(TV Series)

(1981)

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9/10
Keep some Kleenex handy...
planktonrules21 May 2013
"Gentle Into That Good Night" is a very tough episode of "Quincy" to watch. Normally, the show either investigates crimes or goes off on some social crusade--and it's very difficult to believe or be touched by these episodes. However, with this one, even though the setup for the show is poor, the show does pack an emotional wallop. Just be sure to have some Kleenex handy--you'll probably need them.

When the show begins, a teen with a terminal illness dies in a car crash. The insurance folks don't want to pay off the claim but when a doctor of thanatology (the study and care for the dying--Michael Constantine) intervenes, he's able to convince these folks to pay off. Quincy is so awestruck by this doctor that he decides to get some training from him--especially as he frequently needs to console bereaved family members.

To train Quincy, he's given a case involving a woman (Tyne Daly) who is terminally ill and is ready to die. However, her husband is a dreamer and he keeps hoping that some miracle will occur and she'll live. Quincy, though feeling a bit lost, is able to help both the husband and wife come to terms with reality.

All in all, the episode really is contrived BUT it's also full of wonderful emotions and acting. Because of this, I can forgive its preachy and unrealistic aspects and say this is indeed a must-see--particularly for Daly's nice performance that will be sure to rip out your heart.
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8/10
Compare and Contrast
trainjustleft10 September 2022
I'm reviewing the reviewers here.

To preface the content, I must disclose that I'm a 30 year critical care nurse and have almost, "seen it all." I'm also extremely critical of on-air medical mistakes. But remember, this is "theatre" with artistic license. I have also done 15 years of live performance theatre myself.

The fact that Quincy took over as a patient counselor is perfectly fine with me. Indeed in my critical care units I was the one, deemed the easiest to talk to, to tell the family and/or patient that they were going to die. I watched death on an almost daily basis. It was strangely comfortable to me.

But yes, there were too many times that I'd completely fall apart. Usually at home, but occasionally in the patients room or hallway.

I have wonderful and horrible stories.

I understand that the TV reviewers here have both sides to tell. And they are all correct.

Both sides.
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A deeply compassionate story handled with brevity
UNOhwen12 October 2019
No, this is not (as some feeble-minded person said, a 'dopey story'. As Novak Constantine's character said, death is something everyone (and everything) will go through, but... It's something we push away from - especially when we're younger.

In the 1960's, there was a book written about the American dying 'industry ', and how impersonal death, and the process (es) involved have become.

It was less than a century ago when families would spend a day at a cemetery - not necessarily to visit a lived one - and then only once or a few times per year, but, it was more accepted as just another facet of life.

I've seen many hokey' TV shows, which deal with a topic usually not dealt with. Typically, it's trumpeted as being a 'special episode' (one which comes to mind was Different Strokes, and Gordon Jump as a child molester). I never took those episodes seriously - if I even watched them.

I've been watching Quincy for the past few days - the first time in a long time I've seen the show, and this one really stood out because had it been done with different actors it could've very easily become yet another 'very special episode of Quincy'...'

Tyne Daly is terrific actress, and here she plays a young married mother who's going to die. This episode doesn't revolve around her, instead, she's 'just another' patient who's story is followed, here, and by bit focusing solely on her,, it gives her and her character's terminal situation a more realistic chance to be explored.

What do I mean?

Typically, in a story such as this, there's an arc, and we're introduced, get an overview of the featured character, they seem to be doing well, then Silent bad happens.... well, we've all seen this type.

But here, Ms Daly's character is only dropped in on, and we know what's going to happen.

This episode is for the VIEWER'S better understanding... and ACCEPTING of the death process, and by normalising it, it humanises it.

That's NOT something easily done - either in a TV show with a standard story arc, and it's even less so, for a less talented actor to pull off.

When something seems effortless (such as Fred Astaire dancing), and the person watching says,'that looks easy,I could do that', it's the talent I'd the performer which hides the actual difficulty involved.

The fact that this episode comes off so matter-of-factly is a testament to Ms Daly (and Messers Klugman and Constantine)'s talent.

