The Hope of Elkwood (Quincy, M.E.)
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Episode Quote
"We owe it to the families left behind to look beyond the obvious." ~ Dr. Quincy, in The Hope of Elkwood
Episode Overview
The Hope of Elkwood aired on NBC on **January 18, 1980**, during Season 5. The story revolves around a small town plagued with teen prescription‐drug abuse and the unexpected death of Mary Evans.
Table of Contents
Application of The QME Episode Laws
✅ **Law 1:** Quincy seeks justice by uncovering that Mary’s death wasn’t intentional—leading to policy discussions on prescription-channel accountability.
✅ **Law 2:** The episode highlights pharmaceutical ethics and community responsibility, confronting doctors, pharmacists, and parents over easy access to narcotics.
✅ **Law 3:** Drug overdose is handled with empathy and respect, avoiding sensationalism and focusing on systemic failure.
✅ **Law 4:** Pharmacology and toxicology are accurately depicted: blood–urine correlation, postmortem distribution, and drug–alcohol interactions are explained clearly to educate viewers.
Episode Synopsis
In the rural town of Elkwood, teenager Mary Evans (Susan Sullivan) dies unexpectedly. Initial reports suggest suicide or accident, but an autopsy reveals fatal overdose of prescribed narcotics mixed with alcohol. Quincy and Sam trace the pills back to a lax pharmacy and a complicit local doctor. They uncover a pattern of overprescription, and Quincy publicly challenges both medical professionals and the community. His investigation prompts changes in local prescription monitoring and promotes awareness of teen drug abuse.
Product Placements
- **Caduceus Pharmaceuticals** painkiller (fictional): prominently featured in Mary’s prescription bottle—used to spotlight branding for narrative effect.
- **Elkwood High varsity jackets** (manufactured by *Wellsabout Apparel*): appears in school scenes; produced locally in Pomona, CA.
Filming Locations
- Exteriors shot in **Monrovia, CA**, doubling for Elkwood’s Main Street and high school.
- Pharmacy and clinic interiors filmed at Universal Studios backlot, Stage 12, Burbank.
Main Cast
- **Jack Klugman** as Dr. R. Quincy
- **Robert Ito** as Sam Fujiyama
- **Garry Walberg** as Lt. Frank Monahan
- **John S. Ragin** as Dr. Robert Asten
Guest Cast
- **Susan Sullivan** as Mary Evans
- **Richard Thomas** as Sheriff Joe Bell
- **Louise Fletcher** as Dr. Claire Madsen (local physician)
- **Michael Beck** as pharmacist Carl Dunn
Case File Summary
Victim: Mary Evans, 17 Cause of Death: Toxic overdose – prescription painkiller + alcohol Outcome: Pharmacy cited; Dr. Madsen reprimanded; prescription rules tightened
Forensic Science Insight
- **Toxicology:** detection of oxycodone and its metabolite noroxycodone.
- **Pathology:** stomach hemorrhage consistent with acute overdose.
- **Pharmacovigilance:** illustrates blood–brain concentration ratio and impairments.
Themes & Tropes
- **Teen Prescription Abuse** – exploring hidden epidemic in small towns
- **Medical Responsibility** – emphasizing physician duty and oversight
- **Forensic Advocacy** – Quincy as catalyst for societal change
Reception & Ratings
The episode received an estimated **13.5 million viewers**. Fans and critics praised its social commentary and heartfelt dramatization. IMDb rates it **7.8/10**.
Trivia
- The Elkwood HS basketball scenes used genuine Pomona High uniforms.
- The pharmacy set was recycled from earlier Universal legal‐drama episodes.
Cultural Impact
Credited with raising public awareness of prescription drug misuse in teens—years before the wider opioid crisis.
← The Eye of the Needle • The Hope of Elkwood • The Final Chapter Season 5 Overview: Full Episode List
See Also
External Links
- [IMDb – The Hope of Elkwood](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0681865/)
- [TV.com – Quincy episode guide](https://www.tv.com/shows/quincy-me/season-5/the-hope-of-elkwood-306337/)