ST. ELSEWHERE: TIES THAT BIND {SECOND SEASON PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
One in this medical drama series set in St. Eligius hospital in Boston. In the first of this two-part episode, a quiet night is interrupted when a man, Singleton, suddenly drives his car straight into the hospital with his ill wife in the backseat. He hovers as the doctors attempt to work on her, and is eventually hauled away by security. Eve Leighton checks in for a cardiac scan and meets with Craig, who has been working on her heart problems for some time. During rounds, the residents note that Westphall looks "beat," possibly due to the city's unhappiness with the hospital's standard. Ehrlich complains to Fiscus about his lack of a social life, and Fiscus offers him advice about women. Westphall and Craig discuss Craig's talented son and Westphall suggests that he might do his residency at St. Eligius, but Craig dislikes the idea, as it will look like nepotism. Westphall mentions that a representative from the city council will soon be inspecting the hospital, but Craig is distracted by Leighton's scans, which look grim. He explains that she needs a heart transplant to save her life. Morrison talks with the Singleton family and states that Mrs. Singleton had a stroke and is currently in a coma from which she may not recover. Mr. Singleton refuses to leave her side and awkwardly apologizes for driving into the building. He learns that she is likely paralyzed on her right side and cannot make a full recovery, but he stubbornly insists that his children maintain hope.
Elsewhere, Hawkins is surprised by a robber in the supply closet, who takes a number of drugs. Nurse Rosenthal patches him up, and he swears that he can identify the thief. The city representative, Joan Halloran, meets with Auschlander and says she was "pleasantly surprised" by the hospital, but informs him that it is not a "four-star" establishment and that budget cuts are needed, and she refuses to permit Craig's expensive transplant surgery. Fiscus tries to joke with Daniels about the car incident, but she angrily confronts him about his dalliance with Martin and breaks up with him, observed by an appalled mime. Halloran meets Craig and explains about the heart transplant, which angers him, as Leighton will die without it. Ehrlich visits a bar and attempts to flirt with some women, and Chandler arrives in time to see him shot down. However, at the laundromat, Ehrlich meets an attractive young woman, Judy, who eventually invites him to her home for coffee, but as things start heating up, she requests that he tie her up. Back at the hospital, Singleton argues on the phone with lawyers when his wife suddenly opens her eyes. Morrison dwells on the case, telling Auschlander that he did not "hold back" in describing her prognosis and wondering if he denied the family reasonable hope, and Auschlander points out that she could still recover somewhat.
Craig and Rosenthal discuss Leighton's case and Craig explains that the woman is a dedicated teacher. He then confesses to Rosenthal that his son is a drug addict. At Judy's apartment, Ehrlich complies with her request and then makes a quick trip to his car, only to find himself locked out of her apartment and picked up by the cops. In the morning, he explains the situation to Daniels, who thinks he was unwise to get involved with the woman. Halloran tells Westphall that the animal research lab has to go and he argues for its uses, and eventually she gives in, agreeing to allow Craig's transplant if he relinquishes the lab. Westphall later tells Craig, and he is pleased at the news. Hawkins catches the drug thief posing as a delivery man. Fiscus finds Martin, who is circulating a petition about cryogenics, and happily tells her that they can be together, but she decides that "monogamy is boring" and breaks up with him as well. Judy arrives for an appointment with Dr. Weiss and assures Ehrlich that their night together was the "best ever," much to his confusion. Morrison visit an unresponsive Mrs. Singleton, still attended by her husband, whose hope in her recovery seems to break down as he realizes their future together may not come to pass. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: October 26, 1983 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:05649
- GENRE: Drama, medical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, medical; African-American Collection - Drama
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1982-1988
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Alka-Seltzer Plus cold medication
- TV - Commercials - Campbell's soups
- TV - Commercials - Dove moisturizing soap
- TV - Commercials - JCPenney stores
- TV - Commercials - Kodax instant film
- TV - Commercials - Oldsmobile automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Pounce cat treats
- TV - Commercials - Red Lobster restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Schmidt's beer
- TV - Commercials - Sucrets throat lozenges
- TV - Commercials - Super MaxiThins sanitary pads
- TV - Commercials - Xerox MemoryWriter typewriters
- TV - Commercials - Yellow Pages directory
- TV - Promos - "Cheers"
- TV - Promos - "Friday Night Videos"
- TV - Promos - "Hill Street Blues"
- TV - Promos - "Late Night With David Letterman"
- TV - Promos - "Motown 25"
- TV - Promos - "NBC Nightly News"
- TV - Promos - "News 4 New York"
- TV - Promos - "St. Elsewhere" upcoming episodes
- TV - Promos - "The Best of Carson"
- TV - Promos - "The Right Stuff" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "We Got It Made"
CREDITS
- Joshua Brand … Executive Producer, Created by
- John Falsey … Executive Producer, Created by
- Bruce Paltrow … Executive Producer, Director
- Abby Singer … Coordinating Producer
- Mark Tinker … Supervising Producer, Developed by
- John Masius … Producer, Developed by, Writer
- Tom Fontana … Producer, Writer
- Beth Hillshafer … Associate Producer
- J.A.C. Redford … Music by
- Dave Grusin … Theme Music by
- Ed Flanders … Cast, Dr. Donald Westphall
- Norman Lloyd … Cast, Dr. Daniel Auschlander
- Ed Begley Jr. … Cast, Dr. Victor Ehrlich
- Ellen Bry … Cast, Nurse Shirley Daniels
- Mark Harmon … Cast, Dr. Robert Caldwell
- Terence Knox … Cast, Dr. Peter White
- Eric Laneuville … Cast, Luther Hawkins
- Howie Mandel … Cast, Dr. Wayne Fiscus
- Kim Miyori … Cast, Dr. Wendy Armstrong
- David Morse … Cast, Dr. Jack Morrison
- Christina Pickles … Cast, Nurse Helen Rosenthal
- Kavi Raz … Cast, Dr. Vijay Kochar
- Nancy Stafford … Cast, Joan Halloran
- Denzel Washington … Cast, Dr. Philip Chandler
- Cynthia Sikes … Cast, Dr. Annie Cavanero
- William Daniels … Cast, Dr. Mark Craig
- Piper Laurie … Cast, Fran Singleton
- Marian Mercer … Cast, Eve Leighton
- Barbara Whinnery … Cast, Dr. Cathy Martin
- Jean Bruce Scott … Cast, Roberta Sloan
- Alan Arkin … Cast, Jerry Singleton
- Frank Koppala … Cast, Rick Singleton
- Sagan Lewis … Cast, Dr. Jacqueline Wade
- Jennifer Savidge … Cast, Nurse Lucy Papandrao
- Cassandra Peterson … Cast, Judy
- Patrie Allen … Cast, Janet Singleton
- Louise Fitch … Cast, Admissions Volunteer
- Arnold Turner … Cast, Policeman
- Kenny Ferrugiaro … Cast, Drug Thief
- Valerie Wildman … Cast, Woman in Bar
- Scottie Sullivan … Cast, E.R. Nurse