American Scandal The Plague of San Francisco | Duty and Truth | 3
Sep 30, 2025
In a gripping narrative, Dr. Joseph Kinyoun battles to bring the plague crisis in San Francisco to public attention, facing political resistance from Governor Gage. The episode highlights his determination to speak the truth, even as he is sidelined by powerful figures. Dr. Rupert Blue emerges, gaining trust in Chinatown and grappling with the dire consequences of suspended sanitation measures. As infections spread, the stakes rise, showcasing the interplay of public health and politics during a chaotic epidemic.
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Kinyoun's Fall From Grace
- Dr. Joseph Kinyoun frantically searches his lab and loses his ladder while hunting autopsy records to convince an independent commission of plague evidence.
- His career collapses as colleagues avoid him and politics overrides scientific truth.
Politics Trumps Public Health
- Governor Henry Gage treats the plague report as an economic threat and seeks to suppress it through media and political pressure.
- He mobilizes newspaper editors and business delegates to bury the commission's findings for California's financial reputation.
Federal Self-Preservation
- Surgeon General Walter Wyman chooses to bury the commission's report to avoid political fallout and preserve federal relationships.
- He arranges Kinyoun's reassignment to sideline the whistleblower and protect institutional reputation.
