The Big Goodbye (episode)
Captain Picard and some of the Enterprise crew get stuck on the holodeck while on their way to an important diplomatic mission.

Summary

Teaser

The  is en route to a meeting with the Jarada on a diplomatic mission. Captain Picard has been appointed by Starfleet to attempt to establish a relationship with them; however, the captain must recite their complicated greeting to them, in their native tongue, without any errors, or otherwise the meeting will fail. The captain and Deanna Troi have been practicing the speech in his ready room for hours. Troi says that the captain should take a break and suggests trying out the new holodeck upgrades. Picard's face brightens when he remembers that he's been looking forward to trying out the new Dixon Hill holodeck program. Troi tells the captain that the program has been installed and is waiting. After entering the holodeck, Picard is impressed by the upgrades. He is met by a lady, Mrs. Jessica Bradley, in Dixon Hill's office, who claims someone is trying to kill her – Picard has been hired.

Act One
Bradley briefs Dixon on her predicament. As she leaves his office, Bradley takes Dixon Hill's business card with her and kisses Picard, leaving lipstick on his upper lip. Picard turns to the window, and notices automobiles outside, a fascinating sight to him. He leaves the simulation for the time being. Just as he is leaving the holodeck, a Mr. Leech knocks on the door, and opens it, to find, to his surprise, that the captain has "vanished". 

Picard calls a meeting in the observation lounge with all the senior staff to discuss the Jarada mission. Before starting, though, he marvels at the holodeck upgrades, and invites Dr. Crusher to accompany him next time, along with Mr. Whalen, a 20th century historian. After Dr. Crusher removes Jessica Bradley's lipstick off Picard's lips, the conversation quickly turns to the Jarada, where Riker starts the briefing, noting the requirement that Picard perfectly enunciate the greeting for a successful outcome. Lieutenant Commander Data further emphasizes this, starting to mention in detail the last Federation attempt twenty years ago, much to the captain's annoyance and ends the meeting since he has seen it enough. 

Data and Geordi La Forge discuss Dixon Hill after the meeting in a corridor and compare him to Sherlock Holmes. This intrigues Data, and he decides to look up every piece of literature on Dixon Hill in the ship's computer on the bridge. He then decides he should accompany the captain and Whalen on their holodeck excursion. The three enter holodeck 3.

Act Two

Kitted out in full '40s-style clothing, they arrive in the middle of a busy San Francisco street. Data almost immediately attracts attention by not being "from around here", and Picard claims that Data is from South America, to which a near-by newspaper seller responds "Yeah, he's got a nice tan!". Reading a newspaper, Picard notes that Jessica Bradley has been murdered, and he feels sorry that he couldn't do anything to stop it, despite Whalen's remark that she's only a character from a story. Two police officers arrive, and accuse Picard of Jessica's murder, since she had his business card on her. 

Back on the bridge, the Jarada send out a long-range probe, and commence scanning the Enterprise, disrupting the ship's systems momentarily, including causing the holodeck's doors to open and close repeatedly. The Jarada then attempt to communicate with the Enterprise, more specifically with the captain, but they are offended to hear that only Commander Riker, a subordinate, is available to speak to them. He tells La Forge to go find the captain on the holodeck. 

Dr. Crusher enters the holodeck, with some difficulty, but thinks nothing of it. She meets up with Whalen and Data in the lobby of a police station. Data confuses her with his newly-learned '40s accent. Dr. Crusher seems excited by the idea of her shipmates being "on ice" and wants to know why they're not all being interrogated. In a back room of the station, Picard is being "grilled" by the two officers, Dan Bell and McNary, and loving every minute of it. 

Outside the holodeck, La Forge has arrived and discovered a problem with the holodeck controls and cannot locate the captain or the rest of the team inside.

Act Three
Wesley Crusher and Commander Riker leave the bridge and join La Forge outside the holodeck to try to solve the problem. Meanwhile, inside the holodeck, Picard realizes he's got to be getting back to the bridge soon for the greeting of the Jarada. He manages to worm his way out of the interrogation and leaves the room. Back in the station foyer, Dr. Crusher is getting some unwanted attention from a desk sergeant. She's distracted from him by Picard's return, and they both look at each other for a lingering moment. At her request, they all head back to Dixon Hill's office before leaving the holodeck. However, Leech is waiting for them when they arrive, and he pulls a gun on them. 

