging is really ridiculous (1 or 2 episodes per disc? Come on!), and I have no idea why someone didn't catch the mislabeling mistakes before releasing the product. We're not talking about some minor obscure mistake; we're talking about the episode summaries being on the wrong discs (disc #4 has episodes for disc #1 and #2 on it, they say. However one episode they say is on disc #2 is actually on disc #4 anyway). The episodes are repeated according to the dvd summaries (they are, in fact, not repeated), and there are NO sides B, even though the episode summaries claim there are (at least not on the version I rented from Netflix).
This is just silly and irresponsible of them to put out a product in this condition. As I said, I LOVE the series, so I love the dvds and would give them the highest rating possible based on acting, story, direction. I wouldn't want anything to hold up the process of releasing the dvds--but really, a basic skill to have in releasing a dvd is the ability to label the dvds correctly on both the actual disc and the summaries within the dvd. Universal knows that.
12 Forever The Best
This series has got to be one of the best ever on TV. The characters, the writing, the storylines, etc., etc. I could go on forever. The DVD quality is great and the set definately worth the price. I would buy the complete series just to watch "Rick and the Satelite".
13 Write Universal now!
If you're interested in telling Universal how you feel about their mishandling of the music in the second season of Northern Exposure, you can contact them via email. [...]
Music was an integral part of the effect of this show, and omission of even what some may consider simply "background music" has an impact on the mood of specific scenes. Those who charge that viewers are being too sensitive about this issue are missing the point: Northern Exposure's success lies in its sensitivity to nuance and detail. Hard to believe the producers of the original show didn't put up a fuss about this. Looks like it's up to the fans.
14 It's colder in Winnipeg than in Cicely!
Disregard the price complaints of previous customers! This is an extremely intelligent and witty series definitely worth owning!
15 Not good enough
Do not buy a product that isn't what it claims to be.
This is NOT the second season of NE.
It is an altered version at best.
Markets are driven by demand. Don't buy this and demand a the actual televised versions.
16 Sad
Northern Exposure is perhaps my favorite television show. If someone had told me years ago that I would someday refuse to buy this on DVD, I would have thought they were crazy. But I would have to be crazy to buy it.
A great part of Northern Exposure's charm was its music. The people who made the series obviously gave a lot of thought to finding just the right music to support, or to make, a scene. I don't think anyone before had given so much thought to the music heard on a television show. It is sad that the people who put out this DVD did not care enough to keep the music intact.
I will never, ever, buy this set until the music is restored. And I won't buy any of the future sets unless they contain the origina music. I gather that a lot of people agree with me. Shame on the people who put out this DVD set. They need to go back and make this right. And they need to ensure that future sets contain all of the original music.
17 I love the show! . . . but not this DVD . . .
This is the first Amazon review I've felt moved to 'pen' - my reason for doing so: I was a big fan of NX when it first aired and I continue to love what was aired . . . I should thank Universal and all who finally brought the First Season to us! Season One was a solid DVD - all NX and no fuss.
But the Second Season of NX on DVD isn't the second season that was aired. You know the cry by now: The music is missing - and not a little of music, not some of the music - a lot of the music is missing! If you had a favorite scene with a special little tune playing in the background - it's probably not there anymore. Whole scenes are ripped of their original emotion and the music you once loved has been replaced. And what does that matter?
Here's a little experiment to try at home: grab your favorite movie, pick a favorite scene - something you know all the lines to, an exciting scene, an emotional scene - turn the volume low on the TV - and then grab any random CD (don't look at what you picked!) and put it in your stereo - and play the two at the same time.
This is what NX-Season Two is like - it's like viewing one thing while listening to another. (And can someone explain why the Spanish language track has all the music but the English track doesn't?!) Music carries emotion, story, insight - a lot of the music on this DVD carries . . . what?? Whatever 'it' is it's empty and hollow.
You know the old expression: if it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck - it's a duck! This DVD looks like NX but doesn't sound like NX. This DVD isn't the Complete Second Season of NX. It's not the Northern Exposure I came to know and love.
I know people will buy this DVD for the same reasons I did - for the love of a great program! But save your money - this isn't the show you loved. It's half the show you once knew. Enjoy the first season of NX on DVD. Take a pass on the Second Season of NX.
18 What happened to the music?
I am overjoyed that NX is finally available on DVD. However, I have to say that I have been somewhat disappointed with the end product. Needing to flip the disc over for additional episodes seems like an older technology. I don't know any DVDs now that require you to do that. Most disappointedly though, is the fact that a lot of the music has been changed from the original version. I understood that the reason the NX DVD was so expensive was that they needed to pay copyright to keep all original music. If the music is indeed different, why are they still so expensive?
Obviously, I'll take whatever I can get. This is one of the best television shows ever produced. Just have to say that I have been disappointed.
19 Season 3 Release
Universal has announced the release of season 3 - May 10th. And it's all 23 episodes! This show was one of the all time best ever (have to include Frank's Place and Sports Night in there, too). Season 3 will be the same price as seasons 1 and 2, so hopefully everyone can relax.
20 Content is classic, but altered. Discs not user-friendly.
OVERALL:
Disappointing that there is no "net" improvement over the 1st Season release. It is frustrating to navigate the discs. ONLY 7 EPISODES!?!? The episodes are still classic and enjoyable if you are NOT a die-hard NX fan.
The flaws are:
1. The organization of the menus and navigation of the content is not intuitive which leads to frustration.
2. The discs are two-sided and poorly labeled, with no labelling of episodes to indicate which side of which disc to insert for play. Finding the right "side" to play a specific episode is basicly trial-and-error.
3. The musical soundtrack has been altered from the original. For die-hard NX music fans this is a CRUSHING disappointment, I would say it borders on grounds for a class-action lawsuit for something like false advertising.
One solitary improvement is:
1. A summary of the story-line precedes each episode.
Our feeling: After buying the 1st Season, we assumed the 2nd Season DVD would be an improvement. Overall, we were wrong and feel basicly cheated at the price. We will not buy the 3rd season until we read reviews here. We expect the reviews to be poor. If so we'll pick up a used copy on the cheap.
21 Lj in San Jose,CA
Five Stars for NORTHERN EXPOSURE - It's a must in my DVD collection. However, only three stars for how the DVD was
put together and the missing music. What were they thinking ~ that we wouldn't notice?
22 SEASON 2 IS NOT MISSING IMPORTANT MUSIC!!!
I WAS OUTRAGED TO READ SOME OF THE REVIEWS ON THIS SITE MENTIONING THE DREADFULL OMISSION OF IMPORTANT MUSIC IN THIS SERIES. I WAS WORRIED THAT I HAD WASTED MY MONEY BUYING SEASON TWO AS A RESULT. BUT ALAS, I WATCHED MY DVDs AND WAS DELIGHTED TO DISCOVER THAT THERE WAS NO IMPORTANT MUSIC ON THE SOUNDTRACK MISSING!!!!! WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE SMOKING??!!!! "AT LAST" "GO INSANE" "YOU DO SOMETHING TO ME" WERE NOT IN FACT MISSING. THIS WAS THE MUSIC I WAS WORRIED ABOUT MISSING. IT IS NOT MISSING. THE EPISODES ARE STILL WONDERFUL AND LACK NOTHING THAT WOULD HAVE AUGMENTED THEM OTHERWISE (I COULD CARE LESS ABOUT MOST OF THE STUFF IN HOLLINGS BAR... I FELT IT MADE NO DISCERNABLE DIFFERENCE) SO I SAY BUY THE DVD... IT IS A GREAT BUY!!!!
23 One Half to Two Thirds of the Original Music Removed
I've been a big NE fan for many years and was quite satisfied with Season One, even with it's high price tag and cheap double-sided DVDs, because it was almost identical in every way to the original broadcast shows.
Season Two, unfortunately, is a different story. One half to two thirds of the original music has been replaced with bland, repetitive muzak and piano tinkering. The reviewer who wrote that Chris now sounds like the most boring DJ on the face of this planet and the Brick becoming a bad jazz/blues bar couldn't have stated it better.
