This episode of "Quincy" ("Hot Ice") was obviously inspired by a real-life murder. Back in 1978, Georgi Markov, a Bulgarian dissident living in Britain, was killed with a diabolical device--an umbrella with a tip that contained a tiny bead filled with ricin! Not surprisingly, several TV shows were inspired by this. One was "Hawaii Five-O" and another was this "Quincy" show.
The program begins with a courier at the airport. He bumps into another man 'accidentally' and is stuck with the poison bead (this time, in a cane). But, before he could die from the poison, he steps in front of a bus and is killed. Quincy and Sam never detect the poison bead--mostly because he was JUST stuck and it would take a while for the effects of the digitalis inside it to take effect.
It turns out the dead man was transporting stolen diamonds--and Quincy finds them inserted surgically in his chest! Now here comes the devious part--the Feds want Quincy to pretend that he found the diamonds AND wants to sell them! But Quincy will have no part of this and leaves for his vacation in Vegas*. When he lands, however, he learns that the federal agents set him up--having called the bad guys and offered to sell them the diamonds...and telling them that the call was from Quincy!! So, almost as soon as he arrives, he's pulled into a crazy world of intrigue. Capturing the criminals is not the end of it, however, as in the process, the guy with the cane stabs Quincy and some time later, Quincy realizes he's been poisoned.
There is one huge reason to watch this program--to see what Asten does near the end of the show. I'll say no more--it might spoil it. In addition, this show is a lot of fun. Silly and ridiculous--but a lot of fun. Quite an interesting adventure story, that's for sure.
The program begins with a courier at the airport. He bumps into another man 'accidentally' and is stuck with the poison bead (this time, in a cane). But, before he could die from the poison, he steps in front of a bus and is killed. Quincy and Sam never detect the poison bead--mostly because he was JUST stuck and it would take a while for the effects of the digitalis inside it to take effect.
It turns out the dead man was transporting stolen diamonds--and Quincy finds them inserted surgically in his chest! Now here comes the devious part--the Feds want Quincy to pretend that he found the diamonds AND wants to sell them! But Quincy will have no part of this and leaves for his vacation in Vegas*. When he lands, however, he learns that the federal agents set him up--having called the bad guys and offered to sell them the diamonds...and telling them that the call was from Quincy!! So, almost as soon as he arrives, he's pulled into a crazy world of intrigue. Capturing the criminals is not the end of it, however, as in the process, the guy with the cane stabs Quincy and some time later, Quincy realizes he's been poisoned.
There is one huge reason to watch this program--to see what Asten does near the end of the show. I'll say no more--it might spoil it. In addition, this show is a lot of fun. Silly and ridiculous--but a lot of fun. Quite an interesting adventure story, that's for sure.