Back on the other side of the holodeck doors, Wesley and La Forge are searching for the problem. Wesley proposes the problem started with the Jaradan probe, which may prove difficult to fix. Yar communicates from the bridge, saying they have arrived in the Jaradan sector, and that there has been no further communication from Torona IV, so Riker decides to wait. 

Leech continues to detain the crew members and demands to know what Picard has done with a certain "object" Dixon Hill was hired to find. Whalen acts tough in front of Leech, and Leech fires a shot at him. Whalen falls backwards, and initially everyone thinks he's just acting. But everyone is shocked as Whalen is genuinely bleeding and turning pale; the holodeck safety protocols that prevent injuries must have been deactivated by the Jarada scan. Dr. Crusher rushes forward to tend to him.

Act Four
Crusher announces Whalen is suffering from massive internal injuries and that if he isn't taken to the sickbay immediately, he will die. When Leech comes closer, Picard rushes at him, knocks the gun out of his hand and punches him, letting him run out of the office. The captain then tries to call for the holodeck exit, with no response. Data goes to try another exit point, but to no avail: the computer is not responding to their commands. On the bridge, the Enterprise has arrived at Torona IV already, without resolving the holodeck problems. Riker announces to the repair team that they're running out of time before the greeting will be expected to be given to the Jarada. 

Back in the holodeck, Dr. Crusher is struggling to keep Whalen alive while Picard and Data search in vain for a solution from their side. At that moment, Leech returns with a thug and a large man announcing himself as Cyrus Redblock. Redblock proceeds to look around Dixon's office, searching for "the object". He tries to get Whalen removed from the room, but Picard objects. Leech strikes Picard on the face with his gun, cutting his mouth. 

Officer McNary walks into the office at that moment and is surprised to find Cyrus Redblock and his cronies there, too. He's quickly disarmed by the thug. Redblock then notices Data and asks where he comes from. Picard decides to reveal where they all came from, but Leech is unconvinced. Data then exacerbates the situation by revealing that none of the others' characters are actually real, a comment that seems to enrage Leech. Redblock wants to test Picard's theory by shooting one of them. He instructs Leech to shoot Dr. Crusher.

Act Five
Just before Leech pulls the trigger, Picard says that he has the item. Redblock is intrigued and calls off Leech. Picard then tries to bargain with Redblock to try to save Whalen. Back on the bridge, Commander Riker attempts to contact the Jarada, only to receive an earful of angry insectoid-buzzing sounds in return. Hoping for better luck with the holodeck controls, he contacts La Forge and Wesley. Wesley comments that the problem can be fixed, but if it is not done properly, the holoprogram could abort and everyone inside the holodeck could vanish. Riker gives the order to proceed with the repair. 

Inside the holodeck, the Enterprise crew members are trying to explain their situation to Redblock and his team, however there are problems with the vocabulary. Leech is getting ever more edgy and demands that he should be allowed to kill Data. At that moment, the holodeck scenery changes to a windy, snowy alien environment, much to the astonishment of the holodeck characters. Just as suddenly, the group are returned to the office, still shell-shocked by the sudden change. The holodeck exit appears and opens, revealing the Enterprise corridor. Picard remarks to Redblock and Leech that that is the way into their world. 

Redblock and Leech decide to attempt to leave the holodeck but dematerialize just outside the doors. Data takes the remaining thug's gun and bends the gun  with his fingers before knocking him out with one blow; Data then picks up Whalen and takes him to sickbay, accompanied by Dr. Crusher. Lt. McNary, who has befriended Picard throughout the episode, realizes the possibility that his own reality is in doubt. He asks Picard, "When you've gone, will this world continue to exist? Will my wife and kids still be waiting for me at home?" Picard responds with the only honest answer he can find "I don't know...". Picard then rushes to the bridge, where he recites the greeting perfectly, much to the relief of everyone on board. The Enterprise then leaves Torona IV.