The irony (for non-Spanish speaking individuals, that is) is that ALL the original music IS included on the DVD. Yes, you heard me correctly. But ONLY on the Spanish speaking track. What's up with that!? Why, if the original music is included on the Spanish speaking track, is it not included on the English track? Does Universal not have to pay copyright fees when the series is dubbed in Spanish? Either way, it's unacceptable they would do this. If you are a real fan of the series the replacement of so much music guts a hole through the middle of each show.
Universal, please do right by the fans and return the original music. Many of us are completely insane and would be willing to pay even more money to have the original music intact. I don't give a hoot about deleted scenes or fancy parkas. Just give us the shows as they originally aired.
24 Universal Robs Viewers Of Original Music
Fully one third of the NX series is the MUSIC. Unfortunately when you buy season two you are not getting what you expect. Many of the original songs that are included in the episodes and are VITAL to the scenes in which they appear, have been replaced with Muzak. VERY DISAPPOINTING, and in a way a deceptive move by Universal as there is no mention that you are not getting the original episodes. I would like to see them step up to the plate and offer an exchange for DVDs that have the original songs, and further to this I'd like to see all future season releases include the original songs.
25 Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware)!
What a great disappointment! The second season has some of the original music removed and replaced with generic music. Longtime NX fans will find this unacceptable. The music is an integral and very important part of the show. Why Universal thought we would accept this is beyond me. The first season DVD has all the original music in it and is a quality buy. The surgical removal of the music in the second season is my only complaint. But I still have to give this one two thumbs down!
Jan. 18, 2005 - Be advised that there are some people on this review list that work for Universal/Amazon. Usually you can tell by their lack of music appreciation and their use of all upper-case letters.
26 One Word Describes Northern Exposure
The word is AWESOME. I can't wait until the other seasons follow. Universal, we want them all!
27 Northern Exposure Season 2
To watch the episodes of Northern Exposure was, and now is again, the basic reason for living in this age of entertainment. There is nothing greater. Period. To the distributors, please keep the next seasons coming out on dvd as fast as you possbily can. Please. And Thank You.
28 I still think they are FABULOUS!
WOW I would have NEVER noticed the music issues everyone was talking about until I read the reviews. I seriously miss this show and I got both seasons 1 & 2 for xmas. My husband had never watched the show and now he's hooked.
I have to agree with the "authentic Chris" statements and the issue with the teasers at the beginning of the show. But don't let this keep you from owning some of the best TV in the last 30 years. I LOVED watching all the episodes all over again and I am thouroughly dissapointed that I have to wait for the rest of them.
I would give it 5 stars if I weren't reminded of the "blunders" mentioned in the other reviews...
29 It can't be said enough
Alot of reviews have mentioned the music changes, but it can't be overstated. Chris' radio programing sets the atmosphere for so much of the show. The way season 2 is now, you'd think he's the worst DJ on the planet. I honestly think it weakens his character. Also, Hollings bar it would now seem is a (bad) jazz bar--just plain weird. Chris' music selection reflected diversity and meshed with every scene. The generic music annoys, and sometimes I'm caught thinking, "what on Earth is that playing in the background?" At worst it can be distracting, especially if you have a good audio system. Sadly, if there is a way to adjust your system to turn down the music and beef up the voices, I would recommend this.
I always assumed the music in Hollings bar was either from the radio or a juke box. Either way, the music in season 2 just doesn't swing it. One example of many is the potluck party scene in the episode Spring Break. This is one of the most memorable scenes between Joel and Maggie (I don't want to give it away) and we have to watch it with inane Island musak in the background. Not to mention, who would actually dance to it, and that it seems to go on for ever. They could have at least changed it up. Also, the music played during the scene where Ed encounters Chris at the radio station at the end of that episode finishes just as his monologue comes to an end--not very realistic. The bad music there really detracts from what is a great and vintage Chris moment.
30 I'd take the episodes if they were wrapped in newspaper
Yes, Universal could do much better with packaging and with the setup of the dvds, but at least I get to have Northern Exposure in a convenient format that will last for a while. While the way they've arranged the dvd is somewhat inconvenient, it's quite useable if you have any brain at all.
The episodes are so good, the writing is so superb, the acting so marvelous that I don't care what the box looks like--I treasure each episode. To be able to go back and hear those wonderfully written, quirky, wise words spoken is an utter delight. I can hardly wait for the next season!
31 I'm not buying this one!
After reading a number of the reviews here (and after having purchased the 1st Season DVD)I have decided to let this one go. i thought the first season DVD was marginal at best but at least the episodes and the music are intact.
With the high price and compromised content of the second season,I can't see spending the money on this one. I think the logic that "they may not release subsequent seasons if we complain or don't buy this one" (as I saw in one review here),is specious at best. I'd much rather not see the episodes again than to see them butchered by greedy corporate types who seem unable to grasp what it is they have stewardship of.
Generally these types only understand the bottom line. I think it's a good idea to send them a message that we are not sheep who will buy whatever they sell. It's good to see that there are some other "consumers" who are of the same mind.
I'd love to have all these shows on DVD but I am waiting till they do it right. If they don't...I have other ways I can spend my time.
32 They botched such a wonderful show
Both Season 1 & 2 are seriously flawed in this release. The original shows always opened with a short "teaser" scene, followed by the theme song seqeuence. Then after a commercial break, the main episode would begin, with some credits overlayed during the opening scenes. With this set, they have changed the sequence. Now the theme song opens every episode, followed by the teaser. This means they had to move the overlayed credits to the teaser. Even worse, they changed the typography! Instead of the Northern Exposure font, they changed it some generic block font. This totally upsets the continuity and visual flavor of the show. Add to this the missing/changed music in Season 2, and this set gets a big thumbs down from me.
33 Where is the music we paid for?
I am a Northern Exposure fan and had no problem paying the asking price to get season two with the original music. The probem is that the music has been removed from several scenes and replaced with generic instrumentals. We were told that the reason the price was so high for such a short season because it costs so much to get the rights to the music. Where is the music? Every song put into Northen Exposure was chosen to compliment or highlight a scene. I paid for the music, I would like to have it please.
34 Bad Universal... no cookie
[...]
Some folks in here complain about the set and then give it 5 stars. I think the rating should be for the DVD box set, not the actual show. And then there are a few people reviewing in here who rated it, but haven't purchased it, or even seen the set... or are stooges for Universal.
Anyone who is a NX fan that doesn't think the music is as important as the actors and writing etc., is either somewhat vacant... or I guess they aren't moved by the good music that relates to the characters and the great storylines of NX.
I've been watching these episodes over and over again since shortly after their inception on Network TV. These wonderful episodes helped me through some very hard times. The metaphors are that strong. And I know the music by heart... maybe that's why Season 2 is such a disappointment.
If Universal is so greedy that they charge the same as they did for their first season set ($ 59.98 for 8 episodes with some neato extras and a useless stupid parka), which had one more episode and all of the original music - then it seems there's no way we'll get the original music on any of the following seasons... and that would be a sin. I would gladly pay the extra for the ACTUAL broadcast episodes.
Somewhat in Universal's defense - my suspicion is that the Robert Palmer and the Lindsey Buckingham songs from one of the best episodes, busted their music leasing budget. That's still no excuse for the fact that Universal didn't advertise this as NOT being the original broadcast versions of the episodes.
[...]
35 WHO CARES ABOUT THE MUSIC?!?!
I am a huge NE fan and have been for many years. It had been so long since I had seen the episodes (until recently coming out on dvd) that I did not even realize the music was different. It did not take anything away from the show itself, at least not yet in the first 2 seasons. If you like the show, you will like the dvd's despite some of the music being changed. And I realize the listing price is too high, but it's only $42 on Amazon! That is not bad for over 6 hours worth of dvd. We pay around $20 for 2-hour movies all the time! Think about it!
