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	\| victim = Earl Hickey		\| victim = Earl Hickey
	\| autopsy_findings = Death caused by illegal use of growth hormone leading to fatal heart complications		\| autopsy_findings = Death caused by illegal use of growth hormone leading to fatal heart complications
	\| prev = [[The ~~Billion Dollar Chicken\|S01E06 – "The Billion Dollar Chicken"~~]]		\| prev = [[The Deadly Connection (Quincy, M.E.)]]
	\| next = [[~~The Last Laugh~~ (Quincy, M.E.)~~\|S01E08 – "The Last Laugh"~~]]		\| next = [[Crib Job (Quincy, M.E.)]]
	\| network = [[NBC]]		\| network = [[NBC]]
	\| production_company = Universal Television / MCA		\| production_company = Universal Television / MCA

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	\| series = Quincy, M.E.		\| series = Quincy, M.E.
	\| season = 2		\| season = 2
	\| episode = 7		\| episode = 12
	\| airdate = November 21, 1976		\| airdate = November 21, 1976
	\| airtime = 60 minutes (approx. 48 minutes without commercials)		\| airtime = 60 minutes (approx. 48 minutes without commercials)

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Episode Overview

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	== Episode Overview ==		== Episode Overview ==
	''Last of the Dinosaurs'' is the seventh episode of the ~~first~~ season of the [[Quincy, M.E.]] television series. It aired on [[NBC]] on November 21, 1976. The episode centers around the death of a professional athlete who used illegal growth hormones, bringing up issues of medical ethics, sports corruption, and the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs.		''Last of the Dinosaurs'' is the seventh episode of the second season of the [[Quincy, M.E.]] television series. It aired on [[NBC]] on November 21, 1976. The episode centers around the death of a professional athlete who used illegal growth hormones, bringing up issues of medical ethics, sports corruption, and the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs.

	== Table of Contents ==		== Table of Contents ==
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	== See Also ==		== See Also ==
	* [[Quincy, M.E.]]		* [[Quincy, M.E.]]
	* [[List of Quincy, M.E. episodes]]		* [[List of Quincy, M.E. episodes]]
	* [[Performance-enhancing drugs]]		* [[Performance-enhancing drugs]]
	* [[Sports ethics]]		* [[Sports ethics]]
	* [[Forensic pathology]]		* [[Forensic pathology]]
	* [[Los Angeles]]		* [[Los Angeles]]
	* [[NBC]]		* [[NBC]]
	* [[1976 in television]]		* [[1976 in television]]

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	{{Infobox television episode		{{Infobox television episode
	\| title = Last of the Dinosaurs		\| title = Last of the Dinosaurs
	\| titlecard = ~~Quincy_S3E12_Last_of_the_Dinosaurs_Titlecard~~.jpg		\| titlecard = Quincy_S2E12_Last_of_the_Dinosaurs_Titlecard.jpg
	\| series = Quincy, M.E.		\| series = Quincy, M.E.
	\| season = 3		\| season = 2
	\| episode = 12		\| episode = 12
	\| airdate = December 16, 1977		\| airdate = December 16, 1977

Admin at 02:32, 14 July 2025

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Admin: Created page with "{{Infobox television episode | title = Last of the Dinosaurs | titlecard = Quincy_LastOfTheDinosaurs_Titlecard.webp | series = ''Quincy, M.E.'' | season = 2 | episode = 12 | airdate = December 16, 1977 | airtime = 60 minutes | production_number = 30212 | writer = Leonard Stadd | director = Ray Danton | guest_star = Carolyn Jones as Sybil Preston; Cameron ..."

2025-07-14T02:30:04Z

Created page with "{{Infobox television episode | title = Last of the Dinosaurs | titlecard = Quincy_LastOfTheDinosaurs_Titlecard.webp | series = ''Quincy, M.E.'' | season = 2 | episode = 12 | airdate = December 16, 1977 | airtime = 60 minutes | production_number = 30212 | writer = Leonard Stadd | director = Ray Danton | guest_star = Carolyn Jones as Sybil Preston; Cameron ..."

New page

{{Infobox television episode
| title = Last of the Dinosaurs
| titlecard = Quincy_LastOfTheDinosaurs_Titlecard.webp
| series = ''[[Quincy, M.E.]]''
| season = 2
| episode = 12
| airdate = December 16, 1977
| airtime = 60 minutes
| production_number = 30212
| writer = Leonard Stadd
| director = Ray Danton
| guest_star = Carolyn Jones as Sybil Preston; Cameron Mitchell as Will Preston; Kario Salem, John Anderson
| victim = Will Preston (Western movie star)
| autopsy_findings = Evidence of blunt trauma; undiagnosed diabetic condition masked cause of death
| prev = [[The Deadly Connection]]
| next = [[Crib Job]]
| network = [[NBC]]
| production_company = Glen A. Larson Productions / Universal Television
}}

<div style="text-align:center; margin-top:10px;">
[[File:Quincy_LastOfTheDinosaurs_Scene.png|480px|center|thumb|alt=Quincy examining Preston’s body|Quincy examines Will Preston’s body after his untimely death]]
</div>

## Episode Quote
'''“To call this a natural death would be to insult natural law.”'''
~ ___Dr. Quincy___, upon discovering forensic discrepancies.

