Northern Exposure (TV Series) The Quest (1995) User Reviews

Tears of Relief, Sadness, Happiness, and Closure

[pdx_vw_erik · 10/10 · 11 September 2021]

In my opinion, this is the last episode of Northern Exposure. I've seen the official last episodes, but, really, this one is the last episode.

I feel that Joel's "overnight" transformation in Up River (1994) was extremely rushed, I wish it had been a more gradual change and something happened to rush Joel's growth. Perhaps a change in contracts, a new opportunity for Rob Morrow, or budget cuts. But, I think this should be the way the show should have ended.

Sorry, Dr. Capra, you're no Fleischman.

Tone shift

[misspudding · 9/10 · 13 February 2024]

This is Rob Morrow's last episode and as such the show just feels so much different after this. The love that Joel shows Maggie here shows a real character shift for him which I adore. You can tell he's really changed and has such admiration and respect for her. But after this episode the show is just missing the soul of the show. As much as Joel Fleischmann is a whiny princess, who has had a major personality shift in the episodes leading up to this, he really drives the show. I noticed it later because even other characters you associate with him, like Marilyn, just don't have the same character without his 2 cents.

As for the storyline of the episode, it is classic Northern Exposure. Lots of creative magical weird plot stuff but with an undercurrent that reminds you of a deep philosophical epic novel. It's a fitting end to Rob Morrow's run on the show. But like another reviewer said, it really feels like the show finale. The remaining shows after this are cute but not enough to really hold your attention.

Comes Up Short as a Package

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 14 April 2024]

I agree with those that enjoyed the surreal nature of the trek that Joel and Maggie went on. I guess the result is the result and even if we wanted them together, it wasn't going to happen. I also agree that the whole thing with Chris, his brother, and Capra was ridiculous. It wasn't in Chris's nature at all. He wouldn't do that to someone that did him no wrong. As for the restaurant review bit, that was so contrived and almost slapstick. I've alway been amazed at how much food they served and the obvious quality of it. It seems that they had to get Mrs. Capra a little screen time and that was about it. Sadly, this is really a final episode but it had to end sometime.

People I thought I knew acting stupid

[Carol_in_Chicago · 7/10 · 29 March 2024]

Chris would never have committed fraud for any reason, and certainly not for the ridiculous excuse made in this plot. Holling and Shelly would not be jerks just for a good review. If there were buckshot or hair in the food The Brick would have gone under decades ago and been reopened under better management. And you can't walk to Manhattan through a fog in the Aleutians.

The parting of Maggie and Joel left me teary, but that was not enough to make up for the disturbing lack of believability of this script. It is an insult to the outstanding writing that carried the first five seasons and parts of the sixth.

I thought I had watched all of them when they and I were younger, but I didn't remember any of the details. Some of them are not worth remembering.

Horrible episode in a horrible season

[tehickman · 1/10 · 6 March 2024]

I have loved Northern Exposure from when it was on the air in the '90's. I had not seen any of the episodes since the show went off the air and due to the fact that the original music was not used, I never bought the DVDs. In my memory, I knew that I felt the last season dipped in quality because of Joel leaving, but I really could not remember how bad it became. Almost every character's personality completely changed and they did things that they would never do. Ruth Ann became mean and unreasonable, Ed became a punchline, Marilyn went from being a wise thoughtful character to a rude silly woman. None of the personalities from the previous seasons held true any longer. Joel's overnight change meant the entire theme of the show was thrown out. This episode was the worst of the bunch...