Log entries 
 Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2364
 Captain's personal log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)
 First officer's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)
 Ship's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)

Memorable quotes
"What a language!"
"But you spell knife with a "k"."
"I spell "knife" with an "n". But then, I never could spell."
 - Picard and Troi, discussing the complexity of the Jaradan language

"I lost a bet."
 - Picard, explaining his Starfleet uniform to a bemused holodeck character

"You'll have to call again; I was just leaving. I'm uhh... not dressed properly."
 - Picard, in response to a knock at Dixon's office door

"The sense of reality was absolutely incredible! When that woman kissed me, it was so..."
"Exciting?"
"Real!"
 - Picard, after getting kissed by Jessica Bradley on the holodeck, and Beverly Crusher

"Hey, Dix! How's tricks?"
"Oh, she's fine. Fine."
 - Vendor greeting Picard, who doesn't understand 1940s vernacular

"Hiya Doc. What's cookin'?"
"Y'know, I had some trouble getting through. Where's Captain Picard?"
"He's on ice."
"Pardon?"
"He's being grilled."
"What is he, a fish?"
"He's being interrogated. They think he committed a murder."
 - Data, Dr. Crusher, and Whalen

"And when I looked down into the street, I actually saw automobiles!"
"Auto-mobiles?!"
 - Picard and Worf, discussing automobiles

"Often a prime ingredient in teenage mating rituals."
"Teenage mating rituals?"
 - Data and Wesley Crusher, discussing automobiles

"If on the other hand, the captain makes even the slightest error."
"The captain is well aware of the gravity of the situation, Commander." 
"We are all aware of the tape of the last starship to come into contact with them. It graphically demonstrates what happened when that captain offended them."
"Captain Picard is familiar with that, Data."
"Should we not rerun it?"
 - Data and Troi.

"Why would the Captain not want to review all available information on the subject?"
"Data, when you've seen the Jaradan react once, you don't ever have to see it again."
 - Data and La Forge.

"I can't communicate with them; I can't access the program and I can't open the doors."
 - La Forge

"You better not leave town!"
"If I leave town, the town leaves with me."
 - Lt. Dan Bell and Picard

"But... they're not real!"
 - Whalen, after being shot with holographic bullets by Felix Leech

"I am NOT Dixon Hill! I just look like Dixon Hill!"
"He speaks the truth, sir. From your point of view, he is only a facsimile, a knock-off, a cheap imitation..."
"...thank you, Mr. Data."
 - Picard and Data

"If you are going to go through yourself, sir that is not possible."
"One look at you, sir is proof that anything is possible."
 - Data and Cyrus Redblock

"So, Data, How was It?"
"It was raining in the city by The Bay. A hard rain. Hard enough to wash the slime.""
"Data."
"Sorry, sir."
 - Geordi, Data, and Picard

"Helm, take us out of orbit. And Mr. La Forge?"
"Yes sir?"
(with gangster accent) "Step on it."
 - Picard and La Forge

 Background information 
 Production history 
 First draft story outline:  (Creating the Next Generation)
 Revised final draft script:  
 Filmed: 19 October 1987 – 27 October 1987
 Score recorded at Paramount Stage M:  
 Premiere airdate: 
 UK premiere airdate (on BBC2): 

 Story 
 The basic premise of this episode was conceived by Gene Roddenberry, who suggested doing a detective story on the holodeck. It was writer Tracy Tormé, however, who added numerous  references in the script, being a fan of the genre. The events of the Dixon Hill program as depicted on the holodeck were a homage to the 1941 film . Cyrus Redblock was based on the character of Kasper Gutman, played by , and Felix Leech was based on 's Joel Cairo. Director Joseph L. Scanlan noted that Picard's office was a homage to 's office in the film, with a similar window and venetian blinds being used. (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages)
 The character of Dixon Hill was originally named "Dixon Steele", as a homage to Tormé's favorite Bogart movie (), but it had to be changed because it too closely resembled the name of the protagonist of the then-successful series . ()
 The title of this episode would seem to be a composite of the  books  and , featuring iconic detective .

