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In Short: Dr. Infante reattaches a digit severed from the hand of a flutist. A former patient brings suit against the hospital and its doctors, and recruits some out of town help. A mysterious young man helps out in the ER.
Guest Starring: Diane Venora (as Dr. Geri Infante), Peter Berg (as Dr. Billy Kronk), Thomas Gibson (as Dr. Daniel Nyland), Stephen Elliott (as Harold Aldrich), Jeremy Piven (as Godfrey Nabbott), Fyvush Finkel (as Douglas Wambaugh), Richard Edson (as Anthony Tedesco), Pruitt Taylor Vince (as Walter Platt), Ken Lerner, Robert Kerbeck, Catherine Paolone and Brian K. GrantStory: David E. Kelley
Teleplay:
Directed By: David Jones
TOP Summary: The hospital staff springs to action when several patients are wheeled into the emergency room simultaneously. Dr. Billy Kronk, an off-duty surgeon, attends to a man who lost a great deal of blood after suffering an injury during a hockey match. Kronk was playing in the hockey game when the man, Alan Dollof, suffered a broken rib that punctured his heart. With Dr. Jeffrey Geiger unavailable, Kronk orders hospital staff to prep the man for surgery. Meanwhile, Anthony Tedesco, a concert flutist with the Chicago Philharmonic, is rushed into the E.R. with a missing finger. Police officers explain it was bitten off by a psychotic tough guy named Jerrod. The incident grows more bizarre when it is revealed that Jerrod not only severed the finger — he swallowed it whole. Kronk takes command of the situation and persuades Jerrod that he might avoid assault charges if he agrees to have his stomach pumped. Jerrod consents and Kronk ends up fishing the missing finger out of his intestine. Dr. Geri Infante, a friend of Kronk's, successfully attaches the digit. But a further search of Jerrod's intestine reveals a toothbrush, chess pieces...and another finger, this one partially digested. Dr. Phillip Watters and Kronk realize the wrong finger was sewn onto Tedesco's hand. It is decided that the finger will remain on the flutist's hand despite the fact that it was bitten off of someone else. When Tedesco regains consciousness and learns what has happened, he tells Infante that if the finger graft is unsuccessful he will lose his livelihood and never again play the flute. Infante suggests immunosuppressants, which would give the graft a slightly better chance of working. She cautions, however, that the drug will increase his chances of incurring a life-threatening infection. Nevertheless, Tedesco insists that he be given the drugs. But the Tedesco case does not fade away. Attorney Jonathan Saunders announces that one of Rayfield Health's patients, Walter Platt, is looking for his finger — the very one the doctors transplanted onto Tedesco's hand. Infante refuses to amputate the grafted digit. But when Tedesco meets Platt face to face, he agrees that the finger should be removed. Alan Birch seeks permission from Judge Aldrich before approving the procedure. Aldrich is unhappy with the request but grants it nonetheless. After listening to a tape of Tedesco in concert, however, Platt changes his mind and calls off the operation. But there's more trouble in store for the doctors of Chicago Hope when an old case resurfaces. The staff is angered when Godfrey Nabbott, a former patient who suffered a series a calamities after being admitted with a painful erection, sues for emotional distress. Douglas Wambaugh (the infamous defense attorney from "Picket Fences") represents Nabbott. He points out that his client suffered a heart attack and a blood clot after the hospital agreed to admit him. As for the Dollof case, Kronk and Watters visit him after he makes a successful recovery. Dollof swears he will exact revenge against the player that struck him. Kronk, whose quick thinking saved Dollof's life, admits it was he who broke his ribs. He defends his action as a clean check. When Dollof's condition takes a turn for the worse, Geiger suspects an embolism. But upon reexamining the X rays, Kronk realizes he knocked lose a tooth that lodged in the man's chest. Impressed with Kronk's performance, Watters offers him a job at the hospital.
TOP Facts:First appearances of Peter Berg as Dr. William "Billy" Kronk
Wild Thing by Tone Loc is played when Billy walks down the corridor to look after the hockey player he had injured during the play.
TOP Quotes:In Birch's office, everybody is yelling at Birch:
Alan: Quiet! ... He wants one deposition from you all, all together. Then, I think, we can settle this on the cheap.
Aaron: I never heard of a group deposition.
Jeffrey: (mouth full of food) And he's been sued a lot.
Aaron: It's not funny.After Kronk diagnoses correctly the injured hockey player:.
Jeffrey: What do you want a Nobel Prize? Get the bronchoscope. Let's go. I'm late for a deposition..
He leaves. Camille, Billy and the hockey player look puzzled.At the hearing Douglas Wambaugh attacks Jeffrey and Alan tries to calm down Jeffrey:
Jeffrey: No. I want to answer that. I implanted a defibrillator in that man's chest to save his life ...(leaning over the table) to save his life! Don't be trying to characterize us as experimental hacks from General Electric testing out the new microwaves.
Douglas Wambaugh: I happen to like General Electrics. They bring good things to light.
TOP Transcripts:Jeffrey : Counselor. I'm told we've settled.
Alan: $42,000. A little more than nuisance change, but it's a good result. No admission of liability..
Jeffrey: Good. Couple of things..
Alan: Shoot..
Jeffrey: The bit about you being neither brave nor talented enough to measure up to the doctors here - I never met anyone with more courage. (Walks over and sits on the edge of the table near Alan) As for your talent-- you keep us afloat every day-- every - single - day..
Alan: Thank you. (Tears come to his eyes)
Jeffrey: Number 2. With all that you do here-- and my God, these last few days have been typical, nothing more. Can you do this? (Gestures to Alicia.) She has a hole in her heart. You're a single parent... a *working* parent. Can you really do this?.
Alan: It's the easiest thing I've ever done. This little... I was never alive. Before her, no. I was never alive..
Jeffrey: Okay. (Gets up to leave and puts his hand on Alan's shoulder) Thank you..
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