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	\| victim = Max (plane crash survivor who later dies)		\| victim = Max (plane crash survivor who later dies)
	\| autopsy_findings = Arsenic poisoning discovered post-crash		\| autopsy_findings = Arsenic poisoning discovered post-crash
	\| prev = [[~~T.K.O.~~ (Quincy, M.E.)~~\|S05E19 – "T.K.O."~~]]		\| prev = [[TKO (Quincy, M.E.)]]
	\| next = [[Deadly Arena (Quincy, M.E.)~~\|S05E21 – "Deadly Arena"~~]]		\| next = [[Deadly Arena (Quincy, M.E.)]]
	\| network_logo = nbc2.png		\| network_logo = nbc2.png
	\| network = [[NBC]]		\| network = [[NBC]]

Admin at 18:28, 7 August 2025

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	{{Infobox television episode		{{Infobox television episode
	\| title = The Final Gift		\| title = The Final Gift
	\| titlecard = ~~The_Final_Gift_Titlecard~~.png		\| titlecard = Quincy_TheFinalGift_titlecard.png
	\| series = Quincy, M.E.		\| series = Quincy, M.E.
	\| season = 5		\| season = 5

Admin at 18:28, 7 August 2025

2025-08-07T18:28:07Z

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	\| airtime = 60 minutes		\| airtime = 60 minutes
	\| runtime = approx. 60 minutes		\| runtime = approx. 60 minutes
	\| production_number = ~~<!-- Unknown -->~~		\| production_number = 53158
	\| writer = Marjorie Worcester; Robert A. Cinader		\| writer = Marjorie Worcester; Robert A. Cinader
	\| director = Georg Fenady		\| director = Georg Fenady
	\| music_by = ~~<!-- Unknown -->~~		\| music_by = Stu Phillips
	\| guest_star = Joseph Campanella as Charlie; Ellen Bry as Max		\| guest_star = Joseph Campanella as Charlie; Ellen Bry as Max
	\| victim = Max (plane crash survivor who later dies)		\| victim = Max (plane crash survivor who later dies)

Admin: Created page with "
{{Infobox television episode | title = The Final Gift | titlecard = The_Final_Gift_Titlecard.png | series = Quincy, M.E. | season = 5 | episode = 20 | airdate = March 20, 1980 | airtime = 60 minutes | runtime = approx. 60 minutes | production_number = | writer = Marjorie Worcester; Robert A. Ci..."

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Created page with "<div class="episode-tag ep-20" style="display:none;"></div> {{Infobox television episode | title = The Final Gift | titlecard = The_Final_Gift_Titlecard.png | series = Quincy, M.E. | season = 5 | episode = 20 | airdate = March 20, 1980 | airtime = 60 minutes | runtime = approx. 60 minutes | production_number =  | writer = Marjorie Worcester; Robert A. Ci..."

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<div class="episode-tag ep-20" style="display:none;"></div>
{{Infobox television episode
| title = The Final Gift
| titlecard = The_Final_Gift_Titlecard.png
| series = Quincy, M.E.
| season = 5
| episode = 20
| airdate = March 20, 1980
| airtime = 60 minutes
| runtime = approx. 60 minutes
| production_number = 
| writer = Marjorie Worcester; Robert A. Cinader
| director = Georg Fenady
| music_by = 
| guest_star = Joseph Campanella as Charlie; Ellen Bry as Max
| victim = Max (plane crash survivor who later dies)
| autopsy_findings = Arsenic poisoning discovered post-crash
| prev = [[T.K.O. (Quincy, M.E.)|S05E19 – "T.K.O."]]
| next = [[Deadly Arena (Quincy, M.E.)|S05E21 – "Deadly Arena"]]
| network_logo = nbc2.png
| network = [[NBC]]
| production_company = Glen A. Larson Productions / Universal Television
}}

<div style="text-align:center; margin-top:10px;">
[[File:The_Final_Gift_Screencap.png|480px|center|thumb|alt=Screencap from “The Final Gift” showing Quincy at the autopsy table|Screencap from ''The Final Gift'']]
</div>

== Episode Quote ==
<blockquote>
'''"Why, after surviving a crash like that, did he end up dying of poison? That’s what I want to know."'''
~ '''Dr. Quincy''', in ''[[The Final Gift (Quincy, M.E.)]]''
</blockquote>

== Episode Overview ==
''The Final Gift'' is the twentieth episode of Season 5 of ''[[Quincy, M.E.]]'', originally aired March 20, 1980 on [[NBC]]. The episode follows Quincy as he investigates the death of a crash survivor, ultimately uncovering arsenic poisoning and the possibility of foul play.

== Table of Contents ==
__TOC__

== Application of The QME Episode Laws ==
'''✅ Law 1: A Quincy, M.E. story must always seek to uncover the truth and bring justice to the victim.'''
Quincy questions the seemingly accidental death of his friend and discovers it was not caused by trauma but by deliberate poisoning.

