Search - Northern Exposure - Seasons 1-3 Bundle on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 4/9/2024...

Such a fun slowburn show!

The missing music is no small matter

D. Haynes | 02/13/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I am surprised and angered by Universal's decision to release seasons 2 and 3 of "Northern Exposure" on dvd with original music deleted. When this series was originally airing on network television, more than one reviewer astutely observed the vital and critical role that the carefully selected music played in this finely crafted series. In fact, I believe I remember reading that this was the first TV series for which viewer interest in the music was so high that a web-page was specially created listing titles and info on the songs featured in each episode. It was very evident that the featured and background music in each show was meticulously chosen to blend with and accentuate the narrative and themes. Frequently the emotional impact of a particular scene was solidified -- and in some cases actually established -- by the accompanying music. The musical selections, like the show itself, were frequently offbeat and out of the mainstream, but they were well thought-out, well integrated and represented some of the most talented and critically acclaimed artists of the show's period and before. The generic elevator-style music that Universal has chosen to substitute for those original songs is an insult to the show, its fans and their customers. I realize that licensing of music is no simple matter, but I also know that it is possible and that it has been done for other series. I would hope that, particularly with the all of the negative attention that has resulted from this decision, that Universal will make this situation right for future dvd releases, and will re-release seasons 2 and 3 in their intact (as originally aired) form -- with all of the original music. I believe that the typical fan of this show would tend to be the type of individual for which this kind of thing matters. And I believe most would be willing to pay a little more, or wait a little longer, as long as it meant seeing this series in its unaltered form. Smart marketing might actually highlight and take advantage of the musical excellence of this series via bonus features-- e.g., providing lists and information pertaining to the songs and artists featured in each episode. My low rating pertains almost entirely to the very poor judgment in this decision to modify the show before releasing on DVD. (To a lesser extent, it also pertains to other problems inherent in these discs, which other reviewers have also pointed out, but which I believe are minor compared to the issue of removing the original music.) Were it not for those factors, and if I were judging only the quality of the original series, I would give this release the highest possible rating. I believe it remains, to this day, one of the finest shows that has ever been produced for network television.
"

FYI

Wilcy Moore | 03/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On March 7, 2006, tvshowsondvd.com ran the following news item:

Here's something that will excite fans that don't already own them, and anger those that do; Universal is combining the first and second seasons of Northern Exposure into one set... for a suggested price of $59.98. These 15 episodes were initially sold in two sets for $59.98 each, which means many people paid double the price for this set. The contents and bonus material will be the same, however this set will contain 4 single-sided discs instead of the double-sided discs that were released in the first sets. This is another sign that Universal is (finally!!) moving away from the problematic DVD-18s (double-sided, dual-layered) discs that consumers have been complaining about. All the bonus material from the previous seasons appear to be intact in this rerelease...Look for the new set on May 9.

Amazon has the new version available for preorder at $41.99."

Great but a few glitches.

E. Zenger | Auburn, WA USA | 09/06/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I havent't watched all of the DVD's yet but what I have watched is great except for side 2 of disk 1, 1st year. There is a glitch on the disk and it stalls and refuses to proceed without skipping ahead consequently missing part of the story. Another annoyance, at the very beginning of disk one, year one, there is advertising for other DVD's and it seems to be impossible to fast forward or skip these so one has to watch the ads whether one choosed to or not. In year two it seems that one disk only has one story instead of two on side two of I think disk two. That was a surprise.
Northern Exposure has always been one of my favorite programs and I am enjoyng watching the episodes again. Would be much better without the glitches."