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Reviews
Quincy M.E.: Aftermath (1979)
Solid if unspectacular
A lot of avenues for Quincy to walk which makes the episode a little disjointed. As mentioned above, Quince is knee deep in some heavy science which limits some of the action but is technically strong. The plane crash was quite a set to build if indeed that is what it was. Some classic formulaic material including big business turning a blind eye to the dangers of its new miracle insulation. Episode is capped by a signature line delivered deadpan to Quincy: "It was a million to one shot, but you hit it right on the nose." Perfect. You also get a heavy dose of Sam and some of the gentle ribbing that made their relationship so comfortable. At one point Quincy goes so far to put his arms across Sam's back in a brotherly, almost affectionate way. At certain points Sam surprisingly Points out facts to Quincy which is rare indeed. Any episode lacking the Lieutenant (until a brief appearance at the end) is, of course, an automatic one point deduction in my book. Without his skepticism and frustration Quincy lacks the fire that he can especially bring to those he knows well. At least Astin manages to wring a few bucks out of Quincy by cutting his overtime which we all know is quintessential Astin.
Quincy M.E.: Murder on Ice (1983)
Dramatic Yes, but where is the emotion
The locale and set-up are indeed Quincy originals in this thriller and the fact that there is the distant possibility that the writers might off everyone in the cast before an hour is over is enough to keep a Quincy fan glued to the scree.
One problem I have is the lack of emotion the characters have in the murder of their friends. I mean Quincy knows these guys well and their deaths result in little in the way of emotion from Quince or any of the others. Of course Quincy has a crime to solve and he can't be distracted by the feelings that would affect the rest of us. However the normally overly-emotive Emily Hanover should be wringing her hands over these murders to at least the same degree she did when Quincy missed their wedding rehearsal in the previous episode.
Having had a honeymoon of mine own, I certainly would not have been as amenable as Quincy was to all of my old cronies showing up to ruin one of the most memorable weeks a couple has. The fact he clearly does not get any - even getting kicked out of the bridal suite at one point - could only have raised his already borderline hypertension to dangerous levels.
Quincy M.E.: Suffer the Little Children (1983)
Mostly Rubbish
You could see this as a potentially gripping episode with a smarmy owner of a boys camp clearly running outside of the law, some careless caretakers, another beautiful locale, and Quincy energized and ready to fight from the get go (even before he knows the facts as his wont).
Unfortunately the order of the day is moralistic entrapment and viewers are tethered into another social argument about the benefits of the home delivery of family counseling.
Given all that it is not a surprise that Emily Hanover pounces on the opportunity to make the show her own in an elaborate bow and puff outfit that makes her look more like the wife of the Scarlet Pimpernel than Los Angeles County's most famous medical examiner.
I did like the extended view of a classic "old school" Taco Bell and there is something to be said for the emotion stirred up as the drunk/abusive father reaches out to his incorrigible son. And three cheers for an appearance by the Beaver's older brother (Tony Dow) as a country doctor who makes house calls.
Quincy M.E.: Quincy's Wedding: Part 1 (1983)
Follow Up
The full reviews in here by Paul Andrews are terrific and need little in the way of added commentary from me but I'll add my two cents. The two-part Quincy's Wedding had possibilities but it was clearly a stretch to make two episodes out of this one. Jeannette' Nolan's semi-senile semi-wily character is terrific and the way she envelops Quincy in the mystery is smart. Unfortunately the wedding planning is interminable save for the masterful performance of Carole Cook as the wedding planner/drill sergeant. We know Quince is going to tie the knot to the insufferable Dr. Emily Hanover so the drama of will he won't he falls flat.