Suffer the Little Children (Quincy, M.E.)
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Episode Quote
> "We can't just bury this — we owe it to those children to find a better way." – Dr. R. Quincy
Episode Overview
Suffer the Little Children (Season 7, Episode 21) aired on March 23, 1983, on NBC. Quincy investigates the death of a foster child in a substandard home, prompting him and Dr. Emily Hanover to pilot a live-in family therapist program for sibling rehabilitation and family support. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Table of Contents
Application of The QME Episode Laws
- ✅ Law 1 – Truth & Justice:** Quincy uncovers neglect and blunt-force trauma, championing the truth behind a foster home tragedy.
- ✅ Law 2 – Social/Ethical Issues:** The episode tackles foster care failings and emotional trauma in sibling separation, highlighting systemic reform.
- ✅ Law 3 – Sensitive Complex Topics:** Child welfare, grief, and sibling bonds are handled with compassion and gravity.
- ✅ Law 4 – Scientific Accuracy:** Autopsy shows blunt-force injuries; psychiatric program based on real-world therapy methods. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Episode Synopsis
An autopsy on a young foster-child reveals blunt-force trauma and neglect. Quincy teams with Dr. Emily Hanover to introduce a live-in therapist program aimed at helping the child’s older brother reunite with a healthier family environment. The episode follows both the criminal investigation and the social intervention that seek both legal justice and emotional healing.
Plot Summary
Quincy is called away from a fishing holiday by Dr. Asten to investigate the death of a foster child. The coroner seeks evidence to shut down the neglectful foster home. Quincy and Emily Hanover discover the older sibling, Jimmy, traumatized and in danger of being institutionalized or separated. Through forensic pathology and social advocacy, Quincy secures prosecution of the guilty foster parents and implements a pilot program where a qualified therapist lives with Jimmy’s biological mother to rebuild trust—offering a hopeful alternative to institutional care. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
← Women of Valor (Quincy, M.E.) • **Suffer the Little Children** • An Act of Violence (Quincy, M.E.) Season 8 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
- Jimmy Baron as Foster Parent
- Nicky Katt as Jimmy (brother)
- Paul Lambert as Wilson
- Leonard Stone as Mr. Carlson
- Tony Dow as Social Worker
- Henry Slate as Fred
Case File Summary
Victim: Unnamed foster child (brother Jimmy also victim of emotional trauma) Case #: LACC S08E21 Forensic Findings:
- Blunt-force trauma indicating physical abuse
- Signs of prolonged neglect
- Psychological assessment highlights sibling trauma
— Quincy partners with Emily Hanover to propose therapeutic intervention :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Additional Victims
- Jimmy (emotional endangerment; rescued from poor placement)
Alleged Perpetrators
- Foster parents (charged with abuse and neglect)
Filming Locations and Exterior Footage
Exterior filming at Los Angeles County Coroner's Office and LAPD echo classic visuals. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Forensic Science Insight
- Autopsy reveals blunt-force injuries consistent with non-accidental trauma.
- Psychological profiling informs legal and therapeutic decisions.
- Demonstrates crossover between forensic pathology and child welfare advocacy.
Themes & Tropes
- Child welfare reform – Underscores systemic solutions beyond prosecution.
- Sibling bond – Highlights unity as key to healing.
- Science and compassion – Balances forensic precision with social concern.
- The Reluctant System Change – Quincy navigates bureaucratic inertia.
Reception & Ratings
Trakt users rate it at 73% (6 votes); Rotten Tomatoes describes its themes as “prompts Emily to experiment with a home-therapy program for troubled families.” :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Trivia
- One of few Quincy episodes to directly pilot a social service intervention.
- Actor Nicky Katt, later known for major film roles, appears as foster sibling.
- Rare crossover of medical investigation and family therapy advocacy.
Product Placements
No recorded promotional placements; focus remains squarely on child welfare.