The Alaskan Riviera

Episode: 6.23 Title: Tranquility Base Written by: Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, and Jeff Melvoin Directed by: Michael Fresco Aired: July 26, 1995 Log line: The new lodge at Tranquility Base opens and Maurice is confronted with a decision about his new "life partner," Chris realizes how much he misses Maggie at the festivities, and Michelle decides to make up her own mind for a change.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.22 Title: Let's Dance  Written by: Sam Egan Directed by: Michael Vittes Aired: July 19, 1995 Log line: Manners make the man when Phil unwittingly offends a Tlingit elder, and Chris joins Marilyn's cotillion class in order to deal with his two left feet.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.  

Episode: 6.21 Title: Ursa Minor Written by:  Directed by: Sam Egan Aired: July 12, 1995 Log line: Ed adopts an orphan bear then can't get rid of him; Chris cheats on Maggie inside his lucid dreams; Michelle takes up waitressing at The Brick and Maurice seeks to increase Cicely's population. For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.20 Title: Buss Stop  Written by: Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess Directed by: Daniel Attias  Aired: April 24, 1995 Log line: Everyone wants to take centre stage when Michelle organizes a production of Bus Stop, but as opening night approaches, stage fright brings much of the cast to a standstill.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.19 Title: Balls  Written by: Jeff Melvoin Directed by: Scott Paulin  Aired: June 4, 1995 Log line: A doubles bowling tournament brings out the best and worst in everyone as Phil and Michelle strike out, Chris finds Maggie the perfect partner, and Ed and Heather's future plans keep colliding.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.18 Title: Little Italy Written by: Stephen Cragg  Directed by: Jeff Melvoin Aired: March 15, 1995 Log line: Everyone's behaving badly when Phil gets in the middle of an Italian family feud, Ruth-Anne looks for another "quirky" resident tale for her radio show, and Holling punches a moose head in the middle of the bar.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.17 Title: The Graduate Written by: Sam Egan Directed by: James Hayman Aired: March 8, 1995 Log line: There are some important lessons to be learned when Maggie takes over ownership of the movie theatre, Chris takes his oral exams for his master's degree, and Holling comes face-to-face with the child he's supported financially for years.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.16 Title: Lucky People  Written by: Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider Directed by: Janet Greek  Aired: February 15, 1995 Log line: Change takes its toll when Michelle and Phil realize they've just invested all their money in a place they hate, Maurice tries to buy his way into a family, and Maggie and Chris make an unexpected connection over a run-down Model T.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.15 Title: The Quest Written by: Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider Directed by: Michael Vittes Aired: February 8, 1995 Log line: Fable and folly become one when Joel and Maggie search for the mythical Jeweled City of the North, leaving behind a resentful Chris.   For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.14 Title: The Mommy's Curse Written by: Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess Directed by: Michael Lange Aired: February 1, 1995 Log line: Maggie is convinced she's inherited the dead-boyfriend curse from her mother when her mother's new beau passes away peacefully during a pool game.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.13 Title: Horns Written by: Jeff Melvoin  Directed by: Michael Fresco Aired: January 18, 1995 Log line: There's something strange in the newly tapped Cicely water when the residents start taking on the traits of the opposite sex.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.12 Title: Mi Casa, Su Casa Written by: Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess Directed by: Daniel Attias Aired: January 11, 1995 Log line: The residents learn that moving up in life doesn't always include moving on physically when Shelly and Holling look for a new home and Ed's housesitting assignment has him remodeling his personality.   For more about the episode, visit our blog.

