ST. ELSEWHERE: BYPASS (TV)
Summary
One in this medical drama series set in St. Eligius hospital in Boston. In this episode, Morrison discovers that his patient Reinhardt, who set off the bomb at the bank, is not being given sufficient pain medication and administers it himself. In the morning, Dr. Craig and Dr. Westphall hold a press conference to talk about the bombing, and when asked if he saved Katherine MacAllister, Dr. Samuels deflects the credit to Craig. Craig says that despite its "second-rate" reputation and mocking nickname of "St. Elsewhere," the hospital offers the very best in "bread-and-butter medical care." Elsewhere, Fiscus complains about the residents' demanding schedule, though Chandler seems unaffected. The doctors perform their rounds, and Nurse Rosenthal reports that Mrs. MacAllister had a difficult night. Craig meets with a Mr. Broadwater and tells him that he has serious blockages in his heart, sternly lecturing him about his unhealthy lifestyle and informing him that he will "save" him with a triple bypass. Upon learning that Reinhardt is refusing to eat, Rosenthal confronts him and informs him that his shenanigans will not be tolerated. Fiscus meets up with Martin and they attempt to discuss their impulsive tryst, but soon find themselves romantically inclined once again. Beale meets with a patient, Jane, who behaves like a bird when under duress, and tries to aid her. In the cafeteria, Fiscus chatters about his strange theories about growth hormones as Morrison broods over Reinhardt and Ehrlich fretfully studies for the bypass surgery, knowing he must impress Craig.
Samuels attempts to catch a quick nap, but Beale interrupts him and asks if he will teach him to swim, saying he is courting a woman who enjoys white-water rafting. Morrison meets with Reinhardt's concerned parents, and Reinhardt asks about the encounters, telling Morrison he is "all right." Morrison brusquely retorts that he is caring for him because he is a doctor, not because he condones his actions. Mrs. MacAllister's husband arrives and Westphall explains about her grim prognosis, and Nurse Lucy attempts to assist with several surgeries despite a lack of supplies. Craig learns that Ehrlich failed to procure Broadwater's consent for the surgery and yells at him, then storming into Broadwater's room and ordering him to sign the form, saying he will die without the operation. Samuels and Beale take a dip in the pool, though Beale soon panics and nearly drowns the both of them, causing Samuels to tell him to "stay on the land." Craig performs Broadwater's surgery and addresses the room at large about the dangers of smoking, a habit enjoyed by Ehrlich, and he is annoyed when his cheap scrubs rip during the procedure. Dr. White and the others peruse MacAllister's X-rays, but find them inconclusive. Morrison offers his sympathies to Mr. MacAllister and then returns home to share a rare moment with his wife.
Beale solves his problem by joining a children's swimming class, much to the confusion of the teacher. Ehrlich worries that he "choked" during the heart surgery, and Morrison prepares to take Reinhardt to the prison ward. On the way, he takes him to see the comatose Mrs. MacAllister, though he is unmoved by the consequences of his crime. Morrison asks him why he did it, and Reinhardt coldly replies that he "wouldn't understand." Craig checks on Broadwater and meets his family, boasting about his own son and declaring that he is the one person who could have saved the man's life. Reinhardt attempts to cajole money from his parents to "tip" the nurses and aides, and they assure him that they will get a good lawyer to help him. Morrison goes to Westphall and explains his ethical dilemma in helping the murderer, saying he avoided becoming a lawyer for similar reasons. Westphall reveals that he once fell in love with a patient and cautions Morrison about "caring too much." Elsewhere, a heartbroken Mr. MacAllister waits for news about his wife. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: November 9, 1982 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:14143
- GENRE: Drama, medical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, medical; African-American Collection - Drama
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1982-1988
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Bruce Paltrow … Executive Producer
- Mark Tinker … Producer, Developed by
- John Masius … Producer, Developed by
- Joshua Brand … Producer, Created by, Writer
- John Falsey … Producer, Created by, Writer
- Bill Hillshafer … Associate Producer
- Thomas Carter … Director
- J.A.C. Redford … Music by
- Dave Grusin … Theme Music by
- Ed Flanders … Cast, Dr. Donald Westphall
- Norman Lloyd … Cast, Dr. Daniel Auschlander
- David Birney … Cast, Dr. Ben Samuels
- G.W. Bailey … Cast, Dr. Hugh Beale
- Ed Begley Jr. … Cast, Dr. Victor Ehrlich
- Terence Knox … Cast, Dr. Peter White
- Howie Mandel … Cast, Dr. Wayne Fiscus
- David Morse … Cast, Dr. Jack Morrison
- Christina Pickles … Cast, Nurse Helen Rosenthal
- Kavi Raz … Cast, Dr. Vijay Kochar
- Cynthia Sikes … Cast, Dr. Annie Cavanero
- Denzel Washington … Cast, Dr. Philip Chandler
- William Daniels … Cast, Dr. Mark Craig
- Barbara Whinnery … Cast, Dr. Cathy Martin
- Kim Miyori … Cast, Dr. Wendy Armstrong
- Laraine Newman … Cast, Jane Zontell / 'Tweety'
- Jack Bannon … Cast, Stephen MacAllister
- Frances Lee McCain … Cast, Mrs. Reinhardt
- Sandy McPeak … Cast, Mr. Reinhardt
- Deborah White … Cast, Nina Morrison
- Robert Constanzo … Cast, Mr. Broadwater
- Peter Maloney … Cast, Dr. Burgess
- Tim Robbins … Cast, Andrew Reinhardt
- Jennifer Savidge … Cast, Nurse Lucy
- Roxanne Reese … Cast, Nurse Louise
- Vivian Bonnell … Cast, Nurse Skilling
- Thomas Babson … Cast, Reporter