36 Season 2's Great..Now Where's Season 3
This is one of the true classic TV sitcoms. You can't watch an episode without breaking out in laughter. There's nothing on television today that can compete with the entertainment spectrum Northern Exposure provided. BRING ON SEASON 3...I'M WAITING
37 Awesome show; lousy presentation
It's all been said by most everyone else regarding this season and the last. What a letdown to wait so many years for these releases only to get episodes where the most important character, the music, has been deleted. I add my voice to the complaints just in case the powers that be read these reviews. I wrote the following as my review of the first season's release. The same holds true for this one.
"I agree with the other reviewers who thought: At last! My favorite show, characters I will never forget and now don't have to. The episodes are there, so I am happy. But, except for the neat zip-up parka packaging, the producers of this set should be ashamed of themselves.
Surely they could have included more outtakes, commentaries, etc., like all the other DVD's out there. The very least, they should have included a package insert listing the episodes with their synopses. For the price, this is the cheapestly produced DVD set I've yet to see.
If not for that, I'd have given it five stars."
And truth be told, after watching the dvd's, I took out my old 'off-the-tv' reruns and watched them.
38 YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!!!!!!
Does anyone have a list of the music that was removed from season two? How many songs are we talking about hear? This is just ridiculous!!!!! No disclaimer on the packaging? Universal should be offering a refund.
Hey, I have a good idea why not remove Fleischman from the second season because he didn't get paid enough?
39 It's the episodes that matter
Well they did a great job of frustrating me.. not having a episode listing printed anywhere is just a laughable oversight (until I wanted to see a specific episode that is!!)
But.. I didn't buy it for the packaging. I didn't buy it for the sleeve notes, I didn't buy it for the extra features. I bought it purely for the episodes.. and with that I have been rewarded.
Having Northern Exposure back in my living room is a delight. I missed it. I missed it badly, but now I am happy again.
How long until the next season is released?!!!!
40 So glad it's out on DVD
I got my Season 2 DVD for Christmas. Now I need to buy Season 1, and start a set. My brother and I have been Northern fans since it first came out. We would schedule our college classes around the A&E reruns in the late 90's. I never bought the VHS tapes that were released, but always said how cool it would be if it ever came out on DVD. I am SO GLAD that day is finally here. I haven't watched but a few episodes of the DVD yet, so I can't comment on the music. Some reviewers are saying the DVDs are pricey due to the licensing of the original music, and others are saying the original music is omitted. Either way, I'm glad I finally have Northern Exposure on DVD. If the original music is omitted, I give it a 9 instead of 10.
EDIT: After watching "The Big Kiss," I noticed the episode ended with Nat King Cole singing "When I Grow Too Old To Dream," which is on the Northern Exposure CD. I'm assuming that was in the original episode.
41 Amazing.
I have to say, this is an incredible set. NX was one of the best shows on television by far, and I thought it would never be available except on crappy home recordings. But now that it's been released on DVD, I have both seasons and they're better than I imagined. I heard some rumblings from reviewers saying the price is too high, but if what they say is true and it's because of the lisencing of the original music, I don't mind paying a higher price at all. The music was a very important part of the show and set the mood and tone of the whole series. I mean, c'mon - K-Bear without the music!! Sacrilige. I also like the way it was packaged in the cool "moose parkas" - nice touch. All in all, I've very happy with my purchase and it's just nice to own such an great series on DVD. My only complaint is lack of inserts, I sure hope they remedy that when they release the next season.
42 Fleischman Warms...Chris Is Speechless.. O'Connell Charms...
This review refers to "Northern Exposure - The Complete Second Season" (DVD/Universal)..
Once again, as in my review of Season 1, I could not find any reason to take even one star off of this outstanding TV series.The DVD's may be lacking in a few areas, my little complaint would still be that the episodes are not labeled anywhere, and you have to remember where you left off viewing. Once I found my place though, there wasn't anything that took away from my viewing enjoyment. Just to have these gems of storytelling on DVD to view whenever I please(without all the commericals) makes me a happy camper. I was also very happy with the transfer. The picture was clear, colors beautiful and sound very good in DD2.0 Surr.
Season 2 finds the gang in Cicely, bundling up for the icy and snowy weather ahead, to their bizzare behavior once the ice starts to thaw. Joel looks like he is starting to become one with the town, even though he still moans and groans about going back to New York. This is evidenced by his canceled trip to the Big Apple when the town warms to his temporary replacement. Things are starting to heat up some between Maggie and Joel, and Rick(Maggie's current boyfriend), falls victim to what may be the curse of being close to Maggie. Chris "In the Morning" doles out some wonderful insights,and when he loses his voice to a beautiful woman, only Maggie's "charm" can help him restore it. There's a wonderful scene of the whole town gathered outside her house waiting for to see the results! Maurice finds too much in common with some gay men(their love of show tunes and cooking), Elaine still charms us with her very subtle humor, and Holling and Shelly have their quirky moments as well. Ed falls in love and Ruth Ann will just make you smile in every scene she is in.
As in season 1, you will still find the deleted scenes along with "unexposed footage". It includes English captions and subtitles in Spanish and French and may also be viewed in Spanish(DD2.0 Mono). This season has 7 episodes that will make you laugh and touch you in some way. I also noticed that this season there are summaries at the beginning of each episode. There are 2 - two sided discs. Total running time is about 5 and half hours. If you find the price to be a little high for only 7 episodes, be patient, put it on your wish list or in your shopping cart and keep checking for a good deal from an outside seller.
The writing on this show is superior to anything you'll find these days. The humor, the insightfulness, and the heartwarming moments make you want to come back again and again.(I am now impatiently awaiting the release of Season 3) The cast is fabulous at bringing the town and the characters to life. There are also some wonderful guests to stars to liven up Cicely including an appearance by Adam Arkin.
Wrap up warm, and enjoy your return trip to Cicely....Laurie
43 This will not stand,man.......
I can't believe Universal is charging this much for this set AND are replacing much of the origional music.
It's just not cool. I'm ticked. This is my favorite show, ever...and those wankers are trying to rip us off, plain and simple.
There are bootleggers out there who make Northern Exposure DVD's illegally, using the origional uncut versions from television and transfering them to DVD. I will buy from them instead.
Shame on you, Universal....you greedy SOBs.
44 Shame on Universal
How could Universal not understand the importance of the original music for each Northern Exposure episode? I got this as a holiday gift and rushed to my DVD to play my all time favorite episode, " Spring Break". So sad to hear phony musack replace the perfect opera piece that originally played when Chris is confronted by Ed about the stolen car radios. The music replacement should at least have been revealed with a warning banner on the DVD case. Terrible. Lousy DVD case documentation, outrageous cost for only 7 episodes: this is a bad joke for Northern Exposure fans. DO NOT BUY THIS DVD! Universal deserves nothing for this.
45 I Didn't Even Bother to Open Mine
SO typical of Universal, although this time they've managed to top ("bottom?") even themselves. I love this show and was SO looking forward to eventually discarding all those VHS's on which I'd painstakingly recorded the whole series. DAMN!
I pulled out my commercial VHS release of Seoul Mates yesterday to watch for Christmas and was awed anew at just how smart and entertaining this series is (although I think you probably have to be an American Baby Boomer to really "get it"--Brand and Falsey are my age and targeted their peers). Granted, it's expensive to release a long-running TV series, particularly when music licensing fees are involved. But did Universal have to LIE by omission by not informing us that the music for which we're allegedly paying through the nose is MISSING? FRAUD!
As other Amazon reviewers have noted, the lion's share of this series' atomosphere is provided by the selections played on a RADIO STATION, augmented by music played in a bar/restaurant, and that's not even including the oh-so-appropriate selections played under various scenes, including Native events. THE MUSIC IS INTEGRAL; IT'S EVEN REFERRED TO AT TIMES--change it and you're left with a crippled Northern Exposure. COMPLAIN TO UNIVERSAL and while you're at it, threaten to boycott their other releases. I can't even imagine what they'll do to Brand and Falsey's prior masterpiece, St. Elsewhere (for which we've been waiting many years). I'm just happy that Criterion released Magnificent Obsession and All that Heaven Allows before Universal could butcher them; they're incapable of showing respect to the gems in their catalog AND to the viewing public as well.
