Ep 18. My Mother, My Sister

In season 3, episode 18 of Northern Exposure titled "My Mother, My Sister," we see a return of some familiar faces to Cicely, Alaska. Dr. Joel Fleischman's mother, Elaine, and his sister, Dina, come to visit him unexpectedly. Joel is surprised by their visit as he hasn't seen them in years due to their previous estranged relationship. They sit down for a meal at Maurice's tavern, and tensions rise as Joel's mother questions his lifestyle and choices and continually criticizes him.

Meanwhile, Chris feels burned out and can't seem to find inspiration for his radio show. He seeks advice from Ed, who suggests he take a break and visit the local hot springs. While there, Chris has a vision of a Native American woman who tells him to follow his heart.

Back at Cicely's tavern, Joel's sister Dina struggles with her own life choices and talks about how she's unhappy with her marriage and job. Joel opens up to her about his own unhappiness with his medical practice in Cicely and how he sometimes feels trapped in the remote Alaskan town.

As the episode progresses, we see Elaine and Dina engage in a heated argument, revealing deep-seated family issues and a strained relationship between them. Joel becomes increasingly agitated and uncomfortable as the situation escalates, causing him to question his own role in their family dynamic.

Meanwhile, Maggie is dealing with her own family struggles. She receives a letter from her father's mistress, who tells her about an upcoming auction of her father's possessions, including a valuable tribal mask that should have rightfully bequeathed to the local Native American tribe. Maggie decides to take matters into her own hands and travels to Seattle to try and stop the auction.

The episode concludes with a heart-to-heart moment between Joel and his mother on a bench outside of the tavern, where they talk about the hurtful things they've said to each other in the past and try to mend their relationship. Joel also has a touching moment with his sister, realizing the importance of family and the need for forgiveness and understanding.

Overall, "My Mother, My Sister" is a poignant and emotional episode that explores the complexities of family relationships and the struggles of finding one's sense of place in the world. The characters' struggles with identity and purpose are relatable and universal, making this a standout episode in the Northern Exposure series.