Customer Reviews

Quincy, M.E. - Seasons 1 & 2

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Once you get past the obvious edit splice in the opening, QUINCY is one of the great crime dramas of the seventies and eighties. With so much on TV now about investigating crime scenes, this series will show you how it all started: With Jack Klugman as Medical Examiner Quincy.


By the way, someone mentioned that this will not be the "complete" series release, but a "Best Of.." release. That's not right. Here's what Universal says:
"Universal will deliver the first two seasons of Quincy, M.E. on June 7th. This 3 disc set will contain the 4 episode season 1, and 13 episode season 2, and be packaged in slim cases with an outer box to hold them. The set will sport a full frame (1.33:1) transfers, Mono soundtrack, and English, French and Spanish subtitles."

Excellent series!

Happy to give this series 5 stars! I was a teenager when this show first aired, and it was a favorite of my family.

About 4 months ago I had the pleasure of meeting Jack Klugman during his "Tony and Me" book tour and he took questions from the audience; not just about The Odd Couple, but about Quincy. He is extremely proud of Quincy. He said the research that went into each episode was quite extensive and detailed; and it was this way at his insistence. Every word spoken relating to Pathology and Forensics in the show was 100% accurate. There was no guessing on this show. He made sure everything was right on.

Some of the audience members asked him to compare Quincy to CSI, and he boldly replied there IS no comparison. Quincy was about accuracy, drama, good acting, and believeable story lines and it was accomplished WITHOUT the need for blood and gore and sex. He called CSI "awful". And I believe he is qualified to call it that.

You will thoroughly enjoy this series! Hopefully Seasons 3 and beyond will follow soon...

The Good stuff:
Like many of you, no doubt, I'm A. in my mid-thirties, B. have some vague wonderful memories of these shows, C. having no cable, sometimes sit on the fence and comtemplate a purchase and D. am an avid collector of days gone by. I've "Netflixed" what I could and have come to realize all those warm fuzzy memories do not always translate into a satisfing "present day purchase". Most, I would say pan out (The Bob Newhart Show), but then there are others that leave you feeling as though you will never watch it again and it sours the memories you stored up all at once (Land of the Lost). In short, Quincy was a worthy purchase.

One thing intrigued me about Quincy beyond the vague memory of Klugman being very good and the show being interesting. A reviewer here at Amazon stated Quincy, Season One was part of the Mystery Movie format of the 70's and that they were "2 hours". Sadly, they seem to be of the "90 minute" variety (read: 73 mintutes) but still after 2 episodes in I can see why this show stuck with me. The casting is very good (sans some hammy villians), the show's pacing is patient, and Klugman has a passion I just do not find in present day TV. Something as a child I seriously doubt I noticed was the dialogue; it is often witty and has a blend of sarcasm that suits me well.

Not to go on a rant about present day TV but the text on the boxart for Quincy S1/S2 makes a bid for your dollar by name dropping the "CSI's" of today etc, and reminding you Quincy started it all. While I do realize this is a business it just seems so unnecessary because for one, "time" and "quality" have already done for Quincy what was needed by keeping it relevant. Beyond this I still find present TV hollow and empty by comparison. They seem more impressed by the "hows" instead of the "whys". Now how's that for not going on a rant?

Not-so-good stuff:
* (edit) I too got a bad "batch" of discs. The pixeling was also at the end of my episodes. The return was no hassle but I'm almost afraid to watch what I've already seen in fears the problems still exist. Not sure how many times you can make returns, plus I went to a mom-n-pop store and returns aren't run of the mill like at Best Buy. And while I'm checking in, how weird is that Dr. Hiro episode?? Strangest thing I've seen in a long long time. I assumed Quincy needed time off but the way the show was handled seemed like "the last day of school" or something.

Technical stuff:
The picture quality (DVD transfer) is on par with the best of classic TV and while I'm still hung up as to why they do not remaster the sound, I do find it sevicable. Little gaffs like labeling all 3 discs "Season 1 and 2" when only Disc One is Season One can be overlooked but when it comes to extras I cannot believe my misfortune at always LOVING the shows that get treated the worst (with the possible exception of Kung Fu). There are shows out there, like the X-Files, that seem to have more extras than actual episode material!

