CHINA BEACH: F.N.G. (TV)

Summary

One in this drama series set during the Vietnam War, which focuses on the lives of the women stationed at China Beach, a combined U.S. Armed Forces hospital and USO recreational facility located near the South China Sea. This episode traces the reasons for which McMurphy ended up going to Vietnam in 1966, in a flashback to her decision and the first day of action. During her training courses, McMurphy's attention is drawn to a particular medic who explains why he is going back to Vietnam. After mulling over his comment, she reconsiders her plans to travel to Germany and decides on Vietnam instead. Upon arriving, McMurphy is overwhelmed with the constant commotion and feels she has made a huge mistake. She meets Dr. Richard, but the pleasantries don't last long, and the wounded soldiers pour in. She learns the harsh reality of helping the wounded as her first patient is followed by more. After a grueling day, McMurphy cannot understand how people can celebrate after watching young men die. Meanwhile, by the seashore, K.C. notices a soldier heading into the sea, as if he's trying to swim back into battle. K.C. rushes in to save him but she ends up being saved by the soldier. And as McMurphy seeks advice from the head nurse, she leaves feeling distraught. After McMurphy and Richard endure bombings and argue over who was more nervous during the crisis, McMurphy loses a special patient and has trouble accepting the loss. Commercials deleted.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: April 16, 1990 9:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:48:27
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: T:55177
• GENRE: Drama
• SUBJECT HEADING: Vietnam War - Drama; African-American Collection - Drama
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1988-1991
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• John Sacret Young … Executive Producer, Director, Created by
• Georgia Jeffries … Supervising Producer
• John Wells … Supervising Producer
• Geno Escarrega … Producer
• Fred Gerber … Producer
• Mimi Leder … Producer
• William Broyles … Created by
• Carol Flint … Writer
• Shirley Walker … Music by
• John Rubinstein … Theme Music by
• Dana Delany … Cast, Nurse Colleen McMurphy
• Michael Boatman … Cast, Pvt. Sam Beckett
• Nancy Giles … Cast, Pvt. Frankie Bunsen
• Jeff Kober … Cast, Dodger
• Robert Picardo … Cast, Dr. Dick Richard
• Concetta Tomei … Cast, Maj. Lila Garreau
• Brian Wimmer … Cast, Boonie Lanier
• Marg Helgenberger … Cast, Karen Charlene (K.C.) Koloski
• Wings Hauser … Cast, Lt. Col. Miller
• Debra Stricklin … Cast, Jan Wyatt
• Kerry Noonan … Cast, Nellie
• Daniel Quinn … Cast, the Medic
• Tom Griffin … Cast, Tommy
• Ralph Meyering … Cast, Col. Broyles
• Marshall Maurice Mitchell … Cast, Charles
• George Perez … Cast, the Kid
• Bobby Hosea … Cast, Sweetness Elroy