 Cast and characters 
 In a  online review, Wil Wheaton gave this episode an "A". He remarked, "We'd done 12 episodes before this, which is half a season, and this one was our favorite to shoot at the time. There isn't an actor in the world who doesn't love playing a period piece, and I think our real joy in filming 'The Big Goodbye' cascaded into our performances. As actors, we're clearly enjoying ourselves, so our characters feel relaxed and unselfconscious (Except for me, of course, but I was supposed to be nervous and self-conscious in this one.) It's a subtle change from some of the earlier episodes, but this is one of the very first times where the audience could really feel the actors – and therefore their characters – coming together and settling in." 
 Gregory Itzin mentioned in an interview that he was originally cast in this episode (apparently as McNary) but elected to do an episode of  instead. He acknowledged that "The Big Goodbye" is now considered a "classic" and regretted turning down the episode. Itzin went on to appear in several other roles. 
 This episode includes multiple on-screen performers who later reappeared in Star Trek. These include: Lawrence Tierney as Regent of Palamar in ; Dick Miller as Vin in  and ; Mike Genovese as Zef'No in ; William Boyett as a policeman in ; and Erik Cord as a stunt double in  and .
 This episode was the first Star Trek appearance of David Selburg, who later appeared in , , and .
 Rhonda Aldrich portrayed Dixon Hill's secretary, , for the first time here. She reprised that part in the episodes  and .
 This episode also marked the first on-screen appearance of regular background actor, stand-in, and body double Guy Vardaman.

 Sets and props 
 This episode marks the third appearance of the silver  starship model in TNG. The other two are  and . Just like in the last instance, this model is seen in the ready room.
 The boxing poster of the boxers DeWaay and  was re-used in the  episode .

 Production 

 Rob Bowman was initially set to direct this episode, but the episode was given to Joe Scanlan at the last minute when problems emerged in producing  and the two episodes were switched in production order. ()
 Tormé and Scanlan together suggested filming the 1940s scenes in black and white. Rick Berman and Robert Justman disagreed, arguing that the holodeck could not change the appearance of the crew. () The Captain Proton program, seen in several episodes of , later indeed showed characters in black and white, however, Voyager was a more advanced ship.
  is listed as the author of the Dixon Hill stories, as seen on a computer screen. The text from the actual stories is from three books:
 The Listening Man, by , published in 1924.
 Dangerous Ground, by Francis Sill Wickware, published in 1946.
 and a fictional detective magazine called National Detective Gazette that came with the 1980s computer game The Witness. The illustrations are from various Star Trek books published by FASA.
 As noted in the , budget restrictions prevented the Jarada from appearing on screen. Tormé was disappointed, because he had developed a hive mind culture for the aliens. The script of the episode describes them as "wasp-like; black and yellow, with pointed insectile features and waving black antennae." 
 The scenes in the 1941 holographic San Francisco were filmed on Paramount Pictures' New York Street backlot. (Energized! Taking The Next Generation to the Next Level, TNG Season 1 Blu-ray special feature)

 Music 
 The song "Out of Nowhere", by Edward Heyman and Johnny Green, can be heard playing aptly in Dixon Hill's office block as Picard enters the holodeck for the first time. This was suggested by Robert Justman. () Dennis McCarthy arranged the version heard in the episode, which appears on Disc One of the Star Trek: The Next Generation Collection, Volume One.
 The episode's score, composed by Dennis McCarthy, was recorded on , at Paramount Stage M. 

 Continuity 
 This episode marks the first – of many – holodeck malfunction episodes in Star Trek. At one point, this episode had been scheduled for production after . If this had indeed happened, the computer modifications of the Bynars would have served to explain the holodeck malfunctions in this episode. ()
 This episode is the first time when holodeck characters become aware that they are holograms.
 The illustrations of the characters for the Dixon Hill series are from FASA-based materials. Some of these illustrations are of canonical Star Trek characters: Phillip Green, Harry Mudd, Zefram Cochrane, Ilia, Cyrano Jones, Richard Daystrom, Sarek, and Garth. 
 One of the headlines Captain Jean-Luc Picard reads is "DiMaggio streak reaches 37." According to the , DiMaggio reached that number on 25 June 1941.
 The unnamed baseball player who broke Joe DiMaggio's record for longest consecutive game hitting streak was later revealed, in , as Harmon "Buck" Bokai of the London Kings.
 Picard accesses the Dixon Hill holodeck program again in later episodes  and  as well as in the film .
 Cyrus Redblock and Felix Leech do not begin to disappear until they have completely exited the holodeck. Subsequent episodes, such as  and , make it clear that a holographic character or object will disappear immediately upon passing beyond the range of holographic projectors. This also means the lipstick on Picard's cheek should have disappeared, either gradually or immediately, after leaving the holodeck.
 This is the only episode that briefly shows Tasha Yar in command on the bridge.
 This is also the only time that any holodeck is shown to have two entrances; while Wesley Crusher is working at the entrance Picard and the others entered, Cyrus Redblock obviously leaves the holodeck through another hatch.
 This is the second episode where a potential romance between Captain Picard and Dr. Beverly Crusher is hinted at or explored. The pilot () establishes their non-romantic history,  is the first to establish their potential romantic relationship, and this episode confirms that there is a romantic interest while in a sober state ("The Naked Now" romance happens under the influence).

