In the riveting episode of Diagnosis Murder, titled “Blood Will Out,” Dr. Mark Sloan, portrayed by Dick Van Dyke, once again finds himself entangled in a perplexing murder case that intertwines medical mystery with national security intrigue. This installment keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as a seemingly straightforward restaurant shooting unravels into a complex web of bioterrorism and government conspiracies.
The episode opens in the aftermath of a violent restaurant shooting, where Amanda, the medical examiner, played by Victoria Rowell, is conducting autopsies. A shocking turn of events occurs when one of the supposed victims suddenly attacks her before fleeing the scene. This bizarre incident throws the hospital into confusion. Is this “undead” man the shooter, or is something far more sinister at play? Adding to the escalating tension, the mysterious figure targets another hospital employee and pilfers medical supplies, deepening the enigma.
Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, personal lives are also in turmoil. Susan invites Jesse, played by Charlie Schlatter, for a romantic getaway, but Jesse is apprehensive, knowing their plans are often derailed by medical emergencies. As Amanda investigates the attacker, she identifies him as Gregory Othon. Dr. Sloan, with his astute deductive reasoning, realizes Gregory’s intentions are self-surgery. They discover Gregory has indeed removed a bullet from himself in an operating room. Gregory appears gravely ill, suffering from an unknown ailment, and strangely, has no traceable background. In a parallel storyline, Susan and Jesse attend to Alana, a new patient exhibiting symptoms of food poisoning.
Gregory’s clandestine activities continue as he conducts tests in a hospital lab. Alana, seemingly recovered, seeks him out, but her true motive is revealed when she pulls a gun on him. Gregory, in self-defense, kills Alana and takes Susan hostage. Jesse is consumed by guilt and grief over Alana’s death, unaware of the larger conspiracy at play. Suddenly, Martin Rutgers, a National Security operative played by Bryan Cranston, arrives and unveils the shocking truth: Gregory is a terrorist bomber-for-hire, and Alana was his operative, feigning illness to assassinate him. However, Dr. Sloan suspects Gregory’s continued presence in the hospital, hostage situation notwithstanding, indicates a need for medical attention rather than escape. Amanda’s analysis of the removed bullet confirms Dr. Sloan’s intuition – Gregory is infected with an unprecedented bacterial infection.
Driven by his love for Susan, Jesse is desperate to save her. He seeks information from Gloria, a waitress seeking notoriety who witnessed the initial shooting. Elsewhere, Gregory forces Susan to assist him, despite her lack of specialized training for his peculiar medical needs. Jesse confides in Steve, played by Barry Van Dyke, about his fears for Susan. Steve is infuriated by Rutgers’ cold demeanor, who suspends hospital emergency services and callously considers Susan a mere “resource.” Jesse then recalls Gregory being seated with a reporter at the restaurant, a crucial piece of information. Dr. Sloan, feigning concern for a liver transplant patient, circumvents Rutgers’ lockdown and locates Gregory and Susan in a basement lab.
In a dramatic confrontation, Gregory reveals he is not a terrorist but a government operative. He confesses to creating the “plague” himself, injecting himself to expose Martin’s illegal bioweapons program to the reporter. His plan to administer the cure was thwarted when Martin’s operatives shot him and the innocent bystanders at the restaurant. Unbeknownst to Martin, who is eavesdropping, Dr. Sloan contacts Steve. Steve, anticipating Martin’s next move, arrests him as he descends to the basement. Martin, arrogant to the end, believes the evidence will die with Gregory. However, Dr. Sloan reveals his own calculated risk: he has injected himself with the plague, intending to expose the NSA’s crimes and then cure himself. In the aftermath, Steve and Susan find solace and romance in a hospital “staycation,” a bittersweet ending to a perilous ordeal.
“Blood Will Out” is a thrilling episode that masterfully blends medical drama with suspenseful mystery, showcasing Dr. Sloan’s brilliance and the ever-present danger lurking beneath the surface of everyday life.
