TRAPPER JOHN, M.D.: A CHANGE OF HEART {SIXTH SEASON PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of medical dramas about the staff at San Francisco Memorial Hospital, headed by chief surgeon Dr. John McIntyre, nicknamed Trapper John. In this episode, Ernestine is angry about working on her day off, due to Arnold having fired three of her nurses. Gonzo is surprised that twelve-year-old Jamie Bruce is back in the hospital with heart problems. Trapper tells Arnold that Jamie needs a heart transplant, though his family doesn't have the money. Stanley responds that the hospital can't afford more charity cases and needs to use ads like Bay General's to generate money. Meanwhile, Jamie finds amusement only with the dogs that Jackpot is nursing back to health. Trapper explains to Jamie that the canines have been used for heart transplant experiments, much like the one that Jamie needs. When a report of a possible heart donor from Sacramento is confirmed, Trapper talks the family into giving the go-ahead. However, the organ proves defective. Meanwhile, hockey coach Sam Carerra tells Gonzo about his regret at having put novice player "Loop" LaSalle into play, resulting in Loop's hospitalization. When Loop's colleague "Leper" Lepkowitz comes to visit, Gonzo scolds him for having caused the life-threatening injury. Gonzo also takes exception to Ripples going on a dinner date with Leper. The next day, Ernestine announces that she has interviewed at Bay General after Arnold threatened her job. As a result, Trapper gives in to Arnold and Stanley's request to use ads promoting Memorial. Later, Trapper hears that Loop is now brain-dead and tells Gonzo that he wants to give Loop's heart to Jamie. Gonzo initially objects, but finally relents. Soon, an injunction arrives demanding that Loop be kept on life support, filed by Leper so that he won't be charged with manslaughter. Gonzo and Trapper go to see Leper and his lawyer, Carl Washington, both of whom refuse to lift the injunction. At dinner, Ripples chides Leper for his lack of flexibility. The next day, Leper relents, and accuses Ripples of manipulating him. As Gonzo begins extracting Loop's heart, Trapper opens up Jamie's chest, then completes the transfer. Ripples tells Jamie's mother that the operation was a success. Later, Arnold relays to Stanley that his work on the ad campaign was for naught since the transplant garnered so much publicity. Though depressed about Loop, Gonzo gives the recovering Jamie a pep talk -- along with Loop's hockey equipment. Commercials deleted.
(This program contains technical problems. This represents the best copy of this program currently available to the Museum.)
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: September 30, 1984 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:50:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:12478
- GENRE: Drama, medical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, medical
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1979-1986
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Don Brinkley … Executive Producer, Developed by
- Deborah Zoe Dawson … Producer
- Victoria Johns … Producer
- Jack Sonntag … Associate Producer
- Michael Caffey … Director
- Frank Glicksman … Developed by
- Barry H. Pollack … Writer
- John Parker … Music by
- Pernell Roberts … Cast, Dr. "Trapper" John McIntyre
- Gregory Harrison … Cast, Dr. George Alonzo "Gonzo" Gates
- Madge Sinclair … Cast, Nurse Ennestine Shoop
- Christopher Norris … Cast, Nurse Gloria "Ripples" Mancusi
- Brian Mitchell (See also: Brian Stokes Mitchell) … Cast, Dr. Justin "Jackpot" Jackson
- Charles Siebert … Cast, Dr. Stanley "The Serpent" Riverside II
- Jason Presson … Cast, Jamie Bruce
- Hunter Von Leer … Cast, "Leper" Lepkowitz
- Jack Andreozzi … Cast, Sam Carrera
- Lincoln Kilpatrick … Cast, Carl Washington
- Simon Scott … Cast, Arnold Slocum
- Jill Andre … Cast, Mrs. Bruce
- Claire Nono … Cast, Nurse Miyako
- Sarah Cunningham … Cast, Nurse Andrews
- Arnold Bankston III … Cast, Resident
- John Colligan … Cast, Paramedic
- Chris Hutson … Cast, Nurse
- John Vogel … Cast, Lasalle