More good stuff!:
Lastly, I must admit the price point is a sweet spot. The under $30 price tag may go hand in hand with the lack of extras which I guess I can live with. The packaging is handsome and the show, I'm sure, has lived far beyond it's creators vision, which is the best anyone can hope for.

Currently waiting for: Andy Griffith Season 3, Bewitched Season 1, and Columbo Season 3... and where is Starsky and Hutch Season 4??

Before "C.S.I.", Quincy was out there almost single handedly solving those hard-to-pin down cases involving foul play. Quincy is a medical examiner (hence the title) and he has to determine cause of death for people particularly if there's an indication of foul play involved.The first two seasons of "Quincy, M.E." starring Jack Klugman finally arrive on DVD. The first season of the series consisted of four 90 minute (actually 70 minute) TV-movies that alternated with "Columbo", "McCloud" and "McMillan" in 1976. The following year Quincy graduated to full series status with 60 minute (45 after commercials) episodes. In 1977 the second season consisted of 13 episodes. So we essentially get 17 episodes of the series spread over three dual sided discs. Packaged in Amaray DVD holders, "Quincy, M.E." is priced to move into boomers homes and solve the ultimate mystery of all-what to watch instead of all the crappy reality shows. A warning for fans is that Universal has had some problems with many of their "Classic TV Shows on DVD". "McCloud" and many other releases have had this problem so watch you're entire set to make sure that you don't have any problems with the DVD.

Like "Baa Baa Black Sheep", "Quincy M.E." actually looks surprisingly good on this DVD transfer. They aren't perfect but I don't think fans are expecting perfection from a series nearly thirty years old. While there's the usual amount of dust and debris that I've come to expect from these releases from Universal, the colors remain vivid and while there's a hint of edge enhancement on these discs, it's nothing too distracting. Skin tones tend to be more orange than pink in these vintage episodes. The image quality looks sharp overall although there are a few episodes where the image softens a bit. As usual stock footage tends to have the most problems as do "establishing shots" used again and again in multiple episodes. The mono sound while not robust sounds pretty good and isn't as tinny as many mono soundtracks. Dialog is clear for the most part throughout the series.

Now on to the extras--What? Are you kidding? This is Universal we're talking about here! It appears that most of the minimal production budget for these DVDs went to making sure these looked as good as was possible given the money available. Still, would it have hurt to include vintage interviews? Aside from the usual suspects (i.e. Universal's previews for other product), there isn't anything to write home about.

I would have given up my scalpel for Klugman's whispering tones on a commentary track or, at the very least, Robert Ito or Val Bisoglio providing background info on the series. What's frustrating is that these actors are getting much older and pretty soon these vintage series will have no one to turn to (outside of a TV or film scholar) to provide commentary tracks. It's like losing pages from an essential volume on history; you may be able to recreate some of the info but it loses the flavor of first hand observation. Come on Universal! Instead of cranking this stuff out, take a bit more time and ask these actors/writer/directors a thing or two about the series!

Maybe Quincy can uncover the reluctant on Universal's part to open up their wallets and put their money where their mouth is. While these are "classic TV shows" they aren't being treated that way. I do appreciate how inexpensive these sets are on the other hand, Warner Home Video manage to include commentary tracks, featurettes on the "Kung Fu" series AND make them look terrific (except for the letterboxing on the first season of the series). Hopefully Universal will look to Warner as an example of how to treat their TV series (they got off to a great start with "Battlestar:Galatica", "Quantum Leap" and "Sliders" but have consistently dropped the ball since then). I am happy to see this stuff released but, honestly Universal, if you won't do them right license them to a company that will!

