Season 4 (1972)

Episodes: 16

Star Cast: Julie Adams , E.G. Marshall , David Hartman ,

Episodes List

Ep.1 Five Days in the Death of Sgt. Brown (II)

Air Date: 1972-09-19

While in Los Angeles to testify for a trial against gangster Frank Harmon, Ed is shot and falls off the balcony of his hotel room. He is then taken to the Craig Institute where he undergoes emergency surgery. Although the bullet wounds were non-life threatening, Ed suffers a broken back in the fall and some damage to his spine. The scarring leaves him paralyzed and only an experimental surgical procedure is the only option to regaining his mobility. Also, even though all the evidence points to Harmon, Ironside has doubts that he was the person responsible for the attempted hit. Also, the chief begins having flashbacks to the night he was shot and paralyzed. The crossover starts on Ironside S04E01 Five Days in the Death of Sgt. Brown (I).

Ep.2 Is This Operation Necessary?

Air Date: 1972-09-26

Gritty story of an aging gynecologist, portrayed credibly by Richard Basehart, who is accused by Dr. Hunter(David Hartman)of performing unnecessary operations. Dr. McLain, the besieged doctor, is promoting lake side property investments which requires substantial capital. Dr. Craig (E.G. Marshall) is a long time friend of Dr. McLain and defends the renown surgeon until it becomes evident that his practice must end. Dorothy Malone plays Basehart's wife and Vic Tayback is featured as a man who loses his wife when she is subjected to an unnecessary operation.

Ep.3 A Nation of Human Pincushions

Air Date: 1972-10-03

Arthur Gravis (Carl Reiner) advances acupuncture as a treatment, while Ira Goldberg worries about the cost of medical care.

Ep.4 Time Bomb in the Chest

Air Date: 1972-10-10

Ep.5 A Standard For Manhood

Air Date: 1972-10-17

Ep.6 A Substitute Womb

Air Date: 1972-10-24

Ep.7 A Very Strange Triangle

Air Date: 1972-10-31

Ep.8 A Quality of Fear

Air Date: 1972-11-14

Dr. Hunter interacts with cancer patients with different attitudes toward their disease which are not always commensurate with the patients' prognoses while dealing with medical professionals not always in alignment with the doctor.

Ep.9 An Inalienable Right to Die

Air Date: 1972-11-28

Janice, a TV reporter, incurs permanent paralysis during a speedboat accident. Facing a future she finds hopeless, the quality of her life and medical care is debated by her husband, her doctor, and a hospital review board. The ultimate decision though belongs to Janice.