TRAPPER JOHN, M.D.: KING OF THE ROAD (TV)
Summary
One in this series of medical dramas about the staff at San Francisco Memorial Hospital, headed by chief surgeon Dr. John McIntyre, nicknamed Trapper John. In this episode, Jackpot and Ripples observe as Hubley Wendover drives his decrepit camper into the hospital lot and parks it next to the Titanic. When Hubley struggles upon exiting the vehicle, Ripples and Jackpot help him into the emergency room. Later, Stanley tells Trapper and Gonzo that he's been on staff at the hospital for ten years, clearly hoping for a party. Gonzo tends to Hubley and later informs Trapper that the old man has a variety of symptoms. Soon, Gonzo sees Wesley in the parking lot, working on his camper. Gonzo tries to corral the patient back inside, just as hospital administrator Arnold Slocum voices his displeasure regarding the campers in the lot. After Trapper runs tests on Hubley, he discovers that the patient is Gonzo's long-lost father. Hubley admits that he abandoned Gonzo as a child, and asks Trapper to keep his secret. Later, Ernestine tells Trapper that Hubley's tests reveal pancreatic cancer. While doing work in Hubley's camper, Gonzo finds photos of his mother, forcing Gonzo to confront Hubley. Hubley admits the truth, stating that his real name is George Gates. Gonzo looks to Trapper for comfort, stating that his father is "dead" to him. After the arrival of Gonzo's mother, Henrietta Lansing, Trapper informs the pair that Hubley has taken off in the Titanic. When Hubley is arrested by the police, Trapper tells Gonzo to bail him out. Meanwhile, Stanley realizes that no one has planned a party for him, and Trapper takes responsibilty for the soiree. At the police station, Gonzo informs his father that Henrietta came across the country to see him. Before the two can leave for the hospital, Hubley passes out. After operating on Hubley, Trapper tells Gonzo and Henrietta that the cancer has spread and that Hubley has less than a year to live. Gonzo and Henrietta visit Hubley, at which point Henrietta admits in front of Gonzo that she was the one who broke up their marriage. Gonzo then embraces his father. Finally, as Stanley gets his long-awaited party, Hubley drives off to spend the remainder of his days in his camper with Henrietta, bidding goodbye to a tearful Gonzo. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: May 3, 1981 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:50:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:12476
- GENRE: Drama, medical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, medical
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1979-1986
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Frank Glicksman … Executive Producer, Developed by
- Don Brinkley … Producer, Developed by, Writer
- Jack Sonntag … Associate Producer
- Bernard McEveety … Director
- Milt Rosen … Writer
- John Parker … Music by
- Pernell Roberts … Cast, Dr. "Trapper" John McIntyre
- Gregory Harrison … Cast, Dr. George Alonzo "Gonzo" Gates
- Madge Sinclair … Cast, Nurse Ernestine Shoop
- Charles Siebert … Cast, Dr. Stanley "The Serpent" Riverside II
- Christopher Norris … Cast, Nurse Gloria "Ripples" Brancusi
- Brian Mitchell (See also: Brian Stokes Mitchell) … Cast, Justin "Jackpot" Jackson
- Pat Hingle … Cast, Hubley Wendover
- Allyn Ann McLerie … Cast, Henrietta Lansing
- Brooke Bundy … Cast, Dr. Sandra Kemp
- Simon Scott … Cast, Arnold Slocum
- Frank Campanella … Cast, Sarge
- Ed McCreedy … Cast, Mr. Carpus
- Peter Harrell … Cast, Pete
- Dan Barrows … Cast, Patient #2
- Gary Faga … Cast, Officer #1
- Michael Stearns … Cast, Officer #1
- Karlene Osorio … Cast, Patient #1
- Dee Dee Bradley … Cast, Dee