'''✅ Law 2: A Quincy, M.E. story must explore the social and ethical issues surrounding the case, and particularly the struggle for justice against powerful systems.'''
The episode touches on themes of trust, sabotage, and hidden motives behind workplace relationships and accidents.

'''✅ Law 3: A Quincy, M.E. story must never shy away from complex or controversial topics, but always approach them with sensitivity and respect.'''
This episode deals with the emotional impact of surviving trauma, only to be victimized in a more sinister way.

'''✅ Law 4: A Quincy, M.E. story must strive for scientific accuracy in its medical and forensic investigations.'''
Quincy uses toxicological analysis to uncover the presence of arsenic in the bloodstream, exemplifying the series’ commitment to forensic science.

== Episode Synopsis ==
After a small cargo plane crashes, one of the injured survivors, Quincy’s friend Charlie, appears to be recovering. However, another survivor, Max, dies suddenly in the hospital. Suspecting something unnatural, Quincy performs an autopsy and discovers arsenic poisoning. His investigation points toward foul play and a hidden motive behind the tragedy.

== Plot Summary ==
Quincy is pulled into the case when a crash victim, whom he knows personally, dies mysteriously after initially surviving. While doctors suspect internal injuries, Quincy insists on a full post-mortem. Toxicological reports confirm his suspicion: the cause of death is arsenic poisoning. As Quincy digs deeper, he begins to unravel a twisted motive involving professional jealousy and betrayal. The tragic accident becomes the perfect cover for murder—until Quincy applies pressure and reveals the truth.

== Episode Navigation ==
← [[T.K.O. (Quincy, M.E.)]] • '''The Final Gift''' • [[Deadly Arena (Quincy, M.E.)]]
''Season 5 Overview:'' [[Quincy, M.E. (Season 5)|Full Episode List]]

== Main Cast ==
* '''Jack Klugman''' as Dr. R. Quincy

== Guest Cast ==
* '''Joseph Campanella''' as Charlie
* '''Ellen Bry''' as Max
* (Other guest cast: Unknown or uncredited)

== Case File Summary ==
'''Victim:''' Max (survived plane crash, died afterward)
'''Case #:''' LACC 80.03.202

Max's death was initially attributed to internal trauma from the crash. However, Dr. Quincy’s toxicology analysis uncovered arsenic poisoning, which revealed a homicide masked as accidental death.

== Additional Victims ==
None identified in this episode.

== Alleged Perpetrator(s) ==
* Identity not definitively confirmed in public summaries; likely someone close to the victim with access to his food or medical supplies.

== Filming Locations and Exterior Footage ==
* Studio and backlot production by [[Universal Television]]
* No confirmed on-location scenes known

== Forensic Science Insight ==
* Detection of arsenic post-mortem illustrates the importance of toxicology in suspicious deaths.
* Quincy’s insistence on further tests even after presumed natural causes reinforces the show's scientific integrity.
* Highlights limitations of visual trauma diagnostics without full laboratory support.

== Themes & Tropes ==
* ''Tragedy as Cover'' – The use of an unrelated disaster to conceal murder.
* ''Forensic Revelation'' – Clues hidden in bloodwork and chemistry solve the case.
* ''Emotional Stakes'' – Quincy’s personal connection elevates the urgency of the case.
* ''Silent Killers'' – Poison as an undetectable method of murder.

== Reception & Ratings ==
* IMDb rating: 8.0/10 ([https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0681851/ IMDb])
* Fans regard the episode as a clever twist on the "accidental death" trope.
* Praised for its emotional tension and scientific depth.

== Trivia ==
* This is one of the few episodes where Quincy personally knows the victim.
* The episode shares thematic similarities with later crime dramas such as ''CSI'' and ''Bones''.
* Ellen Bry would later appear in other TV crime procedurals.

== Cultural Impact ==
''The Final Gift'' contributes to the legacy of ''Quincy, M.E.'' as one of television’s earliest and most thoughtful forensic dramas. It balances personal loss with scientific discovery and reinforces the show’s commitment to truth and justice through methodical investigation.

== See Also ==
* [[Quincy, M.E.]]
* [[List of Quincy, M.E. episodes]]
* [[Forensic pathology]]
* [[Arsenic poisoning]]
* [[NBC]]

== External Links ==
* [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0681851/ IMDb – The Final Gift]
* [https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episodi_di_Quincy_%28quinta_stagione%29 Italian Wikipedia – Episodi Quinta Stagione]
* [https://www.directv.com/guide/EPISODE/Quincy-ME-The-Final-Gift-3886b99c-f9e6-ebc1-2af4-aba18adaa25e DIRECTV Episode Summary]

The Final Gift (Quincy, M.E.) - Revision history

Admin at 01:35, 15 August 2025

Admin at 18:28, 7 August 2025

Admin at 18:28, 7 August 2025