Chicago Hope: A Goy and His Dog

A Goy and his Dog
Season Five, Episode 17
​Air Date
March 10th, 1999
​
Directed by
Richard E. Gershman

Written By
​Remi Aubuchon

Starring
Alan Arkin
Hector Elizondro
Stacy Edwards

Trivia
Though they do not appear in the same scenes together, Christine Lahti (Leaving Normal) and Mark Harmon (Cold Heaven) also appear.
 

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Tom Van Deusen (Lenny Von Dohlen) believed he was dying of aids. He maxed out his credit cards and told people, including his employer, his true feelings. Jobless and depressed, he tells his therapist, Dr. Aaron Shutt (Alan Arkin), that he doesn't know what to do with himself now that he's going to live. Dr. Shutt relays that what he's feeling isn't all that uncommon. It's called the Lazarus syndrome. Tom replies, "At least with Lazarus, Jesus was involved. I mean, he raised the guy from the dead. Hand-picked him. Me, I don't know why I was spared."  "You don't feel worthy of surviving?" Dr. Shutt asks.  "I don't understand it. A lot of my friends weren't so lucky."

Tom loses his composure after the doctor denies his request for medication to treat what he believes is depression. After the outburst, Dr. Shutt says he will work with him instead of treating him with medication. Tom admits it's not as if he has anything else to do.

One evening, Tom visits his doctor's office late at night after drinking. "You know how I told you I burned some bridges? I did more than that." He confides that his fifth-grade teacher used to ridicule him in front of the class. His education suffered as a result of daily mockery. His teacher offered to tutor him, and it was then that his teacher began molesting him.

Years later, thinking he was dying, Tom confronted his teacher, who pretended nothing had happened. After seeing his former teacher's son, Tom could tell he was being molested as well. He knew the look in his eyes. Tom killed his teacher not only as an act of vengeance. He did it to save the boy as well. Dr. Shutt asks why Tom wasn't considered a suspect if the teacher's wife saw him. "I did her a favor."

The doctor is concerned that his patient sees himself as a hero and tries to tell Tom he will be punished for his actions one way or another. Tom asks if Dr. Shutt is religious, and the doctor says we punish ourselves. Tom says his life has been miserable and he wants it to end. He finally confesses to the police with Dr. Shutt's help. 

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Streaming Availability 

The fifth season of Chicago Hope does not currently appear to be on any streaming platforms in the US. It is available on DVD in the UK and Australia. 

Scenes from the Episode

The footage above is from the same source as the screencaptures below, but its state cannot be helped. After four different attempts, the uploaded video is sadly the best result. 

Episode Stills

  Newspaper Piece

Southern Illinoisan