46 This sucks....WHERE DID THE MUSIC GO?!?!?
DO NOT BUY THESE DVD's!!!!! Save your money and for the price of a blank DVD and the Blockbuster rental fee you can just burn your own copies! Thats what my friends and I all did. I'm so glad I didn't spend my hard earned money only to find out that the music was missing.
47 Write to Universal - Let them know we won't stand for this!!
I too am completely disappointed in this new Northern Exposure set from Universal. The price only makes sense if the studio needs to pay licensing fees which they clearly have not done here. Write to them and demand a change: Craig Kornblau/President, Universal Studios Home Video/Universal Studios/100 Universal City Plaza/Universal City, CA 91608. We all deserve better than this. The studio is making serious money off an inferior product.
48 Shame on Universal
Universal said it was the music that drove up the cost- now we pay the same for seven episodes accompanied by elevator music. What a joke. I love Northern Exposure, but this is very poor customer service on Universal's part.
49 As Brad Bonner himself says...
..."What a scam"
We've been had
Chris says, "It's 'Love is Pain' day on KBHR. Music to soothe the shattered heart. Dedicated to you, Dr. Joel."
AND THEN THEY PLAY THE WRONG MUSIC?
Bait and switch - we've been had people. First season they tell us it's pricey because of music licensing fees. We see second season is just as pricey, but guess what...they didn't pay the licensing fees and we get either no music, some original music, or lots of generic music.
As Maurice says, "you gave your word. And I intend to hold you to that word within the bounds of the law. If necessary, without the bounds of the law."
bummed.
50 Not me!!
Shame on Universal! When you re-release the second season with all the original music, i will purchase it. Until then, i urge everybody to stop buying these sets to send a message!!!!
51 What a let down!!
I preordered Season 1 but thought I'd wait for Christmas and see if it turned up in my stocking. Just for grins I was checking for any info. on Season 3 when I started seeing the reviews for Season 2. I love this show. The music was as important as the dialog, sometimes more important. I won't be buying Season 2 unless the music issue gets resolved. I don't mind paying for something as long as I get what I pay for. I believe Universal should be taken to task for [...]. I hope Santa doesn't bring Season 2. It would be a waste of a good present.
52 How disappointing!
How disappointing!
I'm a long time fan and have been looking forward to these releases. The change of music has just ruined the experience. The new music is poorly written and muzak-like. It would have been better to leave the music out rather than replace it with this junk!
A customer from Wisconsin
53 A big disappointment
I was one of the few that rabidly defended the exorbitant price of the Season One set on the grounds that Universal did a good job of keeping the original music intact. Not this time. Season Two is not worth the money. I apologize for getting anyone's hopes up that the Northern Exposure DVD series would be something to treasure. It's not, and Universal should be doing all it can to make amends. Personally, I won't be fooled again.
54 Nothern Exposer - The Complete Second Season
I had intended to buy this set - but upon reading other reviews realized that I should just live with my old VHS copies from the original programs. How very disappointing to think that we could end up buying something that is NOT the original artists view of the show. I agree with the reviewer who said 'shame on you, Universal'
55 Soulless Disapointment - Original Music MISSING!!!
I'm a huge fan of Norther Exposure.
I think it's one of the BEST TV series EVER produced... which is why it's very hard for me to say that NO ONE should waste there hard-earned moolah on this DVD set!
This morning I started to check the Northern Exposure Syndicated episodes I taped off the TV, against the new second season DVD box set... Very disappointing. So much so that I got 10 minutes and three songs into the first episode and had to stop.
As an example: The first song - during the teaser on my Syndicated version - is a beautiful trumpet-arranged version of Stardust over a monologue by Chris (Harry James maybe?). It's the first thing you hear and it sets a very important mood for the episode... and it's no longer there for anyone to appreciate. The song on the DVD Box Set is something completely forgettable.
More so than anything else I can think of, the music on Northern Exposure is integral to the series. When it's used well - which is almost always - it is a profound voice in the series, and almost always a "character" of it's own. Most of the time the music tells a significant part of the story besides setting a mood for the scene. There are a lot of levels to Northern Exposure. Things like Shelly's earrings and their metaphoric relationship to the storyline contribute to the feel of each episode. Worse, without the original music, we aren't seeing the shows we remember.
My own experience with licensors is that they're a very short-sighted, ignorant and greedy bunch of bad businessmen. They don't seem to take into account how many more copies of, say, Etta James' version of "At Last," they'd sell every time the show is rerun or watched on home video.
The odd thing is that the price of the first and second season are almost the same. BUT the first season has the original music*... so it seems to me that we are already paying for their licensing fees.
It'd be nice if we could let the Producers of the DVD sets know that we'd pay more for the real music. I definitely would. I already have.
The show has hole big enough to float a Love Boat through it without the original/correct music.
My advise to fans, is to tape the episodes off the TV since they have the original music. I'd rather have an edited, grainy version than an episode with forgettable/unoriginal music.
My advise to the Producers is to have a disclaimer on the package saying that these episodes are NOT COMPLETE!!! Shame on you. And in the future please let us buyers know if the music is complete or not... as I won't waste my money on incomplete episodes.
peace,
albabe
(*As far as I can tell, the first season DVD set has the original music - but I only have the syndicated-shorter episodes to compare them to, as opposed to the first run-complete ones.)
update 12-31-04 Happy New Year!!!
It's obvious that Universal has got it's few hacks to make positive note here in the Amazon Reviews of their soulless Northern Exposure DVD set for season #2. Anyone who is a NX fan that doesn't think the music is as important as the actors, et al, is either somewhat vacant or a fibber... or maybe just not a music fan.
I've been watching these episodes over and over again since shortly after their inception on Network TV. These wonderful - read: full of wonder - episodes helped me through the death of my Brother and Mother. The metaphors are that strong. And I know the music by heart... maybe that's why Season 2 is such a disappointment.
Universal has the gall to charge as much for the second season - with one-less episode and very little original music - as for the first season, which is complete and, as far as I can tell, pretty much the same as broadcast.
(...)
56 What the hell is this?????
God bless Universal for having the wherewithall to release this wonderful series on DVD, but what the hell is with the music? Not only are large chunks of original music missing, but they are replaced with something that would make John Tesh cringe. Anyone who knows anything about this series knows how integral the original music is to the overall effect and quality of the material. It's an absolute crying shame that this corner had to be cut. Beware anyone who is thinking about buying this set of OVERPRICED dvd's. Shame on you Universal!!!!
57 Season Two of Northern Exposure
The episodes are lacking their original soundtrack and it makes a dramatic difference.
As a fan of the show I was very disappointed.
58 Thanks for the heads up
I too am grateful that I decided to read the reviews just as I was ready to purchase. When I think of the Northern Exposure shows, they always include the the music during certain scenes. It is not the same show without the music! I just missed spending a good bit of money for something I'd be disappointed in.
59 Dude, What Happened to my Northern Exposure Music?
I am not buying this. I can't believe that some of the music in the Second Season DVD has been replaced with elevator muzak. What a disaster!!! I want to cry. I don't care about licensing and copyrights and resons why. This is America, and I am a consumer.
I would pay 250 for the DVD, if it only had all the music, so don't tell me you edited out the music to make it cheaper. Northern Exposure was special because of the music that weaved through the show. It was based around a radio station for God sakes. And if Willie Nelson is not playing when Holling and Maurice are hauling the casket through the woods then forget it.
I can't believe that Universal thinks they can get away with this. We Northern Exposure fans know the songs. By Universal calling it Northern Exposure, we expect a product, the one we have seen and know as Northern Exposure. It can't be changed, modified or reduced. That would be like replacing Marilyn Whirlwind with a 6 foot animated fish by Pixar. This product is a lie, and they should all be recalled.
I thank Amazon for providing this, so that consumers will not be angry when they open their new DVD to find such a dissapointment.
This really makes me angry and sad because i waited so long....
