Ep 2. Brains, Know How and Native Intelligence

"Brains, Know How and Native Intelligence" is the second episode of the first season of Northern Exposure, a quirky and intelligent dramedy that follows the adventures of a New York City doctor named Joel Fleischman (played by Rob Morrow) who is sent to practice medicine in the tiny Alaskan town of Cicely. In this episode, Joel is struggling to adapt to his new surroundings and the eccentric inhabitants of Cicely.

One of the residents of Cicely is Maurice Minnifield (Barry Corbin), a wealthy and powerful man who owns the local airfield and is a former astronaut. Maurice is also a bit of a blowhard and loves to talk about his accomplishments. Joel is annoyed by Maurice's attitude and arrogance, but soon learns that he is also one of the smartest people in town.

Meanwhile, Joel is trying to help Ed Chigliak (Darren E. Burrows), a young Native American man who is having trouble in school. Ed is a talented artist but is struggling with his studies and with fitting in with his classmates. Joel tries to find ways to help Ed, but soon realizes that he may not understand the cultural differences that are causing Ed's problems.

In addition to these storylines, the episode also includes several side plots involving the other colorful characters in Cicely. For example, Chris Stevens (John Corbett), the local radio DJ, is trying to find inspiration for his latest show and ends up interviewing a local woman who claims to have been abducted by aliens. Holling Vincoeur (John Cullum), the owner of the town's bar, is dealing with a problem in his love life when his much younger girlfriend starts flirting with another man.

"Brains, Know How and Native Intelligence" is a great example of the unique blend of humor and drama that Northern Exposure is known for. The episode deals with serious issues like cultural understanding and education, but also includes plenty of wacky moments and offbeat humor. The performances are excellent across the board, with Morrow and Corbin in particular showcasing their acting chops and bringing their characters to life.

Overall, "Brains, Know How and Native Intelligence" is a strong episode of Northern Exposure that perfectly captures the show's quirky and heartfelt tone.