Watching 'Northern Exposure' on Amz Prime. I enjoy the shows but, it has to be the most pretentious TV series I have ever seen. Tons of preachy sermons about life the universe and everything. Tons of references to classical literature, Greek mythology, poets, philosophers, and classical music.
Every show is some kind of deep philosophical lesson. Every character is a quirky free thinking hippy, all with some unique hidden talent and untapped profound knowledge of something or other. The show is obsessed with Native American culture and religion, all portrayed as ethereal, magical, and enlightened.
All those weird "dream" fake outs are driving me crazy. Oh, it was just a dream ... again ... and again ...
The show frequently goes 'over the top' with esoteric references to food, wine, philosophy, and literature.
For example, they focus on some roughneck living in a shack in the woods. What is he having for dinner? Try, "rôti de bœuf et pommes de terre au paprika doux espagnol et asperges blanches". With Chateau Latour for wine. I'm just rolling eyes. Come on man, give it a break already.
Distant hallow woodwind music automatically means some mystical magical Native American epiphany is being presented. And they do it ALL THE TIME. If I hear that crap one more time, I am going to puke.
Ok, that's it.
The doctor character Joel Fleishman the star of the show, is a bully and punk. Thoroughly unlikeable person.
The Minnifield character (Mr. Burns) is a millionaire bully and punk.
The Ed character is a thoroughly unreliable special needs character who betrays every trust and bombs every job he is given.
The Chris character is a sleazy hippy I would never get involved with.
Weird show.
The show essentially ends Season 5 episode 24 when Joel the doctor leaves. From that point to the end of Season 6, it is mostly just fantasies, dreams, hallucinations, and what they call "visions".
It is an entertaining show, once you dismiss all the smug lessons and subtexts. I saw a few of the episodes when it aired in the early 90s, but I was way too busy at the time to watch TV.
Now, I have all the time in the world. Why not waste some of it to catch up on a memory.
