Dear Mummy (Quincy, M.E.)
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Episode Quote
"History can’t stay buried forever—and neither can the crimes that follow its trail."
~ Dr. Quincy, in Dear Mummy
Episode Overview
"Dear Mummy" is the ninth episode of season 6 of Quincy, M.E., originally broadcast on NBC on **January 21, 1981** :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}. During routine X‑rays at a museum, Quincy discovers that a recently acquired mummy shows signs of death only three weeks prior—and is being used to smuggle priceless gems into Los Angeles :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Application of The QME Episode Laws
✅ **Law 1 – Seek truth & bring justice:** Quincy pursues the truth behind the mummy’s recent demise and a network of smugglers, ensuring the facts come to light despite international intrigue.
✅ **Law 2 – Explore social/ethical issues vs powerful systems:** He confronts museum authorities and federal agents (Agent Brice), challenging cover‑ups and the concealment of smuggling operations inside cultural relics.
✅ **Law 3 – Complex/controversial topics handled sensitively:** The episode respects archeology while exposing exploitation of cultural artifacts, balancing respect for history with moral accountability.
✅ **Law 4 – Scientific accuracy in forensic investigation:** Quincy uses X‑ray analysis, tissue dating, and material forensics to reveal internal damage and trace the path of contraband—solid medical reasoning throughout.
Episode Synopsis
Quincy examines X‑rays of a newly imported Egyptian mummy and discovers evidence of a recent death—only three weeks earlier. Working with Dr. Rossi (Albert Paulsen) and local authorities, he traces the mummy’s origins and discovers smuggled gemstones concealed within its wrappings. A series of linked fatalities—including the smuggler who prepared the mummy and a museum employee—unfold as Quincy and Agent Brice (John Karlen) close in on mastermind Karl Fresser (Robert Emhardt). In the coroner’s lab, Quincy confirms organ failure induced by poisoning, consistent with removing internal gems while the body was alive. Ultimately, Quincy exposes the smuggling ring and ensures the mummy is returned to its rightful heritage.
Main Cast
- **Jack Klugman** as Dr. R. Quincy
- **Robert Ito** as Sam Fujiyama
- **Val Bisoglio** as Danny Tovo
- **John S. Ragin** as Dr. Robert Asten
- **Garry Walberg** as Lt. Frank Monahan
- **Joseph Roman** as Sgt. Brill
Guest Cast
- **Albert Paulsen** as Dr. Rossi :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- **Garnett Smith** as Museum Curator :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- **John Karlen** as Agent Brice :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
- **Robert Emhardt** as Karl Fresser :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- **Martine Beswick** as Hanna Weiss :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Case File Summary
Victim: Unspecific recently deceased male concealed as a mummy
Findings: Internal poisoning after gem extraction; death occurred three weeks earlier
Outcome: Smuggling ring exposed; murderer and smugglers arrested; mummy returned to Egypt
Forensic Science Insight
- **X‑ray pathology** reveals date of death inconsistent with expected archaeological age.
- **Toxicology** identifies agents used for smuggler‑induced death.
- **Material forensics** trace gem origins and smuggling chain.
Themes & Tropes
- **Cultural exploitation vs legal ethics** – expose smuggling disguised as scholarship
- **Science piercing illusion** – forensic path uncovers buried deceit
- **International crime beneath museum veneer** – theft masked by antiquity
Reception & Ratings
The plot earned praise for combining Egyptological intrigue with Quincy’s forensic acumen; IMDb lists a **6.9/10** rating based on 62 user reviews :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
Trivia
- Routine museum X‑rays unexpectedly reveal a recent homicide—an uncommon forensic twist :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
- Guest actress Martine Beswick, known from James Bond, appears as Hanna Weiss :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
See Also
External Links
- [IMDb – Dear Mummy](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0681771/)
- [Rotten Tomatoes – Quincy Season 6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/quincy_m_e_/s06/e09)
- [TheMovieDB – Quincy S6E9 – Dear Mummy](https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/2179-quincy-m-e/season/6/episode/9)