Footnote to Murder

This is one of the most enjoyable episodes. It has a great light-hearted feel, the murder notwithstanding. There are several playful scenes with fairly witty banter between friends and frenemies alike. The mix of different kinds of authors provides who have varying levels of disrespect for one another's genres or writing styles provides a good backdrop for murder.

This episode has an abundance of great guest stars, which I always appreciate since it makes it harder to figure out who the killer is. In this episode, we have particularly enjoyable turns from Paul Sand, Ron Masak, Diana Muldaur, Robert Reed, Kenneth Mars, Talia Balsam, and the charming Morgan Brittany. Pat Harrington, Jr. Turns in an insufferable attention-seeking politician ADA who desperately needs a come-uppance. He doesn't really get one, but JB does do his job and solves the case, in one of the gentler reveals of the series.

Writers and poets are a creative bunch of people, so it comes as no surprise that when a group of them meet under one roof tempers flare up, and one of them dies.

It's a very solid, easy going episode, it's light in tone, and fun. It makes me laugh how the Police invite her into the Crime scene, and how she instantly starts interfering. The only issue here, is if you're even the tiniest bit observant you'll work it out in seconds.

Growing up in the eighties I have such an affection for this time frame, the decor and fashions, such an elegant era, apart from those glasses!

Good fun. 8/10

"Footnote to Murder" is a very good episode of "Murder, She Wrote"...not just because of the general plot but because it brings up the notion of acquaintance rape...something rarely talked about on TV.

The episode is set at some sort of convention and awards ceremony for authors. As Jessica enters the hotel, she does something that is VERY tough to believe...she accepts an unsolicited manuscript from a would-be writer. I say this because I saw the show with a best-selling author...and she indicated to me that professional writers NEVER do this for a variety of reasons...particularly legal reasons. If an author accepts something and agrees to read it (which is unlikely, as their time is valuable), they could easily be accused to plagiarism later if in any way any of their stories remotely resembles the manuscript. I was also told that additionally publishers and agents warn authors never to read such things. Now most people watching the show will not realize this, so it's not like it's a serious problem in the script.

During the convention, there are a lot of egos and jerks and, not surprisingly, the biggest jerk of all is soon found dead. One of Jessica's friends is accused of the murder, and so, of course, she springs into action to solve the case.

The story is interesting...particularly the true story of what really happened. Additionally, the characters (minus Paul Sand, who plays pretty much the same guy he always played on TV shows) were good...particularly Robert Reed who played a wonderfully condescending and crabby guy (he was a real hoot to watch). Overall, a very solid episode..well worth seeing.

This episode of Murder She Wrote has Jessica Fletcher at a writer's convention where she runs into many of her literary colleagues, some of them a lot nicer than others. The one she practically has to be a nursemaid to is Paul Sand a perpetually drunk poet. It is he who is suspected of murdering arrogant one book wonder novelist Kenneth Mars, stabbing him with an umbrella that can turn into a sword for defense. Mars also has the draft of a second book in his possession and that too is stolen.

This MSW story is interesting however for two things. First Ron Masak shows up as a homicide detective four years before he became the sheriff of Cabot Cove. He has to follow however full of himself District Attorney Pat Harrington who no one can stand. Still Jessica with more patience than normal leads Harrington to a solution. Not liking it a bit, but justice is justice.

Striving author Horace Lynchfield (Paul Sand) awaits his appointment at Lexington Avenue Diner on a rainy evening in New York City, to accompany Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) to attend a book awards reception.

Adrian Winslow (Robert Reed), a past award recipient, arrives, but cannot be bothered by novice short-story writer Debbie Delancey (Talia Balsam), who presents a copy of her project to the receptive Jessica.

Last year's winner, Lucinda Lark (Constance Forslund), author of the best-seller "Woman Unleashed," is also on hand to greet Horace and the others, as well as Hemsley Post (Kenneth Mars), who shrouds his new manuscript in secrecy, a definitive novel about the Vietnam War, as presented from a combat soldier's perspective.

Tiffany Harrow (Morgan Brittany), the awards' event Coordinator, attempts to convince Hemsley Post to allow her a preview of his manuscript, by planning a visit to his apartment after the evening's program.

Alexis Post (Diana Muldaur), Hemsley's ex-wife, owner of a fashion design company, visits Hemsley to demand $264,000 from his advance salary from his publisher.

Frank Lapinski (Vincent Baggetta), an impoverished unpublished writer, claims authorship the of the manuscript, as based upon his experience in the armed services in Vietnam.

After the less-than-amiable reception, at which, because of flying tempers, umbrellas are mixed up, and Jessica attempts to return one the next morning to its rightful owner.

But, upon her arrival at the residence of the umbrella owner, Jessica is greeted by a team of law enforcement officers, headed by Assistant District Attorney (A.D.A.) Mel Comstock (Pat Harrington Jr.) and Lieutenant Meyer (Ron Masak, in his first of many "MSW" appearances), who hover over a body stabbed by the sword within an umbrella handle.

When the police arrest an innocent suspect, Jessica attempts to prove them wrong, by picking up on a trail of clues, including lipstick on the linens, eyeglasses on the blanket, a hotel room key #2441, and a missing manuscript. A.D.A. Mel Comstock, believing the eyeglasses to belong to Jessica, slips them into her purse without her knowledge.

And when A.D.A. Mel Comstock hands the prisoner to Lieutenant Meyer, who escorts the suspect through the courthouse, he hands custody to Bailiff (Bill MacDonald), who is interrupted by another Assistant D.A. (Mark Harrison), who tells the Baliff that there are more pressing concerns than the prisoners, and allows the suspect to walk freely.

While Jessica attempts to advise the released suspect of correct protocol, she discovers the eyeglasses and consults an Optometrist (John C. Becher) to go along with her plans.

The cast is rounded out by Ernie (John Brandon), Clerk (Lana Schwab), Lady (Nancy Marlow), Cop (Biff Yeager) and Reporter (Michael Kearns), who reveals a "Footnote to Murder."