 Reception 
 "The Big Goodbye" won the George Foster Peabody Award for excellence in television broadcasting in . This episode was the first hour-long drama to win a Peabody Award in that category. (Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Continuing Mission, p. 62)
 For this episode, William Ware Theiss won an Emmy Award in the category Outstanding Costume Design for a Series in . Edward R. Brown received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Cinematography for a Series.
 TV Guide, however, criticized the episode as being too derivative of , which concerned a planetary culture based on 1920s gangland Chicago. Tracy Tormé dismissed such criticisms as being based merely on the appearance of "three-piece suits." ()
 Producer Maurice Hurley described this episode as being like a "breath of fresh air." He explained, "It was just fun to do. It's got humor and life to it. The thing is that Star Trek can't brood. If it broods, it gets self-important and self-indulgent and preachy, like it has a tendency to do if it's not careful. But if it has some life to it, some humor, then it just jumps up and flies. It's different, but absolutely locked in the Star Trek format. Everything in there worked." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages)
 A mission report for this episode, by Will Murray, was published in .
 Among the items which were sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay was the hat for the double of Brent Spiner, a gray fedora with black trim. 

 Video and DVD releases 
 Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 6, catalog number VHR 2397, 
 UK re-release (three-episode tapes, Paramount Home Entertainment): Volume 1.4, catalog number VHR 4645, 
 As part of the TNG Season 1 DVD collection
 As part of the Region 1 release of the Star Trek: The Next Generation - Jean-Luc Picard Collection As part of the TNG Season 1 Blu-ray collection

 Links and references 
 Starring 
 Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard
 Jonathan Frakes as Commander William T. Riker

 Also starring 
 LeVar Burton as Lt. Geordi La Forge
 Denise Crosby as Lt. Tasha Yar 
 Michael Dorn as Lt. Worf
 Gates McFadden as Doctor Beverly Crusher 
 Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi
 Brent Spiner as Lt. Commander Data
 Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher 

 Guest stars 
 Lawrence Tierney as Cyrus Redblock
 Harvey Jason as Felix Leech
 William Boyett as Dan Bell
 David Selburg as Whalen
 Gary Armagnac as McNary

 Co-starring 
 Mike Genovese as Desk Sergeant
 Dick Miller as Vendor (aka "Mac")
 Carolyn Allport as Jessica Bradley

 Featuring 
 Rhonda Aldrich as 
 Erik Cord as Thug

 Uncredited co-stars 
 James G. Becker as Youngblood
 Dan Campise as
 Operations officer
 Police officer
 Dexter Clay as operations officer
 Jeffrey Deacon as command officer
 Susan Duchow as operations officer
 James McElroy as operations officer
 Nora Leonhardt as sciences ensign
 Lorine Mendell as Diana Giddings
 Susan Raborn as operations officer
 Richard Sarstedt as command lieutenant
 Guy Vardaman as San Francisco citizen
 Unknown performers as
 Cleaning lady
 Command crewmember
 Command officer
 Female  computer voice
 Female sciences officer
 Jaradan voice
 Police secretary
 Three civilians
 Three operations crewmembers
 Three sciences crewmembers
 "Toots"
 Twenty-five San Francisco citizens
 Two command crewmembers
 Two police officers

 Stand-ins and photo doubles 
 James G. Becker – stand-in for Jonathan Frakes
 Darrell Burris – stand-in for LeVar Burton
 Dexter Clay – stand-in for Michael Dorn
 Jeffrey Deacon – stand-in for Patrick Stewart
 Susan Duchow – stand-in for Denise Crosby
 Nora Leonhardt – stand-in for Marina Sirtis
 Tim McCormack – stand-in for Brent Spiner
 Lorine Mendell – stand-in for Gates McFadden
 Guy Vardaman – stand-in for Wil Wheaton/ hand double for Brent Spiner

