I have enjoyed Quincy for years--both when it first came on TV and in the years following its wide-spread syndication. Despite enjoying the show very much, I must, however, admit that the show was very formulaic and predictable. In 90% of the episodes, they stuck one of two very well-established plot outlines:

1. There is a death and it's assumed that it was by natural causes. In most of these cases, it's actually murder.

2. To Dr. Quincy, the case "just doesn't seem right" and he won't close the case--wanting to take more time with the autopsy or do some investigating on his own.

3. His boss, Dr. Asten, argues with Quincy to just wrap it all up due to either time constraints or pressure from outside sources. In essence, Asten is a bureaucratic weenie and Quincy a crusader for truth.

4. Quincy's friend, Lt. Monahan, wants to close the case because he KNOWS that it either wasn't a murder or he's blaming some innocent guy for the crime. Oddly, despite the Los Angeles Police Department being one of the largest ones in the world, somehow Monahan is almost always on the case--he's apparently a very, very busy guy--as is Quincy!

5. In the end, Quincy is vindicated. Yet, despite this, by the time they do the next episode, they once again begin this same process!

6. They all end up at Danny's and someone says something funny.

OR:

1. A death occurs.

2. Dr. Quincy becomes angry because the death was caused by some social issue such as spousal abuse, sexual abuse or poorly staffed emergency care centers, so he goes on a rampage and annoys practically everyone.

3. Quincy grandstands, makes speeches and preaches not just to the folks in the show but AT the audience.

4. Folks FINALLY listen to Quincy and they all end up at Danny's restaurant. But because it's a social issue program, they may or may not say something funny to end the show.

So why, despite the predictability of the show did I and so many others like it? Well, perhaps it was because although you knew what to expect in general, the shows were very creative in how they thought out the murders. Also, in a few cases, there weren't murders but the show managed to bring up excellent public health issues (though occasionally they were VERY preachy). Plus, over the years, the show evolved into a likable cast. Heck, after a while, you even grew to like Asten--especially since he mellowed and was less of a paper-pushing bureaucrat in later episodes.

Excellent writing, a likable cast and great imagination, this show has stood up well over time.

UPDATE: I just finished re-watching the entire series and think I should update my review. As the show progressed, the quality of the shows began to decline. The decline was slow at first but by season eight, the shows were just awful. I assume they ran out of ideas for crimes to solve, as more and more as the show progressed the shows became soapboxes for social ills NOT shows about forensic science. And, soapbox shows, while perhaps important, are far, far less entertaining.

I absolutely loved this series about a coroner's experiences, and have tried in recent years to find a TV replacement, all to no avail. Cold Case Files is bearable (but no Quincy) while CSI is both dark & stark and far too graphic. No opportunity is lost to display blood and guts, generally at the expense of character and plot. Why people view this as entertainment befuddles me. Crossing Jordan is yet another dark tale and generally as concerned with Jordan's sex life as with crime investigation.

By contrast, Quincy is very engaging but also optimistic. Yes, Quincy has his 'relationships' with beautiful young women, but they are portrayed light heartedly, with humour and minimal focus. Jack Klugman is brilliant in the role of the smart & tough, kind hearted & principled, grumpy but charismatic coroner. He is always the underdog's champion, indignant at the crimes & cover ups of the wealthy and influential, and not hesitant to ruffle a few feathers. Quincy is always professional but also personally engaged in the victim's plight. Each episode sees him ferreting out some new case of foul play, aided by his faithful Oriental lab cohort, Sam, engagingly played by Robert Ito. The pair enjoy a touching friendship.

The series gave us a glimpse into the forensic techniques and research of that era. (These may have improved during the intervening decades but alas, the TV series portraying them have not.) Also, many issues equally relevant today were explored, including child abuse, fad diets, alcoholism, child pornography, and so forth. Who cares whether aspects of the show are predictable or whether it is particularly realistic? I for one remain a great fan of the series. As I see it, all the forensic dramas of today pale by comparison.

Though Quincy began its run as a great mystery show, it all too soon evolved into a vehicle for discussion of the social issues of the day. Unlike Columbo, which maintained a reputation for sticking to good storytelling and suspense, Quincy started using violent incidents as an excuse to comment on gun control, spousal abuse, religious bigotry, etc. While it's important to be aware of societal ills, it's also important to understand that as soon as a storyteller starts "lecturing," the story suffers, and the audience leaves. And when producers, directors, and actors lose sight of the balance needed between telling a story and discussing the issues of the day, their show goes into decline. Trying to merge story and message is like mixing liver and ice cream; it can be done, but who's going to want the product? When Quincy stuck to storytelling, it was entertaining, but when stories took a backseat to "messages," it jumped the shark every time.