This is one of THE best Quincy episodes.
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5/10
Depressing story
rayoflite2411 December 2015
Gentle Into That Good Night begins with a terminally ill young man driving off a cliff and dying in the crash. The life insurance company believes he committed suicide and is initially unwilling to pay the family until Doctor George Pendleton (Michael Constantine) who was counseling the victim submits evidence proving that he was optimistic and not distraught to the point of taking his own life. Quincy (Jack Klugman) is intrigued by the work of the doctor and feels he can learn how to better communicate and interact with bereaved relatives of deceased people he performs autopsies on, and through Doctor Pendleton he begins helping a terminally ill woman, Kay Silver (Tyne Daly).

While there are some positive aspects to this episode in that it explores the complex world of social work and the psychology of how to properly help and support terminal patients, I just think that the story would have been more appropriate for a hospital drama centered show rather than Quincy. While there is an investigation into the death of the car accident victim in the beginning, this is resolved in about 5 minutes and the rest of the show becomes Quincy doing social work and Tyne Daly featured in yet another overly dramatic and depressing role. While some may enjoy this type of story, it is just not my cup of tea.

Overall, I wouldn't characterize this as a good Season 7 Quincy episode that you need to watch unless you are a big Tyne Daly fan or a social worker that can appreciate and relate to the subject matter featured.
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4/10
"There are very few people in this world who go out in a state of psycho analytical grace." Dour Quincy episode.
poolandrews2 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Quincy M.E.: Gentle Into the Night starts as terminal cancer sufferer Brian Foyte (Kevin O'Brien) dies in a car accident, he ends up on L.A. coroner Quincy's (Jack Klugman) autopsy table where it seems like an open & shut case. However Quincy learns that insurance company won't pay out because they feel it was suicide, he goes down there to talk with them & meets a Dr. George Pendleton (Michael Constantine) who works with terminally ill patients. Dr. Pendleton proves that Brian didn't commit suicide which grabs Quincy's attention, later that day Quincy has to tell a man that his wife has been murdered & he feels he made the guy feel worse so he ask's Dr. Pendleton to give him some advice about helping people grieve & cope with death.

Episode 7 from season 7 this Quincy story was directed by the show's regular executive producer David Moessinger & to be honest on this evidence he should have stuck to the hiring & firing rather than the directing side of the series. I am a big fan of Quincy in general as it has a wide variety of story lines, it can vary it's approach & tackle various relevant issues which is all well & good but the reason I like Quincy so much & I suspect many other people as well is because the show usually has a good intriguing murder mystery which Quincy has to use his medical knowledge to solve. Unfortunately Gentle Into the Night is one of those dull episodes where there is no crime at all & is more intent on exploring a sentimental moralistic issue rather than have Quincy solve a crime, all I can say is if it ain't broke don't fix it. Basically this is a poor episode which is boring, depressing & pretty hard to sit through where Quincy himself become almost irrelevant as the issue of the day takes center stage here being terminal illness & the moral issues surrounding death & grieving. One more thing, why is an L.A. county coroner allowed to take over Dr. Pendleton's job for a couple of days? Doesn't Quincy have any work himself? Who pays Quincy's wages exactly? In what official capacity or context is Quincy permitted to work with terminal cancer sufferers? The script doesn't have any of the show's regular light humour & is all rather too sombre & slow for my liking. Anyway, this is one of my least favourite episodes that doesn't really need Quincy in it at all.

This one features Tyne Daly in her first cancer related story as she would later have another cancer related story in Cagney and Lacey (1982 - 1988). There's not much to really say about this episode as it's rather bland & forgettable. The guest cast do OK but again I'd have liked to have seen a bit more of the regulars who seem to be getting less & less screen time as the series progresses as a whole.

Gentle Into the Night is maybe my least favourite episode of Quincy that I can remember seeing so far & over the years I have seen them all. What can I say? I love the show usually but I pretty much hate this episode.
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1/10
Quincy ME
csbalch12130 August 2017
Couldn't watch this foolish episode at all. Quincy is a coroner not a counselor for assisted suicide. If I'm not mistaken when this episode was filmed it was against the law to participate in assisted suicide. One scene Daly looks just fine talking laughing and then getting mad with Quincy when he won't help,her. Then the next episode she looks like dead rolled over. Sorry couldn't watch this BS episode. Stick to solving crimes not being a counselor.
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