Dead Last (Quincy, M.E.)

Dead Last
Series Quincy, M.E. Season 7 Episode 10 Airdate January 12, 1983 Airtime 60 minutes Runtime approx. 50 minutes without commercials Production No. 53104 Writer Steve Gethers Director Walter Grauman Music by Guest Star(s) Sam J. Jones as Mike Reynolds Victim Marcia Lacey Autopsy Findings Poisoning by nerve agent; staged accident Network NBC Production Company Universal Television / MCA Previous Episode No_Way_to_Treat_a_Flower_(Quincy,_M.E.) Next Episode By_the_Death_of_a_Child_(Quincy,_M.E.) Previous Season Next Season

Screencap from 'Dead Last' showing Quincy at the autopsy table

Screencap from Dead Last

Episode Quote

'"You can’t just accept the surface story, not when a life’s been stolen under suspicious circumstances." ~ Dr. Quincy in Dead Last (Quincy, M.E.)

Episode Overview

Dead Last is the tenth episode of season seven of the Quincy, M.E. television series. It originally aired on NBC on January 12, 1983. The episode revolves around Dr. Quincy’s investigation into the suspicious death of a high-profile activist, uncovering a conspiracy involving poisoning and staged accidents.

Application of The QME Episode Laws

Dead Last exemplifies the core principles of **The QME Episode Laws**:

✅ **Law 1:** Truth and justice drive the narrative as Quincy refuses to accept the official cause of death and pursues the real circumstances behind Marcia Lacey’s demise.

✅ **Law 2:** The episode delves into social issues, focusing on environmental activism and the risks whistleblowers face when exposing corporate wrongdoing.

✅ **Law 3:** It approaches the topic of covert assassination via poisoning sensitively, depicting the scientific and ethical complexities involved in forensic detection of nerve agents.

✅ **Law 4:** Medical accuracy is paramount, with detailed depictions of toxicology screens, nerve agent pathology, and forensic techniques illustrating Quincy’s methodical approach.

These elements reinforce the show's commitment to blending forensic science with social justice.

Episode Synopsis

Marcia Lacey, a prominent environmental activist, is found dead in a staged car accident. Officially ruled accidental death, Quincy suspects foul play after noticing inconsistencies in the autopsy. Toxicology reveals traces of a rare nerve agent, suggesting poisoning prior to the crash.

Quincy investigates Lacey’s recent activities, uncovering threats she received from powerful corporate interests opposing her environmental campaigns. He collaborates with Mike Reynolds, a reporter and former activist, to expose the dangerous cover-up.

Throughout the episode, Quincy faces obstruction from law enforcement and corporate lobbyists who want to bury the truth. Undeterred, Quincy’s forensic expertise uncovers the link between the nerve agent and a suspicious chemical company, culminating in exposing the murder disguised as an accident.

Plot Summary

The episode opens with news footage of a fatal car crash involving Marcia Lacey. At the morgue, Quincy observes irregular bruising inconsistent with typical crash injuries and orders extensive toxicology tests. His suspicions grow when results indicate a rare nerve agent, typically used as a chemical weapon.

Quincy revisits the crime scene and interviews witnesses, who recall seeing Lacey’s car behaving erratically before the crash. Research into her activism uncovers recent exposés implicating a chemical manufacturer. Quincy faces pressure to drop the investigation but partners with Mike Reynolds to gather evidence.

In a tense climax, Quincy confronts corporate representatives and law enforcement officials complicit in the cover-up. He presents forensic proof of poisoning, forcing a reopened investigation and sparking public outrage over the attempted silencing of a whistleblower.

Episode Navigation

← Dead on the Field • Dead Last • A Case of Hearts Season 7 Overview: Full Episode List

Main Cast

• Jack Klugman as Dr. R. Quincy
• John S. Ragin as Lt. Frank Monahan
• Robert Ito as Sam Fujiyama
• Garrett Morris as Coroner Dr. John Kendrick

Guest Cast

• Sam J. Jones as Mike Reynolds
• Joanna Kerns as Marcia Lacey
• David Lander as Carl Peters
• Richard McKenzie as Charles Hawthorne
• Whit Bissell as Dr. Reynolds

Case File Summary

Victim: Marcia Lacey Case #: LACC 83.01.110

Death initially ruled accidental. Forensic investigation reveals poisoning by a nerve agent preceding the car crash. Evidence points to a targeted assassination tied to corporate retaliation against environmental activism.

Additional Victims

None in this episode; focus remains on Marcia Lacey’s suspicious death.

Alleged Perpetrator

Corporate executives from the chemical company implicated in illegal toxic waste dumping and suppression of whistleblowers. Names remain undisclosed within the episode.

Filming Locations and Exterior Footage

The episode features authentic Los Angeles settings, including:

• The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office (LACC) – interior morgue scenes
• Urban freeway overpass – car crash site
• Downtown Los Angeles office buildings – corporate headquarters exteriors

Los Angeles County Coroner's Office filming location Freeway overpass used in car crash scenes

Forensic Science Insight

• Toxicology screens detecting nerve agents, emphasizing the difficulty in identifying rare poisons.
• Detailed autopsy evidence showing nerve agent effects such as respiratory paralysis and hemorrhaging.
• Use of forensic chemistry to trace chemical signatures back to corporate sources.
• Highlighting how staged accidents complicate forensic investigations.

Themes & Tropes

• Corporate Malfeasance – the powerful using influence to cover crimes.
• Environmental Activism and Risk – the danger faced by advocates exposing pollution.
• Forensic Vigilance – scientific diligence overcoming official obfuscation.
• Whistleblower Protection – ethical responsibility to protect truth-tellers.
• Justice Against the Odds – overcoming institutional corruption and cover-ups.

Reception & Ratings

The episode was well-received for its topical handling of environmental and corporate issues. Fans and critics praised Jack Klugman’s performance and the accurate portrayal of forensic toxicology.

• IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 ([IMDb Dead Last](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074042/episodes?season=7))
• Quincy fan forums noted it as a standout episode for socially conscious storytelling.
• Contemporary reviews highlighted the episode's suspense and relevance to 1980s environmental concerns.

Trivia

• Sam J. Jones, known for "Flash Gordon," guest stars as a reporter ally.
• Episode featured advanced forensic techniques for its time.
• Real chemical compounds were researched to accurately depict the nerve agent.
• The title "Dead Last" refers both to the victim's physical demise and the overlooked justice.

Cultural Impact

Dead Last contributed to raising awareness of environmental activism dangers and corporate accountability during the early 1980s. It also influenced future crime dramas in incorporating topical social issues with forensic science.

See Also

• Quincy, M.E.
• List of Quincy, M.E. episodes
• Forensic toxicology
• Environmental activism
• NBC
• 1983 in television

External Links

• [Official Quincy Examiner website](https://www.quincyexaminer.com "Visit The Quincy Examiner Official Website anytime")
• [IMDb page for Dead Last](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074042/episodes?season=7 "IMDb Quincy Season 7 Episodes")
• [Quincy, M.E. episode guide on TV.com](https://www.tv.com/shows/quincy-me/ "TV.com Quincy Guide")
• [Reddit Quincy Fan Community](https://www.reddit.com/r/QuincyME/ "Reddit Quincy, M.E. Discussion")