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← Older revision		Revision as of 14:45, 7 August 2025
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	{{Infobox television episode		{{Infobox television episode
	\| title = Headhunter		\| title = Headhunter
	\| titlecard = ~~QME_Headhunter_Titlecard~~.png		\| titlecard = Quincy_Headhunter_titlecard.png
	\| series = Quincy, M.E.		\| series = Quincy, M.E.
	\| season = 5		\| season = 5

Admin: Created page with "{{Infobox television episode | title = Headhunter | titlecard = QME_Headhunter_Titlecard.png | series = Quincy, M.E. | season = 5 | episode = 10 | airdate = February 4, 1981 | airtime = 60 minutes | runtime = approx. 49 minutes without commercials | production_number = ? | writer = Fred J. McKnight | director = Michael Vejar | Music_by = Bruc..."

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Created page with "{{Infobox television episode | title = Headhunter | titlecard = QME_Headhunter_Titlecard.png | series = Quincy, M.E. | season = 5 | episode = 10 | airdate = February 4, 1981 | airtime = 60 minutes | runtime = approx. 49 minutes without commercials | production_number = ? | writer = Fred J. McKnight | director = Michael Vejar | Music_by = Bruc..."

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{{Infobox television episode
| title = Headhunter
| titlecard = QME_Headhunter_Titlecard.png
| series = Quincy, M.E.
| season = 5
| episode = 10
| airdate = February 4, 1981
| airtime = 60 minutes
| runtime = approx. 49 minutes without commercials
| production_number = ?
| writer = Fred J. McKnight
| director = Michael Vejar
| Music_by = Bruce Broughton
| guest_star = Lynn Herring as the stewardess; Dennis Haysbert as the driver/possible suspect
| victim = Unnamed airline stewardess (drug mule)
| autopsy_findings = Stomach cut open; high levels of narcotics detected
| prev = [[Dear Mummy (Quincy, M.E.)]]
| next = [[Scream to the Skies (Quincy, M.E.)]]
| network_logo = nbc2.png
| network = [[NBC]]
| production_company = Universal Television / Glen A. Larson Productions
}}

<div style="text-align:center; margin-top:10px;">
[[File:QME_Headhunter_CrimeScene.png|480px|center|thumb|alt=Quincy examining stewardess body|Quincy examines a stewardess killed while working as a drug courier.]]
</div>

== Episode Quote ==
<blockquote>
'''"They thought they were untouchable—until they underestimated a doctor who wouldn't back down."'''
~ '''Dr. Quincy''', in ''[[Headhunter (Quincy, M.E.)]]''
</blockquote>

== Episode Overview ==
''Headhunter'' (Season 5, Episode 10) originally aired February 4, 1981, on [[NBC]]. Quincy investigates the death of an airline stewardess found with her stomach cut open—suspected of smuggling narcotics—while Internal Affairs obstructs his efforts.

== Application of The QME Episode Laws ==
Using **The QME Episode Laws** outlined on QuincyExaminer:

* '''✅ Law 1 – Truth & Justice:''' Quincy refuses to accept the cover-up by Internal Affairs and brings the truth of corruption to light.
* '''✅ Law 2 – Ethical/Social Issues:''' Explores police corruption, misuse of informants, and abuse of authority.
* '''✅ Law 3 – Complex Topics:''' Handles systemic malfeasance with care, emphasizing context and accountability.
* '''✅ Law 4 – Scientific Accuracy:''' Forensic autopsy shows stomach trauma and precise narcotics profiling—accurately portrayed.

== Episode Synopsis ==
An airline stewardess, found dead in her apartment after a flight, is initially labeled a drug mule who overdosed. Quincy’s autopsy reveals the stomach was slashed postmortem—and the narcotics planted. When Internal Affairs redirects the case away from local police, Quincy grows suspicious of a cover-up involving an LAPD narcotics officer. Despite bureaucratic resistance, Quincy and Lt. Monahan follow the evidence, uncovering a scheme in which informant relationships led to murder and obstruction.

== Plot Summary ==
The episode centers on a stewardess whose smuggling allegations were used to hide homicide. Using autopsy evidence and toxicology, Quincy proves the injury was inflicted after death to mask foul play. His confrontation with Internal Affairs and police leads to a breakthrough, exposing corruption within the station.

== Episode Navigation ==
← [[Dear Mummy (Quincy, M.E.)]] • '''Headhunter''' • [[Scream to the Skies (Quincy, M.E.)]]
''Season 5 Overview:'' [[Quincy, M.E. (Season 5)|Full Episode List]]

== Main Cast ==
* '''Jack Klugman''' as Dr. R. Quincy, M.E.
* '''Robert Ito''' as Sam Fujiyama
* '''John S. Ragin''' as Dr. Asten
* '''Garry Walberg''' as Lt. Frank Monahan

== Guest Cast ==
* '''Lynn Herring''' as the airline stewardess
* '''Dennis Haysbert''' as driver/suspect
* '''Val Bisoglio''' as Danny Tovo
* '''Joseph Sirola''' as Lt. Sal Drasso
* Additional officer roles by Joseph Roman, Eddie Fontaine

== Case File Summary ==
'''Victim:''' Airline stewardess (Jane Doe)
'''Case #:''' LACC 81.02.310

Forensic evidence contradicts overdose narrative, proving homicide and implicating police involvement in narcotics smuggling.

== Alleged Perpetrator(s) ==
* '''Unnamed LAPD narcotics officer'''—used stewardess as informant and discarded her when compromised.

== Filming Locations and Exterior Footage ==
The episode features interior hospital and morgue sets on the Universal backlot.

== Forensic Science Insight ==
* Autopsy confirms stomach was cut postmortem; narcotics were deliberately placed.
* Toxicology accurately identifies drug types and test results under chain-of-custody standards.
* Forensic pathology debunks overdose narrative through wound timing and absence of systemic overdose signs.

== Themes & Tropes ==
* ''Police corruption'' – investigates misuse of power within narcotics unit.
* ''Murder by proxy'' – victim used by police then disposed of as informant.
* ''Institutional cover-up'' – Internal Affairs interference prevents justice.
* ''Forensic science vs. bureaucracy'' – Quincy battles red tape, champions truth.

== Reception & Ratings ==
The episode is noted among Quincy fans for its gritty treatment of police malfeasance. IMDb entry describes its storyline: “Investigator from internal affairs investigates death of a narcotics officer's girlfriend” :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.

== Trivia ==
* Directed by Michael Vejar, marking one of few Quincy episodes he helmed.
* Dennis Haysbert appears early in his career as a suspect; he’d later become well-known for roles in ''24'' and ''Major League''.

== Cultural Impact ==
''Headhunter'' reflects Quincy’s broader mission—using forensic science to expose institutional wrongdoing. Its theme of police accountability resonated during the public scrutiny of narcotics units in the 1970s–80s. Though less remembered than other seasons, its unflinching portrayal of corruption presaged later dramas exploring similar territory.

== See Also ==
* [[Quincy, M.E.]]
* [[List of Quincy, M.E. episodes]]
* [[Police corruption]]
* [[Forensic pathology]]
* [[Narcotics enforcement]]

== External Links ==
* [Headhunter IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0681789/ "IMDb page for 'Headhunter'")

Headhunter (Quincy, M.E.) - Revision history

Admin at 18:45, 7 August 2025