60 If I wanted Musak, I'd hop in the elevator
Now, I don't really care about packaging or inserts, or even cost, when it comes to this show. I just want the show. I didn't mind paying the $40-60 asking price for Season One, since I was aware that much of that money was going toward securing the wonderful music that helped make this show the gem that it was.
Therefore, I also didn't mind paying it again for Season Two. This 7-episode season contains some of the best television I've ever seen. You can clearly see, in the last three or four episodes, that this show was really beginning to hit its stride. "Spring Break" and "War and Peace" were harbingers of the wonderful things to come in ensuing seasons - both episodes contained great situations, dramatic and comedic, as well as music that, in my opinion, made up the best TV soundtrack ever done.
Again, we were told that we were paying the relatively high cost in order to help ensure that the great soundtracks for each episode were kept intact for the DVDs. Made sense to me, and I was happy to pay a little extra.
So imagine my horror when I turned on "Spring Break" and was greeted with elevator music instead of the original songs, those songs that helped tie the show together, those songs that I remember so well as being such an important part of the series. And it got worse before it got better. It seemed as if each episode was missing integral music, music that was seemingly replaced by the soundtrack from the Sears Tower elevator. I was in shock.
Now I'm not going to pretend to know about copyrighting and licensing. Maybe they weren't able to get this music. Maybe various artists wouldn't allow their music to be included on the DVDs. Who knows. But I do know one thing ... we were asked to, and did, pay more for these DVDs to help secure the original music. In return, we were sent home with DVDs that didn't contain the original music.
Something is wrong here.
Now I loved having Season One on DVD. The picture is clear and the sound is great. Just like it is on Season Two (except for the problem noted above, of course). Now I assume the asking price for Season Three, if it ever sees the light of day, will be over $150. And I'll tell you one thing ... I, for one, would rather watch my grainy, commercial-ridden VHS tapes than shell out that kind of money for DVDs that fail to do what they promise, that fail to provide us with that which we have the right to expect to be provided with at that price - episodes of our favorite television show, uncut and enedited.
I'm glad I haven't thrown away my VCR. Or recorded over my Season Two videotape. Because the DVD is headed to the half-priced bookstore. If they offer me $7 for it, I'll think that someone is getting ripped off. And it won't be me.
61 Didn't buy and don't plan to.
So here I was, planning to hit the "Buy It Now" button when I decide to read some reviews on the second season. Low and behold, the original music isn't on these discs, just some bad substituted backround music.
For anyone who hasn't seen NE, you must think I'm a nit or drama critic, however for those of you who are true fans of this ground breaking series, the music is just as important to the shows as sugar is to a pie. NE is probably the first TV show that truly integrated quality music into the shows that made it just as poinent as the stories themselves.
I won't watch a color retake of Casablanca and I won't buy NE with "filler" music. Alas, my only thoughts after this decision, is "we'll always have Paris".
Ciao
62 If You Don't Love Northern Exposure,You Need Help!!
In my opinion,Northern Exposure is at the top of the top five television series of all time, and I've been watching television since the 1950s! It is unbelievably great writing that is then brought to life by perfect acting, fabulous scenery, great music ... well, it is perfect and I absolutely love every visit to Cicely, Alaska, no matter how many times I've been there before. This is brilliant work - funny, quirky, sad, touching, profound; it's comedy, drama, philosophy, religion, it's Life - the whole ball of wax - and it's work that is in love with Life in ALL of its aspects!
Now the real point of this review is this: WHEN, OH WHEN, WILL SEASON 3 AND BEYOND BE AVAILABLE??!! PLEASE HURRY!! WE ARE LINED UP AT YOUR DOORS WAITING FOR ALL OF THE REST OF THE NORTHERN EXPOSURE SEASONS TO BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. PLEASE! HURRY!
63 Ready for Season 3 :)
Please keep them coming, it's such a joy to see this series again! Also liked the episode previews in this set.
64 Who messed with the music
Why did someone think they had to screw with the music ? This was one of the major great parts of the series and is very notably missing in your copy. I think there should be a refund offered to those of us who have purchased this DVD.
D L Cooper
65 Universal are the themes, but "UNIVERSAL" is an insult!
"Northern Exposure" is the kind of show that deserves a DVD release with all the bells and whistles, just like "Seinfeld" or the "Dick Van Dyke Show". It's easily just as groundbreaking and memorable. Unfortunately, Universal studios is clearly not up to the challenge of making it happen on an appropriate level. After numerous reviews of the Season 1 release that exposed various problems, what do we get with this release?
-- double-sided discs
-- lousy navigation/menus
-- little or no printed info about episode order, filming/air dates
-- reports of data/read errors on discs
OK, that's all stuff that was present on Season 1, as well. Now it's back again on Season 2. What's more (or rather less), in Season 2 to watch out for:
-- only 7 episodes (that's right five and a half hours for over 40 dollars). By the way, there's no indication on the outside packaging about the number of episodes. This truly seems to be an act of deception, since it obviously appears to be intended to keep the actual number of episodes a secret until after the set is purchased.
-- non-original music. Yes, apparently after all the reviews claiming that the high price is "all about music licensing", some of the music has been changed (at least one reviewer has compared the DVDs to previously recorded VHS copies), and is therefore not the same as it was during the original broadcasts.
So, not only is Universal charging an exorbitant amount for 7 episodes, but it also has not delivered on all the original music. This is nothing less than pure contempt for the true believers. It almost seems as though they're trying to crash the plane before the 24-episode seasons come along. There's no sign of this set at any Wal-Mart I've seen so far, either (as opposed to when Season 1 was released). Definitely not a good harbinger of things to come...
Most likely, we hardcore fans will put up with almost anything that Universal unloads on us, but if they can't get a decent product out there that the general buying public will be attracted to, the likelihood of ever seeing Seasons 3-6 are bound to be ever more remote.
66 It is what it is. It's barebones N.E. on DVD.
Chances are you've already read a lot of the negative reviews about the quality of these DVDs. I agree with the points that it is about as poor as you can get in terms of lack of features, no labeling on the discs, etc... But the fact is that this is the best WE can do. Northern Exposure simply is not going to have expectations as a huge seller. So if we do not buy it out of principle, it isn't going to teach anyone anything. They arent going to make subsequent seasons better. They simply will not release subsequent seasons at all.
I make this analogy. Imagine years ago you saw the best concert in your life, you loved being there and hoped for years it would be out someday as an official release. Now you find that it is out but only on VHS. Wouldnt you still want it to enjoy it? I would. Well, Northern Exposure which is my all time favorite show is out on DVD and granted the DVD is pretty weak. But it's what we have. I recomend it for people who love the show and want to enjoy it many times again. I also recomend heading to your neighborhood Costco where I bought mine for $35.00. All in all dont act like Joel whining and crying about how bad the production of the DVD is. Be like Ruth Ann and role with it. Buy the DVD and enjoy Cicely, Alaska again.
67 Synergy Lost
As a devoted Northern Exposure fan my poor rating has nothing whatever to do with the ensemble cast, writing, and ORIGINAL MUSIC. The synergistic combination of these three key elements was what made this show a true gem.
It has been said that the high cost of the first season DVD was due to the licensing of the original music, but now we have the second season DVD with the same suggested retail price, one less episode (to pay licensing fees on) and nothing much better than elevator music in place of some of those original tunes.
An episode index and episode summary (as well as a four item scene selection for each episode) are now included on each of the two double-sided discs, and this is certainly a navigational improvement over the first season offering. The image and audio quality are everything one would expect from the DVD format. Even so, the missing music is a tragic tarnishing of the jewel that is/was Northern Exposure.
I still hope to see the full six seasons make it to DVD, and if, for whatever reason, the rights cannot be obtained to the original music it would at least be nice to see some effort made to substitute something in its place a little more complimentary than elevator fare.
68 Is that all there is??
The deleted and unexposed footage are wonderful. Much of the original music has been replaced in the episodes which makes watching them like watching "Oklahoma" without Rogers and Hamerstein. I'm very disappointed.
