6.15 The Quest


Original Air Date(1): February 8, 1995 • Production Number: 77813
Written by(1): Diane Frolov and Andrew SchneiderDirected by(1): Michael Vittes

Maggie: I used to think of all the billions of people in the world, and of all those people, how was I going to meet the right ones? The right ones to be my friends, the right one to be my husband. Now I just believe you meet the people you're supposed to meet. (6)


(Picture from Kipp Teague's Retroweb)

Log line(1): Joel and Maggie embark on a search for the mythical Jeweled City of the North; Chris sues Dr. Capra for medical malpractice; and Michelle writes a review of the Brick.

Synopsis(1): Joel and Maggie embark on a search for the legendary Jeweled City of the North based on a hand-drawn map he discovered. Their adventure begins by trudging through the snow following cryptic descriptions and they metaphorically slay a dragon in the form of a Japanese soldier and gain bounty in the form of sushi. They fall prey to a cunning distraction when they encounter a rustic resort with natural hot springs and, after three days of lounging, Maggie reminds Joel of his quest. After masterfully answering a gatekeeper's riddle, Joel spots the shimmering Manhattan skyline off in the distance through dense fog and snow. He disappears in the mist as this is his Jeweled City, not Maggie's, and everyone back in Cicely senses his farewell.

Phil is puzzled by Chris' enthusiasm and bashing on Joel as he cleans out some ear wax. He is beyond befuddled when Bernard informs him that Chris is suing for malpractice. Claiming hearing damage, Chris is obsessed with seeing Phil suffer and is out to destroy him. Then, when Chris turns down Maurice's offer of $20,000 to drop the suit, Bernard suggests that Chris' problems might not be medical. Chris drops the lawsuit and reveals that he had displaced his hurt feelings for Joel's leaving onto Phil.

When Maurice reads an incoming fax for Michelle, he lets Shelly and Holling in on the fact that Alaskan Highways Magazine is hiring her to write a review of the Brick. As a positive review could be a financial benefit for the town, Maurice suggests they spice up the menu with a couple of nouvelle dishes.

As this type of food is not exactly Holling's specialty, Michelle writes a horrific review about the terrible food but is torn between feeling guilty for Holling and Shelly and maintaining her journalistic integrity. After all this, the article comes out with the best solution for everybody... a listing of the Brick's operating hours and a general description.

Details(2): Jeweled City of the North, Arctic El Dorado

Joel's snack of choice: Dried salmon and caribou jerky

Joel and Maggie's El Dorado: BON SANTE RESORT -- featuring hot tubs, massage, thermal salt scrubs and algae wraps.

Gustav the Gatekeeper (aka Adam).

Latin du jour:
"Turres nitentes smaragdinae" (The shimmering emerald towers).
"Anus caput demittit" (the old woman bows) her head to the stone of St. Sebastian which "tibi viam docebit" (will tell you the way).
"Urbs Gemmata sita est tergo crescentis" (The Jeweled City lies at the back of something crescent shaped).
"Ecce gloria et maiestas" (Behold the glory and the majeety).

Most Memorable Quote: "I don't speak Japanese, but that sure sounds like "name, rank and serial number.."

Guest Stars(9):
Phil Capra - Paul Provenza
Michelle Capra - Teri Polo
Adam/Gustav the Gatekeeper - Adam Arkin
Owen - George Barril (also appeared in 5.6, 5.10, 5.17, 5.18, 5.19, 6.2, 6.12, 6.17, and 6.23)
Stenogropher - Anne Christianson
Bernard Stevens - Richard Cummings Jr.
Hayden Keyes - James L. Dunn
Trapper - Paul McLean
Attendant - Clayton Norcross
Eugene - Earl Quewezance
Di Ju - Seth Sakai
Lawyer - Randy Thompson (also appeared in 4.4)

Music: [Help! Email me if you know these missing tunes.]
• new age music at the spa

• Sally Go Round the Roses by the Jaynetts (thank you, Ed N!)
[Marilyn and Michelle go to the Brick for the review.]

• country song at the brick when Michelle returns and gets the corn chowder.

• lots of David Swartz tunes

• "Forever Nightshade Mary" - Latin Playboys (album Latin Playboys 1994)
[Joel on the Staten Island ferry on his way to Manhatten.]

"Maybe a moonbeam To light the way, when the evening comes Hasn't a worry Don't care 'bout the cold outside Only a glad wish For a magic ride on wings of gold She don't want money Don't want rings or fancy things Only a star bright To shine behind big clouds of joy Only a daydream Maybe a moonbeam Just a star bright Forever nightshade Mary goodnight"

Shelly's Earrings:
Box of bread mix/bisquick [Serves Michelle the corn chowder with a hair.]
Gold hearts [Eugen brings in Alaskan Highways mag with the review.]

Additional Notes :
See the whole transcript on Duvelle's site.

I honestly think the whole quest with Maggie and Joel was actually a dream of Maggie's.

Di means dragon. He has the book "The Art of Japanese Management," by Richard Pascal.

Riddle by Gustav the Gatekeeper: How do you keep the one you love? Joel's (correct) answer: You don't. Love is selfless, not possesive. If you truly love someone, you have no desire to possess them. You don't keep them.

Adam/Gustav refers to Joel as "Quiz Show boy" (which was unfortunately cut on Hallmark's airing). This refers to Morrow's appearance in the movie Quiz Show (1994). He also says "This isn't brain surgery" referring to his own appearance on Chicago Hope which steals NX's coveted Monday night slot. In this sequence, he finishes with "think you're going to find something out there? It's not as easy as you think." This seems to be directed at Rob, not Joel - perhaps to warn him the jump from TV to film is difficult. On Chicago Hope, there once was a page for Dr. Fleischman. (7)

This has one of the strongest heart-string tugging scene: Joel disappears into the mist. Marilyn stops knitting, looks up and says goodbye.

These items are in storage in Roslyn. I took this picture at Moose Days 2001.

Created 3/7/02 • Updated 5/24/04

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