 References 
20th century; 1924; 1931; 1934; 1936; 1941; 1944; 1946; 2026; 2344; .45 automatic; "a bit"; AD; access code; alcohol; "all right"; Amazing Detective Stories; American flag; amusement; anomaly; apparatus; ashtray; assistant; "at a loss"; "at last"; "at least"; "at the time"; automobile; balcony; baseball; bellboy suit; bi-converter interface; bicycle; blinds; blonde; blood; body; ; book; ; bottle; bow tie; boxing; ; briefing; bridge; British; brunette; building; business; business card; "but then"; c-note; Cadillac Series 61; California; car; carpet; case; chair; chance; character; chat; chewing gum; childhood; choice; cigarette; Cleveland; Cleveland Indians; coat rack; Colt Detective Special; "come on"; ; computer; ; contact; cooking; cop; copyright; couch; "cut you loose"; dance; date; day; deal; ; desk sergeant; desktop monitor; destiny; detective; De Soto S-11; device; diplomatic mission; Dixon Hill series; ; door; ; dream; earring; Earth; environment; ; Esky; exit; expense; experience; explanation; facsimile; Fairmont Hotel; feather; Federation; Federation starship (2344); Federation starship captain; fee; feeling; fiction; fiction expert; file; filing cabinet; fire hydrant; fish; "for the moment"; friend; French language; "from the top"; fun; funny farm; Galaxy class decks; game; gangster; garbage (trash); genre; ghost; "good day"; greeting; grilling; gun; hailing frequency; hall; Halloween; hat; hatching; heart; hero; ; historian; ; ; Holodeck 3; holodeck repair tools; Holodeck safety protocol; home; horse; hour; hurler; illusion; image; imitation; immorality; "in advance"; information; ingredient; insect; insect-like; intercom; internal bleeding; interrogation; Jarada; Jarada contact; Jaradan language; Jaradan probe; Jaradan sector; Jaradan sector planet; jewelry; Kaferian; "keep your nose cleaned"; knife; knowledge; kiss; Latin language; LCARS; leg; light; lighter; Lincoln-Zephyr; lipstick; Livingston; location; London; London Kings; ; "look what the cat dragged in"; Lord Halifax; lover; "Mac"; madam; make-up; manhole; manners (etiquette); mathematical operation; mating ritual; matter-energy conversion; ; McNary's kids; meeting; memory; midnight; millimeter; mistake; mister; model; modus operandi; money; moonlighting; mop; morning; murder; ; name; necktie; newsstand; newspaper; ; night; novel; NRA; number one; object; observation lounge; obsession; "of course"; office; "oh well"; Omicron Theta; "on ice"; "on the other hand"; "on your mind"; "Out of Nowhere"; page; painting; pallor; partner; passage; ; permission; place; plan; pleasure; "point of view"; police; Powell Street; Precinct 12; price; private investigator (aka private dick); program; pronunciation; proof; prostitution; pulp magazine; pulse; purse; ; ready room; reality; recreation; rendezvous; retainer; ring; risk; rocketry; room; ; sailor; San Francisco; San Francisco Bay; scotch; shortstop; skill; "slime"; smell; smoking; snow; snowstorm; socialite; sound; South America; speed; standard orbit; Starfleet uniform; status report; stepdaughter; "step on it"; stiff; stockings; story; street; subject; subordinate; subspace message; suggestion; suit; suspenders; "take a break"; "take a gander"; tan; tape; technical manual; teenage; telephone; text; theory; thing; thought; ticket; time; time period; tomorrow; ; Torona IV; "tough guy": town; traffic light; training; transportation; trenchcoat; truism; truth; turbolift; typewriter; umbrella; Union Square; United States; United States dollar; unnamed plants; upgrade; vacation; ; ventilator; viewscreen; virility; VISOR; voice command; water cooler; Walther PP; "wear it well"; "what's cooking": word; working girl; wristwatch; year; "your goose is cooked"

