The Hot Dog Murder (Quincy, M.E.)
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Episode Quote
"You ever try to swallow something frozen solid? That man didn’t choke. He was murdered." ~ Dr. Quincy, in The Hot Dog Murder
Episode Overview
The Hot Dog Murder is the eighth episode of season two of the television series Quincy, M.E.. It originally aired on NBC on April 22, 1977. The episode features Quincy investigating a suspicious prison death that was ruled natural causes until a student discovers unusual evidence during a routine training autopsy.
Table of Contents
Episode Synopsis
During a university lecture, Quincy is approached by George Talbot, a medical student, who raises questions about a prison inmate’s death. The inmate, John Kendall, was said to have died from emphysema. However, Talbot discovered a **frozen hot dog** lodged in his throat, making accidental choking implausible.
Quincy begins investigating, uncovering connections between the prison, a private insurance scheme, and corrupt businessman **Arthur Brandeis**, who had financial motives to silence Kendall.
Going undercover as a prison doctor, Quincy infiltrates the correctional system, engaging with inmates and staff while examining Kendall’s records. His actions stretch ethical limits, leading to tension with colleagues.
After staging a confrontation with the help of Talbot and the coroner's office, Quincy exposes the cover-up. He confirms Kendall was force-fed the frozen hot dog as a method of execution. Brandeis is ultimately implicated and arrested.
Plot Summary
An inmate dies mysteriously in prison. A student uncovers evidence of foul play during an autopsy and brings it to Quincy’s attention. Quincy confirms the murder and investigates a broader conspiracy. Through deception and fieldwork, he proves the victim was silenced by a corrupt insurance-linked prison system.
← Has Anybody Here Seen Quincy? • The Hot Dog Murder • Let Me Light the Way Season 2 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. Monahan
Guest Cast
- Jonathan Segal as George Talbot
- William Windom as Arthur Brandeis
- Marianne McAndrew as Dolores
- Joshua Shelley as Claude Whitley
- Wynn Irwin as David Levine
- Lee Weaver as Chambers
- William Swan as Dr. Sharp
- Chuck Hicks as Hutchison
- Don Eitner as Paul Morton
- Hal Williams as Cody
Case File Summary
Victim: John Kendall (prison inmate) Cause of Death: Asphyxiation from a frozen hot dog Ruling: Murder
Kendall was murdered to prevent him from revealing illegal activity involving inmate insurance fraud. Quincy’s forensic and undercover work exposed the scheme.
Alleged Perpetrator
- Arthur Brandeis – businessman implicated in insurance and prison corruption; mastermind of the murder
Filming Locations
- Filmed in and around Los Angeles
- Prison interiors staged at Universal backlot and LA County facilities
Forensic Science Insight
- Cause of death (asphyxiation via frozen object) demonstrates the significance of physical evidence in challenging official rulings.
- Autopsy technique revealed food had not thawed, proving victim could not have voluntarily ingested it.
- Use of undercover work and forensic corroboration emphasized interplay of fieldwork and lab analysis.
Themes & Tropes
- Unusual Murder Weapon – frozen hot dog as a tool of execution
- Ethics vs Justice – Quincy bends procedural rules for moral justice
- Forensics as Truth – science challenges institutional narratives
- Prison Corruption – profit motive leads to prisoner abuse and cover-ups
Reception & Ratings
- IMDb rating: 7.0/10 ([IMDb Episode Link](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0681797/))
- Described as "far-fetched but entertaining"
- Fans noted the episode's creative concept and classic Quincy improvisation
- Critics noted moral tension in Quincy’s tactics
Trivia
- Italian title: Salsiccia omicida
- The "hot dog murder" is one of the show’s most unusual death mechanisms
- Jonathan Segal, who played the student, later appeared in other guest roles across 1980s television
- The hot dog was a real prop made of wax and cold gel for visual authenticity
Cultural Impact
The Hot Dog Murder stands out for its bizarre cause of death and its commentary on prison-industrial corruption. It is often cited in retrospectives as an example of Quincy’s willingness to tackle unusual cases with serious social implications.
See Also
- Quincy, M.E.
- List of Quincy, M.E. episodes
- Forensic pathology
- Prison corruption in media
- NBC
- 1977 in television
External Links
- [IMDb page for The Hot Dog Murder](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0681797/)
- [TV.com episode guide](https://www.tv.com/shows/quincy-me/the-hot-dog-murder-62292/)
- [Reddit fan discussion on strange Quincy episodes](https://www.reddit.com/r/QuincyME/)