Customer Reviews

Northern Exposure: "Seoul Mates" [VHS]

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This is probably my favorite episode of the entire wonderful "Northern Exposure" series. Everyone tries to deal with the holidays in their own ways...and to help their friends and loved ones through them. Maurice is surprised by a visit from the Korean son he didn't know he had; Maggie complains about having to go home for the holidays, but then is disappointed to learn that her parents don't want her to come; Joel seems even farther away from home than usual; Marilyn dances the ceremony of the raven; and to top it all off, Holling (John Cullum) sings the "Ave Maria" for a homesick Shelly. A beautiful episode that will linger in your heart!

....without watching this episode of one of my favorite TV shows of all time, Northern Exposure. Christmas in Cicely, Alaska as experienced by the quirky, lovable characters of the town. This episode is filled to the brim with the spirit of the season, along with the not-so-spirit-filled attitudes that often go along with the season; in short - real-life! I've always been impressed with the way all the loose ends of the various plot lines are all resolved in the end - usually with only a musical score playing as we watch the characters go about the business of life. This episode is no different. I admit to getting choked up over Joel's gift to Maggie and Holland's gift to Shelly. Watch it and you'll see what I mean!

I loved this video is a video I have not seen before.. watched it and I just loved it.I am avid northern exposure fan... there not airing this on a&e so just bought it.. don't regret a penny of it

This has become part of my Christmas tradition, right up there with The Grinch, Mr. Magoo, Miracle on 34th St., etc. I haven't thrown out my VHS because, frankly, I can't be bothered with the DVD releases since they don't include all the original music. Granted, I have to deal with a softer image and some tape hiss but at least I know everything's there.
Part of Northern Exposure's considerable charm is the way in which multiple themes are skillfully woven to create a gorgeous, quirky tapestry. In this episode, these elements include Maggie's trepidation at having to travel back to Grosse Pointe (my hometown!) for the holidays, Joel's flirtation with Christmas tree ownership, Shelly's longing for a traditional Christmas, Maurice' resentment at being confronted with an adult Korean son of whose existence he'd been unaware, and the upcoming annual Raven Pageant (the theme of which ties in with and colors the local Christmas festivities). The resolution of these elements is hilarious, heartbreaking, and ultimately joyous--especially when Maurice realizes that this unwanted, non-white son really IS a chip off the old block, followed by everything's tying together at the Raven Pageant. Pure Christmas gold, with Chris in the Morning's observations binding everything like the ribbon on a Christmas package; if you don't tear up, I feel bad for you.
Northern Exposure was one of the greatest TV experiences ever--take it from someone who grew up in the 50's and 60's and who reveres the shows of those years. Along with St. Elsewhere, Falsey and Brand produced some of the wisest, most cutting-edge entertainment ever. Don't hesitate to incorporate Seoul Mates into YOUR Christmas tradition. Grab a copy if you can find one.

"Seoul Mates" (First aired December 16, 1991) won the 1992 Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Drama Series for Andrew Schneider and Diane Frolov. Jack Bender was also nominated for directing the third season episode, but he did not win. That year "Northern Exposure" copped six Emmys, including the first of consecutive wins for Outstanding Drama Series to go along with awards for Art Direction, Cinematography, Editing, and Supporting Actress (Valerie Mahaffey for playing Eve). More importantly for fans of the series, this is the show's best Christmas episode.

Irony abounds once again in Cicely, Alaska as Christmas approaches. Maurice (Barry Corbin) is not happy about the prospect of spending the holidays alone when suddenly there is a knock at the door and there is Bong Joo (Chi-Moui Lo), who tells Maurice that his father, Duk Won (James Song), is Maruice's son and that his grandmother, Yong Ja (Kim Kim), was his lover when he was stationed in Korean during the war. The paternity test proves the blood relationship, which forces Maurice to balance the good news (he always wanted a son) with the bad (the boy is not an American and does not speak the language). But it is Christmas, and as much as he likes to bellow and bluster, Maurice neither Scrooge not the Grinch, and his heart will be the right size by the end of this one.

