3.23 Cicely

 

 

 

 


Original Air Date(1): May 18, 1992 • Production number (7): 77502
Written by(1):
Diane Frolov and Andrew SchneiderDirected by(1): Rob Thompson


Ned Svenborg: “One person can have a profound effect on another. And two people...well, two people can work miracles. They can change a whole town. They can change the world.”

Log line (1): Joel stumbles upon an elderly sage who tells him the story of Cicely's creation.
Synopsis (1):

While driving, Joel narrowly misses hitting an elderly man who he discovers is one of Cicely's first residents. In an ensuing conversation Ned (guest star Roberts Blossom) launches into an elaborate story about the creation of the town. As he speaks his words come to life on the screen. The downtrodden town was run by Mace (Barry Corbin), an outlaw who controlled the inhabi tants with an iron fist. It was when Mace left for a few months that Roslyn (guest star Jo Anderson), a powerful, robust woman, and Cicely (guest star Yvonne Suhor), a vision of grace and beauty, came to the village. Immediately Roslyn made an effort to clean up the town. She stood up for her beliefs and demanded civil and mannerly behavior. Roslyn took Ned (Darren E. Burrows), who was then a young man who lived like an animal and begged for food, and Sally (Cynthia Geary), a shamed hooker, under her wing and instilled in them a new sense of self esteem.

Together Roslyn and Cicely brought culture, peace, and open mindedness to the small community. The once primitive town came to appreciate such things as dance and poetry. Roslyn had created a place where everyone was accepted without prejudice. Franz Kafka (Rob Morrow) even visited the artist's utopia to alleviate his writer's block. News that Mace was headed back to reclaim his town would jeopardize the now perfect society. Upon his entrance to town, Roslyn attempted to talk with him calmly on behalf of the townspeople. As she spoke with him, one of his gunmen fired. After that day, the town and Roslyn were never the same.

Background (Production Bible):

The visiting Franz Kafka met Roslyn in Vienna; suffering from writer's block. Missionary Mary O'Keefe (Janine Turner) inspires "Metamorphosis" and goes to Prague with Franz. Kit becomes a preacher and weds Trapper Abe (John Cullum) and Sally - formerly Mace's personal property.The grieving Roslyn vanishes.

Facts to Wax (Production Bible):

Ned was 25 when he left Cicely. Ned has come back for Cicely's 100-year birthday. Roslyn & Cicely's salon opened May 1st: important holiday in matriarchal pagan societies. Holling's been hunting bears for thirty years and can't tell a Grizzley from a Kodiak (?!).

Guest stars (9):

Cicely - Yvonne Suhor
Dave the Cook - William J. White
Ned Svenborg - Roberts Blossom
Roslyn - Jo Anderson (Also appeared in 4.15)
Singing Drunk - Brian T. Finney (Also appeared in 3.16, 4.1)
Sturdy Woman - Krisha Fairchild (Also appeared in 5.16)
Tall Woman - Sharon Collar
(Also appeared in 2.3, 3.6, 5.23)

Music:
(Note music listed is from the original TV airings. The DVD may differ.)

Each Night at Nine - Floyd Tillman
[Joel nearly hits Ned with his truck.]

The Butterfly - Show's cast (David LoVine* - Concertina and Dale Russ - Fiddle)
[The fiddlers in the bar play.]

Nearer My God to Thee - Show's cast
[Woman sings bible song.]

The Chandler's Wife - Show's cast
[Drunk men sing.]

Intermezzo Sinfonica from "Cavalleria Rusticana" (Mascagni)
[Cicely dances.]

Additional Notes:

Jo Anderson (Roslyn) later plays Jane Harris, Holling's teacher in 4.15 Learning Curve.
This episode won emmy awards.

*David LoVine appeared as an extra ina botu 40 episodes, including three credited (speaking) roles in 4.23, 5.5, and 5.8

Cicely: In this tiny corner of Alaska, the human spirit has triumphed. We hold in our hands, the most precious gift of all: Freedom. The freedom to express our art. Our love. The freedom to be who we want to be. We are not going to give that freedom away and no one shall take it from us!

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© Copyright, 2009 • Northern Exposure is Copyright © Universal City Studios. All Rights Reserved. • Created 12/28/01 • Updated 1/10/09