TONIGHT on Murder, She Wrote

TONIGHT ON MURDER, SHE WROTE, Viktor and Petra return to the world of theatre as Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) has her first stage adaptation of one of her books opening directly on Broadway.  Alas, the script is a mess, the actors are terrible, the staging is grade school, and the critics are vicious.  Or maybe everything's great? We'll have to check the most recent draft of the reviews.

When harsh theatre critic Danny O'Mara (Josh DiSanti) is found dead, under the gun-holding frame of even harsher theatre critic Elliot Easterbrook (Dean Stockwell), Jessica has to determine who really did it, as the timing just doesn't match up.  Her former student, and now alcohol-enthusiast playwright Walter Knapf, is suspect, as the production scrambles to use the headlines to its advantage.  

The whodunnit on stage takes a backseat to the who-wouldn't in real life, as Lt. Jarvis (Eugene Roche) and plucky assistant to the dead man (Christopher Norris) help Jessica determine not only the true villain, but how to use a floppy disk! 

Carole Cook, Lloyd Belcher, Rich Little, Penny Santon, and Marilyn Hassett (who shines briefly as a witch) round out the cast of drama queens of DEADPAN. We have notes.

Yeehaw, folks! TONIGHT ON MURDER, SHE WROTE, we're heading to the ro-DE-o! 

SHOWDOWN IN SASKATCHEWAN has our heroine Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) visiting her miserable niece Jill (Kristy McNichol) in Canada; Jill is struggling with her hot but noncommittal horse-rider boyfriend (Patrick Houser) in this unconventional workplace drama.  Indeed, everyone is having issues; the boss (Joe Dorsey) is a skeeve, his mistreated wife (Rosanna DeSot) keeps a stiff upper lip and shawl ready at all times, one rider (Larry Wilcox) is getting aged out of play, and something's awfully curious about that broken-legged manager (Paul Le Mat).  The only one who seems at all happy is the rodeo clown (Terry Kiser), but does greasepaint cover the tears?

When a trailer fire takes someone out, Jessica is nearby to suss out who had the most to gain, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Inspector Roger McCabe (Lance LeGault) gives her a chance to solve the mystery alongside him.  Those Canadians are never giving up the gracious allegations.  We learn the dysfunction runs deep in the rodeo company, with emerging evidence of assumed identities, mismanaged medical records, and secret wives and children — all set to the memorable score of 90s meat propaganda. Viktor and Petra are here to keep things straight in this topsy-turvy episode that makes us all a bit hungry.

TONIGHT ON MURDER, SHE WROTE, you will never look at frozen seafood the same way again.  Touted as JUST ANOTHER FISH STORY, the episode features marine life as weaponry, stolen goods unaccounted for, investor subterfuge, journalistic conflict of interest, and Mr. Sonny Bono!

Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) is back in New York, learning her nephew Grady (Michael Horton) has gone the urban cowboy route, accounting for the latest in trendy country western chic dining house, Alice's Farm.  Oh, and he's engaged! We meet the sweet and nervous Donna (Debbie Zipp), who seems to have an awful lot on her mind.  The restaurant seems to have plenty going on as well, with the staff unable to keep up with the clientele; some of the caviar and lobster tails have gone missing, and Alice (Valerie Landsburg) and her brother Doug (James Carroll Jordan) aren't happy about it.  Likely responsible is the maître d' in leather (Dick Gautier), who ends up dead early enough during Jessica's visit to ensure her involvement in the case.

None too thrilled to have her poking her nose into things is detective-of-the-week Norman Fell, who makes things difficult for Jess and the happy young couple who just want to leave. The cop declares an accounting emergency, forcing them to stay and further learn about how the other handles stress (see: not well, frankly).  Also in for the ride is the divine Brenda Vaccaro, who chews the scenery up like a pro as an opportunistic columnist, Mimi Harcourt, more interested in the murder than the munchies.  A rival restaurateur (Sonny Bono) further spoils the broth as Jessica explores the cutthroat (so to speak) industry of high-end, contemporary New York City cuisine.  Might we suggest a wine?

BENEDICT ARNOLD MAY HAVE SLIPPED HERE, but you almost definitely kept looking for the light switch, sought the perfect chessboard, burnt the beans, and made up stories about whose brooch belongs to whom.  Because that's all gonna happen, TONIGHT ON MURDER, SHE WROTE!

Petra and Viktor are back in Cabot Cove for the final ride of Tom Bosley's Sheriff Tupper!  As Mr. Bosley's chapter comes to a close, he is incensed by an Englishman (Brian Bedford) coming to town to explore a house's connection to (in)famed American traitor Benedict Arnold. 

The visit coincides with the death of the elderly homeowner, for whose will Jessica (Angela Lansbury) is thrust into executing, while the opportunist local antique store owner (Dick O'Neill), the cranky housekeeper (Barbara Cason), the hippie heir (Lois Foraker), and the slutty realtor (Julie Adams) fuss and squabble.  

It becomes increasingly curious what in the house is valuable, and it might all have to do with the ugly artwork on the wall. Grab a mirror, because clues are comin' fast... and backward.

TONIGHT ON MURDER, SHE WROTE, Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) has her chance to meddle with an Italian family. 

The elderly Gambini patriarch (Eli Wallach) is worried about his legacy, as his son (John Saxon) and his wife (Bibi Besch) can't inspire their children to give much a damn about the family business: wine and lots of it! 

