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Original Air Date: October 19, 1992 • Production Number: 77609
Written by: Jeffrey VlamingDirected by: Chuck Braverman

Chris (preparing to fling Tooley): Ten centuries back, a fallen Viking warrior was let go, released to his second death, adrift a burning boat, solo, his helmet and his shield across his strapping barrel chest. Tooley wasn't Scandinavian exactly, but he did embody the spirit and physique of the mighty Norseman. True, we don't have a boat to set aflame, but we have The Fling, which Webster's describes as a brief time of wild pleasures. In just a handful of seconds, Tooley's going to experience things we can only imagine. He's going to soar like an albatross, plunge like a grayling into the crystal waters and start on a fling of his own to places that we can only ponder in the daylight and experience in our dreams.

Log line (1): Chris must decide what to do with his deceased friend's remains. A heavy-metal rock star mistakenly arrives in Cicely instead of Sicily.
Synopsis (1):

Chris’ longtime friend and mentor has his dead body sent to Chris. Faced with the dilemma of choosing the proper burial ritual for this great man, Chris contemplates everything from Egyptian mummifying to a traditional church service. After being reminded by Joel that time is of the essence in this situation, Chris finally decides upon a last rite that is worthy of his wise friend and personal hero.

Heavy-metal rock star, Brad Bonner (guest star Adam Ant), arrives in Cicely, Alaska instead of Sicily, Italy, his original destination, much to the delight of Shelly, one of his biggest fans. He quickly begins to enjoy the quiet and culture of Indian music. He enlists Ed to videotape his Alaskan adventures as he orchestrates a large concert which will blend the sound of two cultures. Unfortunately, in true Cicely style, things do not go as planned.

Details (2):

Brad Bonner is the lead guitarist of “Serpent Cathedral.” Tooley turned Chris on to Satre. They spent a year at a halfway house in Skokie. Brad Bonner buys Ed's footage for a “Brad Bonner: Global” concert gig.

This script is remembered for it's controversial dream sequences where Chris is Leonardo di Vinci's Christ at “The Last Supper Club,” which prompted Mrs. W.L. Horton of Lithonia, Georgia to write that “Sodom and Gomorrah can't be very far away ...” and calling us (the staff) a “disgrace to mankind.” But we knew that already. [MC: This is written verbatim in the memo - really!]

Guest stars (9):

Dave, the Cook - William J. White
Brad Bonner - Adam Ant
Don Clearwater - Larry Crawford (drummer who auditions for Brad Bonner)
James - Jerry McCarty
Peter - Randy Thompson
Judas - Robert Wright
Tooley - Mickey Jones (also appeared as Tiny in 5.18 Fish Story)
Drummer #1 - Harry Pringle
Drummer #2 - Ray Thunderchild
Backup Singers - Kathleen Clarke, Demene Hall, *Giovanna Westwood

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

• If You Take Me Back -Big Joe and His Washboards [This is on More Music from Northern Exposure Soundtrack.]
[Brad comes into Brick. (The list in the Northern Exposure book incorrectly lists this song playing while Maggie and Chris were talking about Tooley. No music is playing while they talk.)]

• Don't Be Cruel - Cheap Trick
[Brad walks into Ruth-Anne's store.]

• Mondo Rondo - Serpent Cathedral
[Chris plays Brad Bonner's latest single.]

• Good Work - BoDeans
[Maurice and Holling talk in bar.]

• Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - Eric Clapton
[Chris talks to Tooley's dead body.]

• Baby, I Need Your Loving - ? (sounds like Bon Jovi)
[Shelly and Holling argue about her crush on Brad.]

• Piano Hymn
[Played by Marilyn for Tooley's attempted church service.]

• guitar solo (sounds like Joe Satriani)?
[Ed and Brad talk about the gig cancellation.]

• Old Time Rock and Roll - Bob Seger
[Dead Tooley sings at The Last Supper Club.]

• Big Big Man - Beat Farmers
[Shelly says Goodbye to Brad.]

A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum
(replaced on the DVD with another song because it is in legal limbo over ownership)

[Tooley is flung into the lake.]

Shelly’s Earrings: Gold music notes [Shelly meets Brad at Ruth-Anne's store].
Blue Vinyl Records [Shelly irons Brad's hankie, explains her crush to Holling.]
Tropical birds [Shelly packs food for Brad's trip.]
Elephants? [Flinging Tooley]
Additional Notes:

Brian Grady O'Toole is Tooley's real name.
The trebuchet built for Northern Exposure
I have the mustard-yellow shirt Joel is wearing in the final scene when they fling Tooley.

Footnotes and additional research

 

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