CHINA BEACH: SHE SELLS MORE THAN SEA SHELLS {A.K.A. HISTORY, PART II} (TV)
Summary
One in this drama series set during the Vietnam War, which focuses on the women stationed at China Beach, a combined U.S. Armed Forces hospital and USO recreational facility located near the South China Sea. In this episode, Richards determines that K.C. is indeed pregnant, though she seems unconcerned about the identity of the father, explaining that the war has taught her to live in the moment. In 1985, seventeen-year-old Karen Lanier confronts Boonie about his secret correspondence with K.C., whom she knows to be her biological mother. Boonie admits that he previously believed K.C. to be dead and is still unsure of her whereabouts, and Karen storms out in search of the truth. She finds Richards working at a birthing center and questions him, and he states that he did not know of K.C.'s choice and prefers not to discuss the war, observing that she resembles her mother in personality. In the past, K.C. holds a "garage sale" of sorts to get rid of her belongings, and Mac reacts with jubilation when she reveals her pregnancy, convinced that it is his child and that they are destined for a blissful year together in Manila, despite the fact that he is already married. Boonie rushes to K.C.'s aid when she experiences a frightening "false alarm," and he and Mac argue bitterly about their respective roles in her life, though Richards sternly orders them not to agitate her further.
Mac heads out on a mission and Boonie assures K.C. that while he himself is clearly not the father, he will always care for her and her child should she wish him to. In the present, Richards tells Karen about Colleen and suggests that she may be able to help in locating K.C. He urges her not to shut Boonie out, as K.C. once did, though Karen sadly observes that her mother did not want her and is unlikely to feel differently now. Back in the war, Mac is brought back to China Beach with severe injuries and a worried K.C. comforts him and decides to accompany him on his evacuation flight. An upset Boonie confronts her, and she tells him that she "cares as much as she cares" and that he deserves a happy, traditional life apart from her, and they share a final good-bye kiss. She has a change of heart, however, and bids farewell to Mac as he is choppered out.
Left alone, K.C. talks with Richards and explains that she still intends to go through with the pregnancy, having felt the traditional "quickening" of her unborn child. In the present, Karen talks with an expectant mother at Richards' clinic, and when Boonie arrives in search of her, father and daughter share a comforting hug. Includes commercials, promos and an "ABC News Brief."
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: October 6, 1990 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:27
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:19711
- GENRE: Drama, medical
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Drama; Drama, medical; Vietnam War
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1988-1991
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Burger King restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Butterball lunch meats
- TV - Commercials - Cascade dishwasher detergent
- TV - Commercials - EPT pregnancy tests
- TV - Commercials - Johnson & Johnson Acuvue disposable contact lenses
- TV - Commercials - Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Nabisco Cream of Wheat cereal
- TV - Commercials - Orville Redenbacher's popcorn
- TV - Commercials - Pert shampoos
- TV - Commercials - Pizza Hut restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Royal Caribbean cruise lines
- TV - Commercials - Sudafed cold medicine
- TV - Commercials - The Prudential life insurance
- TV - Commercials - Tide laundry detergent
- TV - Commercials - Wendy's restaurants
- TV - PSA - Partnership for a Drug-Free America
- TV - Promos - "ABC World News Tonight"
- TV - Promos - "America's Funniest Home Videos"
- TV - Promos - "America's Funniest People"
- TV - Promos - "China Beach" upcoming episode
- TV - Promos - "Coach"
- TV - Promos - "Cop Rock"
- TV - Promos - "Life Goes On"
- TV - Promos - "MacGyver"
- TV - Promos - "Roseanne"
- TV - Promos - "Twin Peaks"
- TV - Promos - "When You Remember Me"
- TV - Promos - "thirtysomething"
- TV - Promos - Monday Night Football
CREDITS
- John Sacret Young … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- John Wells … Co-Executive Producer, Writer
- Mimi Leder … Supervising Producer, Director
- Lydia Woodward … Producer, Writer
- Carol Flint … Producer, Writer
- Barbara Marshall … Associate Producer
- Geno Escarrega … Line Producer
- William Broyles Jr. … Created by
- Paul Chihara … Music by
- John Rubenstein … Theme Music by
- Dana Delany … Cast, Colleen McMurphy
- Michael Boatman … Cast, Pvt. Samuel Beckett
- Troy Evans … Cast, Sgt. Pepper
- Nancy Giles … Cast, Pvt. Frankie Bunsen
- Jeff Kober … Cast, Sgt. Evan 'Dodger' Winslow
- Robert Picardo … Cast, Dr. Dick Richard
- Concetta Tomei … Cast, Maj. Lila Garreau
- Brian Wimmer … Cast, Cpl. Boonie Lanier
- Marg Helgenberger … Cast, K.C. Kolowski
- Wings Hauser … Cast, Lt. Col. 'Mac' Miller
- Finn Carter … Cast, Linda Matlock Lanier
- Christine Elise … Cast, Karen Lanier
- Scott Jaeck … Cast, Dr. Singer
- Conni Marie Brazelton … Cast, Angie
- Martin Grey … Cast, Clamacco
- Chi-Muoi Lo … Cast, Merchant
- Shannon Farrara … Cast, Gillian
- Coleby Lombardo … Cast, Lanier
- Sean B. Ryan … Cast, Adam
- For "ABC News Brief":
- Jack Smith … Anchor