When a murder attempt is presumably made against one of the youths (Billy Zane!), the family further worries it’s a hostile takeover. Jessica, along for the ride, is quick to investigate alongside cop of the week (Arlen Dean Snyder) to determine who's next!

Meanwhile, the Italians Italian, the wine flows, and the sexually liberated daughter (Kristian Alfonso) further complicates matters with a stranger (Grant Goodeve) who does all but impress Jessica with his literary knowledge. 

It's A VERY GOOD YEAR FOR MURDER, and Petra and Viktor are ready to, “Saluti!” 

TONIGHT ON MURDER, SHE WROTE, Petra and Viktor head to a house of spies with Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury).

Jessica hears the confession of a dying assassin. Naturally, she makes it her business to investigate, much to the chagrin of the local authorities (Laurence Luckinbill) and the covert special agency that houses a high-risk informant.  Inundated with deception, denial, and efforts to thwart her discovery, she is soon snatched by Internal Affairs (Cliff de Young masquerading as a priest, no less) to go on assignment for them.  It all seems like a PR nightmare.

MURDER THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS gives us intrigue, fabulous belts, and lipstick that isn't actually lipstick.  Mark Shera, Robert Reed, Karen Valentine, and Gregory Sierra all commit to the bit, giving Jessica considerable headaches trying to keep up with their shenanigans, all centered around a tastefully decorated estate.

TONIGHT ON MURDER, SHE WROTE, Petra and Viktor explore the Southern Gothic charm of MOURNING AMONG THE WISTERIAS. 

Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) is visiting her ailing playwright friend Eugene McClenden (Barry Nelson), who seems to be getting progressively sicker as his next drama drones on in production. 

He is surrounded by family (his heir and nephew, Matt McCoy, and his wife, Linda Purl), and business associates (solicitor Elliott Reed, producer Frank Gorshin, and frequent leading lady Lois Nettleton). When one of them ends up dead, Eugene is the prime suspect. After all, he is holding the smoking gun. 

Homicide Captain Rene Auberjonois is on the case to determine who did it, if not Eugene, as it turns out: that wasn't the gun that committed the murder! 

The air is hazy, the sweet tea is poured, and the ant poison is just in reach. Come sit a spell!

If you've ever said to yourself, "This northeastern family drama does not have enough cursed gemstone jewelry," this episode is for you. 

TONIGHT ON MURDER, SHE WROTE, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) and pal Seth (William Windom) are in Maryland to visit his estranged brother Richard (Richard Bradford), newly married to sweet but milquetoast Alice (Jane Windsor), approximately thirty years his junior. 

The family, particularly Richard's moneygrubbing kids (Douglas Barr and Jane Badler), are less than enchanted by the arrangement and are prime suspects when an attempt is made on Alice's life. 

It may be as simple as familial ire. Still, a precious ruby—purported to cause misfortune to all who wear it—is thrown in the mix, casting mystical aspersions and sideways glances to the only nonwhite person in town, Mr. Singh (Kabir Bedi, playing it to the hilt). 

When someone is indeed finally murdered for real this time, Jessica is on the case with puppy-eyed detective of the week Larry Lincoln, who is convinced Jessica is a secret agent. 

There's a lot going on in this relatively simple story of sibling discord, jinxed corundums, exotic cigarettes, and well-timed car exhaust, and Petra and Viktor are here for it. It's THE CURSE OF DANAAV, and it's got its own theme music and everything. 

TONIGHT ON MURDER, SHE WROTE, JB Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) enters SPACE... well, at least exploration via optical instruments on Earth. 

It's HARBINGER OF DEATH, and the stars are aligned for the murder of sexy male secretary Drake Eaton (Steve Ford), potentially tangled up in observatory politics as per his employer: the lamé enthusiast and financially sought-after Madeline DeHaven (Marcia Rodd). 

JB's niece Carrie and her comet-obsessed husband (Kate McNeil and Dean Jones) are implicated when a carelessly discarded scarf places at least one of them at the scene, and a bedroom dalliance may have been at the root of it. 

Throw in a lovelorn assistant behind the eyepiece (Karen Grassle), a cranky boss (Jeffrey Tambor), and yet another skeptical but up-for-it cop (George DiCenzo), and JB has her hands full and her eye on the telescope as things start to shift into focus.

TONIGHT ON MURDER SHE WROTE, Viktor and Petra solve the mystery of all mysteries: WHO THREW THE BARBITALS IN MRS. FLETCHER'S CHOWDER? 

Sheriff Amos Tupper (Tom Bosley) is surprised by his sister, Winnie (Anne Meara), after an altercation with her brutish husband, Elmo (Guy Stockwell).  He soon passes her on to Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) to deal with, much to her chagrin as she's got a deadline, and soon Winnie is set up with Dr. Seth Hazlitt (William Windom) for an evening out.  

When the family comes a-calling to bring her home, she is resolute in her decision to leave the abusive, pill-popping alcoholic, and so ensues a memorable dinner party—baked clams to the lobsters, tall drinks and short glasses; right down to the controlled substance in Jessica's fishy amuse bouche... that leaves someone dead. 

One of the most beloved MURDER SHE WROTE episodes is indeed a trip with farce, familial dysfunction, and two side stories featuring Tupper's new deputy: the formidable Colleen Camp as Marigold Feeney; and a suspicious man in the bushes (Donnell Rhodes) who seems to be tracking Winnie. 

Henry Gibson, Geoffrey Lewis, and Barbara Rhoades round out the guest stars, as Elmo's frustrating family; and indeed, we will find out, among other things, who mixed up the coriander with the depressants.