Faithful fireman Roy (Kevin Tighe) receives great news - he's offered "The Promotion" paramedics clamor for, after passing an engineer's test. This will mean a bigger paycheck for himself and wife Joanne, but it will also mean leaving work partner John (Randolph Mantooth), who fidgets, pats him on the pack, and advises his pal, "Don't do anything foolish. Think about it." Breaking up is hard to do - especially when the Mantooth-Tighe buddy relationship is your TV show's foundation.
As if to illustrate what our heroes do best, the men are called to the scene of "major pile up on the San Diego Freeway." In Southern California this kind of fog usually happens in the morning, not during rush hour. There are several victims to be tended to, with early dramatics focusing on a lifeless little girl pinned under beautiful mother Nancy DeCarl. You are going to want that kid to start breathing. Also look out for Bowery Boy William "Billy" Benedict hyperventilating in his car.
You wouldn't know it from the lack of attention he receives at the accident scene, but the episode's main guest star turns out to be former winter of 1969-70 "Dark Shadows" Leviathan teenager Michael Maitland (as Joel Ferguson). Mr. Maitland receives a second-billing end credit after Tom Simcox (as Brad), who meditated with The Beatles. Playing a kid with a heart murmur, Maitland receives most of the guest story attention, but he isn't on screen much until the second half, unfortunately.
***** The Promotion (11/3/73) Christian I. Nyby II ~ Kevin Tighe, Randolph Mantooth, Michael Maitland, Tom Simcox
