Subject: NE (Was Re: Twin Peaks vs. Northern Exposure)
From: MZ6@psuvm.psu.edu (Michael)
Date: 1991-06-10, 05:38
Newsgroups: alt.tv.twin-peaks,rec.arts.tv

In article <6926@vela.acs.oakland.edu>, rjohnson@vela.acs.oakland.edu (R o d
Johnson) says:
> >
> >In article <1991Jun9.203806.24781@ccu.umanitoba.ca> platt@ccu.umanitoba.ca    e
> >(Dav
> >Platt) writes:
> >
>> >>but it seems like the audience is asked
>> >>to identify with an outsider character who is cynical towards Alaska (sort
>> >>of an Albert figure) rather than someone who looks with awe, like
>> >>Cooper.
> >
> >So why the charge of similarity?
> >
> >At any rate, the idea that we're asked to "identify" with Joel (the
> >alleged Albert figure) is way off.  Joel is (most of the time) a
> >jerk--a whingeing, spoiled, self-impressed, parochial, obnoxious,
> >insulting snob--not a character that's exactly designed to get the
> >viewer's sympathy.  He is "basically good down deep" (this being
> >mainstream TV), but he's not easy to identify with.  In fact. .  .
> >

Actually, I agree with most everything you've said:  Northern Exposure
is (to me) just about the best new series I've seen in a long time....
I loved St. Elsewhere, and NE's quality will help ease the loss of
30Something.

Anyway, I just wanted to disagree on one point.  True, Joel is whiny,
spoiled....but I still believe the audience is meant to identify with
him.  Joel brings imperfections (like all of us) to this setting.  He
also brings an urban rationalism and a good dose of cynicism, both out
of place in the mystical, magical, quirky setting of Cicely.  Joel
personifies all our skepticisms and alleged preconceptions--as his
prejudices are broken down, so are ours with them.

In the second season, Joel is becoming more and more of an insider in
Cicely--coming to know, and RELISH, many of the quirks.  (He was
even unable, for several reasons, to get back to NYNY for a vacation--
Cicely has him hooked).  This parallels the audiences development--
Cicely is becoming less and less "weird", and more and more "unique
but comfortable".

I've never watched Twin Peaks, so I can't make a comparison.

Just my spin on the issues.

Mike