Nathan Murphy said:You’ve completely misunderstood the show.
The series is timeless and truly one of the greatest ever made. When you look at the screenplay itself, it's rare to find another show that can compete with its depth of philosophy and complexity of subject matter.
And yes, I believe Chris is actually the most vital character in the series, not Joel. While I personally find Joel to be an incredibly endearing character, back in the day, everyone wanted to be Chris. His persona and his radio program had such a profound impact on our culture, and honestly, on a global scale as well. Many of our own local radio hosts would tell you that Chris was their primary inspiration. If you observe closely, the entire series unfolds through Chris's perspective. He serves as the central philosopher of the show; everything happens because he poses those fundamental questions, much like how Freud might describe the driving force behind a psyche.
In all honesty, there isn't a single series that possesses the same unique charm as Northern Exposure. I still find myself enjoying it every day whenever I have the chance.
I didn't misunderstand the show; I simply stated that I was a massive fan of it. It's just that I'm seeing it in a slightly different light now.
Chris isn't really the axis upon which the series rotates. That role belongs to Joel—at least, that was the original writer's intention at the start. As the seasons progressed, other characters began to take center stage, and I suspect this shift played a significant part in Rob Morrow's friction with the producers and his eventual decision to leave before the series concluded.
As for Chris, I'm not quite as captivated by him as you seem to be; he essentially acts as a vessel, reading and transmitting that philosophy. Sure, he learned a few things along the way, but then again, so did all the other characters.
I certainly agree that the show is unique—perhaps even the best of all time since nothing else comes close—but that doesn't stop me from being critical of it.
All those life philosophies and bits of wisdom it imparts, along with the timelessness you mentioned... it's all perfectly fine, and at first glance, it can be absolutely fascinating. Even on a second viewing, it holds its charm. But by the third time around, I find myself feeling somewhat indifferent. Once you look past the surface, you realize there isn't actually anything new being said.
What irritates me lately is the impression that those few residents of Cicely have somehow managed to collect all the wisdom in the world for themselves.
Unlike you, I don't enjoy seeing facts and logic ignored; the contradictions in the characters bother me because I find it impossible to compare them to real life.
It isn't even close. Real life isn't Cicely, and a place like that simply doesn't exist anywhere. It would be wonderful if it did; I'd move there in a heartbeat.