The Plague 

While Steve is staking out hit man Bruno, Mark sees him collapse, and quarantines him for the plague - but while the obnoxious virologist says it's from the rodents aboard his cargo ship, it's Mark who smells a rat. After some digging he finds 3 of the crime family's ladies who had a reason to rub Bruno out (tampering with his asthma medication) - so was it (wo)man or beast who killed Bruno?

Director:

Peter Ellis

Writers:

Joyce Burditt (creator), Gerry Conway

Stars:

Dick Van Dyke, Scott Baio, Victoria Rowell

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Dick Van Dyke	...	Dr. Mark Sloan
Scott Baio	...	Dr. Jack Stewart
Victoria Rowell	...	Amanda Bentley-Livingston
Barry Van Dyke	...	Steve Sloan
Michael Tucci	...	Norman Briggs
Delores Hall	...	Nurse Delores Mitchell
James Stephens	...	Dr. Niven
Alla Korot	...	Jennifer Crespi
Maddie Corman	...	Charlene Baylor
Andreas Katsulas	...	DEA Agent
David Froman	...	Dock Foreman
Julie Sommars	...	Regina Baylor
Michael Russo	...	Bruno Crespi
Michael J. Marcosa	...	Team Member (as Michael Marcosa)
Fred Mata	...	Clerk

Storyline

While staking mob hit man Bruno Crespi in his hotel room, Steve observes he has medical symptoms for which Bruno orders a refill from Spengler's pharmacy, which Mark diagnoses through the telescope as asthma, and receives epinephrine which he injects himself, not uncommon with patients who have a standard prescription. Shortly after he collapses, Steve gets Mark who orders a quarantine there and in the hospital to make sure nobody is contaminated: the crook has bubonic plague. CDC doctor Niven cares only for press conferences which spread panic on the theory he must have been infected through rats on a freighter he arrived on from Southeast Asia, ignoring the Sloanes' observations the epinephrine vial was full, so replaced by the maid, who wasn't actually on the hotel staff: murder by plague injection. Steve and Jack know about the crime families which include three women with a plausible motive to kill Bruno, so the snooping can start. Bruno's wife Charlene Baylor can now collect his...

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

---

Did You Know?

Trivia

Julie Sommars and David Froman, who were both regulars on the series "Matlock" guest star in this one. This was the first of several occurrences when stars of other popular TV shows would make an appearance, especially in the first few seasons to garner viewer interest. Some of the other 'big names' who played a guest role (some more than once) included actors from M*A*S*H*, Emergency! and even Star Trek.

---

Goofs

At the end Steve tells the murderer she'll be put on trial for murdering Bruno Crespi. For some reason, neither Steve and Mark also mentioned she would also be tried for trying to kill Mark, even though it had just happened.

---

Quotes

Steve Sloan: Dad, the plague died out in the Middle Ages.
Dr. Mark Sloan: Plague doesn't die out, Steve, it just goes away for a while, then comes back.

User Reviews

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 May 1994 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Cherry Creek, Colorado, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dean Hargrove Productions, Fred Silverman Company, Viacom Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1