I've been a fan of the Fugitive for many years, first watching this incredible series when my local channel 56 KDOC used to play them weeknights. I was in my teens at the time and it was the first straight dramatic series that I got hooked on, having primarily watched sci-fi and action series up to that point. Since then I've seen most episodes from the series' four season run and have been moved by the best episodes of the series, and left cold by the worst. This one falls into the latter category.
The synopsis for this episode was recounted by another reviewer so I'll limit my comments to specific items: Throughout this episode Kimble behaves like someone who had never heard of medicine before, let alone possess the skills of a world-famous doctor. Kimble is suffering from some ailment at the beginning of the episode, and takes some random pills the ship's captain gives him. Not once does Kimble try some self-diagnosis, and he never questions just what pills he's taking. After being taken to the hospital and recovering, Dr. Howell recognizes him and blackmails him into joining the staff. The staff just accepts this change without the bat of an eye and immediately takes orders from the stranger. Kimble acts like even more of an idiot when he asks an orderly where the reserve medical supplies are kept. Since Kimble has been working at the clinic for three weeks (and he IS a doctor), it's ridiculous to have us believe he doesn't know where these things are kept. Then there's the completely random romantic subplot between Kimble and the female doctor, the only purpose of which is so there's someone alive for Kimble to say goodbye to at the end of the episode. There's absolutely no chemistry between Kimble and the woman, so that their supposed passion just falls flat.
This episode was made near the end of the fourth season, very shortly before the last episode. It's obvious that the writers were running out of plots and situations for Kimble to get into, which may have been part of the reason David Janssen wanted the series ended. Janssen really sleepwalks through this episode, which doesn't create much drama or suspense to keep the viewer involved. I watched it because I'm a completist, but I wouldn't recommend this one to anyone.
The synopsis for this episode was recounted by another reviewer so I'll limit my comments to specific items: Throughout this episode Kimble behaves like someone who had never heard of medicine before, let alone possess the skills of a world-famous doctor. Kimble is suffering from some ailment at the beginning of the episode, and takes some random pills the ship's captain gives him. Not once does Kimble try some self-diagnosis, and he never questions just what pills he's taking. After being taken to the hospital and recovering, Dr. Howell recognizes him and blackmails him into joining the staff. The staff just accepts this change without the bat of an eye and immediately takes orders from the stranger. Kimble acts like even more of an idiot when he asks an orderly where the reserve medical supplies are kept. Since Kimble has been working at the clinic for three weeks (and he IS a doctor), it's ridiculous to have us believe he doesn't know where these things are kept. Then there's the completely random romantic subplot between Kimble and the female doctor, the only purpose of which is so there's someone alive for Kimble to say goodbye to at the end of the episode. There's absolutely no chemistry between Kimble and the woman, so that their supposed passion just falls flat.
This episode was made near the end of the fourth season, very shortly before the last episode. It's obvious that the writers were running out of plots and situations for Kimble to get into, which may have been part of the reason David Janssen wanted the series ended. Janssen really sleepwalks through this episode, which doesn't create much drama or suspense to keep the viewer involved. I watched it because I'm a completist, but I wouldn't recommend this one to anyone.
