Since I was on a retro TV kick I picked a random ep of the old Emergency! series and boy it was awesome! A two-part ep from S7 that was like a mini disaster flick where they have to rescue office workers from a raging inferno high rise. Really impressive for a TV show from the 70’s. Hundreds of extras, tons of physical burning sets, and high drama.

The S7 ep also had a very familiar, very YOUNG John DeLancie, better known to us as Q from #StarTrek TNG. Impressive, Mon capitan!

Watched a few ep of Emergency! now and I have to say it’s kinda TV comfort food. Parts are hokey but other parts are super sincere and the leads are just well acted. Gage and DeSoto both are professionals w/ awesome bedside manners. They take pride in their job and their squad, it’s refreshing. 🚨

More fun things:
- Always checking the map before a run (No GPS!)
- Writing *everything* down (no tablets!)
- Have each other’s backs
- Rampart staff is a little stiff compared
- Animal rescues YAY!

So I asked ChatGPT what was the episode of #Emergency where Fireman John Gage was hit by a car. It gave me a long, dramatic answer citing S3 ep 19 called “The Hard Hours”. Went and read the description on Peacock and it said nothing about Gage being hit.

Then I googled the question and found it was actually S5 E22 ‘The Nuisance’.

I’m starting to think AI is a complicated plot by Google to make web searching relevant again.

My wife and I were taking bets if Gage and DeSoto would have to defibrillate one of the victims in this tiny plane that crashed atop a tree deep in the forest 100 feet up. #Emergency

Yes/No?

When #Emergency is good it’s *really* good. I’m starting to understand why it became the smash hit it did with S2 E1 ‘Problem’.

DeSoto considers quitting being a paramedic after a quick decision in the field and the victim is lost. The ep culminates with a thrilling house fire where Roy goes in to find a boy and his dog and rescues both.

This is a *real* structure fire on a real street in LA. No CGI no back lot at universal. How they did it I dunno but it’s damned fine TV.

Another #StarTrek alum makes an appearance on #Emergency S2 E5, this time it’s William Campbell from Trek TOS, better known as Trelayne from The Squire of Gothos. 🖖

Campbell plays a drunk driver who plows into a little seven year old girl and puts her in critical condition for most of the episode. Despicable doesn’t do his performance justice. Of course this is #RetroTV and she finally recovers in the end thank goodness. 🙏