The Winning Edge (21 Feb. 1980)

Star gymnast Sally collapses during practice and dies. Quincy suspects that high school coach Virginia Hart is providing the team with performance-enhancing drugs to give them a competitive edge as they head into a national competition.

Director:

Georg Fenady

Writers:

Lester Wm. Berke, William Cairncross,

Stars:

Jack Klugman, Garry Walberg, John S. Ragin

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Klugman	...	Dr. R. Quincy, M.E.
Garry Walberg	...	Lt. Frank Monahan
John S. Ragin	...	Dr. Robert Asten
Val Bisoglio	...	Danny Tovo
Robert Ito	...	Sam Fujiyama
Joseph Roman	...	Sgt. Brill
Caroline Smith	...	Gymnastics Coach Virginia Hart
Doran Clark	...	Ann Kaiser
Susan Myers	...	Carolyn
Jennifer Holmes	...	Brenda Carmichael
Shawn Hoskins	...	Sally Peters
Lester Fletcher	...	Pietro of Beverly Hills (as Lester C. Fletcher)
Sandy Balson	...	Mrs. Peters
Matthew Tobin	...	Mr. Peters
Shannon Farnon	...	Mrs. Carmichael

Storyline

Star gymnast Sally collapses during practice and dies. Quincy suspects that high school coach Virginia Hart is providing the team with performance-enhancing drugs to give them a competitive edge as they head into a national competition.

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Plot Keywords:

drugs | peer pressure | gymnastics | leotard

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Crime

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 February 1980 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Glen A. Larson Productions, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Decent but preachy.

I noticed that the other reviewer for this particular show hated the episode--mostly because they feel that such anti-drug messages are ineffective and unnecessary. While I can easily understand this, that aspect of the show didn't bother me nearly as much. Now I am not saying I loved the show--just that its anti-drug message didn't bother me--though I do agree that such messages rarely have any impact on behaviors. My problem with the show has much more to do with that I thought it was just not particularly well made or interesting.

The show is about a bunch of girls with hopes of becoming gymnastics champions. To do this, they and their coach are willing to do just about anything--even take drugs to give them the energy and extra 'oomph' to compete. However, one of the girls takes LOTS of the drugs and the amphetamines end up contributing to her death. Naturally, this gets Dr. Quincy involved. And, like so many other episodes, he doesn't just do the autopsy but thinks he is a cop--investigating the case (which sane coroners would NOT do) and trying to determine where the dead girl got her drugs. Not surprisingly, the coach and teammates are very closed-mouthed about it--and, in a very hard to believe twist, some of the girls come up with a plan to take care of the problem.

Overall, this episode is just okay. It does seem a bit preachy and is not especially entertaining or believable. Not terrible but you know the school can just do a lot better.

By the way, at the 44 minute mark, watch the blonde girl fall off the balance beam. It's clearly NOT her and someone with a HUGE and over-sized wig! Ha!