The laws of 'Quincy'

1. No more than 5 minutes shall pass before Quincy yells 'Dammit!'

2. At least once an episode, Sam (Quincy's Asiatic sidekick) has to say 'I don't like it Quince'

3. Every woman, even if they are young enough to be his granddaughters, has to find Quincy unbearably attractive

4. No cop is allowed to point out that he is a pathologist, and investigating crimes is way outside the limits of his job

5. There shall never be a suprising death

6. Quincy's boss always has to object to his investigation at first, be won slowly round, and then appear, supporting, in the final denouncement

7. Not one person is allowed to point out that there are probably bodies rotting in the aisles, considering the amount of time he spends investigating just the one death

God I love this show......

I think Quincy was great when it first aired but is reflective of the "Shake 'n Bake" formula of TV in the '70s and early '80s. It did bring the science of criminal forensics to public attention so I am sure there are people working in that field today because of Quincy.

An episode or two might be tolerable for most people, but beyond that the repetition will wear almost anyone down.

I think I would pay real money if for once his boss Asten, Lt. Monahan and everyone else would believe Quincy when he finds something out of the ordinary.

Something like,"Gee Quincy, you were right about all of the last 75 deaths you investigated when I didn't believe you despite considering you my friend. Since your record is pretty flawless and I can trust you, let's go get the murderer." I would love to see that just once...once!

This show was more influential than most shows of its genre on TV. In many ways, it was the predecessor to the current CSI and CSI: Miami, with its emphasis on science and the forensic approach. In fact, many of the episodes dealt with forensic methods which were just coming into being in the 70's, and for the first time let the audience of the series see these new techniques and research, including the build-up of a skeletal face to what the person could have looked like, looking for evidence of where a person has been by looking at the residue on a person's shoes and other forensic methods we take for granted nowadays.

What's even more interesting is that many of the topics of these episodes, some 25 years old, show a great amount of relevance even now. Such things as airplane safety, epidemics, political influence, riots, runaways and child pornography, post traumatic stress disorder as a result of a war experience, migrant workers, crash diets, child abuse, and much, much more.

This show was and is a great forerunner to many other shows over the past twenty-five years. In many ways, the current resurgence in shows about forensic science can be attributed to this show. Not only the commercial successes of CSI and CSI:Miami, but shows like "Forensic Files," "Cold Case Files" and other such shows. With the amount of technology which we presently have available to us now, it's amazing that a lot of it has only been available since Quincy debuted on television, less than 25 years ago.

In the beginning, the show was usually about a crime that Quincy solves using his skills as a medical examiner., sometimes officially, sometimes not so officially, as he did when he was on jury duty on one episode. Honestly, who would allow a medical examiner to sit on a jury in a criminal trial? But I digress. These whodunnit based episodes were interesting, and Quincy is one of the first of the CSI style shows that I can recall - it really was ahead of its time. But, especially in the last couple of years of the show, there was a shift and Klugman started doing lots of issue shows with lots of pontificating. This was probably partially due to the changing times, partially a reaction to the Reagan administration. You can see the same kind of thing happen to the show Lou Grant and its star Edward Asner during the same time frame.

Of course, crime scene investigation techniques have changed a lot over the years, and the ability to analyze DNA evidence was a ground breaker that was far in the future when this show debuted, but it is still worth it for the acting and the amazing Jack Klugman.

I miss those days when quincy was shown at TV here in Norway. The show was just pure magic. On one side Quincy was the relenteless detective/coroner who gave everything on the job. On the other side he also liked to shoot the breeze, drink, chase woman and have fun. That's what it is all about. The 70's were a dream considering TV series. Just think about cannon, Kojak and Quincy. JUST GREAT. Quincy is "old school, funny and a delight to watch. The style of the 70's seems so much more relaxed and cool compared to that of today.Recommended for everybody that's tired of all the crap shown to day. The 70's rule and Quincy is number one!

Each episode is usually the same setup. There's a death and no one believes Quincy when he finds out how they died. His own boss always fights him and never believes him and they spend half the episode shouting back and forth to each other with Quincy usually saying "I can prove it!" You'd think after a few times, the boss would be like "Ok Quincy, you've shown me before, I have faith in you. Do your job!" But no, he yells and says he doesn't believe him and how he has absolutely no clue what he's doing in his job lol. Then why does he keep him working there?!

Then by the end of the episode, Quincy proves himself correct and the others have egg on their face. But they all quickly forget because they go through the same song and dance with each other in the next episode and the next.... It gets pretty monotonous after a while. If I were Quincy, I would've found a new place to work with a boss that appreciated me better.

It has struck me that despite the implausible pairing of Quincy with much younger women, the clashes with the management and the police, this show covered some pretty controversial topics for a 30 year old mainstream show:- * Teenage alcoholism * Elder abuse * Mental health issues * Legislation for lief jackets on plains * Drunk driving *Public health issues such as food contamination/pollution Yes it can be cheesy but I still find many of them watchable and find the range of issues covered impressive for the times. I also think it's quite cool that Mark was actually a technician not an actor who is now a leading DNA expert!

