August 9, 1990
"Dreams And Schemes And Putting Greens"
#78703
Joel is to be the best man at Holling and Shelly's wedding, but his mind is on helping Maurice sell the Alaskan Riviera to two Japanese businessmen in hopes of becoming the attending physician and playing golf at their proposed resort on MCA TV Internationa's "NORTHERN EXPOSURE" episodes entitled "Dreams And Schemes And Putting Greens." The segment was written by Sean Clarck and directed by Dan Lerner.
Joel attends to Mr. Masuto, a japanese businessman, who became ill while touring in Maurice's Cadillac. Mr Masuto and his partner Mr. Chiba are negotiating to develop a resort inCicely. Maurice explains to Joel that it would be a 1,000 room state-of-the-art hotel complex complete with indoor/outdoor swimming pools, riding stables, tennis courts and an 18-hole golf course. Joel immediatly wants in on the deal and agrees to help "sell" Cicely to the businessmen -- if he can get a two-year reduction in his sentence and become attending physician at the resort. Meanwhile, Shelly tells Holling she is pregnant, sending him into a state of schock. When he returns to the tavern, Holling asks Shelly to marry him. That evening, Maurice and Joel are enterntaining Masuto and Chiba in Maurice's home. Unfortunately, Maurice is desponent over Shelly marrying Holling, and he is unable to discuss the deal. The next morning, Ed supervises a group of indians who are laying down astroturf to make a putting green outsinde Joel's cabin. While Joel directs the digging of the holes, Maggie tells Joel he has be chosen to be Holling's best man.
After arguing with Joel about desecrating the beauty of nature for a golf course, Maggie adds that it is Joel's responsability to get Maurice to sing at the wedding. Maggie is Maid of Honor and Chris, who is an ordained minister, will perform the ceremony. maggie and Joel also agree to act civily towards each other for the sake of the bride and groom. Meanwhile, Shelly introduces Holling to her father, Gorman Tambo, who has taken off work from the cannery to attend his daughter's wedding. When Shelly leaves the men alone, gorman makes it clear he wanted Shelly to marry "That astronaut fellow" because he has a lot of cash. Without any hesitation, Gorman also points out that Holling is too old for Shelly. When Joel takes a break from playing golf with Masuto and Chiba, he asks Maurice if he will sing at the wedding. Maurice refuses! Saturday arrives and shelly, her father, Maggie, Chris and Joel are waiting at the altar. Maggie becomes furios that Joel was more concerned about playing golf than getting Holling to the ceremony. Ed runs into the church with word that Holling has disappeared. Shelly is devastated and leaves.
Joel is trapped into playing another round of golf in the pouring rain with Chiba and Masuto. He is getting impatient that the deal has not yet closed, but Maurice asks Joel to be patient and keep the two men happy. Dea silence falls in the tavers as Hollings enters. Holling tells Shelly he took some good nature photos, and she responds by throwing shot glasses at him, and the patrons clear out- Shelly tells Holling he umiliated her. She would have understood if he didn't love her. Joel tends to the cut over Holling's eye, and Holling starts to talk about his fear that Shelly will die before him. He remembers the pain and loneliness his father and grandfather endured, living the last 60 years of their lives without the women who have made life itself worth living. He avoided marriage and love for forty years, until he met Shelly. That afternoon, Maggie tells Joel the wedding is back on. Shelly interrupts Maurice, who is entertaining Masuto and Chiba. He immediately interprets her visit to mean she is coming back to him. She tells Maurice thati is time he stops carrying a torch for her, especially since she is carrying Hollingg, Jr. Shelly tells Maurice that maybe he is better than Holling, but Holling is better for her. She asks him to sing at her wedding and leaves. Maurice runs out of his house to find Masuto and Chiba driving away.
The next day, Maurice's classically trained baritone serenades the wedding party. Shelly says "I Do", but when it comes to holling's turn he asks to talk with Shelly in private. He tells her that in the church he felt them becoming one. He will always love her and their child but asks her not go through with the wedding ceremony. Shelly agrees and they hug each other. Maurice finds Joel in his office and tells him the businessmen passed up the deal. To make matter worse, Ed tells Joel that because of the rain and no drainage the astroturf on his golf course is beginning to mildew.
Cast & Credits:
Dr. Joel Fleishman......Rob Morrow
Maggie O'Connel.........Janine Turner
Maurice Minnifield......Barry Corbin
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
Mr. Chiba...............Lenny Imamura
Mr. Masuto..............Michael Paul Chan
Gorman Tambo............Anthony Curry
Executive producers.....Joshua Brand, John Falsey
Produced by.............Robert T. Skodis
Directed by.............Dan Lerner
Written by..............Sean Clark
