August 13, 1990
"Russian Flu"
#78706
A flu epidemic hits Cicely, ruining Joel's plans for a romantic reunion with Elaine, his visiting fiancee, on MCA TV International's "NORTHERN EXPOSURE" episode entitled "Russian Flu." The segment was written by David Assael and directed by David Carson.
It has been two long monthe since Joel and Elaine have seen each other, and Joel panics when Red, who has supposed to fly Elaine into town, comes down with the flu. He is forced to ask Maggie to pick up Elaine in Anchorage. Joel's next patient is Holling, who apolgizes for not being able to take them to his scenic spot. Joel is thrilled when Maggie lands her plane, but he is not prepared for the fact that Elaine and Maggie have become such good friends, so quickly. Elaine has barely settled down when they are interrupted by Ed. Apparently Maurice is ill, as well as Chris, and they are waiting in Joel's office. Elaine tells Joel to go ahead; she will catch a meal with Maggie. The next morning, Ed is hosting the radio show for the ailing Chris. The flu epidemic has hit the town hard, and Joel's office is packed with patients. Joel, who is very tired from looking after patients all night, tries to get a nurse and equipment flown in from Anchorage. To top it off, Marilyn has been treating some patients with a tribal remedy that smells like manure. Hours later, Joel enters his cabin with a boquet of wildflowers and a six-pack of beer. Ealine is waiting in a slinky negligee unger the sheets. He collapsed into bed. Just when they become romantic, they are interrupted by Ed. Apparently Maurice has called an emergency town meeting with Joel as the featured speaker.
Joel walks into a packed hall, and Maurice pointedly asks him why he has let them down. Joel tries to explain to the irate townspeople that there is no remedy for the flu. Ruth-Anne chimes in that they probably have the Russian Flu, which sets off a tirade of anticommunist remarks. Joel tries to stop the group by pointing out that it is not a political conspiracy. Exhausted, joel returns to the cabin to find Elaine with a thermometer in her mouth, also suffering from the flu. Elaine apologizes for ruining his plans and makes the observation that Maggie has no gotten sick. And then Elaine tells Joel that Maggie told her about the night they drank too much wine, and he tried to swindle her out of the land deal. Joel reassures Elaine that he intends to marry her not Maggie, and she should not be jelaous. Elaine is surprised that Joel has interpreted her behavior as jealousy. The next morning, Joel accuses Maggie of befriending Elaine so that she could sabotage their relationship. Maggie wonders if Joel has finally gone over the edge. He is shocked to find his office is empty. Marilyn points out to him that the townspeople know there was nothing he could do for them. Realizing Elaine leaves in the morning, he breaks down and spreads Marilyn's Indian remedy on her body. Elaine tells Joel that Maggie wondered why Joel hadn't tried it sooner. When her comment results in another argument, Elaine points out that since she arrived, every conversation has ended in an argument about Maggie. Joel promises Elaine that one day they will be living the life they have dreamed about since they were kyds, and Alaska will be a faintly memory. That night, Joel dreams of his life in Manhattan ...In which he incorporates Maurice, Ed, Holling and Shelly. Elaine is his sister, and Maggie is his sex-starved wife! The morning comes, and Elaine is feeling like new. Joel, on the other hand, is suffering from the beginning of the dreaded flu. Joel wlaks Elaind to Holling's bar and is greeted by Maurice, who gives Elaine rave rewievs about their brilliant doctor. The townspeople apologizes to Joel in thieri own way and thank Joel for sending Marlilyn to their homes with her miracle cure. Elaine tells Joel that Maggie thinks he is a "great guy, funny, smart and compessionate." But Maggie cannot understand why he does not roll with the punches. He is suspicious of everyone and cannot see the beauty all around him.
Joel sees Elaine off and Red flies her to Anchorage. Later that day, Maggie drops off a jar of marilyn's smelly remedy. She tells Joel that Elaine would have made a great sister. Joel asks Maggie if she would rub the paste on him. She responds "in your dreams" and leaves him to do the dirty job himself.
Cast & Credits:
Dr. Joel Fleishman......Rob Morrow
Maggie O'Connel.........Janine Turner
Maurice Minnifield......Barry Corbin
Elaine..................Jessica Lundy
Chris Stevens...........John Corbett
Ed......................Darren E. Burrows
Holling Vincoeur........John Cullum
Shelly..................Cinthya Geary
Marilyn.................Elaine Miles
Ruth-Anne...............Peg Phillips
Rick Pederson...........Grant Goodeve
Red.....................John Aylward
Executive producers.....Joshua Brand, John Falsey
Produced by.............Robert T. Skodis
Directed by.............David Carson
Written by..............David Assael
