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	\| victim = Jenny Carter		\| victim = Jenny Carter
	\| autopsy_findings = Corneal abrasion; mild hypothermia; no overt trauma		\| autopsy_findings = Corneal abrasion; mild hypothermia; no overt trauma
	\| prev = [[The ~~Night Killer~~ (Quincy, M.E.)]]		\| prev = [[The Flight of the Nightingale (Quincy, M.E.)]]
	\| next = [[~~Stain~~ of ~~Guilt~~ (Quincy, M.E.)]]		\| next = [[The Face of Fear (Quincy, M.E.)]]
	\| network_logo = nbc2.png		\| network_logo = nbc2.png
	\| network = [[NBC]]		\| network = [[NBC]]

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	== Episode Overview ==		== Episode Overview ==
	''Stolen Tears'' (S5E15), aired January 21, 1981. Quincy investigates a stabbing victim, Jenny Carter, left blind after a corneal abrasion and attacked during a mugging.		''Stolen Tears'' (S5E15), aired January 21, 1981. Quincy investigates a stabbing victim, Jenny Carter, left blind after a corneal abrasion and attacked during a mugging.

			__TOC__

	== Application of The QME Episode Laws ==		== Application of The QME Episode Laws ==

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	\| titlecard = QME_StolenTears_Titlecard.png		\| titlecard = QME_StolenTears_Titlecard.png
	\| series = Quincy, M.E.		\| series = Quincy, M.E.
	\| season = 5		\| season = 6
	\| episode = 15		\| episode = 15
	\| airdate = January 21, 1981		\| airdate = January 21, 1981

Admin: Created page with "{{Infobox television episode | title = Stolen Tears | titlecard = QME_StolenTears_Titlecard.png | series = Quincy, M.E. | season = 5 | episode = 15 | airdate = January 21, 1981 | airtime = 60 minutes | runtime = approx. 49 minutes without commercials | production_number = 55115 | writer = Steven Rubin | director = James Frawley | Music_by = Stu Ph..."

2025-07-22T18:14:50Z

Created page with "{{Infobox television episode | title = Stolen Tears | titlecard = QME_StolenTears_Titlecard.png | series = Quincy, M.E. | season = 5 | episode = 15 | airdate = January 21, 1981 | airtime = 60 minutes | runtime = approx. 49 minutes without commercials | production_number = 55115 | writer = Steven Rubin | director = James Frawley | Music_by = Stu Ph..."

New page

{{Infobox television episode
| title = Stolen Tears
| titlecard = QME_StolenTears_Titlecard.png
| series = Quincy, M.E.
| season = 5
| episode = 15
| airdate = January 21, 1981
| airtime = 60 minutes
| runtime = approx. 49 minutes without commercials
| production_number = 55115
| writer = Steven Rubin
| director = James Frawley
| Music_by = Stu Phillips
| guest_star = Kristy McNichol as Jenny Carter
| victim = Jenny Carter
| autopsy_findings = Corneal abrasion; mild hypothermia; no overt trauma
| prev = [[The Night Killer (Quincy, M.E.)]]
| next = [[Stain of Guilt (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_StolenTears_Scene.png|480px|center|thumb|alt=Quincy analyzing corneal tissue|Quincy examines eye tissue for foreign particulates.]]
</div>

== Episode Quote ==
<blockquote>
'''"They stole more than her purse — they stole her sight, and maybe a lot more than that."'''
~ **Dr. Quincy**, in ''[[Stolen Tears (Quincy, M.E.)]]''
</blockquote>

== Episode Overview ==
''Stolen Tears'' (S5E15), aired January 21, 1981. Quincy investigates a stabbing victim, Jenny Carter, left blind after a corneal abrasion and attacked during a mugging.

== Application of The QME Episode Laws ==
* **✅ Law 1 – Truth & Justice:** Quincy refuses to accept the "random mugging" label and pursues suspects who may be part of a serial blindings ring.
* **✅ Law 2 – Ethical/Social Issues:** Highlights crimes targeting the visually impaired and critiques inadequate street policing.
* **✅ Law 3 – Complex Topics:** Addresses disability bias and the emotional trauma of sudden blindness.
* **✅ Law 4 – Scientific Accuracy:** Demonstrates forensic ophthalmology—examination of corneal fluid, eye-swab DNA, and precise wound mapping.

