Thoughts about "The Doctors" - November 1976

Another month's worth of episodes of "The Doctors" has aired on RetroTV. Below are my thoughts on what has aired for the month of November 1976.

Jason hired Jerry to work for him, so Jerry was quitting the hospital, and would have enough money to finish law school in a year. Penny continued her job working for the chief of staff of the hospital. That said now there were two as both Althea and Paul were given the shared responsibility.

Jason interviewed everyone some on camera and some off. Jason thought Nola could help Matt in court, as Nola would tell the truth about her sister's issues: being addicted to drugs and selling herself to pay for them. We didn't see any of the grand jury again, though certain people like Nola had to testify more than once. Nola spoke to a reporter, which made Matt's situation look worse. Everyone got angry with her, and it was assumed that Nola's feelings for Matt were more than platonic. (They weren't, but that's what was implied.) Sara continued being a good babysitter to Michael Paul. Sara told Matt about an amusement park for toddlers, and Matt thought about taking his grandson there. Matt freaked out Maggie and Mike, as Matt went out to find out about trains without telling anyone. We also found out that Toni and Billy's biological mother, may end up being paralyzed. Due to the stress of the situation, Matt began drinking, it only became worse after he was indicted.

Steve continued to think of Carolee, and there were usages of Barbra Streisand's music especially "The Way we Were". We saw them together at the lodge, and after Thanksgiving Steve recalled how every day with her was a holiday, as they were in bed after Thanksgiving another year. Matt and Steve ran into one another in the park, Matt had Michael Paul, while Steve brought Erich (who was at the water floating his model boat), and Steffy. When alone, Steffy said how she missed Mommy, and they both wished Carolee would come home. Steve and MJ went out again, but Ann wanted MJ to think Steve only liked the other woman as she was Carolee's family. Ann invited Steve over, and it was the anniversary of their ill-fated marriage. Steve and Ann slept together again. After Thanksgiving Billy asked Steve for advice about Greta, but Ann interrupted it. Ann said that she doesn't need a commitment from Steve. Carolee was moved to the better clinic, and Mrs. Lomax was dead. The people at the new clinic found out about Mrs. Lomax's demise, which explained why they couldn't reach her. Carolee remembered Steve cheating on her with Ann, and she became upset.

Stacy and Paul eloped, but it is still a secret. Paul wants to get a place in Canada for Stacy. Ann found Stacy's confession, but nothing came of it. Paul married Stacy to keep her from telling the truth about pulling the plug on Joan Dancy. Luke and Eleanor became friends, and Luke convinced Eleanor to hire Sara to help her with the fundraiser at the hospital. Luke had artistic talent, and was more than just using Eleanor for money or so it seemed.

Those were the highlights of November 1976, November 3 was missing, and November 25 was pre-empted for Thanksgiving Day. Unfortunately we didn't see Thanksgiving in Madison. Having Gil Rogers play Carolee's doctor was a bit entertaining, as most soap viewers know him either as evil Ray Gardner on "All My Children" or Hawk Shayne  on "Guiding Light" two characters that are very different than a doctor caring for someone who seems to be catatonic. I wish we had seen Matt get indicted, and not just be told about it by Ernie Cadman. I liked seeing Matt and Steve spend time with the kids, as both characters' aren't behaving all that well in these episodes.