## Episode Overview
''Last of the Dinosaurs''—Season 3, Episode 12 of ''[[Quincy, M.E.]]''—originally aired December 16, 1977. Quincy investigates the mysterious death of his idol, Western star Will Preston, uncovering that a seemingly natural demise masks foul play.

__TOC__

## Application of The QME Episode Laws
**✅ Law 1: A Quincy, M.E. story must always seek to uncover the truth and bring justice to the victim.**
Quincy refuses to accept Preston’s death as natural—even a hero deserved a proper investigation. His rigorous inquiry brings the murderer to justice.

**✅ Law 2: A Quincy, M.E. story must explore social and ethical issues…**
[Optional law: the burden of celebrity and invasion of privacy.] Quincy navigates the pressure of public opinion surrounding a beloved icon’s death.

**✅ Law 3: A Quincy, M.E. story must never shy away from complex or controversial topics…**
The episode highlights press scrutiny and the corrosive effect of fame on personal relationships, handled with care and insight.

**✅ Law 4: A Quincy, M.E. story must strive for scientific accuracy…**
Quincy identifies diabetic complications through forensic pathology alongside signs of blunt trauma—demonstrating medical precision and layered cause analysis.

## Episode Synopsis
Will Preston is discovered dead at home. Initial police reports indicate no foul play, but Quincy’s autopsy reveals signs of head trauma inconsistent with a simple fall. Further investigation uncovers confusing witness statements and Preston’s secret diabetic condition, complicated by an unsanctioned medical injection. Quincy and Lt. Monahan clash over interpretation until Quincy reconstructs events, exposing Preston’s assistant (guest character) as having intentionally administered a harmful dose. The episode ends with a confession and resolution through scientific proof.

## Plot Summary
Will Preston, revered Western actor, dies suddenly. Quincy observes subtle skull fracture lines and heart swelling—signs not matching initial reports. A history of diabetes and unprescribed insulin adds ambiguity. Interviewing family and staff—particularly Preston’s devoted assistant—Quincy uncovers suppressed details. Ultimately, clear forensic evidence links the assistant to an intentional overdose complicated by cover-up attempts. Science triumphs over celebrity façade.

## Episode Navigation
← [[The Deadly Connection]] • '''Last of the Dinosaurs''' • [[Crib Job]]
''Season 3 Overview:'' [[Quincy, M.E. (Season 3)|Full Episode List]]

## Main Cast
* '''Jack Klugman''' as Dr. R. Quincy
* '''Robert Ito''' as Sam Fujiyama
* '''Garry Walberg''' as Lt. Monahan
* '''John S. Ragin''' as Dr. Asten

## Guest Cast
* '''Cameron Mitchell''' as Will Preston
* '''Carolyn Jones''' as Sybil Preston
* '''Kario Salem''' – assisting technician
* '''John Anderson''' – family friend/neighbor

## Case File Summary
'''Victim:''' Will Preston
'''Case #:''' LACC 77.12.180

A beloved actor found dead under ambiguous circumstances. Quincy’s autopsy reveals diabetic shock and head trauma, ultimately exposing foul play masked as natural cause.

## Forensic Science Insight
* Demonstrates the interplay between chronic conditions (diabetes) and acute injury in autopsy pathology.
* Highlights need to distinguish between natural illness and inflicted trauma.
* Shows Quincy’s reliance on medical logs and medication vials to trace toxic dosage.

## Themes & Tropes
* ''Celebrity Investigation'' – Celebrity status complicates evidence collection and pressure.
* ''Hidden Illness'' – Diabetic condition used as misdirection.
* ''Reluctant Suspect'' – Trust in assistant fractured by forensic findings.
* ''Forensic Deduction'' – Science unmasks motive and method.

## Reception & Ratings
Airing on December 16, 1977, the episode received positive responses for its blend of drama and science—IMDb rates it 7.3/10 :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}. Critics praised its portrayal of fame clashing with forensic truth, and fan commentary noted its satisfying resolution through evidence rather than spectacle.

## Trivia
* Western star Will Preston’s home used the same location featured previously in an episode of ''Columbo'' :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
* Carolyn Jones, playing Preston’s wife, was credited here as a “Special Guest Star.”

## Cultural Impact
This episode typifies Quincy’s influence on blending celebrity culture with forensic pathology, prefiguring the modern true-crime genre’s focus on high-profile cases and scientific rigor.

## See Also
* [[Quincy, M.E.]]
* [[Forensic pathology]]
* [[Celebrity death investigations]]
* [[1977 in television]]

## External Links
* [IMDb page for ''Last of the Dinosaurs'']
* [Quincy, M.E. episode guide on TV.com]

Last of the Dinosaurs (Quincy, M.E.) - Revision history

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Admin: /* Episode Overview */

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Admin at 02:32, 14 July 2025