Although the show is centered around a smart and short tempered medical examiner I'd have to say it was the supporting cast that made Quincy, M.E. as good as it was. How many shows keep the main supporting actors for 7 seasons. While fans all like the way Quincy followed his heart and not the easiest or most PC path, fans also liked the way Quincy's friends could be counted on to help Quincy and guide his passion. Lt. Monahan usually dogged Quincy's heels, spurring him on. Danny could be counted on to give Quincy the common mans perspective of any situation as well as the organized criminals perspective. Sam provided the voice of caution at times and encouragement at others. Dr. Asten reminded Quincy of the financial and public limitations that existed. Finally, Sgt. Brill provided proof that there were more detectives in L.A. than just Lt. Monahan.

Here is a list containing the first two seasons shows.

Season 1
1. 10-03-76 Go Fight City Hall -- To the Death!
2. 10-10-76 Who's Who in Neverland?
3. 11-28-76 A Star Is Dead
4. 01-02-77 Hot Ice, Cold Hearts

Season 2
5. 02-04-77 Snake Eyes (1)
6. 02-04-77 Snake Eyes (2)
7. 02-11-77 ...The Thigh Bone's Connected to the Knee Bone ...
8. 02-18-77 Visitors in Paradise
9. 02-25-77 The Two Sides of Truth
10. 03-11-77 Hit and Run at Danny's
11. 03-18-77 Has Anybody Here Seen Quincy?
12. 04-15-77 A Good Smack in the Mouth
13. 04-22-77 The Hot Dog Murder
14. 04-29-77 An Unfriendly Radiance
15. 05-06-77 Sullied Be Thy Name
16. 05-13-77 Valleyview
17. 05-27-77 Let Me Light the Way

As this DVD has not yet been released I'll have to assume it is getting the standard Universal treatment. 8 shows per DVD (four 1 hour shows on each side)and no extra features. Usually I deduct a star for such cheap DVD releases. However, since this show is so good and I'm so thankful it is now available I'll break my own rule and give it 5 stars.

In the late 1980, NBC had a Sunday mystery movie wheel. Columbo, McCloud, McMillian and Wife were the staples. After its successful openning it spawn Quincy and later Hec Ramsey (a Western mystery series which was the last series Richard Boone did for TV and not available yet on DVD!). This also spawned a Wednesday mystery wheel which didnt fare as good.

Quincy, M.E. had four episodes on the 90 minutes Sunday wheel (its first season). NBC ordered it for an hour long version for series (its second season..The only show which did that. This show predated the first CSI show by 20 years and was less gritty and less bloodier with the same impact. Yes, Quincy played detective more often than most..but it was THE MYSTERY MOVIE WHEEL.

The mysteries were sound good and solid medical mysteries. Well written, well thought out...and well done. It shows how good in this box set. Jack Klugman showcased that he can play someone other than Oscar Madson (Paramount DVD, where is the ODD Couple DVDs? )

Its a keeper for mystery fans everywhere. And those CSI fans, take note-watch this and see action without all the hi-tech gore!
Bennet Pomerantz, AUDIOWORLD

Wow! I cant tell you how happy I was to see that QUINCY M.E. was finally coming out on DVD! I kept seeing all of these other classic TV shows coming out, yet the best of them all, Quincy, wasnt available.
That is about to change and I couldnt be happier if I were twins!
Quincy, M.E., starred Jack Klugman, as Quincy, a Medical Examiner (hence the M.E.) who could crack a case like nobody else.
This show was a very succesful series, and dealt with alot of previously ignored issues, such as drug deaths among the youth of America, battered children, etc
Most shows wouldnt touch these controversial subjects, and today some still wont. That is why Quincy M.E. was ahead of it's time. Even by today's standards, this show is full of wonderful scripts, great acting, and the dealing with difficult issues.
The character, Quincy, has what most characters do not: The courage to say what they know to be the truth, no matter how ridiculed they are, or no matter how many disagree.When you're right, you're right, and Quincy wasnt afraid to say so. He could care less about public image. He wanted the truth to be known. And Quincy did in fact end up solving the cases that nobody else could, or would.
I think that one of the things that made Quincy M.E. so popular and so loved, was the fact that the character, Quincy, wasnt afraid to say what millions of American viewers wanted to say, but didnt know how to, or were afraid to, in their own lives.
Sometimes, speaking the truth is a scary thing.
Quincy M.E. spoke the truth, He solved the cases, He spoke for us, and He did it in a most charming way.
This is my favorite tv show of all-time and I will buy this DVD the day it comes out, at midnight, in fact.
I look very forward to seeing these classic shows again, and I look forward to seasons 3 and 4 being released, hopefully sometime soon, especially if this DVD set sells well.
So, Quincy M.E. fans, the wait is finally over. Order your set today and show the world that Quincy M.E. is still loved by us all.

