Zarya

This is another stand alone episode like the one where we found out how Cicely came to be. But this time they go way too far. They have the princess Anastasia and Nicolai Lenin coming to town as part of a plot involving power. Ed is Marilyn's great grandfather. There is lots of schtick involving the personalities of those who are regulars. I'm such a big fan. I just couldn't get into this one and it was originally presented as the last episode of Season 5. It doesn't matter because when I watch the rest of these, I doubt there will be anything but a bump on the road. Ed is way too much on this one.

If you're already in season 6, you know that Northern Exposure isn't afraid to get off the rails now and then.

We've had historical flashback episodes before, but so late in the series, it feels a bit superfluous. There's really not much tying this to the overarching plot of the show, and the whole idea of it is kind of preposterous. It's mostly filled with famous historical characters and fictional historical stand-ins for the main cast acting out a painfully dry scenario -- we know this isn't going to affect anything, so it feels like being subjected to a mandatory class film or something. Just get back to the real story!

It's no wonder this is one of the lowest rated episodes! Still love this show overall, though.

It's a great episode! I enjoyed the way this show could think outside the box. There are historical inaccuracies but so what; it is a great effort to tell a story. TV snobs may sing it for this or that but I like it!

Anastasia would not have been nearly this age had she survived (I'm assuming the episode is set around 1919). Inaccuracies aside it's well done, has good cinematography and well done.

The show was starting to enter its death throes at this point and there would be no renewed series after this final series. I'm glad Amazon Prime was able to bring this show back and help us relieve the past.