Quincy TV series started when I was 13 years old, and I thought it was an amazing and great show. I understood why Quincy was upset that nobody ever saw the wisdom of his words until he could prove it with science. Nobody ever listened to Quincy, and so he was usually angry. The stories were usually pretty good too. Most of the time, they used interesting ideas and science information that was cutting edge back in the 1970s.

Forty years later, I have tried to enjoy Quincy like I did when I was young, and I find that he is usually too harsh. His abrasive personality is mean to many of the people that support him the most. Additionally, Quincy has no respect for anyone at his Medical Examiner's Office.

Now when I watch this show, most of the time I am counting all the reasons that Quincy should get terminated from his position during each episode. Quincy violates various standing rules of his Medical Examiner's Office; he regularly violates direct orders from his boss, Dr. Astin (played by John S. Ragin), and sometimes he breaks the law too. In the real world, Quincy would be getting terminated in almost every episode of his show.

However, I will always remember Quincy fondly, because he has good intentions, and tries to do the right thing. Back when I was a kid, I thought that yelling at your boss every day was pretty cool. Quincy did everything "his way," and that was alright by me.

A coroner who investigates. The police union must be mad. I liked the show as a kid, but as an adult I find the show far fetched. Some good episodes. The science is the interesting part. I think maybe this is where the show Crossing Jordan takes up. The medical examiner that does autopsies and investigates. Anyone remember the death touch episode? It's murder was a line in every second show. This is like that new show with is based in 3 different cities. The show went on 2 years too long. The networks never know when to end these series. 3/5. Worth watching a second time. A bit over the top! Sam was he on Star Trek? I wonder if they will make a remake comedy on this show? Sort of like CSI too.

When I started working for the NYS Crime Victims Board and occasionally had to send for autopsy reports I'm afraid it soured me on this series. Jack Klugman was far more dedicated to his job and to doing the job of the police than any coroner I ever dealt with. In fact on a personal level I had a sister who died at 34 and an autopsy was ordered as it naturally would be. The report we eventually got some nine months later gave a clinical analysis of the corpse and certain tests, but came to zero conclusions about how my sister died. Now maybe Jack Klugman would have found out on the show, but I ran into no Klugmans in my professional or personal life.

But Quincy would always go an extra few miles with his trusted assistant Robert Ito until he was proved right. Of course he always was. Klugman also had to deal with his supervisor John S. Ragin who had a lot of corpses to be disposed of and little time for the individual attention Klugman gave those cases we saw.

But if Klugman had problems with Ragin there were nothing compared to those he had with detectives Garry Walberg and Joseph Roman who naturally resented him doing their jobs. The resentments never lasted long though.

My favorite parts of the show were always in their hangout where Klugman got together with Ito, Walberg, Ragin, and Roman at Danny's, a nice cozy little piano bar with good food, good drinks, and good company. In fact my favorite character in the show was Val Bisoglio as your genial host Danny. It was nice to see that the conflicts during the show never came into Danny's. It looked like such a great place to hang out.

But if you think medical examiners are as dedicated as Quincy you will be sadly disillusioned as I was.

This is the king of formula shows. Every single episode goes down the same way:

Quincy has just gotten off of a particularly grueling case.

The boss brings in a new body that Quincy "just has to look at".

Sam, his ever faithful assistant, is just about to leave for the night before Quincy calls him back. "I need you to stay and figure this one out."

They show the 'late-night working montage', which always consists of Sam running spectral analysis tests while Quincy pokes at the body.

The montage ends, and Sam says "I don't like the looks of this Quince".

Quincy then insults Sam about the quality of his coffee.

Quincy puts on his detective hat, and interviews witnesses.

Quincy will come against opposition to him solving the case, and he will yell at that person. In fact, he will have been yelling for most of the episode, but now the yelling is of a righteous nature.

Quincy will confront his main adversary and scream, "PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT STAKE HERE!!"

Quincy's boss, who was against all meddling from the start, eventually comes around.

Quincy solves the case, then explains everything over breakfast/lunch/dinner with his pals.

Someone at the table tells a throw-away joke, usually at Quincy's expense, leaving everyone in stitches.

Roll credits.