This is without question a 5 star series. If you consider the movies and television that Mr. Klugman was associated with, it was always top shelf stuff, and this was no exception. The quality of this release is very good. I'm pleased with the audio and visual quality, and the packaging is suitably protective, a definite 5 star effort on Universal's part!
It's easy to understand the confusion concerning the length of the NBC Mystery Movies for two reasons:
1. NBC decided to air the Mystery Movies on two nights because it was so successful.
2. The lengths did vary.
The Mystery Movie series went on the air on Wednesday, September 15, 1971 from 8:30 to 10:00 PM, with three rotating elements comprising the series:
1. Columbo.
2. McCloud.
3. McMillan and Wife.
In the 1972-'73 season, with the rapid success of these shows, NBC moved these three programs to Sunday night under the new title "NBC Sunday Mystery Movie," from 8:30 - 10:00, and introduced a fourth series, "Hec Ramsey" into the line-up. They ran three new shows on Wednesday nights under the umbrella title: "NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie,"
1. Madigan.
2. Cool Million.
3. Banacek.
These, just like Sunday, ran from 8:30 - 10:00.
The Sunday night line-up stayed the same for two seasons, changing in the 1974-'75 season by replacing "Hec Ramsey" with a new series: "Amy Prentiss." Meanwhile, the Wednesday night line-up had expanded for the 1973-'74 season to include "Madigan," "Tenafly," "Faraday & Company," and "The Snoop Sisters." "Cool Million" and "Banacek" were gone. Also, in January of '74, the Wednesday Mystery Movie moved to Tuesday, retitled, of course, "NBC Tuesday Mystery Movie," ending it's run at the conclusion of the season.
The Sunday Mystery Movie remained unchanged until the 1975-'76 season when "Amy Prentiss" was dropped and a new show, "McCoy" was added. The 1976-'77 season was the last for this series, with four changes. Susan Saint James and Nancy Walker had left "McMillan and Wife;" therefore, the series name was shortened to simply "McMillan." "McCoy" was dropped and replaced by "Quincy, M.E.," and the time slot was changed to 8:00 - 9:30. "Quincy" was so popular that it spun-off into it's own series in January of '77, being replaced by "Lanigan's Rabbi" for the remainder of the Mystery Movies series' run.
The Mystery Movies were 90 minutes except for September 1975-September 1976 when it was expanded to 2 hours, Sunday, 9:00 to 11:00, returning to the 90 minute format for it's last season.
Incidentally, Universal Television and NBC had a very successful partnership with their 90 minute dramas. What's interesting is that the series they started with was not in the Mystery Movie line-up. It was an outstanding series that sadly, very few people seem to remember today, "The Name of the Game." It ran on Friday nights from 8:30 to 10:00 from September 20, 1968-September 10, 1971. It feels very much like these shows, and had Susan Saint James co-starring as Gene Barry's secretary, Peggy Maxwell. Also, instead of this show being an element of a series, it had three stars, one of which would star in the show from week to week, with the only constant being Peggy Maxwell.

The series is great. My 13 yr. old likes to follow the clues, and my 11 yr. old laughs at the jokes with Sam, and arguments with Astin. The slim cases are nice space-savers, and all worked well except for the episode of The Thighbone, it froze near the end..but was able to FF a few frames and finish. All in all a nice set. Hope seasons 3&4 come out soon, I like a good story, and the kids want to see Quincy cause more 'trouble'!

I dont understand why they are taking so long geting the rest of the seasons of Quincy out. It is a great show. They have all of the stupid shows out but only season 1-2 of Quincy