The Craigs face a tremendous loss as their first grandchild is born. A newly inspired Westphall returns to work full of ideas. Fiscus invites himself up to Caldwell's Cape Cod retreat, where he sees a different side to the surgeon. Elliott and Marcy discover a common interest in food.
Cast
Starring
Ed Flanders as Dr. Donald Westphall
and
Norman Lloyd as Dr. Daniel Auschlander
Also Starring (in alphabetical order)
Ed Begley, Jr. as Dr. Victor Ehrlich
Stephen Furst as Dr. Elliott Axelrod
Mark Harmon as Dr. Bobby Caldwell
Eric Laneuville as Luther Hawkins
Howie Mandel as Dr. Wayne Fiscus
David Morse as Dr. Jack Morrison
Christina Pickles as Nurse Helen Rosenthal
Denzel Washington as Dr. Philip Chandler
and Starring
William Daniels as Dr. Mark Craig
Watching St. Elsewhere on Hulu or elsewhere? Feel free to comment on this episode below.
Does anyone know where the location scenes for Bobby Caldwell's holiday home on Cape Cod were filmed? It does look like New England, which seems unlikely given that the series was made in Los Angeles - but the scenes of Luther on his paramedic training in the previous episode featured some real Boston locations, so who knows.
ReplyDeleteI've read some criticisms of this episode and of the whole story arc of Stephen Craig's death as being overwrought. I don't agree at all. I think that the reactions of the Craigs in the ER, all the way to the scene at the cemetery and even episodes and seasons beyond, all show tremendous acting and writing. While I've never suffered a loss as tragic and sudden as the Craigs, their grief and horror and other responses seem painfully realistic. As an adult with kids of my own, I find it almost too difficult to watch. That's not a criticism- it's just that good. I think they rank as some of the best performances I've ever seem on TV or movies.
ReplyDeleteOne subtle bit of writing is when Ellen Craig turns to Helen Rosenthal instead of to her husband for comfort immediately after learning of Stephen's death. Perfectly sums up all of their characters and their relationships in those few seconds. Sad, powerful stuff.
I totally agree. I've re-watched through the "Santa Clause is Dead" episode, and this is the first time Mark Craig has broken down and cried over his son's death. At the end of the episode, he refuses to go into the church (while Westphall does and is reunite with his own son, Tommy). The contrast between these characters couldn't be more stark. It's wonderful writing and acting, and probably the most moving episode.
ReplyDelete