Quincy M.E.: Dead and Alive (1978)
Season 4, Episode 7
7/10
Great Quincy episode.
4 February 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Quincy M.E.: Dead and Alive starts as a White Messenger courier van catches fire & crashes into a petrol station causing a huge explosion. Los Angeles finest Lt. Monahan (Garry Walberg) & medical examiner Quincy (Jack Klugman) are called to the scene, a badly burned body is found inside the van which is initially thought to be that of courier Peter Neilson (Bruce Wright). No positive identification can be made although all the evidence points towards Peter. Meanwhile Peter's sister Carol (Ayn Ruymen) tells Quincy that has spoken to her brother on the phone so it cannot be him which puzzles Quincy, since no positive identification can be made on the badly burnt body Quincy is inclined to believe her & sets out to find the truth one way or the other...

Episode 7 from season 4 this Quincy story was directed by James Benson & is very enjoyable as well as proving that Quincy as a series could handle a wide variety of interesting & different stories. Here despite almost overwhelming evidence to the contrary Quincy sets out to prove that Peter Neilson is still alive & badly injured somewhere, it's neat little story story actually & I don't think I've seen anything similar in any other series. It's not all about dead bodies, Quincy is often about finding the truth although it generally starts with a dead body. Dead and Alive is a great episode, there's crime, there's drama, there's some humour, there's Quincy having to fight against bureaucracy & there's a good solid story although one has to say maybe it's a little bit predictable. It's still fun though & well worth fifty minutes of anyones time.

The start of Dead and Alive sees some pretty cool stunt work as a van explodes, crashes into a petrol station & the whole thing blows up in spectacular style. The acting is pretty good as usual although predictably the regulars are just better with the format & what is required. I think I'm right in saying that the Richard O'Brien in this episode is not that same one who appeared in the cult The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) or hosted The Crystal Maze (1990 - 1993) TV game show.

Dead and Alive is a quality crime driven Quincy episode with an original & entertaining story that I enjoyed a lot. A must for fans & TV detective show lovers everywhere.
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