6.11 Title: The Great Mushroom  Written by: Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider  Directed by: James Hayman Aired: January 4, 1995 Log line: On Joel's birthday, Maggie sets off to Manonash to rescue him from an untimely death; what begins as a dinner party turns into much more for the Capras.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.10 Title: Realpolitik Written by: Sam Egan Directed by: Victor Lobl Aired: December 15, 1994 Log line: There's more than one new game in town when Maggie embraces her role as mayor, and Phil and Joel play a metaphysical round of golf.   For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.9 Title: Sons of the Tundra Written by: Jeff Melvoin Directed by: Michael Vittes Aired: November 28, 1994 Log line: A new doctor and his wife arrive in Cicely, where life is moving along as usual: Holling yearns to join a men's club, Joel searches for a new hunting knife, and Ed sees the future after eating a magical trout.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.8 Title: Up River Written by: Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider Directed by: Michael Fresco Aired: November 14, 1994 Log line: Ed sets out up the river to retrieve Joel, who has settled there in a primitive native village, while Chris wrestles with his own domestic troubles when he has his trailer remodeled.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.7 Title: Full Upright Position Written by: Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess Directed by: Oz Scott Aired: November 7, 1994 Log line: As they leave together on an all-expenses paid trip to Russia, it's blue skies ahead for Joel and Maggie ... or is it?  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.6 Title: Zarya Written by: Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider Directed by: Jim Charleston Aired: October 31, 1994 Log line: It's lights, camera, action as Ed films Marilyn telling the story of her grandfather, his relationship with a Russian princess and their plans to meet in Cicely.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.5 Title: The Robe Written by: Lorraine Senna Ferrara Directed by: Sam Egan Aired: October 17, 1994 Log line: The stakes are high when Shelly considers making a deal with the Devil to allow gambling in Cicely.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.4 Title: The Letter Written by: Meredith Stiehm  Directed by: Jim Charleston Aired: October 10, 1994 Log line: Missives abound in Cicely as Maggie reads a note she wrote to herself as a teenager and Shelly wonders about a threatening chain letter; Joel's worry that he may have cancer leads to a new lease on life.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.3 Title: Shofar, So Good Written by: Jeff Melvoin Directed by: James Hayman Aired: October 3, 1994 Log line: The ghost of Yom Kippur allows Joel to examine his present, past and even future behaviour - and the effects are haunting.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.2 Title: Eye of the Beholder Written by: Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess Directed by: Jim Charleston Aired: September 26, 1994 Log line: Ed takes a part-time job as a private investigator but is troubled by his first surveillance; an auction for the expansion of the Cicely library brings unexpected consequences for both buyers and donors. For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 6.1 Title: Dinner at Seven Thirty Written by: Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider Directed by: Michael Fresco Aired: May 23,1994 Log line: Joel encounters an alternate reality in Manhattan after accidentally drinking one of Ed's healing creations. For more about the episode, visit our blog.  

We have finally reached the end of Season Five. In this podcast episode, we discuss themes and arcs of the season, and we reveal our favourite and least favourite moments, major and guest characters, dream sequences, etc. All will be revealed.

Episode: 5.24 Title: Lovers and Madmen Written by: Jeff Melvoin Directed by: James Hayman Aired: May 23,1994 Log line: Joel discovers a perfectly-preserved woolly mammoth; Maurice breaks a concert violinist out of an asylum for a private performance; Chris gets a rude awakening when his high school crush visits.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.23 Title: Blood Ties Written by: Mitchell Burgess and Robin Green Directed by: Thomas R. Moore Aired: May 16,1994 Log line: Maggie's childhood male friend from Grosse Pointe arrives in Cicely; Joel loses his confidence during the annual blood drive; Ed think he's finally found his mother.   For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.22 Title: Grand Prix Written by: Barbara Hall Directed by: Michael Lange Aired: May 9,1994 Log line: Maurice brings the world-renowned sport of wheelchair racing to Cicely; Ed battles External Validation to help a patient; Ted learns of the loneliness of wealth. For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.21 Title: I Feel the Earth Move Written by: Jed Seidel Directed by: Michael Fresco Aired: May 2, 1994 Log line: Ron and Erick tie the knot after eight years; Maggie develops a severe nausea that she thinks is caused by Joel.   For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.20 Title: A Wing and a Prayer Written by: Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess Directed by: Lorraine Senna Ferrara Aired: April 11, 1994 Log line: Ed spreads gossip about Ruth-Anne's love life; Maggie builds a home-kit airplane; Holling and Shelly baptize Randi.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.19 Title: The Gift of the Maggie Written by: Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess Directed by: Patrick McKee Aired: March 28, 1994 Log line: Maurice learns about the give-and-take of friendship; Joel is depressed when he has no one to "talk shop" with; Chris learns a life lesson from a benevolent deer.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.  

