Swan Song is a unique Diagnosis Murder episode because there's no murder. Rather it's an exploration of dementia and quite sobering the exploration is. The subject is Danielle Marsh, played by the legendary Australian icon Helen Reddy, whose song "I am woman" was an anthem for the 70s feminist movement - Danielle is a famous singer/pianist who is good friends with Mark, and she moves (along with her piano) to Mark's place to rehearse for some performances. It's quite moving, especially when we learn at the end that Danielle ordered her manager Rhonda to kill her, but thankfully the manager, whilst shooting in Danielle's direction, deliberately missed her.
David Graf featured in this episode, about a year before his untimely death. David made his name in acting as Eugene Tackleberry in the Police Academy movies. His Wikipedia photo is poignant - it features him in costume looking out in the river on a ferry in Stockholm - it must have been during a promotion your for Police Academy.
When Mark was testing Danielle on her knowledge to see if she had dementia, one question was "Who is the President of the USA?" Interesting question. The answer at the time would have been Bill Clinton. This episode was screened about six months before the controversial 2000 election where the Florida recount tipped the Electoral College in favor of George W (incidentally whose father is - if reports are to be believed - planning to voting for Hillary Clinton against Trump).
David Graf featured in this episode, about a year before his untimely death. David made his name in acting as Eugene Tackleberry in the Police Academy movies. His Wikipedia photo is poignant - it features him in costume looking out in the river on a ferry in Stockholm - it must have been during a promotion your for Police Academy.
When Mark was testing Danielle on her knowledge to see if she had dementia, one question was "Who is the President of the USA?" Interesting question. The answer at the time would have been Bill Clinton. This episode was screened about six months before the controversial 2000 election where the Florida recount tipped the Electoral College in favor of George W (incidentally whose father is - if reports are to be believed - planning to voting for Hillary Clinton against Trump).
