I've heard this show being linked to Twin Peaks and Spaced, two of my favourite TV shows so I watched the pilot. I thought it was alright but a bit dull and it didn't inspire me to watch the rest of the series. Can anyone tell me if it's worth sticking with?
I definitely found the show worth sticking with, but I think the comparisons between NX and TP have always been a bit of a stretch. I think the only reason people (then and now) compare the two is because they were both what folks would call "quirky" compared to whatever else was on television at the time. But really, the similarities kind of end there. Twin Peaks is far from quirky...it's layered and mysterious and really involved. NX definitely fit the quirky definition better. It's a little more light-hearted and while it does have its odd elements, it's more easily digestible by a larger audience, hence the reason it lasted six seasons.
The pilot is kind of meh. I would say you're better off wading into the series a few eps before deciding if you want to kick it aside permanently. I remember when it premiered, I loved the pilot, but now I can't stand watching it much. It's like the writers were trying to make everyone's oddities stand out right away rather than let them surface naturally. Not to mention that Joel is just f'ing shrill through the entire thing. It's like OK, I get it. You're pissed. Next.
~ Amanda
"Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave..."
My main qualm was the happiness of the ending and throughout everyone was a little too pally for my liking. I wasn't keen on the music either although it seemed to fit the show well.
It's funny...Northern Exposure was really known for its music, not because they had a fantastic selection or anything, but because the fulcrum of the show seemed to be the Chris-in-the-Morning broadcasts from KBHR, and he'd play all this great random music, and it was always carrying on somewhere in the show. Some of the music in the pilot is bleh. And if you're watching the series from DVD, then you're missing out a bit on the music because they were unable to secure the rights to MOST of the music they used in the series, so they replaced it with substandard bland selections. Ugh.
As far as everyone being pally, well...you don't get TOO much character conflict in the series. Most of the conflict that exists is between Joel and Maggie...that eternal love/hate thing. I guess considering the size of the town, they figured people couldn't help but be buddies.
Anyway, the series is definitely lighthearted compared to TP, so if that's not your bag, you probably won't get into it. But it really did turn out to be a well-written show, especially in the 4th season.
~ Amanda
"Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave..."
I bought the first Season on DVD earlier, just out of curiosity. I'll give the pilot a spin tomorrow i reckon.
There were other character conflicts. Maurice and Ron and Eric, Maurice and Cal, oftentimes Maurice and Holling, Holling and everyone when Holling's in rut. Hahaha... gotta love a guy that goes through a mid-life crisis at the age of 63. My fave show of all time.