ST. ELSEWHERE: BYE, GEORGE (TV)
Summary
One in this medical drama series set in St. Eligius hospital in Boston. In this episode, Ehrlich annoys Susan with his flirtatious advances as he delivers another televised health spot, and Hawkins accidentally offends Tshalla as he questions him about his plans for his future back in Africa. Auschlander shows Wyler his new office and scorns his ideas about a liver-cancer "cure," and Fiscus is oblivious when Governor Michael Dukakis himself arrives in the ER with a twisted ankle. Wyler shares his philosophical views on patient care with the residents, and Halloran tells Morrison that she needs to interview his colleagues and gather more information before his phony-credentials case can be decided. Despite his misgivings, Auschlander gives Wyler's unpleasant health-food treatment a try, and when Halloran questions Westphall, he admits that he cannot take Morrison's side despite his fondness for him. Hawkins advises Axelrod to seek Murray Robbin's help in improving his comedy skills, and Auschlander is surprised to find that he feels somewhat better since trying Wyler's "cure."
Craig tells Halloran that Morrison should be dismissed without hesitation, though he finds himself reflecting on the young doctor's unusually compassionate nature. Mrs. Hufnagel prepares to leave, helping herself to some "souvenirs" as she packs, and she nosily questions Cavanero about her love life, wondering if she herself is too old to consider remarrying. Westphall talks to Wyler about his potentially dangerous methods of securing government funds from Tshalla's home country for the boy's treatment, and when Wyler admits that his cancer "cure" is really just a smart diet, Westphall suggests that he is peddling "false hope." Fiscus and Chandler visit Morrison at the pharmacy and urge him to fight for his job, though Morrison seems to have little hope for his future. Wyler tells Tshalla that he intends to stay in Boston long-term, but he then receives the devastating news that his clinic in Africa has been burnt down. Mrs. Hufnagel boldly proposes to Murray, though they are interrupted by an eager Axelrod, and he agrees to consider her idea. Hawkins begins a collection to rebuild Wyler's clinic, and Morrison's friends defend his integrity to Halloran, assuring her that he deserves to be a doctor.
Ehrlich takes Susan and the Craigs to a Hawaiian restaurant, and Craig is annoyed to see that his protégé is something of a local celebrity because of his health spots. Wyler resolves to return to Africa after all, though Auschlander argues strongly against it, and Murray shows Axelrod some of his classic comedy bits but abruptly collapses mid-routine. Axelrod seeks Westphall's advice on breaking the bad news to Mrs. Hufnagel, and Halloran wonders why the "most universally-loved" doctor at St. Eligius chose to cut corners with his education. He explains that his grades were low but that being a doctor was both his dream and Nina's, describing how she suffered through the unpleasant conditions in Mexico to support him. Ehrlich is embarrassed when his credit card is declined at the restaurant, and Axelrod ends up breaking down in front of Mrs. Hufnagel, who already knows of her would-be fiancé's death, as he recalls his first big loss, that of his beloved childhood dog. Hawkins bids farewell to Tshalla, and Auschlander gives his old friend a sweetly personal "going-away present," sadly aware that he may never see him again. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: January 16, 1985 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:48:54
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:14437
- 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
- Abby Singer … Coordinating Producer
- Mark Tinker … Supervising Producer, Director, Developed by
- John Masius … Producer, Developed by, Writer
- Tom Fontana … Producer, Writer
- Beth Hillshafer … Associate Producer
- Joshua Brand … Created by
- John Falsey … Created by
- 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
- Stephen 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
- Cynthia Sikes … Cast, Dr. Annie Cavanero
- Denzel Washington … Cast, Dr. Philip Chandler
- William Daniels … Cast, Dr. Mark Craig
- David Wayne … Cast, Dr. George Wyler
- Bonnie Bartlett … Cast, Ellen Craig
- Larry B. Scott … Cast, Tshalla
- Nancy Stafford … Cast, Joan Halloran
- Vernon Weddle … Cast, Zachary Wexler
- Sagan Lewis … Cast, Dr. Jacqueline Wade
- Byron Stewart … Cast, Warren Coolidge
- Florence Halop … Cast, Mrs. Hufnagel
- Keone Young … Cast, Hong
- Murray Rubin … Cast, Murray Robbin
- Patricia Conklin … Cast, Susan Barkley
- Rob Jordan … Cast, Floor Manager
- Shelly Desai … Cast, Ahjai Sihkan
- Michael Dukakis … Cast, Himself