The script, which is a meditation on life and death, was written by Susan Harris who created the series. Sam and Molly Quinn (Richard Crenna and Patty Duke) are both dealing with professional crises. At the hospital Sam is tasked with performing surgery on a likable 72 year old patient (Scatman Crothers) who may not survive. Meanwhile Molly is assigned to handle a widely publicized homicide case in which the defendant could receive punishment by death.
These storylines bring the show's main theme about a liberal husband and a conservative wife into focus. Sam is vehemently opposed to capital punishment, whereas Molly believes in an eye-for-an-eye- since the accused man killed six women and one of those women was pregnant at the time of her murder.
Throwing a spanner into the works is a visit by the defendant's immigrant mother (Kim Stanley) who begs Molly to understand her son's mental illness. Mrs. Tandy claims voices in her boy's head turn him violent beyond his control. Molly is not willing to extend sympathy, and the mother is heartbroken to realize her son will get the electric chair if Molly's side prevails in court.
Kim Stanley and Patty Duke had previously appeared in THE GODDESS (1958), so this was a special reunion for the two actresses. Their interaction provides us with one of the best scenes in the whole series.
Since Sam and Molly are driving two "A" plots in this episode, there isn't a subplot; so the supporting cast has little to do. High school aged daughter Lisa (Helen Hunt) has a brief bit at the beginning. But older son Andy (Anthony Edwards), who has moved into his own place, does not appear. Sam's coworker Dr. Walter Chaiken (Richard McKenzie) is featured at the hospital when Sam confides in him about what's been going on. Mama (Billie Bird) has a few funny moments refereeing Sam and Molly at home, when they are temporarily at odds regarding Molly's crusade.
Of course Molly is the one who ultimately comes to her senses. She admits to Sam at the end that she does not enjoy sending someone to death, even if they are guilty. She isn't sure if she can go through this ever again. But Sam comforts his wife and reassures her that she is a good and fair person. Fairness is another theme in Susan Harris' design of this series.
These storylines bring the show's main theme about a liberal husband and a conservative wife into focus. Sam is vehemently opposed to capital punishment, whereas Molly believes in an eye-for-an-eye- since the accused man killed six women and one of those women was pregnant at the time of her murder.
Throwing a spanner into the works is a visit by the defendant's immigrant mother (Kim Stanley) who begs Molly to understand her son's mental illness. Mrs. Tandy claims voices in her boy's head turn him violent beyond his control. Molly is not willing to extend sympathy, and the mother is heartbroken to realize her son will get the electric chair if Molly's side prevails in court.
Kim Stanley and Patty Duke had previously appeared in THE GODDESS (1958), so this was a special reunion for the two actresses. Their interaction provides us with one of the best scenes in the whole series.
Since Sam and Molly are driving two "A" plots in this episode, there isn't a subplot; so the supporting cast has little to do. High school aged daughter Lisa (Helen Hunt) has a brief bit at the beginning. But older son Andy (Anthony Edwards), who has moved into his own place, does not appear. Sam's coworker Dr. Walter Chaiken (Richard McKenzie) is featured at the hospital when Sam confides in him about what's been going on. Mama (Billie Bird) has a few funny moments refereeing Sam and Molly at home, when they are temporarily at odds regarding Molly's crusade.
Of course Molly is the one who ultimately comes to her senses. She admits to Sam at the end that she does not enjoy sending someone to death, even if they are guilty. She isn't sure if she can go through this ever again. But Sam comforts his wife and reassures her that she is a good and fair person. Fairness is another theme in Susan Harris' design of this series.