Jessica comes to the assistance of Magnum when he’s framed for two murders that occurred during her vacation in Hawaii in “Novel Connection.”

Season 3, Episode 8: Magnum on Ice (November 23, 1985)

Jessica has come to Hawaii to help a friend, Pamela, but along the way, she’s met Thomas Magnum and Jonathan Higgins. But then, Magnum gets blamed for a murder he didn’t commit, and she must save him.

Who’s in it, outside of Angela Lansbury (and Tom Selleck)?

Capt. Frank Browning is played by Ramon Bieri.

Amy Salyer is played by Stephanie Faracy.

Pamela Bates, who was in the Magnum, P.I. episode, is played by Dorothy Loudon.

Jason Bryan is played by John McMartin.

Andrew Prine is Victor Salyer! Wow, this also has Jessica Walter as Joan Fulton.

John Hillerman is Jonathan Higgins, Kwan Hi Lim is Lieutenant Tanaka, Rhonda Aldrich is a maid, Keahi Farden is a bellboy, Harry Endo is a desk clerk, Byron Ono is a house boy, Winston Char is another house boy, Pe’a is a police officer, and Conrad Hurtt is a policeman.

What happens?

Magnum got in a gun fight with a hitman at the end of his episode, but the police thought he shot a man in the back. Jessica and Higgins — all boned out for our writer friend, and wow, isn’t Higgins Robin Masters? Shouldn’t he use that to get into Jessica’s capris? — have to solve the case while Magnum is in jail.

Once Magnum gets out on bail, Arthur Houston is killed, and his Tigers baseball hat is found near the body.

Then, Higgins saves Jessica from Andrew Prine by karate chopping him. J.B. patches him up, and Higgins is fully randy and ready to unleash his John Thomas. I’m kidding, Higgins is a gentleman. He even drives Jessica to the airport by the end of the episode.

But after that fight, she figures out who did it and almost gets herself and Magnum killed.

Who did it?

Joan, who killed the hitman and Arthur, is revealed as the mastermind behind the crimes. She posted Magnum’s bail to keep framing him, adding a surprising twist to the episode’s plot.

Who made it?

This was directed by Peter Crane and written by Robert E. Swanson.

Does Jessica dress up and act stupid? Does she get some?

She doesn’t dress up, but take a look at this.

And this.

Was it any good?

It’s decent. I wish Jessica did more crossovers.

Any trivia?

Jessica Walter and Andrew Prine both appeared on the show four times, playing four different characters.

Give me a reasonable quote:

Thomas Magnum: So, Jessica, what do you say we make a deal? If you don’t take out a private investigator’s license…

Jessica Fletcher: Yes?

Thomas Magnum: …I won’t buy a typewriter.

Jessica Fletcher: Deal.

What’s next?

When an obnoxious out-of-town TV personality is murdered, it’s up to Jessica to figure out the killer. Plus, we get to find out what the B in J.B. Fletcher stands for.