Judy
Arnold- New York Back to the Beginning The quality and depth of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman’s body of work made it nearly impossible to choose a favorite episode. It was like selecting a favorite song or movie when so many could fill that role depending on my mood. Among my favorites are the episodes that marked milestones in Michaela and Sully’s relationship, those that prompted me to learn more about the Cheyenne, those that made me think in fresh ways about issues, such as Eye for an Eye or One Nation, episodes that touched a personal chord such as Remember Me or even one that just made me laugh like Traveling All Stars. It was a daunting task to select a favorite among the rich tapestry that wove the series together. But, choose I must, so I sought inspiration at the beginning. The Pilot initially grabbed hold of me and didn’t let go, enriching many aspects of my life in ways that continue today. That first episode was a wonderful introduction to the world of Colorado Springs and to characters I would come to love and find difficult to let go of, even to this day. With its dusty streets and gritty texture, the Pilot espoused messages of perseverance, tolerance, love, justice and community, themes that would come to define Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman for me. It also introduced me to two of the most compelling lead characters on television, brought together a new family, and ignited the initial spark in what would become the best romance on television. For all these reasons, the Pilot stands out for me as my favorite episode of the series. All facets, the writing, acting, and directing, worked in harmony to create a truly stunning work of art. Fresh from the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill, Michaela Quinn stepped off the stagecoach onto the muddy streets of Colorado Springs determined to become the town’s doctor. Her strength, independence, and spirit were like beacons of light to this young professional woman working in a male dominated environment. I identified with her struggle to succeed in a man’s world and to the sacrifices she made in her personal life to become a doctor. I cheered as she stood her ground when the Reverend tried to send her back to Boston. I admired how she persistently sought out patients wherever she could, even if that meant treating a pig. Perhaps her best characteristic was standing up for what was right to the point of rushing out in front of a charging Army to protect the Cheyenne, who had helped her search for Brian when he was lost. It was inspiring to have a strong, professional woman in a lead role on television and Michaela Quinn spoke to me like no fictional character ever had before or since. Michaela’s independent spirit and strong sense of justice were traits I admired and have tried to emulate in my own life. She judged people by their character, not the color of their skin, their occupation or their lifestyle. Whether it was Robert E., one of Hank’s girls, the Cheyenne, or an enigmatic mountain man with a wolf for a companion, Michaela treated each one with respect, compassion and dignity. She offered a strong message of tolerance that is needed even more today than when the Pilot first aired. As if moving to the frontier to establish a medical practice as a woman wasn’t hard enough, Michaela was given an even bigger challenge. After her best friend died from a rattlesnake bite, Michaela kept her promise to raise Charlotte’s three children. At the time I was a single woman who, like Michaela, defined myself by my job. Work was the most important aspect of my life. I couldn’t imagine suddenly having to raise three children alone. Thus, I empathized with Michaela when she took on the responsibility and then seemed to panic when she realized she didn’t have any idea how to raise children. She even wrote her mother for advice, something that wasn’t easy for her to do. The Pilot stands out because it established the foundation for how Michaela and the Cooper children would learn and grow together, eventually becoming a loving family. Sully intrigued me from the beginning. His quiet strength and compassion combined with his pain and outsider status made him a compelling character. I was captivated from the moment he threw the tomahawk at the “No Dogs or Indians” sign in the mercantile. From the glances he and Michaela exchanged, they were captivated by each other as well. Those looks sparked one of the all time great television romances. The scene in the tepee, when Sully placed his poncho over Michaela’s shoulders, hooked me completely. From that moment on, I couldn’t wait to see how this relationship would evolve. Sully’s portrayal of the lingering effect of grief was also incredibly powerful. Too often television resolves a tragedy in a single hour. A character dies and by the next episode all is well again. In the Pilot, Sully was still grieving the death of his wife and child. This realistic depiction of grief struck a chord in me because a couple of years earlier I had lost my mother. She was my best friend and when the show aired I still missed her terribly. When Sully first took Michaela to see his old homestead, he avoided moving toward it, as if the distance protected him from being engulfed by painful memories. Later, when Michaela asked Sully if Brain would be all right, he answered, “there’s no way of really knowin’.” He knew bad things happened and, while we hope for the best, there really is no way of knowing how life is going to turn out. Sully’s pain was genuine and it moved me deeply. In the Pilot Sully began to find a light out of his pain. Despite his best efforts to wall off his emotions, he was drawn toward Michaela and the children and seemed to want a connection to a family again. After Chief Black Kettle gave Dr. Mike her Cheyenne name and Sully was about to leave to return to the woods, there was longing in his eyes. After walking away he glanced back at Michaela and the children almost as if he didn’t want to leave. For me it was this attention to detail throughout the episode that elevated it to a stellar two hours of drama. The Pilot also stands out for me in its portrayal of Native Americans. Like most American schoolchildren my first introduction to images of Native Americans were of the first Thanksgiving. Later, I was taught that the Indian Wars were a necessary mission to extend the march of progress to the West. We weren’t taught about the unique Native American tribes and their cultures. Nor were we taught about Sand Creek, Washita, Wounded Knee, and many of the other massacres the Native peoples endured in the name of westward expansion. The Pilot dared to tell the story of the Cheyenne as it had never been told on television before. Even more impressive was the use of real historical figures such as Colonel Chivington and Chief Black Kettle and an actual event in Cheyenne history. Though the timeline of Sand Creek was altered to fit the fictional universe, the event was depicted with historical accuracy. The use of Cheyenne spoken and sign language added the grace notes that elevated the episode to a higher level. Never before had a television show propelled me to “read more about it” as they say. The Pilot ignited a curiosity in me that is evident today by the volumes of books in my home on the Cheyenne. The
final scene is one of my favorites from the entire series
because it represented the power of love and hope for
the future. On this Christmas Eve, as Michaela coaxed
the children into singing Christmas carols, they were
becoming a family. The exclamation point was Brian’s desire
to call Michaela, “Ma.” The family picture
was completed by the arrival of Sully. I always thought
the gift of a wolf pup to Brian was in some way related
to the comfort Sully received from Wolf after he lost his
family. And the gift of the shingle for Michaela was perfect,
complete with her Cheyenne name. Sully was at his most
vulnerable in this scene as he tentatively began to reach
out again after a long period of grief. Once again, when
he was about to leave, that longing look returned. This
time Michaela asked him to stay. The final image of everyone
around the table exuded warmth and love. Michaela was finally
feeling at home in Colorado Springs with a new family and
a new special friend. I was eager for the story to continue
and through the years I wasn’t disappointed.
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