 Library computer references 
 Dixon Hill references: A.M.A. Journal; abnormal psychology; accident; advertisement ("ad"); address book; advice; affair; "after all"; afternoon; agent; air; airplane; alderman; ; Allcroft; alley; Alvano; ambition; Ambrose National; ambulance; America; American; analyst; "and so forth"; Anglo-American National Bank; animal; annoyance; answer; apartment; apology; appointment; Arabia; Arc Radio Laboratories; Arizona; arm; arrest; assignment; "at a time"; "at that point"; "at the time"; August; automobile; Australia; autopsy; autumn; back; badge; bag; ; bandage; bank; bank manager; bank safe; baritone horn; barn; ; barrel; barricade; baseball; bass note; bathrobe; beans; bed; bedroom; beer; ; beneficiary; Berkshire County; best friend; ""; bird; black; blood; blood type; blue; "blue in the face"; Boston; box; Boy Scouts; brain; brass; broad; Broadway; broom; brow; brown; Bud; bugle; bullet; bull terrier; bush; ; bureau; burglar; business hours; ; "by the time"; cable car; cage; Camden City;  camellia; Canadian; cannon; canvas; captain; cannon; capsule; career; ; carriage; "cash money"; cat; ceiling; cell; cellar; Central Park; chauffeur; chapter; check (document); cheek; chemical solution; Chicago; chicken; chief clerk; Chimney Corner; Chinese; Christmas; Christmas card; church; church bell; cigar; cigarette case; circle; circumference; climate; clock; closet; clothes; coat; cocktail; code; coffee table; cold; colleague; "come on"; "come on in"; community; complaint; concert; conclusion; confession; constable; conversation; conviction; copper; cornet; cornetist; corridor; costume; cottage; cotton; country; country club; country doctor; court; courtroom; cow; crime; criminal; criminal lawyer;  criminology; crisis; crocodile; crook; crowd; crying; Cumberland; curb; curiosity; curtain; cyanide poisoning; death; December; defendant; degree; delight; delivery room; derby; Desert of Sahara; desk; desk lieutenant; detective novel; Detroit; device; DeWaay; diamond; dictagraph; dime; dinner (supper); dinner jacket; disappointment; distance; district attorney; ; document; dog; Dolan; doorbell; doorway; downtown; dozen; drawer; dress; dresser; drugstore; dry spell; Duluth County; Dunner; ear; "easy mark"; electric lamp; electric light; elephant; elephant trainer; elevator; elm; emotion; engine; England; English; entertainment; enthusiasm; entrance; Esquire; etiquette; Europe; evening; evidence; "excuse me"; existence; explanation; explosion; eye; eyebrow; face; fact; factory; failure; Fairbridge; Fairmont Hotel; ; ; ; family; "fare thee well"; farmhouse; fatigue; fear; feet (anatomy); feet (measurement); felt; ferryboat; fidelty; Fifth Avenue; fingernail; fingerprint kit; fire; firefighter; fireboat; fire escape; firefighter; fireplace; first name; "first of all"; fishing tackle; fist; flask;  floor; fool; formality; ; "for example"; forefinger; forehead; "for her own sake"; ; "for sale"; ; fortress; fosterage; frame; France; ; French; Fresno; ; friendship; front room;  furniture; gang; garage; Garden City; gesture; Gidding; glove; glucose; God; ; Gold Street; ; "good evening"; "good afternoon"; "good night": gossip; governor; ; Grand Central; granite; gratitude; gray; green; grief; guest; ; gunny sack; gutta-percha; hair; hammer; hand; handcuffs; handshake; happiness; harm; Harvard; ; hat; hatred; haunted house; head; headline; Hendler's Sanitarium; Herald Square; high school; Hilda; hill; History of Medical Psychology; honor; ; horse; horsehair; horse racing; hospital; hostility; hotel; house; "how on earth"; humidor; identity; "if you like"; impression; "in a flash"; income; India; Indiana; Indianapolis; "in fact"; injection; "in love"; innocence; innuendo; insurance; intern; ; intersection; interview; "in the least"; "in the meantime"; intruder; invention; invitation; iron; island; jail; jaw; ; ; job; Johns Hopkins; ; Jorkins; judge; junk; junk dealer; junk heap; junk shop; jury; Kelley; kerosene lamp; kettle; kitchen; Klotz; ; knee; ladder; lampshade;  laughter; ; Lasker; law; lawn; lawyer; Legal Medicine and Toxicology; legislature; letter; library; ; lieutenant; ; life insurance policy; light; lintel; liquor;  ; living room; London; Long Island; Look; luggage; Luna; lunch; lung; MD; Madison