ST. ELSEWHERE: WATCH THE SKIES (TV)
Summary
One in this medical drama series set in St. Eligius hospital in Boston. In this episode, Ellen, upset at losing Barbara, suffers nightmares about Steven, and Fiscus agrees to cover for Chandler as he finally heads off on vacation with Turner. Craig deals with some young "hooligans" in the lobby as Caldwell complains to him about Ehrlich's interference with his patient, and astronaut Hank Leyburn arrives to check on Cochrane and questions Morrison about his mental state. Craig is thrilled when Gene turns up with the baby and explains that he and his wife intend to care for Yvonne at home, meaning that Barbara will stay with the Craigs after all. Cochrane tells Leyburn about the "perfect clarity" given to him by his illness, but Leyburn hints that his religious proclamations will prevent him from being allowed back into space, possibly ever. Chandler is upset when Turner tells him that she wants to delay their trip because her ex-husband Andrew unexpectedly has come into town, and Craig roundly scolds Ehrlich for his meddling and reassigns him to an OB-GYN rotation, ordering him to develop the "interpersonal skills" required.
Morrison nervously prepares for his remedial test as Caldwell frets over his facial scar, and Mrs. Cochrane ends up leaving the hospital in frustration when her husband maintains that nothing matters more to him than returning to space and communing with God. Westphall and Fiscus examine a Mr. Zapeta, who appears to be suffering from a serious infection, though he is reluctant to stay for extra tests. Papandrao rudely orders Rosenthal around as she fends off Caldwell's advances, and when Chandler meets Andrew, he is taken aback by his blunt questions about Turner and her obvious delight in seeing him. Rosenthal finally loses her cool and slaps Papandrao when she accuses her of being a "mess," and Craig happily tells Auschlander about his plans for raising Barbara. Westphall finds that Zapeta is malnourished and consistently puts his children's meals first, and Turner tells Chandler that she is returning to Mississippi, as her hometown doctor has died, leaving the people in serious need.
Morrison undergoes Auschlander's challenging test, and Fiscus advises Chandler about declaring his true feelings for Turner. Papandrao declares that she is pursuing legal action against Rosenthal, and Craig tells an anxious Ellen that they cannot let their personal lives come to a complete halt because of Barbara. Chandler offers to accompany Turner back home, but they argue and seemingly split for good when she suggests that he is too much of a "snob" for the small town. Cochrane attempts to hang himself and has another vision of outer space, though the doctors hurriedly save him. Terri and Ken are elated to learn that the in-vitro fertilization was a success, and Westphall breaks the rules to give the Zapeta family a full meal for once. Morrison visits Cochrane, who bitterly tells him that "this world is nothing" and medicine a waste of time, though Morrison's spirits are lifted when he learns that he passed Auschlander's test. Westphall, upset by the Zapetas' poverty, complains that no one is interested in his outreach program ideas, though Auschlander urges him to give it time. Elsewhere, Craig lovingly cares for his granddaughter. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: November 27, 1985 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:48:25
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:67121
- GENRE: Drama, medical
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Drama
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1982-1988
- COMMERCIALS:
CREDITS
- Bruce Paltrow … Executive Producer
- Abby Singer … Coordinating Producer
- Mark Tinker … Supervising Producer, Developed by
- John Masius … Producer, Developed by, Writer
- Tom Fontana … Producer, Writer
- Beth Hillshafer … Associate Producer, Director
- Joshua Brand … Created by
- John Falsey … Created by
- Charles H. Eglee … Writer
- 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
- Steven Furst … Cast, Dr. Elliot Axelrod
- Mark Harmon … Cast, Dr. Robert Caldwell
- Eric Laneuville … Cast, Luther Hawkins
- Howie Mandel … Cast, Dr. Wayne Fiscus
- David Morse … Cast, Dr. Jack Morrison
- Christina Pickles … Cast, Nurse Helen Rosenthal
- Denzel Washington … Cast, Dr. Phillip Chandler
- William Daniels … Cast, Dr. Mark Craig
- Alfre Woodard … Cast, Dr. Roxanne Turner
- Bonnie Bartlett … Cast, Ellen Craig
- David Ackroyd … Cast, Col. Chuck Cochrane
- George Deloy … Cast, Ken Valere
- Deborah May … Cast, Terri Valere
- Ramon Bieri … Cast, Gene Galecki
- Edith Diaz … Cast, Morena
- Jennifer Savidge … Cast, Nurse Lucy Papandrao
- Linda Thorson … Cast, Mrs. Cochrane
- Charles Weldon … Cast, Andrew Turner
- Gary Bayer … Cast, Hank Leyburn
- Frank Ramirez … Cast, Mr. Zapeta
- Jim Hudson … Cast, Mr. Norton
- David Glasser … Cast, Josh Green