Dark Angel (Quincy, M.E.)

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Dark Angel
Episode title card
Series Quincy, M.E.
Season 3
Episode 17
Airdate December 12, 1976
Airtime 60 minutes
Runtime approx. 48 minutes without commercials
Production No. 40119
Writer Richard Levinson and William Link
Director Walter Grauman
Music by
Guest Star(s) J.D. Cannon as Dr. Fowler, Dena Dietrich as Mrs. Brady
Victim Julie Hartley
Autopsy Findings Strangulation; signs of sedation; evidence of drug overdose
Network Network logo
NBC
Production Company Production company logo
Universal Television / MCA
Previous Episode Aftermath (Quincy,_M.E.)
Next Episode Physician, Heal Thyself (Quincy,_M.E.)
Previous Season
Next Season



Screencap from 'Dark Angel' showing Quincy examining evidence
Screencap from Dark Angel

Episode Quote

"I don’t believe in coincidences. There’s always a reason why someone dies the way they do." ~ Dr. Quincy, in Dark Angel (Quincy,_M.E.)

Episode Overview

Dark Angel is the ninth episode of the first season of the Quincy, M.E. television series. It originally aired on NBC on December 12, 1976. The episode follows Dr. Quincy as he investigates the mysterious death of Julie Hartley, a young woman found dead under suspicious circumstances that initially suggest suicide but unravel into a complex case involving drug abuse, possible foul play, and the darker side of Hollywood glamour.

Table of Contents

Application of The QME Episode Laws

Dark Angel exemplifies the application of **The QME Episode Laws** by weaving forensic science with social commentary:

✅ **Law 1: Truth and Justice for the Victim** Dr. Quincy refuses to accept the initial suicide ruling, instead using forensic evidence to uncover a lethal mixture of sedation and strangulation, ensuring Julie Hartley is posthumously cleared of blame.

✅ **Law 2: Social and Ethical Issues** The episode tackles drug addiction in the entertainment industry, the exploitation of young women, and the pressures of Hollywood stardom, providing a critique of celebrity culture and institutional negligence.

✅ **Law 3: Sensitivity Toward Complex Topics** Addressing drug overdose and sexual exploitation, the narrative treats its subject matter with empathy and avoids sensationalism, focusing instead on systemic failures.

✅ **Law 4: Scientific Accuracy** The autopsy details in the episode accurately portray toxicology analysis, trauma assessment, and forensic pathology procedures, reflecting the show’s dedication to realism.

Together, these laws reinforce *Quincy, M.E.*’s role as a forensic drama that blends medical science with social consciousness.

Episode Synopsis

Julie Hartley, a promising young actress, is found dead in her Los Angeles apartment. Initially ruled a suicide due to the presence of prescription drugs and apparent self-inflicted marks, Dr. Quincy suspects foul play when toxicology reveals a high level of sedatives inconsistent with voluntary ingestion.

His investigation uncovers signs of strangulation and a struggle, suggesting the death was staged to look like an overdose. Quincy interviews friends and industry contacts, revealing Julie's recent involvement with a powerful producer rumored to have exploited her and other young women.

As Quincy digs deeper, he faces resistance from the studio and local police, keen to avoid scandal. With the help of his colleagues Sam Fujiyama and Lt. Monahan, Quincy pieces together the timeline of Julie's last night and secures evidence implicating the producer's henchman.

The episode culminates in a tense confrontation that leads to the arrest of the killer, and the exposure of a broader network of abuse within the entertainment industry.

Plot Summary

The episode opens with Julie Hartley’s body discovered by her roommate, prompting a police investigation led by Lt. Monahan. Dr. Quincy performs the autopsy, noting discrepancies between the overdose narrative and physical evidence. Using forensic toxicology and meticulous examination, Quincy reveals signs of forced sedation and manual strangulation.

Quincy interviews various witnesses, including Mrs. Brady, Julie’s landlady, and Dr. Fowler, a colleague who treated Julie for anxiety. Their testimonies help Quincy reconstruct events, while Quincy faces pushback from powerful figures attempting to hush the case.

Quincy’s persistence results in the discovery of an incriminating note Julie had written but never sent, describing threats from an unnamed individual. The episode closes with justice served and Quincy reflecting on the cost of silence and corruption.

Episode Navigation

← Inquest (Quincy,_M.E.) • Dark Angel • D.O.A._on_YouTube_(Quincy,_M.E.) Season 1 Overview: Full Episode List

Main Cast

  • Jack Klugman as Dr. R. Quincy
  • Garry Walberg as Lt. Monahan
  • Robert Ito as Sam Fujiyama

Guest Cast

  • J.D. Cannon as Dr. Fowler
  • Dena Dietrich as Mrs. Brady
  • Pamela Hensley as Julie Hartley
  • John Marley as Studio Producer (uncredited cameo)

Case File Summary

Victim: Julie Hartley Case #: LACC 76.12.540

Julie Hartley was found dead under circumstances initially interpreted as suicide by drug overdose. Dr. Quincy’s autopsy revealed strangulation and forced sedation, pointing to homicide masked as accidental death.

Additional Victims

  • None explicitly stated in this episode, but references to prior victims of the implicated producer are made.

Alleged Perpetrator

  • Studio producer’s henchman (name withheld), arrested following Quincy’s investigation.

Filming Locations and Exterior Footage

Filming utilized iconic Los Angeles sites to lend authenticity:

  • Exterior shots of Julie’s apartment building filmed in the Hollywood Hills.
  • Studio scenes shot at Universal Studios backlot, Los Angeles.
  • The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office exteriors are consistent with the series’ ongoing location.

Hollywood Hills apartment used in Dark Angel Universal Studios backlot used for studio scenes Los Angeles County Coroner's Office filming location

Product Placement and Cultural References

  • The episode features visible product placements, including RCA televisions and Kodak film products, typical of 1970s TV shows.
  • References to contemporary Hollywood culture and the emerging discourse on substance abuse in show business add period authenticity.

Forensic Science Insight

  • Toxicology screening for sedatives demonstrates forensic pharmacology techniques.
  • Autopsy evidence of petechiae and neck bruising supports strangulation diagnosis.
  • Comparison of self-inflicted versus homicidal wounds reflects forensic pathology principles.
  • The depiction of forensic interviews highlights the integration of medical findings with investigative procedures.

Themes & Tropes

  • The Corrupt Industry – exposing exploitation behind Hollywood glamour.
  • Justice Against the Odds – Quincy fights institutional cover-ups.
  • Tragic Celebrity – a young life lost to darker forces.
  • Forensic Deduction – medical evidence overturns surface assumptions.

Reception & Ratings

The episode was well-received for its mature themes and continued commitment to forensic accuracy:

Trivia

  • J.D. Cannon would later guest-star multiple times as authoritative figures.
  • Pamela Hensley went on to star in other 1970s genre shows, including Buck Rogers.
  • The tense hotel confrontation scene was filmed on location at the historic Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood.
  • The episode’s script was co-written by Richard Levinson and William Link, creators of Columbo.

Cultural Impact

Dark Angel contributed to *Quincy, M.E.*’s reputation as a forerunner in addressing social taboos on network TV, particularly the pressures and dark realities behind celebrity culture and addiction.

See Also

External Links

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