Jessica visits her old friend, private investigator Harry McGraw (Jerry Orbach), in Boston, who has become entangled in the high-stakes world of boxing.

Season 3, Episode 16: Death Takes a Dive (February 22, 1987)

Thanks to her latest run-in with Harry McGraw, Jessica discovers that she is now the manager of a down-on-his-luck prizefighter who is looking to retire following his next fight. And while getting a crash course on her new endeavor, she has her hands full trying to clear Harry in the murder of a shady fight promoter.

Who’s in it, outside of Angela Lansbury and Jerry Orbach?

Doc Penrose? That’s John Amos from Good Times.

Ernest Borgnine plays Cosmo Ponzini. You may know him from From Here to Eternity. I know him from Super Fuzz.

LeVar Burton plays a newsman named Dave Robinson. You may not recognize him without his  Star Trek: The Next Generation goggles.

Bradford Dillman is Dennis McConnell. Wow — that dude battled eco-horror in the 70s like no one else.

The law in this is Lt. Casey, played by Ray Girardin.

Holy Adam West, Batman! Adam West is in this as Wade Talmadge.

Caren Kaye is playing Lois Ames, Michael McGrady plays Sean Shaleen, Lynn Moody is Pam Collins, Harold Sylvester is Blaster Boyle, Bill Capizzi is a doorman, Richard Balin is a commentator, Marcia Moran is a waitress, Richard Bravo is Sanchez, and Jeff Langton is a boxer.

What happens?

Jessica Fletcher heads to the mean streets of Boston to visit her favorite sentient trench coat, private investigator Harry McGraw. Naturally, Harry is chin-deep in gambling debts and managed to get himself wrangled into the high-stakes, low-morals world of professional boxing. He’s got a sure thing in a heavyweight named Blaster Boyle, but he needs J.B. to bankroll the training. Jessica, ever the softie for a rogue with a Brooklyn accent, cuts the check only to find herself acting as the official manager when Harry gets framed for the murder of Wade Talmage, a fight promoter who was about 10% human and 90% slime.

The suspect pool is deeper than a spit bucket. You’ve got a sportswriter out for vengeance because Talmage ruined his father, a fighter named Sean Shaleen, who doesn’t realize he’s being played and a mistress done wrong.

Oh yeah. The sure thing heavyweight, Blaster Boyle, isn’t just a fighter; he’s a gentle giant with a glass jaw and a heart of gold, making the stakes feel personal. Jessica isn’t just protecting Harry’s freedom; she’s protecting Blaster from being sold out by the vultures circling the ring.

Who did it?

Boxer Sean Shaleen. He was tired of being a pawn in Talmage’s games and decided a shotgun blast was better than taking a dive.

Who made it?

It was directed by Seymour Robbie and written by series creator Peter S. Fischer.

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

She does do a training montage. Also, I fully believe that Harry McGraw has gotten up in her guts and had more than a few bowls of Cabot Cove Clam Chowder, if you know what I’m saying, and I know you do.

Was it any good?

It was pretty good!

Any trivia?

This extended episode served as a backdoor pilot for Harry McGraw’s own short-lived spin-off series, The Law & Harry McGraw.

John Amos and LeVar Burton both played Kunta Kinte in Roots.

Harry McGraw is supposed to be 47. Now I feel old.

Give me a reasonable quote:

Harry McGraw: I know. But I sold them something even better. The inside story of a tough, resourceful private eye who single-handedly broke open one of the largest murder cases of the decade.

Jessica Fletcher: Single-handedly?

Harry McGraw: So I exaggerated a little. What’s a little white lie between friends?

What’s next?

Jessica investigates when an artist is murdered, and his prized painting is missing.