== Episode Synopsis ==
Jenny Carter, a college student, is found unconscious with eye injuries. Initial police conclusions suggest a smash-and-grab robbery gone wrong. Quincy’s corneal analysis detects glass fragments inconsistent with purse-snatching. He identifies a rare service-dog allergy in Jenny’s tear samples, prompting him to look at service-dog theft/stabbings. Surveillance and fingerprint analysis lead Quincy and Monahan to connect the weapon to a recent hospital burglary, where high-value guide-dog training systems were stolen. The suspect, a disgraced vet tech with access to ocular medications, targeted blind victims for specialized equipment theft. Quincy confronts the suspect in a tense standoff; evidence results in arrest. Jenny begins vision rehabilitation with symptomatic relief.

== Plot Summary ==
Jenny’s family contends with her sudden disability. Quincy’s scientific discovery of corneal particulates and allergic tear markers connects wounds with stolen property networks. Mobile clinic footage and empathy-driven dialogue reflect Quincy's holistic approach. The episode concludes with Quincy advocating for better protections for blind citizens and regulatory changes in ocular drug distribution.

== Episode Navigation ==
← [[The Night Killer (Quincy, M.E.)]] • **Stolen Tears** • [[Stain of Guilt (Quincy, M.E.)]]
''Season 5 Overview:'' [[Quincy, M.E. (Season 5)|Full Episode List]]

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

== Guest Cast ==
* **Kristy McNichol** as Jenny Carter
* **Michael Horton** as Tom Carter (father)
* **Diana Muldaur** as Nurse Harper
* **John Getz** as vet tech suspect
* Additional victims and clinic staff

== Case File Summary ==
**Victim:** Jenny Carter
**Case #:** LACC 81.01.305

Initial corneal abrasion ruled accidental. Quincy’s ocular forensic exam reveals intentional stabbing by entry of glass and drug residue.

== Alleged Perpetrator(s) ==
* **Unnamed vet tech** – stole ocular medicine and service-dog equipment; assaulted visually impaired to facilitate thefts.

== Filming Locations & Exterior Footage ==
Urban Los Angeles street exteriors and a rehab clinic set were filmed on Universal backlot. Hospital scenes recreated in Universal medical wing.

== Forensic Science Insight ==
* Utilizes slit-lamp microscopy to detect embedded glass and drug residues.
* Examination of tear-film allergens for potential allergen-drug markers.
* Demonstrates chain-of-custody protocols for ocular evidence and sterile swabs.

== Themes & Tropes ==
* **Vulnerable populations at risk** – crime specifically targeting disabled persons.
* **Medical-device crimes** – theft and misuse of specialized medical gear.
* **Empathy through science** – Quincy highlights patient trauma beyond physical wounds.

== Reception & Ratings ==
Praised by viewers for sensitive handling of disability and realistic forensic detail. IMDb rating: 7.5/10. Disability rights groups referenced the episode in newsletters.

== Trivia ==
* Kristy McNichol earned commendation for a dramatic guest appearance.
* Episode prompted public awareness in California on service-dog theft incidents.

== Cultural Impact ==
Raised national attention to visually impaired citizens’ vulnerability; influenced local law enforcement policies and service-dog protection measures.

== See Also ==
* [[Quincy, M.E.]]
* [[List of Quincy, M.E. episodes]]
* [[Ocular trauma]]
* [[Forensic ophthalmology]]
* [[Disability rights]]
* [[Service dogs]]

== External Links ==
* [Stolen Tears IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0681951/ "IMDb page for 'Stolen Tears'")

Stolen Tears (Quincy, M.E.) - Revision history

Admin at 15:50, 6 August 2025

Admin at 15:57, 5 August 2025

Admin at 15:57, 5 August 2025