Episode: 5.18 Title: Fish Story Written by: Jeff Melvoin Directed by: Bill D'Elia Aired: March 14, 1994 Log line: Joel has an otherworldly experience when Maggie want to prepare a Passover dinner for him; Ruth-Anne abandons the store for the open road; Holling takes up paint-by-numbers.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.17 Title: Una Volta in L'Inverno Written by: Jeff Melvoin Directed by: Michael Vittes Aired: March 7, 1994 Log line: Joel and Maggie are forced to take refuge in an airfield shack during a snowstorm; Ruth-Anne studies Italian with Shelly as her unlikely tutor; Walt becomes addicted to a special light visor to help his depression. For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.16 Title: Northern Hospitality Written by: Barbara Hall Directed by: Oz Scott Aired: February 28, 1994 Log line: Maggie teaches Joel a lesson in social etiquette; Chris is shaken when a KBHR listener blames him in his suicide note; Shelly takes Randi to Canada to see her roots. For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.15 Title: Hello, I Love You Written by: Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess Directed by: Michael Fresco Aired: January 31, 1994 Log line: Shelly finally gives birth. Ruth-Anne and Walt are stranded overnight; Maggie and Joel become less competitive. For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.14 Title: A Bolt From the Blue Written by: Jeff Melvoin Directed by: Michael Lange Aired: January 24, 1994 Log line: Maurice and Adam clash over the hired help for a fireworks display; Joel tutors a patient on the art of conversation; Ed is struck by lightning.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.13 Title: Mite Makes Right Written by: Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider Directed by: Michael Vittes Aired: January 17, 1994 Log line: Maggie becomes obsessed with dust mites; Maurice gets more than he bargained for when he invests in a rare violin; Chris reaches an artistic impasse on a sculpture.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.12 Title: Mr. Sandman Written by: Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider Directed by: Michael Fresco Aired: January 10, 1994 Log line: When the Aurora Borealis goes haywire, everyone in Cicely is swapping dreams; Holling develops a severe psychosomatic aversion to food; Maurice deals with his fetish for women's footwear. For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.11 Title: Baby Blues Written by: Barbara Hall Directed by: Jim Charleston Aired: January 3, 1994 Log line: Shelly is nervous about childbirth; Ed discovers cutthroat showbiz; Maggie and Joel dislike kids.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.10 Title: First Snow Written by: Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider Directed by: Daniel Attias Aired: December 13, 1993 Log line: Joel is traumatized by the natural death of an older patient and friend; Maurice is devastated when Shelly lies about ever loving him; Maggie has a nagging sense that something is missing when she spruces up her house for winter hibernation. For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.9 Title: A Cup of Joe Written by: Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess Directed by: Michael Lange Aired: November 22, 1993 Log line: Holling and Ruth-Anne discover that their grandfathers knew each other - and one ate the other; Chris attempts to become a licensed pilot; Joel discovers that Marilyn is a supersleuth.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.8 Title: Heal Thyself Written by: Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider Directed by: Michael Katleman Aired: November 15, 1993 Log line: Ed is taunted by the Green Man; Holling shocks Shelly when he is disruptive during birth class; Maggie misses the weekly laundromat gossip-fest when she buys her own washer and dryer.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.7 Title: Rosebud Written by: Barbara Hall Directed by: Michael Fresco Aired: November 8, 1993 Log line: Maurice enlists Ed's expertise to organize a film festival in Cicely; Joel is pressured to join Cicely's volunteer fire department.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.6 Title: Birds of a Feather Written by: Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess Directed by: Mark Horowitz Aired: November 1, 1993 Log line: When Joel's parents trek to Cicely, it ends up being a soul-searching time for all three; Holling shocks everyone when he reveals that he is bored by sports.   For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.5 Title: A River Doesn't Run Through It Written by: Jeff Melvoin Directed by: Nick Marck Aired: October 25, 1993 Log line: Maggie is Homecoming Queen; Maurice reluctantly admits a business defeat; Ruth-Anne is audited.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.4 Title: Altered Egos Written by: Jeff Melvoin Directed by: John Coles Aired: October 11, 1993 Log line: Chris is disturbed that Bernard's girlfriend, who is also Chris' ex-lover, cannot tell them apart in bed; Joel is obssessed that he is losing his New York edge; Marilyn snoops through Dr. Fleischman's medical files to pick a healthy man. For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.3 Title: Jaws of Life Written by: Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess Directed by: Jim Charleston Aired: October 4, 1993 Log line: Maurice is tormented by a wax replica of himself; Chris discovers that he may live long enough to see forty; the dental mobile comes to Cicely.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.

Episode: 5.2 Title: The Mystery of the Old Curio Shop Written by: Rogers Turrentine Directed by: Michael Fresco Aired: September 27, 1993 Log line: When the world reminds Maurice of his age, he frets himself into having a heart attack; Maggie relives childhood fantasies of Nancy Drew, detective extraordinaire; Joel is thrilled to find traces of Yiddish in Cicely's language and history.  For more about the episode, visit our blog.  

Episode: 5.1 Title: Three Doctors Written by: Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider  Directed by: Dan Attias Aired: September 20, 1993 Log line: The whole town pitches in when Joel is stricken by "Glacier Dropsy"; Ed is confused when he is called to be a shaman; much to her disappointment, Shelly finally stops singing. For more about the episode, visit our blog.

We have finally reached the end of Season Four. In this podcast episode, we discuss themes and arcs of the season, and we reveal our favourite and least favourite moments, major and guest characters, dream sequences, etc. All will be revealed.

Episode: 4.25 Title: Old Tree Written by: Diane Frolov and Robin Green  Directed by: Michael Fresco Aired: May 24, 1993 Log line: When an old tree considered to be a Cicely historical landmark appears to be dying, Joel dons a tree doctor's hat and gives his prognosis. For more about the episode, visit our blog.