Square; magazine; Main Street; Maine; "make head or tail of"; malevolence; Mamie; Mancinelli; ; Manhattan; market; mask; ; Massachusetts; Massachusetts Bar; match; mayor (mayoralty chair);  ; McCall's; McCackin; medical examiner; medical examination; medical staff; Medical View of Psychoanalysis; medicine; memory; mental therapy; mercy; message; Metropolitan; ; mile; minute; ; Monday; month; Montreal; Morse code; ; motor; mouth; "move on"; mud; Mulaney; Mulberry Street; Municipal Arena; ; music; musical note; Mussolini; mystery; N. New Jersey Street; ; native; nature; neck; neighbor; Nellie; nerve; ; New Jersey; New Orleans; New Year's Day; New York; New York City; ; ; New York Yacht; New Zealand; Newsweek; nightstick; north; Northern Valley; nose; note; notebook ("pad"); O'Brien; O'Hagan; oak; Oak Street; Oak Street station; Oakland; ocean liner; offer; "one way or another"; "on my own account": "on the bum"; opinion; order; "out of my mind"; "out of place"; "out of the ordinary"; overalls; owner; oxy-acetylene; oxygen; oxygen tent; page; pain; paint; painting; pajamas; Palazzo Venezia; Palisades; Palo Alto; paper; parade; paralysis; Park Avenue; Park Row; ; passageway; patient; peace; pencil; penitentiary; penny; performance; perfume; perjury; personality; phases of the moon; phone number; phony; phrase; pickpocket; picture; pink; pipe; Pittsfield; pistol; plaster cast; plastico moulage; playing card; Plaza Hotel; pocket; ; poison; police; police code; police department; police force; police officer; police station; pool table; Portland; pot; potassium cyanide; Practical Aspects of Psychoanalysis; prayer;  prediction; prescription; prisoner; privacy;  ; profession; prosecutor; psychiatrist; psychiatry; psychology; Psychopathia Sexualis; puddle; purple; question; radio; radium; rags; railroad; raining; ; rascal; ; RCA Building; RCA Victor; reason; receiving set; reception room; red; registry desk; relationship; religion; renting; repentance; reputation; restaurant; result; retainer; retirement; reward;  rheumatism; river; road; robbery; Robbins; Rockefeller Center; Roman numeral; rope; ; rubber; ; safe; San Francisco Globe; San Francisco Herald; San Francisco Sun; ; sandwich; sanitarium; Saturnalia; scene; seat; second; sentiment; September; series; servant; ; SFPD; shadow; shawl; sheet; ; sheriff; ship builder; shoes; shoulder; shopping; short pants; sidewalk; sign; signature; silence; silk; silver; Sing Sing; sitting; size; skull; sky; skyscraper; slap; sleep; sleeve; slippers;  smile;  ; snoring;  song; soul; specialist; speculation; speech; sofa; solution; spindrift; stairs; star; steel; ; stenographer; stethoscope; stove; ; strength; string; study; stupidity;  (address);  (hotel); summer; sun; Sunday; sunset; surgeon; Sweeney; sword cane; table; tailor; talk; taproom; taxi; tea; teak; tear; Technical Supply Co.; Technique of Analytical Psychotherapy; teeth; telegram; telephone; "tell it to Sweeney and the Marines"; temperature; tenement; tent; testimony; "the whole works"; thief; thinking; Three Contributions to the Theory of Sex; Thursday; ; title; ; Times Square; tire; "to be exact"; Tombs; tomorrow; Totem and Taboo; "to the point"; towel; town; trade; train; training; train station; ; treatment; tree; trial; trick; Trinity Church; trooper; Tuesday; tug; tumor; turban; tweed; Twenty-third Street; twine; Uncle Sam; "under the circumstances": Union League; Union Square; United States Army; United States Congress; United States flag; United States Marines; United States treasury; valley; value; velvet; Vermont; victim; Victorian; Vienna; village; visiting room; visitor; Vogue''; voice; ; "wait a minute": walking stick; wall; wallet; Wall Street; ward; ; water; weather; wedding; Wednesday; week; wheel; ; whistle; white; "white as a sheet"; willow; ; ; ; wind; window; winter; wireless; witness; witness stand; woods; wool; "work like beavers"; World Building; wound; yacht; 
 Illustrations: ; Deltan; Garth; ; ; Kaferian; ; ; Sarek

Script references 
communism; Homicide Squad; ;

External links 
 
 
 
 
 

cs:The Big Goodbye
de:Der große Abschied (Episode)
es:The Big Goodbye
fr:The Big Goodbye (épisode)
ja:宇宙空間の名探偵（エピソード）
nl:The Big Goodbye
Big Goodbye, The
Big Goodbye, The