69 Good news
Many of the reviewers before me have noted the paucity of episodes in the first two seasons- only eight in the first season, and seven in the second. The reviewer "Mawkie" pointed out that this is because only 15 were recorded in the first two years. She(?) thoughtfully provided a link that lists and gives details for all 110 episodes recorded in the six seasons (http://www.gate.net/~kimi/nxguide.txt).
The good news is that the show kicked into high gear starting in the third season, with 23 episodes, followed by 25 episodes in the fourth season, 24 in the fifth season, and 23 episodes in the sixth season.
The music is another matter. Some reviewers are claiming that the cost is high because of license fees, which seems reasonable, but others are saying that some of the songs in the second season have been replaced. I have not yet seen the second season DVDs; to the extent that Universal was not able to procure the music rights, it will substantially harm the episodes. The music was one of the best parts of the show.
70 DO NOT BUY NORTHERN EXPOSRE ON DVD
I am completely surprised at how crappy Universal Studios did in making the second season. A lot of the original songs are edited out, the disks aren't even marked with the episodes. I thought after them screwing up on the first season they would atleast try on the second season, but I was wrong. If you love Northern Exposure like I do then you will be very unhappy with the second season. It is a waste of money & Universal Studios should be ashamed of themselves for cheating us loyal Northern Exposure fans. I will not buy anymore seasons until Universal Studios fixes the problems.
71 How do you define a season?
I think of 'The West Wing' and its full on post production DVD of some 21-22 episodes as a season. A 'Lovejoy' season (from Amazon.UK) is 10-12 1 hour episodes. But for the Fans of Northern Exposure the second season is here, all 5 1/2 hours of it. Now 'Spring Breakup' was the first episode I ever saw and still one of my favourite. Joel in his own version of Robert Palmers music video 'Simply Irrisitable' is still brilliant. All the episodes are a treat. I miss the decade old commercials from my video tapes from that time but who cares I have the DVD at last! The grossly overpriced DVD. But wait, there are some deleted scenes you can see, Big Whoop! Again who cares? There is no love or care or any of the brilliant wit that this show was known for. I was disappointed. Very much like a lot of the comments for the "first season" these two should have been put together in one package at the same price ($50) As it is now only we the faithful (and addicted) should and will buy it, but grudgingly. Perhaps if they left off the 'cute' snow suit, it might make the price more reasonable but I doubt it.
72 Big Disappointment!
If you read the other reviews for the first two seasons of the Northern Exposure DVD releases you will notice a lot of folks complaining about the price for a two disc set. Another thing you'll notice is the explanation that the price has to be set so high to cover the user rights for all of the wonderful music that is used throughout the show. I have absolutely no problem paying extra to retain the original music from the series... IF THEY ACTUALLY USED THE ORIGINAL MUSIC FOR THESE DVD RELEASES! One of the things that makes this TV show so unique is its poignant use of music. I was thoroughly disappointed when I began to notice how much of the music from the series did not make it onto the Second Season DVD's. In the episode titled 'Spring Break', the familiar country music twang heard at The Brick is replaced with elevator jazz and will stick out like a sore thumb to fans of the show. At Rick's funeral in the 'Slow Dance' episode, Chris plays Peggy Lee's 'Is That All There Is?' and comments about it being Rick's favorite song. Unfortunately, Peggy Lee is replaced with generic shopping mall jazz and later in the same episode as Maggie mourns the loss of another boyfriend, Beethoven's beautiful Sonata 8 adagio is absent in place of some quasi-classical piano plunking. I'm not an intellectual property attorney, so I won't pretend to know how publishing rights and copyrights work. But the only thing I can assume is that the rights for the use of the music used in Northern Exposure can be obtained easily for broadcast and rebroadcast (reruns) but not for sale, as is the case in these DVD's. Some of the original music is included, but a lot of it is missing.
I assume that only fans of the show will be buying these DVD's, wanting to upgrade from the episodes collected on old VHS tapes recorded from A&E or the Hallmark Channel. For many years those old VHS tapes remained the only fix for the Northern Exposure junkie and favorite episodes were viewed over and over to the point of memorization, dialogue and music alike. The average person won't notice the different music used in these DVD's and enjoy them thoroughly, but the average Northern Exposure fan looking for the original version of this classic TV series will be thoroughly disappointed.
73 how to ruin the best show ever
Oh, come on, you greedy weasels.
This was my favorite show of all time. Couldn't you find anyone with any affection at all for the show to produce the DVDs?
First of all - Seven episodes? "Complete 2nd Season"? Seriously?
Second - "Hours of DVD Bonus Material"? Not as we measure time on this planet. (And btw, flubbed lines are not worth compiling for the DVD or sitting through without the ability to cut and re-shoot.)
Third - packaging so cheap you don't even label side 2 because, hey, what's the point, if Side 1 is labeled we'll figure it out, right? And two sides? .... sheesh.
Fourth - No information on the package or in it about episodes or credits or anything? Is this just laziness, apathy, indifference... or an attempt to hide the pathetic lack of features of any kind, bonus or otherwise?
Fifth - C'mon, please - not even scene access from the menu? I could never understand why so many DVD's boast of scene access when it's such a basic thing, like boasting of fast forward capability - but now I know - because some people don't care enough to take the couple hours it would require to index the freaking discs.
I could go on, but what's the point? Why would I expect any of the many, and quite likely unemployed, people involved in the show to have been asked to do commentary or interviews or any of the other small touches that make good DVD's so good. What the hell were you doing for the year between the DVDs, anyway?
It's almost like the people involved with this project are ashamed of the show.
And the next one will be just as awful because no matter how piss poorly you package this perfect moment of TV, I'll buy it. Every time.
Crap.
74 If You Are A True Fan...Quit Complaining!!!!!
Finally, what all REAL northern exposure fans are getting and thought they never would....the DVD's. I don't care about the whole "parka thing", we know where the money is going. It's going to ensure that you get the same music in the shows as it aired. Come on people, licensing fees. The music goes with the shows and would never be the same without it. How about the episode with Jesse the Bear, when Holling buries him on the mountain side with the beautiful music of Enya. I don't want that replaced with any generic soundtrack. So do yourself a favor and buy these DVD's and be happy about it. If your not a fan, you should be. Northern is a true original, a classic.
75 Best TV Show Ever
After watching the first season of Northern Exposure on DVD, buying the second season was a no-brainer. As many others have commented here, there is no other TV series quite like Northern Exposure for its intelligence, charm, spirituality, humor and atmosphere. It was incredible to think something like this actually made it to prime time, let alone to ever hope it would arrive on DVD. It did.
Watching these episodes without commercials in crisp DVD format is simply like watching them for the first time. I have no problem with the price of this package at all; if you break it down per episode, it's about the same as buying a couple of movies. But this is much better than a couple of movies! I always say to my friends that Northern Exposure is not a series, it is a place.
My only real gripe is the double-sided DVDs. Considering the incremental cost differential, which is minimal, there really is no excuse for this. It goes without saying that giving us 4 one-sided DVDs with artwork instead of 2 double-sided DVDs would have added to the lifespan of this product. I believe Universal does understand that Northern Exposure is a great product; but they simply do not understand it enough to respect it as a work of art. My suggestion: Lose the damn parka and don't do any more double-sided DVDs.
Having said that, if you like Northern Exposure, then buy the second season. This vote will help ensure that we get to see all the rest of the episodes on DVD.
76 More Universal Greed
I must echo what others have said here that this is indeed a GREAT program .. my favorite TV series ever .. and I'm certainly glad to have it finally on DVD .. And I too am disgusted at Universal's greed shown by such things as the flimsy two-sided & therefore unlabeled discs, the effort into promotion rather than quality packaging such as there is no listing of individual programs anywhere .. impossible to refer to a case or disc label or anywhere else to find out what's included on each disc. It could have been packed SO MUCH BETTER!! .. without the cutesy & useless little parka thing. For the high price given the limited number of episodes, Universal should have done it right! .. Still I'm happy to have it at all .. once one actually gets to the episodes themselves they are as exquisite as always.
