In the realm of 90s television crime dramas, Diagnosis Murder carved out a unique niche, blending medical scenarios with intriguing mysteries. Season 1, Episode 2, titled “Amnesia,” throws Dr. Mark Sloan into a web of deceit, beginning with what appears to be a simple car accident. This episode masterfully uses the premise of a Car In Diagnosis Murder scenario to unravel a plot involving an assassin, mistaken identities, and deadly intentions within the walls of Community General Hospital.
The episode kicks off with a dramatic car accident – seemingly a tragic event leading to amnesia. A woman is struck by a vehicle, and Dr. Sloan, ever the compassionate physician, takes her under his care. However, this is no ordinary traffic incident. The “Jane Doe” in question is far from a victim; she’s a hired assassin who meticulously staged the car accident as her entry ticket into the hospital. Her mission: to eliminate a target within the hospital’s seemingly safe confines.
This sets the stage for a compelling mystery that hinges on deception and misdirection. While Mark initially focuses on his patient’s supposed amnesia, the underlying narrative revolves around a sinister plot of murder orchestrated through the guise of a medical emergency stemming from a car incident.
Meanwhile, in a lighter subplot that provides a touch of classic Diagnosis Murder humor, Mark’s son Steve encourages him to finally take a vacation. A fishing trip to a cabin is proposed, highlighting Mark’s workaholic nature and foreshadowing how quickly his planned downtime will be derailed by the unfolding hospital mystery.
Introducing Dr. Jack Stewart, the episode plays on his charming persona. His interactions with the amnesiac patient are perceived as flirtatious, particularly by Amanda Bentley, adding a layer of interpersonal dynamics to the unfolding investigation. Amanda’s initial suspicion, fueled by Jack’s charm, actually proves insightful, albeit for slightly misguided reasons at first.
The turning point in the investigation arrives with a critical moment of recognition. A nurse, Sue, recognizes “Jane Doe” from the house of known mobster Tony Gelson. This recognition throws a wrench into the assassin’s plan. The staged car accident and feigned amnesia were meant to provide cover, but now her true identity and dangerous profession are at risk of exposure.
In a desperate attempt to maintain her cover, the assassin silences the nurse, pushing her down the stairs. This act of violence solidifies Amanda’s growing suspicions and even begins to sway Mark, though Jack remains unconvinced for a while longer. The assassin’s increasing desperation ultimately leads her to make mistakes, including a poorly executed attempt to seduce Jack, which finally triggers his suspicion.
The episode showcases clever plot devices, such as the disguised weapon delivery. The assassin’s contact brings her a gun concealed within crutches, a seemingly innocuous medical aid that raises no immediate alarms. However, Mark’s keen observational skills come into play when he notices the man using the crutches is not actually putting weight on his “injured” foot. This astute observation leads Mark to investigate, further entangling him in the dangerous situation and, predictably, putting him at odds with hospital security.
As Mark gets closer to the truth, he finds himself captured by Gelson, the mob boss who hired the assassin. Gelson, while central to the plot, is portrayed as rather bland compared to the more intriguing assassin he employs.
“Amnesia” cleverly uses the theme of recognition as a recurring motif. Amy Westin (the assassin) uses feigned amnesia to avoid recognition. The nurse is eliminated because of her recognition of Amy. Mark is caught because he is recognized by Gelson’s men. This recurring theme ties the narrative threads together effectively.
Initially, Senator Basset is believed to be the target, but the true intended victim is revealed to be Dr. Foster, the surgeon scheduled to operate on the Senator. Dr. Foster was secretly being held as a witness against Gelson. Mark, Jack, and Amanda, working together, ultimately foil the assassination plot. “Miss Jane Doe” is apprehended before she can carry out the murder.
The episode concludes with a touch of levity, showing Steve returning from his ill-fated vacation on a gurney. His cabin retreat was comically disastrous, involving lightning, fire, and flooding, only to land him in the hospital with a twisted ankle. This reinforces the show’s lighthearted elements even amidst the murder mystery.
“Amnesia” marks a step towards the classic Diagnosis Murder formula, balancing suspense and mystery with moments of humor. It showcases the show’s evolution into a more focused murder mystery format, moving beyond simpler comedic scenarios.
Fun Facts & Guest Stars:
- Mark’s last vacation was supposedly in 1988.
- Tony Gelson was played by Lewis Van Bergen, previously seen in MacGyver.
- The FBI Agent was played by Wayne Tippit, who appeared in other Diagnosis Murder episodes.
Memorable Quotes:
- Steve Sloan: “Look, Dad, I’m just as involved in my work as you are. But I didn’t stop by the station this morning to check and see is the drug dealer I busted last night was still locked up.”
- Amy Weston: “Is it a piece?”
- Amanda Bentley: “Let’s just call it pathologist’s intuition.”
- Tony Gelson: “I’m a sucker for babies.”
- Dolores Mitchell: “You tell that crazy doctor to quit fooling around with that gangster before he ends up his own patient.”
This episode, with its car accident setup leading into a complex murder plot, exemplifies the engaging and entertaining narratives that made Diagnosis Murder a beloved series. The clever use of a staged car incident as a catalyst for a hospital-based crime adds a unique twist to the classic diagnosis murder theme.
