The Money Plague (Quincy, M.E.) - Revision history

Admin at 01:43, 15 August 2025

2025-08-15T01:43:00Z

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	\| victim = Various victims of contaminated money (conceptual)		\| victim = Various victims of contaminated money (conceptual)
	\| autopsy_findings = Contamination from bacteria/fungal spores transmitted via currency		\| autopsy_findings = Contamination from bacteria/fungal spores transmitted via currency
	\| prev = [[~~Nowhere To Run~~ (Quincy, M.E.)]]		\| prev = [[Nowhere_to_Run_(Quincy,_M.E.)]]
	\| next = [[For_the_Benefit_of_My_Patients_(Quincy,_M.E.)]]		\| next = [[For_the_Benefit_of_My_Patients_(Quincy,_M.E.)]]
	\| network_logo = nbc2.png		\| network_logo = nbc2.png

Admin at 01:42, 15 August 2025

2025-08-15T01:42:23Z

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	\| victim = Various victims of contaminated money (conceptual)		\| victim = Various victims of contaminated money (conceptual)
	\| autopsy_findings = Contamination from bacteria/fungal spores transmitted via currency		\| autopsy_findings = Contamination from bacteria/fungal spores transmitted via currency
	\| prev = [[Nowhere To Run (Quincy, M.E.)]]		\| prev = [[Nowhere To Run (Quincy, M.E.)]]
	\| next = [[For_the_Benefit_of_My_Patients_(Quincy,_M.E.)]]		\| next = [[For_the_Benefit_of_My_Patients_(Quincy,_M.E.)]]
	\| network_logo = nbc2.png		\| network_logo = nbc2.png

Admin at 01:28, 15 August 2025

2025-08-15T01:28:06Z

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	\| airtime = approx. 60 minutes		\| airtime = approx. 60 minutes
	\| runtime = approx. 48 minutes without commercials		\| runtime = approx. 48 minutes without commercials
	\| production_number = ~~512~~		\| production_number = 53113
	\| writer = Arthur Price		\| writer = Arthur Price
	\| director = Walter Grauman		\| director = Walter Grauman

Admin at 01:27, 15 August 2025

2025-08-15T01:27:38Z

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	\| autopsy_findings = Contamination from bacteria/fungal spores transmitted via currency		\| autopsy_findings = Contamination from bacteria/fungal spores transmitted via currency
	\| prev = [[Nowhere To Run (Quincy, M.E.)]]		\| prev = [[Nowhere To Run (Quincy, M.E.)]]
	\| next = [[~~For The Benefit of My Patients~~ (Quincy, M.E.)]]		\| next = [[For_the_Benefit_of_My_Patients_(Quincy,_M.E.)]]
	\| network_logo = nbc2.png		\| network_logo = nbc2.png
	\| network = [[NBC]]		\| network = [[NBC]]

Admin at 01:26, 15 August 2025

2025-08-15T01:26:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:26, 14 August 2025
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	\| victim = Various victims of contaminated money (conceptual)		\| victim = Various victims of contaminated money (conceptual)
	\| autopsy_findings = Contamination from bacteria/fungal spores transmitted via currency		\| autopsy_findings = Contamination from bacteria/fungal spores transmitted via currency
	\| prev = [[~~A Good Smack in the Mouth~~ (Quincy, M.E.)~~\|A Good Smack in the Mouth~~]]		\| prev = [[Nowhere To Run (Quincy, M.E.)]]
	\| next = [[~~Family Business~~ (Quincy, M.E.)~~\|Family Business~~]]		\| next = [[For The Benefit of My Patients (Quincy, M.E.)]]
	\| network_logo = nbc2.png		\| network_logo = nbc2.png
	\| network = [[NBC]]		\| network = [[NBC]]

Admin at 18:38, 7 August 2025

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	{{Infobox television episode		{{Infobox television episode
	\| title = The Money Plague		\| title = The Money Plague
	\| titlecard = ~~Quincy_The_Money_Plague_Titlecard~~.png		\| titlecard = Quincy_MoneyPlague_titlecard.png
	\| series = Quincy, M.E.		\| series = Quincy, M.E.
	\| season = 5		\| season = 5
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	✅ Law 1: Seek truth and justice for victims		✅ Law 1: Seek truth and justice for victims
	The episode follows Dr. Quincy’s efforts to trace a mysterious outbreak of infection back to contaminated paper money, representing victims unaware of the disease’s spread through everyday contact.		The episode follows Dr. Quincy’s efforts to trace a mysterious outbreak of infection back to contaminated paper money, representing victims unaware of the disease’s spread through everyday contact. <br>

