St. Elsewhere (TV Series) Weigh In, Way Out (1987) User Reviews

Cycle of Life

[tacsharp-613-222911 · 9/10 · 20 February 2013]

I think this was one of the finest hours of television ever written. It deals with 4 different stages of life – birth, becoming an adult (Fiscus turns 30), aging past a parent's mortality, and death. I thought the last two story lines were the most compelling as Dr. Craig deals with a 50-something birthday that takes him past his father's lifespan ("the footprints end here"). And the final scene finds the orderly Coolidge rocking a frail, elderly patient in his arms at the end of the man's life (Charles Lane, who most people would recognize from It's a Wonderful Life, Petticoat Junction or the Beverly Hillbillies). Haven't seen that episode in more than 25 years, and just the memory of it chokes me up.

One Last Chance

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 3 April 2022]

First we have Fiscus using Superglue to play a trick on the big boss. Then, it's Craig, surpassing his father who absolutely ruled his life, by boxing and getting pummeled. Finally, an old man shows the indignities of his last moments and the beauty of human spirit.

The end will leave you in tears...

[zorob1-1 · 10/10 · 30 November 2012]

I remember watching this episode during their 6th and final season... The end still stands out today.. Veteran character actor Charles Lane whom I'm sure the name doesn't ring a bell but you would know him on sight like a lot of great character actors portrays an elderly patient in the hospital... He is alone dying with mental detoriation regressing to his childhood.. One night an orderly "Warren Coolidge" same character from the "White Shadow" series comes in to check on Mr.Lane's condition.. He is a mental state that of a toddler who wants to be held by a parent... It is very sad to watch... Warren shows great sympathy/humanity lifts him into his arms to cradle him like a toddler with tears running down his eyes as the credits roll... If you ever come across this episode it is worth viewing... I saw it 25 years ago still remember vividly to this day.