Meanwhile, Maggie (Janine Turner) has been dreading going home for Christmas because her family will grill her about her life. Then her parents send a telegram announcing that they are going to the Caribbean and she has to deal with her family having canceled Christmas. Joel (Rob Morrow) decides that nobody in his family will know that he has a Christmas tree in Alaska, but this experiment does not work out like the thought. Finally, Shelly (Cynthia Geary) is missing the High Christmas mass she went to as a child growing up Roman Catholic, which leads Holling (John Cullum) to find a simply beautiful way to lift up her spirits.

That last bit, when Shelly discovers Holling's gift, is one of my all time favorite "Northern Exposure" moments. The other great part of this one is when Joel attends the Raven Pageant. As Chris in the Morning (John Corbett) says, you can have your twinkling lights and such, but "There's nothing like the sight of a beautiful, black-as-pitch raven to get you in the Christmas spirit." Not only Joel but most of the rest of us who live in the lower 48 get an education about the Native American festival. In case you have forgotten, here is the story Marilyn (Elaine Miles) tells in the episode (happy holidays):

"A long time ago, the raven looked down from the sky and saw that the people of the world were living in darkness.
The ball of light was kept hidden by a selfish old chief.
So the raven turned himself into a spruce needle and floated on the river where the chief's daughter came for water.
She drank the spruce needle.
She became pregnant and gave birth to a boy, who was the raven in disguise.
The baby cried and cried until the chief gave him the ball of light to play with.
As soon as he had the light, the raven turned back into himself.
The raven carried the light into the sky.
From then on, we no longer lived in darkness."

I remembered this Christmas episode from season 4. I decided I had to see it again, and planned to show it Christmas Eve. I still have VCR'S around the house, so I was delighted to buy a video of it. I was even happier when it arrived..it was brand new..never opened. The show itself was as I remembered, Shelly missing her Catholic Church Mass, Joel wondering if he should get a Christmas tree, O'Connell fretting over having to go home to see her parents, while the rest of the town was preparing for the native American celebration of the Raven. Shelly remains dejected, just not feeling Christmas without the Catholic Mass from her childhood memories. As everyone is getting ready for the Raven performance, Shelly announces that she is going to drop by the little church for a minute and she will meet up with Holling later. She walks to the church, hoping to somehow connect to the spirit of Christmas that eludes her. She enters the empty little church, it is aglow with candles...behind her, Holling steps out of the shadows and sings Ave Maria. Shelly is transformed with joy. As the show closes on Christmas eve, the whole town attends the performance of the Raven..a story of how the Raven brought light to the world, where there had been darkness. Christmas morning shows us Sisley full of sun and joy..all of its people feel the glow the the light and spiritual renewal.

Barry Corbin ends up with a Korean family that he never knew he had. He is gruff and not accepting of his visitors, not even friendly, but soon mellows during the Christmas season. The usual characters are here - a wonderful series that should have lasted longer. This chapter is just another example of great acting and terrific writing. I enjoyed the old VHS and it arrived in perfect shape. Wonderful, family entertainment.

As far as I am concerned, this "Northern Exposure" episode embodies the true holiday spirit, whatever one's religious or spiritual beliefs might be. The characters demonstrate how they truly care for each other and respect each other's traditions and beliefs. After I watch "Seoul Mates," I wipe away a tear and wish that real life could more often reflect this ideal.

"Northern Exposure" really is one of the best TV shows ever written. The show centers upon the real lives of an eclectic group of people living in a tiny Alaskan town. They all WANT to be there with the exception of Dr. Fleishman, a displaced New Yorker, who has alot to learn about life and living in Alaska. A must see for someone looking for more than just "fluff" and canned laughter. The location filming is an added plus to this wonderfully written and performed Emmy-award winning show. I lived in Alaska and the people who are there are truly special as this show most accurately captures.