Eat your heart out, Jordan Cavanaugh

I do agree that some of the plot lines can fall on the formulaic side, but I can't help liking Quincy M.E. all the same. The locations, scenery and photography are striking, and the music is above decent too. As is the direction, and even the most formulaic of story lines have their fun and engrossing spots. The pacing is pretty solid, while the writing and characters are engaging enough, the writing having wit and humour and the characters lead and supporting likable and fun. The acting I don't have a problem with, Jack Klugman is great as Quincy, who has his flaws such as being grumpy on occasions but is still charismatic, kind-hearted and clever, while Sam is a nice character and engagingly played. To conclude, a very nice if formulaic show. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Watching all 8 seasons of Quincy ME. I was 13 when series first aired and I enjoyed watching the mystery of the stories, but I was impacted by the passion and dedication to bring about change for many things in our society with the aid of science. It was, in no way, a typical 70s show. I first learned about sickle cell anemia from this show. Was educated on industrial waste, drug abuse, child abuse, and all types of bad elements in society, but through a shielded lens of television networks of the time. I was enthralled by the field of pathology and that carried over into the later shows like CSI shows and NCIS. I wasn't confident enough in my intelligence to pursue that field, but many days I wish I had. This show was socially impactful and despite the age, holds up!

"Quincy,M.E.",premiered on NBC-TV in October of 1976,and ended its run in April of 1982. The original was one of the last series to be created for the NBC Mystery Movie strand which consisted of the shows,"McCloud", "MacMillian and Wife","Banacek",and also "Columbo" which was on the same network. However,the series became part of a two-hour movie series intitled "Quincy",but the name changed after the Peacock network cancelled the movie series in 1976. This is where the series takes off and it was a combination of several things that may this a great show. First off,Quincy was played by the great Jack Klugman,who before the series aired was Oscar Madison for five seasons on the TV version of Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple",which was on a rival network.

Klugman had a style and substance to the role where he can make his character looked serious and sometimes humourous at the same time(watch the episodes to see my point),but had a knack for solving cases for the police,uncover the proof of foul play against impossible odds,and go beyond the lengths to help the authorities catch the killer or suspects that were involved. Then after solving another grueling case,he's back onto another one leading to more clues and surprises at every turn.

This show during its run was in the top ten and was a grand favorites against competitors like from other detective shows like Kojak,Barnaby Jones,and Baretta,not to mention Starsky and Hutch. However,the show was a inspiration for such shows today as Crossing Jordan and CSI:Crime Scene Investigation,not to mention in this category Diagonsis:Murder.

Its is amazing that they don't make shows like this anymore,but Quincy was very good. One of the best from the mid-1970's. However,during its last season,the ratings slipped,and in 1982 the show was cancelled,and its replacement show over at NBC was that of a man and his talking car which....well you know the rest of the story...............

Catch the episodes everyday on the Hallmark channel.

Quincy ME brought us the fascinating world of Forensic Pathology and yes, even crime scene investigation 30 years before we would be flooded with analogous programs. However, Jack Klugman seemed to be able to pull it off without lavish and superfluous special effects seen all too much in the modern era. Instead, Quincy was disciplined in the drama of the storyline, and the science that was involved. Perhaps the Television of today has doubts about their actual content and dialog, that vacuous imagery has been made a cornerstone, rather than window dressing.

Not to mention, Jack Klugman is just a terrific performer. Proving here, just as he has done his entire career that range is not a problem for the actor. We laughed out laud with him in the "Odd Couple", and here we piece together a victims death, along with Sam ,Lt. Monahan, and Astin. As always with Quincy, you are in for a good does of education too.

However, towards the later seasons, it seemed that the show became too preachy with its public service tone. I remember being a bit annoyed as certain episodes resembled after school specials, rather than the medical/ crime drama I became addicted too. It would have been a better choice for Quincy to stick with Pathology, and dish out the social commentary's in much smaller portions.

In any case, no matter what metric is used to measure Quincy with its crowded (how many CSI's do we need?) modern counterparts, I believe Dr Quincy emerges the most believable and cognitive of the group.

This show was SO FAR ahead of its time on many of today's issues. I bet it was VERY groundbreaking in the 70s and 80s. It covers topics liked botched plastic surgery, racism, elder abuse, domestic abuse and so many more. There are many fabulous mysteries medical and criminal. The show is exciting but has a lighthearted spirit too with humor and camaraderie between the medical staff and police. Sure there are some episodes which miss the mark but the majority are brilliant and intriguing. Jack Klugman is a lovable and brilliant medical examiner who really cares about each case and won't stop until each one is concluded no matter what the consequences. His assistant Sam Fujiyama is loyal and super charming. Give this show a watch! It's phenomenal!

Quincy was a great show with some very good and relevant episodes, covering environmental, epidemics, cot death, legal and medical loopholes. Jack Klugman was perfect for the role and the banter between his character, Asten and Monaghan was excellent.

There is one puzzle though, what was the point of two of the characters, Danny and Sergeant Brill? The character of Danny did bring some humour to the show, but the part was mostly a couple of minutes at the end of the show. Not much of a part! Sergeant Brill's part was even more pointless than Danny's! Playing second fiddle to Monaghan, the part was virtually pointless, he rarely had anything significant to say, it was almost as if he was just given token lines to say.