	✅ Law 2: Explore social and ethical issues		✅ Law 2: Explore social and ethical issues
	This episode discusses public health, hygiene practices, and government responsibility in controlling disease vectors, raising awareness of systemic neglect of sanitation in public health policy.		This episode discusses public health, hygiene practices, and government responsibility in controlling disease vectors, raising awareness of systemic neglect of sanitation in public health policy.<Br>

	✅ Law 3: Address complex or controversial topics with sensitivity		✅ Law 3: Address complex or controversial topics with sensitivity
	The episode tactfully raises concerns about economic inequality and its role in disease transmission without stigmatizing vulnerable populations who rely heavily on cash transactions.		The episode tactfully raises concerns about economic inequality and its role in disease transmission without stigmatizing vulnerable populations who rely heavily on cash transactions.<br>

	✅ Law 4: Scientific accuracy in forensic investigation		✅ Law 4: Scientific accuracy in forensic investigation

Admin: Created page with "{{Infobox television episode | title = The Money Plague | titlecard = Quincy_The_Money_Plague_Titlecard.png | series = Quincy, M.E. | season = 5 | episode = 12 | airdate = January 25, 1980 | airtime = approx. 60 minutes | runtime = approx. 48 minutes without commercials | production_number = 512 | writer = Arthur Price | director = Walter Grauman | Music_by..."

2025-07-19T14:24:18Z

Created page with "{{Infobox television episode | title = The Money Plague | titlecard = Quincy_The_Money_Plague_Titlecard.png | series = Quincy, M.E. | season = 5 | episode = 12 | airdate = January 25, 1980 | airtime = approx. 60 minutes | runtime = approx. 48 minutes without commercials | production_number = 512 | writer = Arthur Price | director = Walter Grauman | Music_by..."

New page

{{Infobox television episode
| title = The Money Plague
| titlecard = Quincy_The_Money_Plague_Titlecard.png
| series = Quincy, M.E.
| season = 5
| episode = 12
| airdate = January 25, 1980
| airtime = approx. 60 minutes
| runtime = approx. 48 minutes without commercials
| production_number = 512
| writer = Arthur Price
| director = Walter Grauman
| Music_by = Glen A. Larson (Theme), Stu Phillips
| guest_star =
* George Dzundza as Dr. Ben Lewin
* Kevin Conway as Eddie
* Katherine Helmond as Mrs. Barrow
| victim = Various victims of contaminated money (conceptual)
| autopsy_findings = Contamination from bacteria/fungal spores transmitted via currency
| prev = [[A Good Smack in the Mouth (Quincy, M.E.)|A Good Smack in the Mouth]]
| next = [[Family Business (Quincy, M.E.)|Family Business]]
| network_logo = nbc2.png
| network = [[NBC]]
| production_company = Universal Television / MCA
}}

<div style="text-align:center; margin-top:10px;">
[[File:Quincy_The_Money_Plague_Titlecard.png|480px|center|thumb|alt=Titlecard for "The Money Plague"|Titlecard from ''The Money Plague'']]
</div>

== Episode Quote ==
'''"Money changes hands but disease doesn't care whose hands it is in."''
~ '''Dr. Quincy''', in ''[[The Money Plague (Quincy, M.E.)]]''

== Episode Overview ==
''The Money Plague'' is the 12th episode of season 5 of the forensic medical drama series [[Quincy, M.E.]]. Originally aired on [[NBC]] on January 25, 1980, the episode delves into an unusual outbreak of disease transmitted through contaminated currency, highlighting the often overlooked public health risk posed by everyday objects.

== Table of Contents ==
__TOC__

== Application of The QME Episode Laws ==
''The Money Plague'' demonstrates the application of **The QME Episode Laws** effectively:

✅ **Law 1: Seek truth and justice for victims**
The episode follows Dr. Quincy’s efforts to trace a mysterious outbreak of infection back to contaminated paper money, representing victims unaware of the disease’s spread through everyday contact.

✅ **Law 2: Explore social and ethical issues**
This episode discusses public health, hygiene practices, and government responsibility in controlling disease vectors, raising awareness of systemic neglect of sanitation in public health policy.

✅ **Law 3: Address complex or controversial topics with sensitivity**
The episode tactfully raises concerns about economic inequality and its role in disease transmission without stigmatizing vulnerable populations who rely heavily on cash transactions.

✅ **Law 4: Scientific accuracy in forensic investigation**
Featuring detailed forensic microbiology and epidemiological tracing, the episode highlights medical examiners' role beyond autopsies—showing laboratory methods for identifying pathogens on non-biological objects like currency.

== Episode Synopsis ==
Dr. Quincy investigates an unusual spike in gastrointestinal infections in the city. As cases multiply, a pattern emerges: all patients had recently handled large amounts of cash. Quincy and his team discover that certain batches of currency in circulation are contaminated with dangerous bacteria and fungi, likely due to poor handling and storage in unsanitary conditions.

