The Night Killer (Quincy, M.E.)
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Episode Quote
"He didn’t just die in his sleep—he was sleeping when he was killed." ~ **Dr. Quincy**, in The Night Killer (Quincy, M.E.)
Episode Overview
The Night Killer (S5E18) aired March 11, 1981. Quincy investigates the death of teenager Tommy Morgan, initially believed to have died from a heart arrhythmia while sleeping.
Application of The QME Episode Laws
- **✅ Law 1 – Truth & Justice:** Quincy challenges a natural-death ruling and pursues suspicious nitrogen exposure.
- **✅ Law 2 – Ethical/Social Issues:** Raises alarm about indoor nitrous oxide misuse at teen parties and first-aid negligence.
- **✅ Law 3 – Complex Topics:** Addresses substance misuse among adolescents and unregulated medical gases in homes.
- **✅ Law 4 – Scientific Accuracy:** Accurately shows postmortem gas analysis and cardiac arrhythmia investigation.
Episode Synopsis
Tommy Morgan is found dead in bed; his death is presumed cardiac. Quincy discovers elevated nitrogen levels and a slow heartbeat. Further autopsy reveals mild congenital heart defect, but no signs of illness. Investigation uncovers Tommy had experimented with nitrous oxide at a sleepover and had borrowed a small tank. Quincy and Monahan trace the tank back to a home party where improper use and lack of safeties led to fatal respiratory depression. The combination of gas exposure and underlying heart weakness caused his death.
Plot Summary
Tommy’s distraught parents insist he was healthy. Quincy notes decompression gas residues in lungs and blood. Investigating, he learns Tommy sourced the gas from a local supplier. The supplier, unaware of misuse, provides records. Quincy confronts teenage partygoers and identifies faulty tank valve design. A lawsuit and safety regulations follow, mandating devices with pressure regulators and warnings. Quincy’s actions save lives beyond solved mystery.
← Stain of Guilt (Quincy, M.E.) • **The Night Killer** • Jury Duty (Quincy, M.E.) Season 5 Overview: 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
- **Scott Grimes** as Tommy Morgan
- **Lisa Lucas** as Sandra Morgan (sister)
- **Kevin McCarthy** as Mr. Morgan (father)
- **Julie Adams** as Mrs. Morgan (mother)
- Partygoers and supplier staff
Case File Summary
- Victim:** Tommy Morgan
- Case #:** LACC 81.03.517
Initial diagnosis of natural death overturned; toxicology points to nitrogen narcosis and arrhythmia.
Alleged Perpetrator(s)
- **Defective nitrous tank valve** leading to unintended gas overdose.
- **Uninformed party hosts** who failed to educate on safety.
Filming Locations & Exterior Footage
Shots filmed on NBC Ranch exteriors and Universal backlot bedroom set for intimate home environment.
Forensic Science Insight
- Use of gas chromatography to detect residual inert gases in tissue samples.
- Demonstrates how inaudible, odorless gases can produce fatal respiratory depression.
- Emphasizes the importance of safety devices on recreational gas tanks.
Themes & Tropes
- **Teen experimentation/party liability** – unintended consequences of unsafe behavior.
- **Regulatory reform** – episode sparks local policy on gas supplier licensing.
- **Invisible killers** – concept that even common products can be hazardous.
Reception & Ratings
Praised by fan community for combining teen safety awareness with forensic intrigue. IMDb rating: 7.6/10. Coverage in safety magazines highlighted episode's influence on youth health campaigns.
Trivia
- Featured one of Scott Grimes’s earliest dramatic roles.
- Sparked a recall of popular party gas canisters by a local supplier shortly after broadcast.
Cultural Impact
Pioneered early media focus on recreational substance misuse by teens and influenced public safety messaging in schools.
See Also
External Links
- [The Night Killer IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0681966/ "IMDb page for 'The Night Killer'")