For Want of a Horse (Quincy, M.E.)
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Episode Quote
"A boy saw something he couldn't say, and his silence might cost another life." ~ Dr. Quincy, in For Want of a Horse (Quincy, M.E.)
Episode Overview
For Want of a Horse is the sixth episode of Season 6 of *Quincy, M.E.*, originally aired on NBC December 9, 1981. Quincy investigates the suspicious death of an equestrian farm owner that’s witnessed by a mute boy, complicating testimony and unraveling a case involving disabled children at the ranch.
Table of Contents
Application of The QME Episode Laws
Law 1 – Quincy Must Be Right: Quincy deciphers conflicting medical signs, uncovering trauma inconsistent with an accidental fall and unseen foul play.
Law 2 – There Must Be a Social/Ethical Issue: Centers on vulnerability of disabled children, the responsibility of caretakers, and societal duty to protect the voiceless.
Law 3 – Quincy Must Tackle a Complex, Difficult Topic: Explores truth barrier created by a mute witness and ethical dilemmas of interpreting non-verbal testimony.
Law 4 – Quincy Must Apply Forensic Science: Employs skull fracture analysis, subungual DNA testing, and pelvic bruise mapping to distinguish accident from assault.
Plot Summary
Jason Randall, a beloved owner of an equestrian center for children with disabilities, is found dead after a horseback riding incident. Local authorities quickly rule it an accident caused by a spooked horse. However, Dr. Quincy notices inconsistencies in the victim’s wounds during the autopsy, including a cranial injury that doesn’t match a fall pattern and bruising inconsistent with hoof marks.
A young mute boy, who lives on the property and was present during the incident, becomes the key to unlocking the mystery. Quincy, working with his assistant Sam Fujiyama and LAPD detectives, tries to piece together what the child saw through behavioral responses and physical evidence.
Suspicions fall on Carl DeReatis, the ranch’s caretaker, whose tense relationship with Randall stemmed from conflicting ideas about how the ranch should be run. Louise Asten, another staff member, tries to protect the mute boy but withholds key information. As Quincy runs lab tests, he discovers human skin cells and hair under Randall’s fingernails—proof of a struggle.
Eventually, Quincy’s forensic evidence and the boy’s drawings point to a physical altercation prior to the horse incident. Carl is arrested after DNA evidence matches him to the trace evidence found on Randall. The case ends with Quincy comforting the mute boy, assuring him that his silent courage helped bring the truth to light.
D.U.I. (Quincy, M.E.) • **For Want of a Horse** • Gentle Into That Good Night (Quincy, M.E.) Season 7 Overview: Full Episode List
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
- Luke Askew as Carl DeReatis (mute boy’s guardian)
- Ronnie Scribner as mute boy (key witness)
- Paul Fix as Jason Randall (victim ranch owner)
- Barbara Tarbuck as Louise Asten (farming assistant)
Case File Summary
Victim: Jason Randall (Case # LACC 81.106) Cause of Death: Head trauma and fall from horse Forensic Findings: Skull fracture preceded fall; DNA under fingernails; hoof-impact bruise on back Conclusion: Foul play, not accident—perpetrator identified via DNA match from subungual sample.
Alleged Perpetrator(s)
- Carl DeReatis – ranch manager with motive, eventually confirmed by DNA
- Louise Asten – initially evasive, later cooperative
- **True culprit identified through forensics**
Victims
- **Jason Randall** – ranch owner for disabled children
- **Mute boy** – key witness traumatized by incident
Pictures
Filming Locations and Exterior Footage
Filmed on location at California ranches and the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. Outdoor scenes featured naturalistic stables and open riding terrain.
Forensic Science Insight
- **Fracture timing**: Skull injury occurred before the fall
- **Subungual DNA**: Skin fragments under fingernails led to suspect
- **Pattern bruising**: Bruising shape differentiated hoof injury from blunt force
Themes & Tropes
- The Silent Witness – mute child holds key to mystery
- Caretaker or Culprit? – examines moral decay behind trusted figures
- Forensics for Justice – science outpaces assumptions
Reception & Ratings
Rotten Tomatoes reviewers praised the episode’s emotional weight and forensic pacing. IMDb users highlight the sensitive performance of Ronnie Scribner as standout. Episode was noted for raising awareness on non-verbal communication in trauma cases.
Trivia
- Ronnie Scribner was a child actor also known for *Salem's Lot*
- Paul Fix played Marshal Micah on *The Rifleman*
- This is one of only a few *Quincy* episodes featuring children with disabilities
Cultural Impact
Reinforced *Quincy, M.E.*’s commitment to forensic justice, particularly in vulnerable populations. The episode is often cited in academic discussions about non-verbal witnesses in legal contexts.