Ep 1. Three Doctors

In the season five premiere of Northern Exposure, titled "Three Doctors," the residents of Cicely, Alaska are in for a surprise when three doctors come to town.

Dr. Joel Fleischman (Rob Morrow), the town's resident physician, is initially excited to meet the trio of doctors from Russia who have arrived to study the native Alaskan peoples. However, his excitement quickly turns to frustration as he realizes they speak very little English and have vastly different medical techniques.

Meanwhile, Shelly (Cynthia Geary) is struggling with her newfound role as mother to Miranda, and seeks advice from Maggie (Janine Turner) on how to balance being a parent and a wife. Maggie, who is still dealing with the fallout of her failed engagement to Joel, offers words of wisdom that may not be easy for Shelly to hear.

Elsewhere in Cicely, Chris (John Corbett) is feeling the effects of a recent breakup and turns to his trusty radio show for solace. But when his on-air musings are misconstrued by a listener, he finds himself in the middle of a small town scandal.

The arrival of the Russian doctors causes tension between Joel and his colleagues, including the quirky Dr. Capra (Adam Arkin) and the laid-back Dr. Fleischman Sr. (Morton Gottlieb). As they struggle to communicate and find common ground, the doctors must overcome their cultural differences in order to provide the best care for their patients.

As always, the stunning Alaskan wilderness serves as the backdrop for the town's antics, providing a stunning contrast to the often absurd situations the characters find themselves in. "Three Doctors" is a humorous and heartwarming start to Northern Exposure's fifth season.