The essential episodes of Northern Exposure
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Northern Exposure — each pick states its reason.
- 01
Yuppie New York doctor Joel Fleischman accepts a job in picturesque Alaska, unaware he's assigned to a remote village, where he experiences culture shock among eccentric townsfolk.
- 02
Flu-stricken townsfolk and the crafty Maggie unwittingly do their part to sabotage Joel's plans for a romantic respite with Elaine, his visiting fiancée.
- 03
Aurora Borealis- A Fairy Tale for Big People
Anticipation of the aurora borealis illuminates dreams for Chris and his soul mate Bernard but the same northern lights bring nightmares for Joel, who must make a house call in the woods amid rumors of a Bigfoot-like creature there.
- 04
Libidos run amok in anticipation of Cicely's spring meltdown: Maggie and Joel invade each other's dreams; Maurice falls for state trooper Semanski; Shelly can't get enough of D.H. Lawrence.
- 05
Celebrations with vodka, borscht and a reading of "War and Peace" greet Russian legend Nikolai on his annual visit; and Chris's poetic lines help Ed woo a lusty farm gal.
- 06
Chris's discovery of a frozen century-old corpse has Joel rethinking the course of history, Maurice plotting a new enterprise, Shelly pondering fertility, and Holling reflecting on his own gene pool.
- 07
Maurice tries to spice up his newspaper's coverage by hiring an unnamed reporter given to clandestine meetings; Maggie talks to the trees, but Joel won't listen; Chris becomes a partner at the Brick.
- 08
Joel reluctantly undergoes a cultural conversion after receiving a goat as a gift from a grateful village elder, who insists on "adopting" him; and a mysterious Holling shuts down the Brick, ostensibly to wax the floors.
- 09
Mayoral incumbent Holling has a formidable opponent---his friend Edna, who's got a bee in her bonnet over a promise never followed up on.
- 10
Japanese tourists converge on Cicely to perform a ritual under the Northern Lights; Holling goes looking for Jesse the bear; and curiosity gets the best of townsfolk when a package arrives with postmarks from around the globe.
- 11
The midnight sun warms Joel's libido and brings to town an adventure-seeking salesman. Meanwhile, Shelly's cheerleading outfit arouses Holling.
- 12
When the law catches up with Chris, his extradition hearing becomes an arena for philosophical discourse.
- 13
Residents anticipate winter's snow. But for Joel, an elderly patient's claims that she's dying bring guilt and self-reproachment; and Shelly believes that her little white lie about love is making her nose grow.
- 14
Paul Provenza and Teri Polo join the cast as Cicely's new doctor Phillip Capra and his journalist wife Michelle, who feel that they've stepped back in time in their new environs. Meanwhile, Ed sees into the future; and Holling wants to join the Sons of the Tundra men's club.
- 15
The sun sets---one last time---on the town of Cicely as friends gather at Maurice's summer lodge for relaxation, renewal and reflection.
Shows like Northern Exposure
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Comedy·CrimeThe essential episodes of Fargo2014·FX
Fargo is a seasonal anthology crime drama with some dark comical elements, inspired by the film Fargo written by the Coen brothers. - 02Drama·Comedy·CrimeThe essential episodes of The Rookie2018–present·ABCThe Rookie is inspired by a true story. John Nolan is the oldest rookie in the LAPD.
- 03Drama·Comedy·SportsThe essential episodes of Ted Lasso2020–present
Ted Lasso centers on an idealistic — and clueless — all-American football coach hired to manage an English football club — despite having no soccer coaching experience at all. - 04Drama·Comedy·FoodThe essential episodes of The Bear2022–2026·Hulu
Carmy, a young fine-dining chef, comes home to Chicago to run his family sandwich shop. - 05Drama·Comedy·CrimeThe essential episodes of Tulsa King2022–present·Paramount+
Tulsa King follows New York mafia capo Dwight "The General" Manfredi, just after he is released from prison after 25 years and unceremoniously exiled by his boss to set up shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. - 06Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of Shameless2011–2021·Paramount+ with Showtime
Shameless is a fiercely engaging and fearlessly twisted series.
