Ep 9. The Hero Syndrome

Quincy, M.E. season 3 episode 9, titled "The Hero Syndrome," follows Dr. Quincy, a medical examiner, as he investigates a string of murders involving military veterans. The episode begins with a young veteran, Donny, who is arrested after breaking into a pawn shop and stealing a medal. Quincy is called to the scene after Donny is found dead in his cell, an apparent suicide. Quincy immediately questions whether it was a suicide or foul play and decides to investigate further.

Quincy soon learns that Donny was not the only veteran in the area who had been acting strangely. Another veteran, Kurt, had been hospitalized after a similar stint of criminal behavior and is being treated for PTSD. Quincy investigates Kurt's medical records and discovers that he was part of a top-secret special forces unit during the Vietnam War. The doctors who treated him have labeled him as suffering from "the hero syndrome," a condition where veterans feel the need to act as heroes in civilian life.

Quincy suspects that Kurt and Donny's behavior might be linked, and begins to question other veterans in the area. He soon discovers that many of them suffer from similar issues and have been seeking help at a local veterans center. Quincy meets with the head of the center, Dr. Kaplan, and learns that they have been using a controversial treatment called "rapid desensitization" to help veterans deal with their issues.

Quincy becomes increasingly convinced that there is a connection between the murders and the treatment at the center. He enlists the help of the police and sets a trap for the killer. However, things don't go as planned, and he finds himself in danger as the killer strikes.

Throughout the episode, Quincy grapples with the complex issues facing veterans, including the mental toll of war and the lack of support they often receive upon returning home. He also confronts his own biases and assumptions about veterans and their behavior. The episode ends with Quincy reflecting on the impact of war on those who serve and a call to action for society to do more to support veterans.

Overall, "The Hero Syndrome" is a thought-provoking episode that explores important issues surrounding veterans and their mental health. It is an emotional and engaging story that is sure to resonate with viewers.