Ep 11. Graveyard

In St. Elsewhere season 1 episode 11 titled "Graveyard," we see the staff of St. Eligius Hospital facing some difficult challenges. The episode opens with Dr. Craig (William Daniels) feeling the weight of his responsibilities as the chief of surgery. He is approached by a former patient who asks him to assist with her suicide, which leaves Dr. Craig questioning his beliefs and values.

Meanwhile, Dr. Morrison (David Morse) is struggling with the loss of a patient and is haunted by the sound of the heart monitor flatlining. He spends his days wondering what he could have done differently and is unable to find closure. This leads him to take matters into his own hands and risk his own career to find a solution.

Nurse Papandrao (Christina Pickles) is also dealing with her own struggles, including a patient who refuses to take his medication and a lover who is pressuring her to leave her job at the hospital and move to California. This leaves Nurse Papandrao questioning her own identity and priorities.

Dr. Westphall (Ed Flanders) is dealing with a personal crisis as his wife struggles with Alzheimer's disease and he must make some difficult choices about her care. He is also dealing with the loss of a fellow doctor which causes him to reflect on his own mortality.

Throughout the episode, we see the staff of St. Eligius Hospital grappling with their own mortality and the difficult choices they must make in their personal and professional lives. The metaphor of the "graveyard shift" takes on a deeper meaning as they confront the realities of death and the delicate balance between life and death.

Despite the heavy subject matter, the episode is also infused with moments of humor and humanity. We see the staff coming together to support each other and engage in acts of kindness and compassion. This is exemplified by the character of Fiscus (Howie Mandel), who is known for his quirky humor and antics but also demonstrates a deep empathy for his patients and colleagues.

Overall, "Graveyard" is a poignant and thought-provoking episode that grapples with the universal themes of life, death, and the human experience. It showcases the strengths of the show, which include its complex characters, nuanced storytelling, and realistic portrayal of the medical profession.