Hill Street Blues Season 3 Episode 21

Ep 21. Buddy, Can You Spare a Heart?

  • TV14
  • May 5, 1983
  • 49 min
  • 8.0  (92)

The Hill Street Blues season 3 episode 21, named "Buddy, Can You Spare a Heart?" tackles a very sensitive issue of organ donation and transplantation. The story revolves around a man, Jordan White, who is in dire need of a heart transplant. The episode starts with Jordan, played by David Rasche, being admitted to the hospital after a heart attack. The doctors inform him that he needs a heart transplant to save his life.

Jordan's family and friends are worried and want to do everything possible to save him. They start looking for donors, but it's not as easy as they thought it would be. There's a long waiting list, and the chances of finding a perfect match are slim. Jordan's brother, Gary, played by Patrick Swayze, is determined to help his brother in any way he can. He even offers to donate his own heart, but it's not a match.

Meanwhile, the Hill Street Station is dealing with their usual problems, but each of them is keeping Jordan in their thoughts. Joyce, played by Veronica Hamel, is trying to catch a mugger who has been targeting the elderly. Renko, played by Charles Haid, and Belker, played by Bruce Weitz, are trying to catch a thief who has been stealing ambulances. Furillo, played by Daniel J. Travanti, is trying to negotiate with a gang leader who wants to take over a factory.

As the story progresses, Jordan's condition worsens, and his only hope is a heart transplant. The doctors inform him that there's a high chance he won't survive the operation, but Jordan is willing to take the risk. Gary finds a potential donor, but there's a problem. The donor is a criminal who has been sentenced to death. The doctors are hesitant to accept the heart, but Jordan's family and friends convince them to do so.

The episode takes a lot of emotional turns, and the audience is left wondering if Jordan will survive. The cast gave brilliant performances, and the writing was top-notch. The show tackles some of the toughest issues, and "Buddy, Can You Spare a Heart?" is no different. It deals with organ donation, death sentences, and the will to survive.

One of the things that make this episode stand out is how it balances the emotional storyline with the everyday antics of the Hill Street Station. The characters are well developed, and the audience cares about what happens to them. The audience is invested in Jordan's story and is rooting for him to survive.

In conclusion, "Buddy, Can You Spare a Heart?" is an excellent episode of Hill Street Blues that tackles a sensitive issue with grace and compassion. The performances are outstanding, and the writing is intelligent. The episode is a testament to why Hill Street Blues is considered one of the greatest cop shows in television history.

Description
Watch Hill Street Blues - Buddy, Can You Spare a Heart? (s3 e21) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
Hill Street Blues, Season 3 Episode 21, is available to watch and stream on NBC. You can also buy, rent Hill Street Blues on demand at Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, Apple TV online.
  • First Aired
    May 5, 1983
  • Content Rating
    TV14
  • Runtime
    49 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    8.0  (92)