77 A little better than season 1.
The addition of title cards on season 2 package eases the confusion of the double-sided discs, my main complaint. And, I'm beginning to understand others' gripes that the music is ignored. Perhaps there's a Web resourse that has cataloged some of the tunes used in the show. About the best and worst I can say for Northern Exposure -- the DVDs -- is that's it's a budget job, and it shows. I don't know who is scrimping, Universal or Fahley or some other. Still, the show's writers -- obviously well-read -- have made something just a little bit special, even if some of the show's charms have faded over the years. The basic themes are pretty standard, and quirkiness is a nothing new. Still, at the top of its game, such as the episode Slow Dance, Northern Exposure is unmatched for its New Age sense and sensibility. I'm a happy owner and give it all a B plus.
78 Great show, mediocore DVD
5 stars for the show, 0 for the DVD's.
I bought both seasons for well below retail at my local Costco. I wanted to help show there is a market for the show. I will not buy subsequent seasons if they have the same issues as below.
Issues:
1. No printed episode guide included, (on the outside so you didn't realize how few episodes there are, but not even inside, just a promo insert for other series!!)
2. double siding the discs
3. terrible scene indexing within episodes (i.e. I can't skip just the theme opening if I want)
4. high per episode cost. (Yes, I know about the music licensing)
5. Some discs don't play terribly well on any dvd player.
6. The single worst thing on the season 2 discs is being forced to watch promos for Quantum Leap, and the Las Vegas TV show DVD's. Why they think the Northern Exposure audience would also be one for Las Vegas eludes me and it irritates me extremely that every time I insert the DVD in the player that promo is forced on me (can't skip can only FF). It's almost enough to tempt me to make a copy of my DVD's so I can get rid of the promo's.
Now having vented my disgust with Universal's bizarre marketing decisions...
The quality of the sound, and picture on the DVD's is great.
It's been wonderful to watch episodes I that hadn't taped when they were originally broadcast, and the episode writing, character development and humor have held up well. Hands down NEXP is still head and shoulders above current broadcast TV offerings.
FOLLOWUP: WARNING!! Universal has monkeyed with the original format. I watched the episodes and something was off. I dug out the VHS tapes. There is missing music, they have moved the opening teaser to after the theme song, moved credits etc. I have been back to the Universal Studios site to vent my upset over how they've treated NEXP and urge others to do the same. Such a great series deserves to be treated well in DVD presentation. Original music, original broadcast format, single sided DVD's, printed episode guide.
I will not buy any future NEXP series that are not exactly as broadcast. I'll just burn my VHS tapes to DVD and try to collect the missing episodes.
79 Throw out the VHS
I simply love the show and will be glad to toss the numerous and dated VHS tapes of the show for a more durable and long lasting DVD. Sure it's a bit pricy (based on prior comments I understand why) and I'm not interested in the packaging nor in deleted scenes and I have certainly seen better navigation but it is the original, uncut series on DVD I am interested in. Unlike other reviews I do not plan to steal what deservingly goes in the actors, directors, writers, publishers, distributors....pockets by burning off of the internet. Like I said before, I simply love the show and am happy to spend the money I earn on a product that I feel is worth it. I cannot say that about many items these days. I am just glad that they have finally decided to release this series for those of us who have waited a long time for it, so enjoy the clean and quirky humor for what it is worth. It's worth the price for me. PS-Having just returned from Seattle and having taken a nice road trip over to Roslyn, I would recommend you try the Roslyn Brew over at The Brick. Fantastic!
80 NE needs more work, less shills
I cannot believe you people. Are you ALL just studio plants trying to drum up interest in this DVD? "I'm work with DVD's, and you need to buy this set!" --> "If you don't settle for our sub-par DVD, you'll never get to see the rest of our sub-par offerings, either!"
SORRY, but this set is not worth owning at the price they are asking. Parka is not good. No inserts. Bad navigation. I'll tell you what I'll do, I'll burn season two off of a certain file-swapping venue everyone goes to, and then encourage everyone to download from my own site. THAT way you can see everything up front and you don't line the pockets of the faceless corporations with $$$.
I already learned my lesson from getting burned on season 1, and I'm already helping other people keep from making the same mistake with season two. Go to bittorrent and look me up for a complete download of season one. After Xmas, you can all have season two as well. If you don't believe in file-swapping, then just buy the badly-constructed DVD sets and let them take seventy dollars of your money. Copyrights nonwithstanding, for eight episodes this is highway robbery. Don't let these companies rob you blind! Spend your money on plenty of other good things out there worth owning for the holiday season!
Remember, sharing is caring! Buy the DVD sets that are VALUE-minded, not the ones that rip you off and try to play you for a sucker in the name of sentimental nostalgia. =)
81 Arbitrary Preferences...
As "Chris in the Morning" said, "It's hard not to become reflective during the...months leading to the winter solstice...the leaves are down, the harvest's in..." It's this time of year that I hole myself inside in the early dark and curl up with the philosophy of NX. With a waxing moon in the sky, I just happened on the "Aurora Borealis" episode. That's the beauty of NX, the connections it makes. Nearly every personality can find someone to relate to in its masterful characterization. I am thrilled with the dvd collection. The clarity of the picture is there like it never was on my college dorm t.v., and it's priceless to have it at my command. I don't find the prices incomparible to other collections of series out there, and I'll gladly purchase what proved to me that the unexpected is where the fun of life lies. Please keep them coming.
82 Fans Of The Moose
How many years have we waited for this wonderful show to come out on DVD? For real NX fans this is like gold. I can't believe people are complaining about the packaging. I love the parka and that moose zipper pull... how cute is that?? It's so Cicely! I have to admit, I wish the DVD was only one sided but I got over that after the first few seconds of
listening to that old familiar theme song play. This was more than a great TV show... it has become a religion... a safe place we can go to when the craziness of the world becomes too much to take. Where do I stand in line for volume 3?
83 Come On Universal..
I agree with everyone about the stupid parka. Hopefully this will go away with Season 3. I wish Universal would take some tips from the Seinfeld release on delivering quality at a reasonable price. We all love the great music from NE, but how much is season 3 going to cost ? This is a wonderful show..please Universal...show it the respect it warrants..
84 Testing the waters
I don't understand why seasons 1 and 2 weren't collected into one set, as was the case with "Homicide: Life in the Streets." It seems that Universal Studios was testing the market, not sure how loyal a following there was for these DVD's. It was the same approach taken with the television show, which took 3 seasons to finally get off the ground. Still these DVD's are hard to pass up as my old VHS recordings have been run through the mill and I want a permanent record of what was one of the best shows on television. At some point, I imagine the entire series will be released. We'll just have to take it as it comes.
85 Voting With Your Dollars
Clearly I'm a NE fan or I would not be in this space. I, and many others, were so smitten by it that we dutifully recorded every episode. After purchasing and viewing the first season set, I must concur in every way with Amanda Johnson's comments. The price is nothing short of ludicrous for what one receives. You will be lucky if the two discs play correctly. No, it cannot be ascribed to my equipment - I have some very high quality players. Even the good Amazon discount cannot make such extreme profiteering palatable. If you pay these kinds of prices, you are encouraging the Universal executives who think of you as cannon fodder for their salaries. Wait until the price comes down.
86 Looking forward to Season 3
I wish Season 1 and 2 had been combined too. Granted I don't care for the packaging but that is all secondary. These episodes (although few) are great. Northern Exposure was a funny, exciting show with great characters. After a difficult week or day, I love to plugin to Cicely, Alaska and have my dose of good television. I can't wait for Season 3 and 4 and 5!
87 Subtitles
All popular TV series box sets come with Subtitle options. Lack of subtitles/special features also makes you ask what makes this DVD different than a VHS? Just the price tag!
No discussion for the quality of the show but it would really deserve a more professional DVD production -especially for that price-.
88 There really ARE only seven episodes in Season Two
I have read several reviews of the season 1 and 2 DVD sets, and noticed that several people have argued that there were more than 8 and 7 episodes in seasons 1 and 2, respectively. Sorry, folks, but that's all for those seasons...if you don't believe it, go to the wonderful NX episode guide at [...]. As shown there, sure enough, the first two seasons had a combined grand total of only 15 episodes.