Quincy’s inquiries lead him to question the city’s sanitation protocols and the handling procedures for currency distribution. With the help of microbiologist Dr. Ben Lewin and public health officials, Quincy pieces together how infected bills passed through various hands, facilitating an epidemic hidden in plain sight.

Resistance from local merchants and bureaucrats initially hampers Quincy’s efforts, as admitting to contaminated currency risks economic panic. However, Quincy’s persistence results in policy recommendations for better hygiene awareness, public education, and improved currency handling standards.

== Plot Summary ==
The episode opens with several patients admitted with severe stomach illnesses. Quincy correlates the cases by interviewing patients and noting all had recently frequented a certain district known for high cash transactions.

Using forensic lab analysis, Quincy identifies bacterial spores present on money samples linked to the infected individuals. He traces the contamination back to a municipal cash handling center, where unsanitary conditions have allowed microbial growth on bills.

Throughout the episode, Quincy encounters institutional inertia and skepticism but uses his forensic expertise to convince officials to take action before the outbreak worsens.

== Episode Navigation ==
← [[A Good Smack in the Mouth (Quincy, M.E.)|A Good Smack in the Mouth]] • '''The Money Plague''' • [[Family Business (Quincy, M.E.)|Family Business]]
''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. Robert Asten
* '''Garrett Morris''' as Lt. Frank Monahan

== Guest Cast ==
* George Dzundza as Dr. Ben Lewin
* Kevin Conway as Eddie
* Katherine Helmond as Mrs. Barrow

== Case File Summary ==
'''Victims:''' Multiple patients with gastrointestinal infections
'''Case #:''' LACC 80.01.142

The case involves tracking an epidemiological outbreak linked to contaminated currency, uncovering sanitary lapses in municipal money handling and highlighting the role of forensic science in public health crises.

== Filming Locations and Exterior Footage ==
Filming included on-location shots at the [[Los Angeles County Coroner's Office]] and various city public health and financial institutions to enhance realism.

<div style="text-align:center; margin-top:8px;">
[[File:LACC_Coroners_Office_Entrance.jpg|320px|alt=Entrance to Los Angeles County Coroner's Office filming location|Filming location: Los Angeles County Coroner's Office]]
[[File:LA_City_Hall_Exterior.jpg|320px|alt=Los Angeles City Hall exterior filming location|Filming location: Los Angeles City Hall]]
</div>

== Forensic Science Insight ==
* Demonstrates microbiological analysis of bacteria/fungi on non-biological surfaces (currency).
* Emphasizes forensic epidemiology methods to trace disease vectors.
* Highlights the use of autopsy and laboratory data to support public health interventions.
* Exemplifies cross-disciplinary collaboration between forensic pathology, microbiology, and public health.

== Themes & Tropes ==
* ''Public Health Awareness'' – emphasizing unseen disease transmission vectors.
* ''Institutional Resistance'' – bureaucratic inertia in the face of inconvenient truths.
* ''Invisible Threats'' – disease spread through everyday objects.
* ''Forensic Science as a Tool for Social Change'' – scientific evidence driving policy reform.

== Reception & Ratings ==
While not one of the most famous episodes, "The Money Plague" received praise for its unique focus on a public health threat rarely dramatized at the time. Fans and critics alike appreciated the show’s willingness to tackle unconventional forensic cases.

== Trivia ==
* This episode is one of the few that deals with infectious disease transmission in the series.
* Katherine Helmond’s guest appearance was notable as she later gained fame on other TV series.
* The concept of contaminated money has real-world parallels, studied in epidemiology.

== Cultural Impact ==
"The Money Plague" contributed to early popular media discussions about disease transmission and hygiene. It presaged later increased public awareness of the risks of fomites (objects carrying infection), a topic that gained prominence decades later.

== See Also ==
* [[Quincy, M.E.]]
* [[List of Quincy, M.E. episodes]]
* [[Forensic pathology]]
* [[Epidemiology]]
* [[Public health]]
* [[Los Angeles]]
* [[NBC]]
* [[1980 in television]]

== External Links ==
* [Official Quincy, M.E. Website](https://www.quincyexaminer.com "Visit The Quincy Examiner Official Website anytime")
* [IMDb page for ''The Money Plague''](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074042/episodes?season=5&episode=12 "IMDb Quincy Season 5 Episode 12")
* [Quincy, M.E. episode guide on TV.com](https://www.tv.com/shows/quincy-me/episodes/season-5/ "TV.com Quincy Guide")
* [Reddit Quincy Fan Community](https://www.reddit.com/r/QuincyME/ "Reddit Quincy, M.E. Discussion")