ST. ELSEWHERE: NEWHEART (TV)
Summary
One in this medical drama series set in St. Eligius hospital in Boston. In this episode, at Kochar's lackluster bachelor party, the other male doctors are stunned to learn that the groom is a virgin. An injured mechanic, Mitch Hopson, is brought into the ER in extreme agitation, and Westphall objects strongly to Halloran's explanation of the Pentagon's plans for the hospital in the event of nuclear war. Morrison talks with Jerry Singleton about the ups and downs of marriage, and Jerry admits his fears that he is at fault for his wife's stroke. Westphall is impressed when White diagnoses Hopson with a thyroid storm, and Craig exercises strenuously at home, determined to be prepared for the heart transplant. White visits Dr. Benzig in the radiation lab, nervous about exposing himself to dangerous chemicals for Hopson's treatment, and the female doctors gossip about Kochar's surprising revelation as they struggle through their aerobics class. Auschlander also objects to the Pentagon's contingency plan, feeling that it sanctions the possibility of war, and tells Halloran of his haunting memories from World War II.
Eve undergoes a series of annoying tests in preparation for the transplant, and Rosenthal urges an exasperated Fran to continue working hard at her physical therapy, assuring her that her family, including her soon-to-be-married daughter, is rooting for her success. Kochar nervously asks Craig to consider him for the anesthesiologist role on the transplant, and Martin corners Kochar and offers him an early "wedding present": herself, as a sexual tutor. White shows an uncharacteristically kind side as he reassures a nervous Hopson about the radioactive treatment, and a devastated Kochar tells Ehrlich that the wedding has been called off because of his dalliance with Martin. Halloran complains to Caldwell about the doctors' negative reaction to her emergency plans, noting that she is merely doing her job and not personally defending war, though Caldwell is more interested in their romantic activities. At home, Nina reminds a harried Morrison to pick their son later in the day as they both head off to their respective jobs, and Ehrlich updates Craig on the transplant preparations, leaving them with nothing more to do but wait for an organ.
Craig checks on Eve, who guesses that she is running out of time, and Westphall summons Morrison and gently breaks the news that Nina has had a fatal fall, which devastates him. Martin attempts to reassure Kochar and tells him that they did nothing more than kiss before he fainted, but he reveals that his bride-to-be has already married someone else, as per the custom. Jerry and Fran have a heartfelt reunion, and Westphall bluntly tells Halloran and Colonel Blackwell that he does not intend to waste time training his doctors to handle a hypothetical doomsday situation and will fight the issue in court if need be. Craig is pleased to hear that a donor heart has been found, and Hawkins is tasked with disposing of the "hot waste" from the radiation lab. Fran finally leaves St. Eligius, determinedly walking out unaided, and a now-widowed Morrison arrives home with Pete, forced to contemplate his future without Nina. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: November 9, 1983 Wednesday 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:49:12
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T89:0397
- GENRE: Drama, medical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, medical; African-American Collection - Drama
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1982-1988
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Bruce Paltrow … Executive Producer
- Abby Singer … Coordinating Producer
- Mark Tinker … Supervising Producer, Director, Developed by
- John Masius … Producer, Writer, Developed by
- Tom Fontana … Producer, Writer
- Beth Hillshafer … Associate Producer
- Joshua Brand … Created by
- John Falsey … Created by
- Garn Stephens … Writer
- Emile R. Small … Writer
- J.A.C. Redford … Music by
- David Grusin … Theme Music by
- Ed Flanders … Cast, Dr. Donald Westphall
- Norman Lloyd … Cast, Dr. Daniel Auschlander
- Ed Begley Jr. … Cast, Dr. Victor Ehrlich
- Ellen Bry … Cast, Nurse Shirley Daniels
- Mark Harmon … Cast, Dr. Robert Caldwell
- Terence Knox … Cast, Dr. Peter White
- Eric Laneuville … Cast, Luther Hawkins
- Howie Mandel … Cast, Dr. Wayne Fiscus
- Kim Miyori … Cast, Dr. Wendy Armstrong
- David Morse … Cast, Dr. Jack Morrison
- Christina Pickles … Cast, Nurse Helen Rosenthal
- Kavi Raz … Cast, Dr. Vijay Kochar
- Cynthia Sikes … Cast, Dr. Annie Cavanero
- Nancy Stafford … Cast, Joan Halloran
- Denzel Washington … Cast, Dr. Philip Chandler
- William Daniels … Cast, Dr. Mark Craig
- Piper Laurie … Cast, Fran Singleton
- Marian Mercer … Cast, Eve Leighton
- Bonnie Bartlett … Cast, Ellen Craig
- Deborah White … Cast, Nina Morrison
- Barbara Whinnery … Cast, Dr. Cathy Martin
- Paul Linke … Cast, Mitch Hopson
- Robert Gray … Cast, Dr. Benzig
- Alan Arkin … Cast, Jerry Singleton
- Frank Koppala … Cast, Rick Singleton
- Sagan Lewis … Cast, Dr. Jacqueline Wade
- Bruce Gray … Cast, Col. Harvey Blackwell
- Patrie Allen … Cast, Janet Singleton
- Allan Lurie … Cast, Mechanic