I read an article this week about how Murder, She Wrote was removed from Peacock. Well, it’s still available on fast channels and Tubi, or you can do what I did and buy the box sets. Physical media is the only way to know that you actually own things.

Stop whining and do something. Don’t expect corporations to care if you can’t watch the show you love.

Now, season 2 of Murder, She Wrote.

Season 2, Episode 1: Widow, Weep for Me (September 29, 1985)

Tonight on Murder, She Wrote…

Jessica masquerades as a wealthy widow at a luxurious tropical hotel in order to trap a murderer.

Who’s in it, outside of Angela Lansbury, and were they in any exploitation movies?

Michael Hagarty is played by Len Cariou, who was on the show Blue Bloods.

Cyd Charisse, a renowned dancer in her time, is actually Myrna Montclair LeRoy.

Eric Brahm is Mel Ferrer, Phillip Erikson from Falcon Crest, as well as appearing in The Visitor, Eaten Alive! and Nightmare City.

Howard Hesseman is Sheldon Greenberg. You probably know him from Head of the Class and WKRP In Cincinnati.

Sven Torvald is played by John Phillip Law, who was Danger: Diabolik!

Anne Lockhart is Veronica Harrold. The daughter of June Lockhart, she also appeared in Troll and Dark Tower.

The lawman in this episode, Chief Inspector Claude Rensselaer, is played by Raymond St. Jacques. He was the street preacher in They Live.

Alva Crane is Mary Wickes, also known as Sister Mary Lazarus from Sister Act.

Minor roles include Jerry Boyd as a doorman, Emmett Dennis III as Sergeant D’arcy, Geoff Heise as Barnes, Edward B. Randolph as a croupier, Ekta Sohini as a desk clerk, Reggie Savard as Antoinette Farnsworth, Claude Cole as a bellman, Tony Webster as a steward and Marilyn Conn as a secretary.

What happens?

Jessica gets several distressing letters from her friend Antoinette begging for assistance. Then, she learns that the very same friend has been murdered in Jamaica. So JB does what any of us would do: she puts on a turban, becomes Margurite Canfield and flies to the island to solve the murder.

As Marguerite, she meets the inspector on the case and starts getting to know the other women on the island, such as Alva and Veronica. Moments later, she’s picked up by Michael Hegarty, who wants to buy her a drink. He invites her to check out the waterfalls by moonlight — I mean, see his cock — and she almost falls for it before someone steals her purse.

Meanwhile, Sheldo, the house detective, was the one who got someone to steal the purse, because he was wondering why Margurite looked so much like author Jessica Fletcher. He thinks she’s here to investigate and make him look bad. She tells him he could be a character in her next book.

And then Alva Crane’s body is found.

So, yes, in the end, after several red herrings, we learn why the hotel detective had so many things in his office.

Who did it?

Sheldon.

Who made it?

Michael A. Hoey directed this episode, as well as The Navy vs. the Night Monsters. It was written by series creator Peter S. Fischer.

Does Jessica get some?

British agent Michael Hagarty appears several times in this series, and perhaps he and Jessica didn’t practice making a baby this time, but I know they will. He would be on the show six more times.

Does Jessica dress up and act stupid?

This is a whole episode of that! That turban!

Was it any good?

Sure. Good cast, intriguing mystery.

Any trivia?

After Angela Lansbury died in 2022, Len Cariou said, “She was a great artist. I know she’s with Peter Shaw now, her husband, who I think she missed terribly. She said to me on her last birthday, a year ago, “It’s just silly being this old.”

Give me a reasonable quote:

Michael Hagarty: Ah… Well, now, what’s this I’ve always heard about crusty New Englanders?

Jessica Fletcher: Oh, it’s just a rumor started by our forefathers to keep out the tourists.

Michael Hagarty: I see. And if someday I should show up on your doorstep?

Jessica Fletcher: An exception might be made.

Michael Hagarty: Well, in that case, Jessica, the question is no longer whether, but when.

What’s next?

A cheap tycoon with many enemies is found dead on the construction site of his high-rise hotel.