Quincy, M.E.

Quincy, M.E. (or simply Quincy) is name of a United States television series that aired October 3, 1976 to May 11, 1983 on NBC. It starred Jack Klugman as Dr. Quincy, a strong-willed forensic coroner working to ascertain facts about suspicious deaths. In the process, he frequently comes into conflict with his boss and the police, each of whom have their own (often flawed) ideas about what's going on.

Related Topics:
United States - Television - Series - October 3 - 1976 - May 11 - 1983 - NBC - Jack Klugman - Forensic - Coroner

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Many of the episodes followed this formula: A body appears, seemingly by natural causes. Quincy notices something that causes him to suspect foul play. He then changes roles from Medical Examiner to detective and solves the murder that is "unseen" by all others. But not before Quincy's boss gets upset, believing that Quincy is seeing evidence that doesn't exist and that Quincy should work on routine cases, of which they always seem to be behind on. The police department also gets their feathers ruffled as he "shoulders-in" on their territory as well.

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A quote from one episode gives a snapshot of a typical conflict. When Quincy is hospitalized, Dr. Sam Fujiyama (Robert Ito), Quincy's faithful co-worker, takes the reins and finds something fishy about Quincy's condition when everyone else sees no need for suspicion. Hearing this, homicide detective Lt. Frank Monahan (Garry Walberg) says, "You're pullin' a Quincy on me and you ain't Quincy!"

Related Topics:
Robert Ito - Garry Walberg

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Early season episodes focused on criminal investigation; a typical episode would find Quincy determining the real murderer in a crime or the real cause of an unusual poisoning case. Later season episodes began to introduce themes of social responsibility; Quincy would find himself involved with a police investigation that reveals situations such as a disreputable plastic surgeon and the reasons his poor surgeries aren't stopped, flaws in drunk driving laws, the problems caused by punk music, and airline safety issues. Quincy, M.E. was one of the earlier dramatic series to use a format like this to further a social agenda.

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Although Quincy studies bodies in-depth at his lab, he also does plenty of police investigation work technically outside the role of a coroner for the purposes of the show. He could be considered a workaholic. In every episode where he goes on vacation, it's always interrupted by an intrigue that requires his skills. He then provides copious hours of free work to solve the case. He is insistent on being intensely thorough in all his work.

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A well-liked guy, Quincy lives on a houseboat, frequents "Danny's" pub, and is popular with the ladies.

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The show was based on a Canadian series, Wojeck, broadcast by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in the 1960s.

Related Topics:
Wojeck - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - 1960

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Qunicy, M.E. is considered one of the cult classics of SquareTV: a genre of television programs that crusaded against punks, hippies and youth culture in general. Another such program was The Equalizer.

Related Topics:
Hippies - The Equalizer

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