EPISODE QUOTE

“Sometimes the truth gets lost in the noise. But I can’t walk away—not when someone’s life ended without reason, and justice hasn’t been served…”
~ Quincy, M.E., “Riot”

EPISODE DETAILS

  • Original Broadcasting Network: National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
  • Production Studio: Universal/MCA
  • Episode Production Number: 53149
  • Original Airdate: Thursday, January 31, 1980
  • Airtime: 60 minutes
  • Teleplay by: Robert I. Holt
  • Story by: Robert I. Holt
  • Directed by: Ray Danton

GUEST STARRING / STARRING

  • Brock Peters as [Character Name TBD]
  • Clifton Davis as [Character Name TBD]
  • Michael Constantine as [Character Name TBD]

RECURRING CAST

  • Jack Klugman as Quincy, M.E.
  • Garry Walberg as Lt. Frank Monahan
  • Robert Ito as Sam Fujiyama
  • John S. Ragin as Dr. Robert Astin
  • Val Bisoglio as Danny Tovo
  • Joseph Roman as Sgt. Brill

PRELIMINARY FINDINGS: L.A.C.C. CASE #80.01.931 – NOTES

Decedent: Male, approximately 20-25 years old, found deceased near riot-affected protest area.
Visible Injuries: Blunt force trauma to the skull, fractured ribs, contusions consistent with crowd trampling or projectile impact.
Note: Initial scene disruption caused by public unrest; autopsy delayed due to safety precautions. Quincy insists on postmortem re-evaluation under secure conditions.

EPISODE SYNOPSIS

As Los Angeles erupts in chaos over civil unrest and growing social tension, Quincy is called to investigate the sudden death of a young protester during what was meant to be a peaceful demonstration. While most authorities chalk it up as an unfortunate casualty of rioting, Quincy suspects a deeper conspiracy—one that involves excessive force, cover-ups, and a long-simmering systemic issue boiling over in the streets.

Quincy’s investigation pits him against city officials who are desperate to contain the damage—both literal and political. Joined reluctantly by Lt. Monahan and aided by Sam’s forensic expertise, Quincy races against time to uncover the truth behind the death before further violence claims more lives.

As Quincy interviews injured protestors, confronts resistant law enforcement officials, and uncovers autopsy anomalies, a picture begins to emerge—one of injustice hidden behind tear gas and broken storefronts.

The episode crescendos in a powerful courtroom-style autopsy reveal where Quincy demonstrates that the victim’s injuries could not have come from rioters—but rather from blunt-force trauma consistent with riot-control methods. Quincy calls for accountability while city tensions reach their breaking point.

FILMING LOCATIONS AND EXTERIOR FOOTAGE

  • Los Angeles Civic Center
  • L.A. County Coroner’s Office
  • Simulated inner-city protest scenes filmed on Universal backlot
  • Night riot scenes filmed on 5th & Main in Downtown Los Angeles

TRIVIA

  • This episode is one of the few that places Quincy in the middle of a city-wide emergency.
  • Actor Brock Peters had previously collaborated with Klugman in stage productions before appearing in Quincy, M.E.
  • The episode was originally scheduled for earlier in the season but was delayed due to its politically sensitive content.

NIT PICKS

  • Footage of crowd violence is reused from earlier NBC news archives.
  • Police riot gear depicted in the episode does not match LAPD equipment from 1980.

PRODUCT PLACEMENTS AND KNOWN SPONSORSHIPS

  • Motorola Police Radio
  • Ford LTD Police Interceptors
  • Grundig Cassette Recorder (used by Quincy during interviews)

SELECTED SCREEN CAPS

(pending archival access)

PROMOTIONAL ARTIFACTS

(to be scanned from NBC press kit archives)

EXTERNAL LINKS

  • IMDB Episode Page (link placeholder)
  • [Quincy Examiner Archive – “Riot” Commentary (pending)*
  • [Universal Studios Tour: Filming Locations of Quincy, M.E.]

Would you like me to add placeholder characters or real character names as they appear in credits or script? Let me know when you’d like to build out:

  • Alleged Perpetrators
  • Additional Victim Files
  • Gallery Sections
  • Scene-by-Scene Breakdown
  • Nielsen/TV Guide Ratings
  • Behind-the-scenes or commentary notes.