Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within

I saw it as a beautiful hommage to family. I admired the job of Georgann Johnson and Vlasta Vrana, the social problem about women educational and political rights, I accepted the dose of high unrealism of situations and a Boston as frame for family events, so far by Cororado Springs. Short, just Dr. Quinn.

In the last TV movie after the series had ended on CBS, Dr. Quinn and family travel by train to Boston to visit her mother. Surprises were in store for each of them, especially Michaela and Brian.

Upon arriving, the family learns of Mrs. Quinn's illness, which she was trying to keep hidden from her doctor daughter. Sully meets with the President of the United States, U.S. Grant, and Brian is hired as a columnist for the Boston Globe.

This feature length episode is a great way to end the series, with a good storyline that stays fresh like the series had for many seasons. If this film had been released theatrically, it could have been a hit, but then again, you never know.

I have seen the entire series and enjoyed it a great deal, but several things bothered me about this movie. I liked some scenes, primarily those involving Elizabeth Quinn, the grandmother.

Since I give the movie a low rating, I will explain why, without any spoilers: First, it is entirely set in Boston, so we see none of our old friends from Colorado Springs. As for the plot, several things seemed impossible or highly implausible. Events that should have taken weeks or possibly months occurred too fast, including a voyage across the Atlantic. And how was it possible to send a message to France in just a day? Marconi had not yet invented the wireless system and telegraphs couldn't be sent across the ocean without that technology. The plot included several paper-thin sequences, including attempted murder (with no credible motivation for such a drastic move) and a sudden medically unexpected death (and no attempt to explain it). Furthermore, I felt uncomfortable with what felt like a glorification of the Quinn women, Michaela and Colleen. Then the glorification of Brian at his new job (which by the way contradicted the naval career he had in the Christmas Carol episode, where Michaela saw the future). I liked it much better when the family had to strive hard for everything. I didn't feel any heart-wrenching challenge in this movie, despite the male-bias at Harvard Medical School that confronted Colleen and despite the discord with old Doctor Cook, Andrew's father (by the way, that contradicts the final TV episode, where Andrew said his parents were dead, and that's why they couldn't come to Colorado for his wedding with Colleen). Brian wore make-up to look older, which looked absurd. Sully wore an obvious and ugly wig of long hair.

The show Dr. Quinn brought family entertainment back to television. How many crime/law/sit-com shows do we need? This was a show that was family entertainment at its most basic level. The entire family could sit down and watch it without having to shield the young ones eyes. It taught elementary lessons that we still face today, but made it just a little more interesting for us to watch. I am still bitter that CBS canceled the show. And so are lots of viewers. Why do you think they continued the story after cancellation with t.v. movies? We need shows like that for our families to watch and love. It had heart and was one of the best shows ever on television. I'm glad that they have had movies to follow up the story. Thank goodness for this family show and thank God for Dr. Quinn!

Jane Seymour brought out a lot of the truths about our Native American relatives by her portrayal of Dr. Quinn. The producers also added a lot by using a lot of the natural Native American language in a lot of the scenes showing the Indians and a lot of conversations between Indian brothers and sisters. Dr. Quinn's willingness to teach what she knew to backwards taught people, like the local people of old Colorado Springs back in the 1880's. Jake Butcher, the local so called doctor before Dr. Quinn showed up, was a real inspiration of what he saw as a youth growing up and being the towns physician at that time.

Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, was a wholesome inspiring show that gave us a program that could be viewed and enjoyed by many. It saddens me that our television of today is so corrupt with foul language and nudity and explosive violence. Good shows that are needed are now a thing of the past. Maybe a writer/producer will some day bring back another television show that helps others by teaching things of the past.