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» » Quincy M.E. Expert in Murder (1976–1983)

Short summary

Quincy's reputation is called into question on the eve of the trial of mob boss in which Quincy is the star witness.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Forey
    My summary is NOT an indication that I disliked this episode. In fact, it was very good--one of the best ones of season seven. But much of the show has the doctor feeling very, very uncertain of himself and he mopes about...like a real weenie.

    A big trial is coming up for a trial of a mobster. However, the mob boss' family is not about to let him be convicted. First, they kill the star witness. Second, at the same time, they conspire to make Quincy's testimony in the case involving the murder of the witness appear to be a mistake--and thus impeaching his credibility in the upcoming mobster case. At first, Quincy thinks he's really made a mistake and is uncharacteristically sullen. Then, when he realizes what's happened, he and Monahan spring into action.

    Unlike too many episodes of the later seasons of "Quincy", this is NOT a social issues show that consists of Quincy preaching AT the audience. Instead, it's a return to the older and better episodes--ones which involve his investigating crimes! All in all, a very well written and entertaining episode--and a nice return to form.
  • comment
    • Author: Bajinn
    Expert in Murder begins with a man visiting his mobster father in jail and hinting around at a scheme to get him acquitted at his upcoming trial. They put their two part plan into action by first having the eyewitness murdered while dining at a restaurant and then leaving planted evidence that leads the police and Quincy (Jack Klugman) to the wrong suspect. When Quincy later provides testimony in court which is discredited as the accused reveals an iron clad alibi, this shakes his confidence and makes him question his capability. Meanwhile, the police and District Attorney become concerned about the viability of the other murder case as Quincy also provided the medical analysis which that trial hinges on as well.

    I found this to be an OK episode with a few problems. First off, aren't all jailhouse conversations over the phones in the visiting area usually recorded and/or monitored? Maybe this wasn't standard practice back in 1982 when this episode was filmed in comparison to today, but if so, the police should have been able to figure out what the mobster and his son were up to much sooner with that thinly veiled discussion of a hit. I also found it pretty ridiculous that the hit was done in a crowded restaurant full of people at dinnertime. There were more than enough people there that could overpower the shooter and all that someone had to do was pull off his stocking mask to see his face and the whole scheme would have been up in smoke. Since the eyewitness was on a date with a woman, it would have made much more sense to carry out the crime in the parking lot or something with the woman still being a witness and able to corroborate that he wore the discarded stocking mask to the police. Furthermore, I found it pretty stupid that someone was brought to trial with no realization by the prosecution that he actually had an irrefutable alibi being at such a public party with government officials. Seriously, did the police do any investigation of where this suspect had been before going into court?? Given the fact that it was Lt. Monahan (Garry Walberg), probably not!

    I've noticed that Marc Scott Taylor hasn't appeared in the last handful of Season 7 episodes, but he is credited as a writer here behind the scenes. While there are some interesting aspects to this story, there is no mystery whatsoever as we see the set-up and who is responsible right from the start and combined with the plot holes, I think that I prefer the affable Marc in front of the camera helping out Quincy and Sam (Robert Ito) in the coroner lab rather than as a writer. The scenes in the beginning and the conclusion are pretty entertaining to watch, but the majority of this episode is filled with a lot of legal and political wrangling which I didn't enjoy as well as a dejected Quincy who is no fun to watch.
  • comment
    • Author: Bradeya
    Quincy M.E.: Expert in Murder has L.A. county coroner Quincy (Jack Klugman) ready to testify in a murder trial where a powerful mob boss Victor Ramsay is accused of scaring someone to death & Quincy's medical evidence is crucial to the D.A.'s case along with the evidence of another witness. However Joseph Ramsay (Peter Virgo Jr.) the devious son of Victor has other ideas, he has one witness brutally murdered & has various incriminating evidence left at the scene including a stocking mask with skin & blood fragments along with the gun which Lt. Monahan (Garry Walberg) discovers is registered to a Mr Miles whose blood & skin also matches that found at the murder scene. It looks like an open & shut case but during the trial Miles comes up with a bullet proof alibi & Quincy's name along with his medical findings are discredited which could affect the Ramsay case, it could set a killer free & destroy Quincy's reputation as a coroner...

    Episode 20 from season 7 (not episode 20 from season 6 as the IMDb would have you believe, they have mixed up the dates between this episode & Deadly Protection which aired on the 05/05/82 & was actually episode 23 of season 7 because Expert in Murder was episode 20, got that? Good) this Quincy story was directed by Michael J. Kane & I personally think it's one of the best stories from this moral & social issue filled season. I like the show best when Quincy is solving crimes & dealing in murder so I prefer episodes like Expert in Murder where does he not only have a murder on his hands but he himself becomes part of the crime & since I like the character so much it makes the story just that bit more heartfelt. I just like seeing Klugman run around getting angry & shout at everyone, I liked the simple yet engaging plot as Quincy has to save his own reputation, at only an hour this one moves along at a nice pace as usual & there isn't a dull moral or social issue in sight! I thought Expert in Murder was a great episode which in tone feels more like the bullish crime fighting Quincy that I love watching so much.

    I must admit I'm not overly convinced by some of the medical procedures here like not being able to identify who specifically a blood sample came from which I guess is down to the fact it's a quarter of a century old & forensic techniques have come a long way since this was made, it still makes for good entertainment & that's part of it's charm but it is a touch difficult to take seriously these days. There's a decent enough cast here & Joseph Sirolla makes another appearance as D.A. Sal Angeletti after his character was in Into the Murdering Mind six episodes ago.

    Expert in Murder is one of the best stories from season 7 that ditches any moral or social issues & concentrates on what Quincy does best, solve crimes, make impassioned speeches & shout at people. Definitely well worth a watch if your a fan or want to pass an hour.
  • Episode cast overview, first billed only:
    Jack Klugman Jack Klugman - Dr. R. Quincy, M.E.
    Garry Walberg Garry Walberg - Lt. Frank Monahan
    John S. Ragin John S. Ragin - Dr. Robert Asten
    Val Bisoglio Val Bisoglio - Danny Tovo
    Robert Ito Robert Ito - Sam Fujiyama
    Joseph Roman Joseph Roman - Sgt. Brill
    Joseph Sirola Joseph Sirola - Sal Angeletti
    Lloyd Gough Lloyd Gough - Judge Bernard Weinecke
    Jack Colvin Jack Colvin - Ross
    Irene Tedrow Irene Tedrow - Mrs. Weinecke
    Robert F. Simon Robert F. Simon - State Sen. Howard Morganthal
    David White David White - Drew Castle
    Tige Andrews Tige Andrews - Victor Ramsey
    Richard Erdman Richard Erdman - Miles' Attorney
    Michael Gregory Michael Gregory - Wayne Miles
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