The Money Plague (Quincy, M.E.): Difference between revisions
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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
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.
← A Good Smack in the Mouth • The Money Plague • Family Business Season 5 Overview: 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.
Entrance to Los Angeles County Coroner's Office filming location Los Angeles City Hall exterior filming location
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")