A Quicky Interpretation of Northern Exposure’s ‘Redemption’ Episode
[Gleaned from the Internet, of course.]
From: bpaschel@cie-2.uoregon.edu (Robert Paschelke)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.northern-exp
Subject: 4/11/94 – YOWZAAHH!!!!
I just finished the episode (5 minutes ago)…outa the park!!
It started looking good from the start with Ed peeking in on Ruth Anne and
Walt. Thread 1 of the redemption cycle —
Watching Ed make an utter fool of himself was agonizing. I flipped
away from the program briefly, it made me feel VERY self conscious.
About 14, say.
Thread 2 of the redemption cycle — the priest for the baptism.
This is one of the best presentations of Catholicism I have ever
seen on the tube. The business with the arm wrestling may have
been a bit over the top, but the ongoing theological discussion
through it all was an utter hoot! Overall, the presentation was
quite balanced.
Thread 3 of the redemption cycle — Maggy, oh Maggy.
I’m still puzzling out this thread. Perhaps, although forgiveness
is usually a part of redemption, it is not the only part. Maggy
seemed to be finishing some unfinished business (not SEEMED, it
was all over the place) with her father through Maurice. The
reaction of Maurice was very interesting. He did with her
(appropriately) what he would have done with a young smartass
of either sex — she was definitely over the top, insulting really,
so he left her to play in the sandbox by herself. Then it got
quite interesting with her attempt at a rapprochment in his house.
No, he wasn’t cutting her any slack. Though she had treated him
in a very shabby manner, his refusal to come back when she begged
him was the only way she could redeem herself. Off camera, she
finished the plane and, I think, the unfinished business with her
father.
Joel’s asking for a ride was also very touching. Her refusal,
at first vintage Maggie, became more interesting, a little more
mysterious.
All the threads come together on the jumping off place.
Boy, talk about continuity problems — now there is snow, now there
isn’t. Oh well, quibble, quibble.
The reconcilation of the threads, the redemption of both Ed and
Cynthia Geary’s character (can’t remember the name right now for
some reason…) was completed rather neatly. And there goes Maggy
flying over it all as a reference to the Holy Ghost as a dove
at the baptism of Jesus. Joel’s uneasy relief at seeing her fly
over was a nice coda.
I don’t think I picked up on all the good stuff, but after spending all day
working my buns off on a contract in front of this computer — to catch
an episode like that…why, it just means I put in the other half of my
day following Letterman!
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* Virtual Bob : “Live to net, net to live” *
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Robert A. Paschelke bpaschel@cie-2.uoregon.edu
370 River Road (503) 689-7284
Eugene, OR 97404
