TRAPPER JOHN, M.D.: PILOT {SERIES PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
The premiere episode 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, Trapper reflects back on his Korean War experiences while napping in his office. He's roused by nurse Clara "Starch" Willoughby with news that casualties from a nearby hotel fire are flooding into the hospital. Dr. Justin "Jackpot" Jackson is trying to sort through patients, ultimately realizing that the needs of elderly Irving Ziegler outweigh those of the obstreperous -- and renowned -- Rev. Barnaby Box. Dr. Stanley "The Serpent" Riverside II broadcasts his anger at being called in to assist on his day off. He changes his tune a bit when nurse Gloria "Ripples" Brancusi, the subject of many staffers' lust, voluteers her services. Meanwhile, Dr. George Alonzo "Gonzo" Gates, an irreverent Vietnam veteran, wanders into the E.R. while searching for Trapper, hoping to talk his way into a staff position. Gonzo immediately teams up with Ripples to perform a tracheotomy on a patient who's choking. Not realizing that Gonzo isn't on staff, Trapper asks for his assistance in the operating room. Afterward, Trapper congratulates Gonzo on his medical prowess, then realizes that he's not with the hospital. Trapper is angers and Gonzo subsequently makes out an application form. However, Stanley becomes suspicious of Gonzo and questions his credentials. Trapper catches Stanley in the act of filing a report against Gonzo and squelches the complaint. While reviewing Gonzo's resume, Trapper sees in the brash Gonzo a younger version of himself and is impressed by Gonzo's work with a M.A.S.H. unit in Vietnam. Suddenly, Trapper hears that Mr. Ziegler's condition has worsened and that he needs a rare blood type. Elsewhere, Rev. Box tells of his "travails" to a television crew. Trapper seeks out Gonzo, who's sunning himself atop his camper, aka "The Titanic," in the hospital parking lot. The two physicians quickly bond as they continue to tend to the victims of the hotel fire, including Irving. They find that Irving has run away from his grown children, both of whom are suffocating him with their affection. Upon reviving Irving from cardiac arrest, the doctors find that his condition is worsening due to a lack of white blood cells. Later, Rev. Box is found to be the same blood type and Gonzo tricks him into making a donation. Trapper's ex-wife Melanie then stops by to tell the surgeon that she's getting remarried, which leaves Trapper somewhat wistful. After receiving the reverend's blood, Irving revives and explains to his children why he doesn't want to live with them. Finally, Trapper and Gonzo put an end to a long day aboard the Titanic with some unique "refreshments," during which Trapper gleefully reveals that Melanie's marriage has been postponed. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: September 23, 1979 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:49059
- GENRE: Drama, medical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, medical
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1979-1986
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Frank Glicksman … Producer, Developed by
- Jack Sonntag … Associate Producer
- Jackie Cooper … Director
- Don Brinkley … Developed by, Writer
- Pernell Roberts … Cast, Dr. "Trapper" John McIntyre
- Gregory Harrison … Cast, Dr. George Alonzo "Gonzo" Gates
- Mary McCarty … Cast, Nurse Clara "Starch" Willoughby
- Charles Siebert … Cast, Dr. Stanley "The Serpent" Riverside II
- Christopher Norris … Cast, Nurse Gloria "Ripples" Brancusi
- Brian Mitchell (See also: Brian Stokes Mitchell) … Cast, Dr. Justin "Jackpot" Jackson
- Jack Gilford … Cast, Irving Ziegler
- Barbara Stuart … Cast, Harriet Sternhauser
- Jessica Walter … Cast, Melanie Townsend McIntyre
- Roddy McDowall … Cast, Rev. Barnaby Box
- Stephen Pearlman … Cast, Marvin Sternhauser
- Ned Wilson … Cast, Anesthesiologist
- Joe Spano … Cast, Dr. Gallant
- Mariko Tse … Cast, Nurse Feldman
- Helen Baron … Cast, Woman in Mink Coat
- Karen Glow Carr … Cast, Receptionist
- Herb Davis … Cast, Salesman
- Jennifer Davis … Cast, Nurse
- Blake Harris … Cast, E.R. Nurse
- Hanna King … Cast, Tired Nurse
- Gene D. Jackson … Cast, Intern
- David Hernandez … Cast, Orderly
- Nelson Welch … Cast, Old Man
- Wayne Winton … Cast, Choking Man