Ep 11. Baby Blues

In the Northern Exposure season 5 episode 11 entitled Baby Blues, the town of Cicely is bustling with the imminent arrival of the annual Running of The Bulls event, but for Dr. Joel Fleischman (Rob Morrow) and Maggie O’Connell (Janine Turner), things take an unexpected turn when they get roped into looking after an abandoned baby.

The baby is left outside Joel’s door in a basket with no explanation, and he and Maggie do their best to track down the parents, but they have no luck. Meanwhile, they’re left with the daunting task of taking care of the newborn, and much hilarity ensues as they navigate the world of parenthood, including diaper changes, feeding schedules, and sleepless nights.

As they struggle with the challenges of caring for a baby, Joel and Maggie begin to develop a bond with the child, and both find themselves contemplating parenthood in their own lives. Joel wrestles with his own issues with commitment and whether he’s ready to settle down and start a family, while Maggie grapples with the fact that she’s getting older and may have missed her chance to have children.

Amidst all of this, the Running of The Bulls looms large, and the town is abuzz with excitement as residents prepare for the spectacle. But for Joel and Maggie, their focus is squarely on the baby and the decisions they must make about its future and their own.

Throughout the episode, the supporting cast chimes in with their own advice and perspectives on parenthood, from Shelly Tambo (Cynthia Geary), who is eager to start a family with her husband Holling (John Cullum), to Chris Stevens (John Corbett), who shares his own story of growing up without parents.

As the episode comes to a close, Joel and Maggie must come to a decision about the baby’s future, and in doing so, they gain a newfound appreciation of what it means to be a parent. The Running of The Bulls serves as a fitting backdrop for this momentous decision, as the town comes together to celebrate and Joel and Maggie find themselves renewed by the experience.

Overall, the Northern Exposure season 5 episode 11, Baby Blues, is a heartwarming and hilarious exploration of parenthood and the unexpected turns life can take. With a strong ensemble cast and clever writing, the episode strikes a perfect balance between humor and heart, leaving viewers both laughing and moved by its poignant themes.