As for wondering why the first two seasons weren't combined into one DVD set, I agree, but I'm not going to complain about it here because it's already been done by many in the reviews here. I originally rated the season 2 set three stars (five stars for content combined with one star for the poor packaging), but now that I know that most (all?) of the original music for the episodes has been replaced with cheesy elevator music on the DVD's, I'm changing my rating to one star (however, Amazon isn't letting me change my star rating, only my review comments). Many others have rightfully ripped this set for the bogus music (despite the high price and lack of warning on the outside of the parka), so I won't bother repeating what they've said.
By the way, for those who would like to see what original songs were a part of each episode when they originally came out, a list that is apparently the most complete such list on the Internet these days (although it apparently is not 100% complete) can be found at [...]
89 Too expensive!!
I bought the first one, and I don't really care about the packaging all that much either way. But couldn't they have left off the puffy jacket, which makes it a pain to store so I took it off anyway, and made it a little cheaper? There were not very many episodes and the second season is even shorter. $42 is kind of pricey for such a short season. I have not yet bought it and will either hold out for a second hand copy or a box set.
90 Why are people complaining?
For several years fans of Northern Exposure have been waiting for DVDs. Now that they are on DVD people complain about it! Who cares about the packaging. What if the DVDs arrived in a ziplock bag? I did not purchase seasons 1 and 2 just to look at the packaging.
Just be glad this is not a revised VHS collection. I am already looking forward to season 3 on DVD.
I am also a fan of North of 60. Still waiting for that to be released on DVD as well.
91 Nothern Exposure is cheating us
We love the show - but when we bought the first DVD we were very annoyed at how it was packaged. FIrst of all, the priced it really high for how many episodes were on it. Second, they made it a double sided DVD. How cheap is that? The lettering on the DVD is so tiny, it is impossible to read. WE gave up trying to view the horrible thing.
We will NOT be buying another. Which is sad, because I had taped all of them on VHS tapes, but they have completely degraded.
To the company that makes these - Stop being so CHEAP! Put together a decent package - one side only please.
92 wonderful tv show
Those who have complained about the first season are totally wrong. There is nothing wrong with the episode seqences or the packaging or anything else. The presentation is in order and the shows are easy to access from a main index screen. The picture and sound quality is great, and there is more than enough extra footage and deleted scenes stuff to make even the most fanatical NE fan happy. The second season, which includes classic episodes like Spring Break, and the writtings of major NE contributors like Robin Green and Diane Frolov, make it one of the best.
In terms of the claims some have made about the price being high, its not so bad when you figure you're paying about 6 dollars an episode, which is totally worth it considering shows like this are becoming extinct in the world of television.
Anyone who appreciates quality television should certainly find this dvd to be a great buy.
93 Season One was not very well put together
I have to agree that the problems with the season one DVD package makes me reluctant to buy the second season. I'm telling my NE friends on forum boards to pass this one by and hold out for a cleaned up package set.
My recommendation for season two is for people to see if the same problems (track navigation, episode sequences on disc etc...) have been cleared up. If NOT, I suggest that you pass this DVD set by and just wait until a better DVD set comes along for a different show. For all they could have done with NE, I was let down by the packaging, price, and presentation. Definitely NOT worth owning!
94 Thank You
It's great to see that there is going to be a second season added to the northern exposure dvd collection...I know the price is spendy, but the alternative is to stay up untill 2am and watch them on the hallmark chanel...so the price is worth my sleep...but on a serious note...northern exposure is like the tv version of valum for me...it brings me to a place i have been to (used to go camping a few miles from roslyn, wa..)..and i love the simple yet inteligent approach to the overall look and feel to the show...and i would hate to see them modify the episodes in anyway to save us money...so i am thankful they have put this 2nd season out...and look forward to a 3rd season...i have noticed that if a dvd box set doesnt sell well...companies could give a crap if there are more seasons left to complete the set...so i apeal to all fans of the series...buy them!!!!...so that we will continue to have hours of great entertainment...!!!!!
95 Benefit of the doubt
I'm going to give them the benefit of my doubt and assume that the extra costs incurred by licensing the music are being spread across all five seasons to keep the price below 50 bucks for each of them.
96 The Whole Kharmic Enchilada!
Season 2 of 'Northern Exposure',a show with nary a weak spot,has alot of classic episodes of the series!One moment I don't think I'll ever forget is all the men in Cicely (including
some lead characters) running in the buff in sub freezing
wheather at the conclusion of the 'Spring Break' episode,whitch
points to this shows only main flaw in my eyes-it forever raised
the bar of what quality TV means to me,to such an extent that even the best of today's TV shows seem very mundane.The show was
unbelievably humorous,very human and very smart!Like a soap one
finds themselfs identifying with the characters-Dr.Fleishman's
neurosis,O'Connell's insecurity,Maralyin's silence,Chris's
pseudo intellectualism-even Maurice's narcissism and bluster!And however sexually shallow he is Holling Vincoer emmerges as one of the most likable characters in memory,particularly how
he puts up with Joel's constant self-absorbtion.So there's alot
of character developement in this season,wheras the first season
focuses more on the storylines (not that that was bad either).
Can't wait until the 3'rd,4'rth and 5'th seasons come out-THAT'S
when this show cleaned up in the ratings and arrived at it's
pick-particularly after a couple weak link supporting characters
were 'removed'.But oasting by satillite?That's a new one even on
me-whatch and you'll see!
97 Hey Universal, please keep 'em coming
I just want to make sure that Universal knows that there are those of us out here who will pay what is necessary to get all of Northern Exposure on DVD. I have the first season...only a simpleton would have trouble navigating the discs after viewing the first one, and there were no defects at all in the set I received (I know to keep my fingerprints off of them). The music is worth it and with today's pirating trends no wonder it's expensive.
So, Universal, please keep the seasons coming, I love the parkas, charge me what you believe is fair, and lastly thanks for your efforts.
98 Well Worth the Money
Yes, it may be a little more than you want to spend but it is a priceless time in our memory. This show changed the way some of us were thinking. It brought us together on the nights it was on and gave us something to think about. Now you will be able to watch when ever you need a good pickup.
I've heard the music is the cause of the high price, well it would be useless without the orginal music. I remember the first time I heard Enya, it was on Northern Exposure. I loved the song so much I called the set of Northern Exposure and asked them the name of the song and artist.
I lived less than hour away from Rosyln and I used to go and watch them film the series. It was great fun talking to the crew. They were always so friendly.
My advice is buy the DVD set and cut out junk food or something else if money is tough for you. I know it is for me but I have been waiting a long time for this.
Also, if you want to see a few pictures I took during the filming of Northern Exposure, you can check out my Art Gallery and click on Photography.
Check out the photos
99 pathetic
I hate to captialize on what has already been said but, please, 7 episodes? Again? And full price. I find it egregious that Universal did not combine Seasons 1 and 2 into one parka wrapped DVD. It is flagrant corporate greed. Big business sticking it to the common person. And then to skimp on quality by double sided DVDs--and pathetic documentation.
While I am an avid NE fanatic--and have them all on video tape from A&E reruns--I will wait to purchase the DVDs from the "USED" bins at my local music/video store. And while I am certainly not condoning theft--it is no wonder that people are copying and sharing audio/video files via the internet and shareware copy programs. while I know it is against the law and therefore wrong--how different is it really from what the companies like Universal are doing to us? In a moral universe of objective law, both such activity would be prohibited. Becasue both are about stealing. And I KNOW Chris Stevens would agree!
100 LOVE IT!!
I consider myself a big Northern Exposure fan. I've watched every episode of it many times. I've taped almost every episode. I've visited Roslyn, WA twice from Pennsylvania. Of course, I pre-ordered the season One DVDs as well. Fantastic buy!!! Northern Exposure is a timeless classic. Period. Personally, I wasn't so concerned about the price of it. I will be buying every one of them no matter what. There is something money can't buy... and that's Northern Exposure to me.
