Seventh season starts picking up scalpels again for a new round of aches, pains, romances, jealousies and assorted other problems that flood the corridors of San Francisco Memorial. In the first of a two-part episode, T.J. tackles his first artificial heart transplant. And who's that lying flat on his back awaiting the surgery? Good ol' Hoyt Axton, in a guest role. A cardiac patient who cannot risk the wait for a human heart tries his only chance, an artificial pump. As Trapper John (Pernell Roberts) prepares for his first artificial heart transplant, Gonzo (Gregory Harrison) helps him out with a personal matter, playing host to his pushy Aunt Mo (Pat Carroll). In the process he meets a beautiful doctor, Fran Brennan (Andrea Marcovicci). On part one of the season premiere of Trapper John, M.D.

Administrator Hackett (Janis Paige) refuses to hire a flashy medevac doctor. TJ. and Gonzo can't understand her reluctance until one day a secret from the man's past is revealed. The seat-of-the-pants operator of a helicopter medical-evacuation service lands with a patient in the hospital parking lot.