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Murder, She Wrote Season 5 Episodes
Season 5 Episode Guide
22 Episodes 1988 - 1989
Episode 1
J.B.. as in Jailbird
Sun, Oct 23, 198847 mins
After British secret agent Michael Hagarty picks up his easy friend Jessica at the airport, she gets caught over the dead body of a foreign agent and jailed. Some tipped the police that the real Jessica Fletcher had her purse and luggage stolen at the airport and they saw her shoot the foreign agent. Hagarty enlists Grady to tell a false story so he'll pretend she not his aunt. Meanwhile, his station chief Lancaster's suspicions are fed by agent Roger Travis, who also tries to turn jailed suspect Jessica against Michael. Furthermore, suspicious characters roam around, such as a Chronicle reporter, State Department special representative Kevin Styles and Miami PD Sergeant Joe Santiago. Yet Jessica keeps sleuthing, even behind bars.
Episode 2
A Little Night Work
Sun, Oct 30, 198847 mins
At a political fund-raiser ball, Jessica is embarrassed by the common deal-voracity of Theo Wexler, who presumes to represent her after buying out her retired publisher Jonathan Reed's firm. Then, the charming, ever-elusive Dennis Stanton insists on being her dancing partner, and alibi for some suspicious climbing to her balcony, as she later learns probably from the suite above, where publisher Axel Weingard is murdered and his wife's priceless diamond necklace stolen from the safe. It turns out Axel's death benefits Theo, both in a real estate deal also involving Miles Hatcher, and because he systematically dropped authors represented by Wexler. However, NYPD Lieutenant Bert Alfano arrests young waiter Andy Broom, who earlier asked Jessica's advice as an aspiring author, but once wrote a Shakespearian 'threat letter' to Weingard for stealing his manuscript. The self-invited next balcony climber, insurance claim investigator Shannon McBride, tells Jessica she believes for years Stanton has been a jewel thief, but still can't prove it, his alibi once again being Councilman Wellington Kendall, his brother-in-law. Dennis later makes Jessica understand he has a personal grief against that insurance firm, and would only rob jewelry that is insured by that insurance firm, that is without sentimental value and from its clients who can afford the loss.
Episode 3
Mr. Penroy's Vacation
Sun, Nov 6, 198847 mins
Morris Penroy has been living in Cabot Cove for about a year. He is boarding with sisters Lillian and Helen Appletree. When he is found buried in the Appletree's garden after the sisters have cashed his pension check, they are obvious suspects. Several other odd characters are in Cabot Cove, but it all comes into focus when an insurance investigator arrives looking for Penroy in relation to a $5 million robbery, a theft that took place where Penroy was employed. When another body is found in the Appletree's garden, it certainly looks like the gals have taken up peculiar habits. Jessica, of course, thinks they are innocent and sets out to find the perpetrator.
Episode 4
Snow White, Blood Red
Sun, Nov 13, 198847 mins
While Jessica waits for her nephew's arrival at Sable Mountain Ski Lodge, Swedish womanizing skiing top-talent Gunnar Tilstrom's refusal to compete in the world championship frustrates his trainer and Pamela Leeds who signed him to promote her company's products. Pamela tries to court charming youngster Larry McIver, as alternative. During a snow storm, an arrow from a missing crossbow kills Gunnar while he was on the slopes. Shortly after, Larry is found stripped and hanged, but arrow-killed, in the showers. Both victims were on the same world championship US team as the host, Mike Lowery, who invited them all for that weekend, his own career being cut short by an accident, and tries to cover up his wife's flirt with Gunnar. The violence continues with the stabbing of John Dowd, and an apparent attack on Jessica and NYPD Lieutenant Ed McMasters by ski trainer Karl Anderson.
Episode 5
Coal Miner's Slaughter
Sun, Nov 20, 198847 mins
Mountain mine owner Tyler Morgan has been cheating on his wife, Nora, for years. He runs the coal mine in an 'old-fashioned' way, making his son, Reese Morgan, wish he were dead. Recently graduated lawyer, Molly Connors, announces she'll sue him for the death of her father, Joe, in a mine explosion ten years ago, but is instantly jailed for trespassing at the mine's 'private' staff party. Mentor Jessica bails her former Cabot Cove pupil out before union rep Carlton Reid can and enjoys dinner with her granddad, Eben Connors. Later that night, Tyler is shot in his nearby cabin and the murder weapon was found in Molly's car. Sheriff Tate wades in other possible motives, Jessica finds out about those and Tyler's secret past, involving his kept girl, Bridie Harmon, widow of teenager Travis's father, Danny, who died in the same explosion. When Jessica goes searching for evidence at Eben's place, the killer is waiting for her.
Episode 6
Wearing of the Green
Sun, Nov 27, 198847 mins
In New York City researching her next book, Jessica is drawn into a mystery involving a priceless tiara, a reclusive former actress and a news reporter accused of murder.
Episode 7
The Last Flight of the Dixie Damsel
Sun, Dec 18, 198847 mins
When a military plane on which Jessica's husband was a crew member is found, she and the other surviving members go to the Air Force base where the plane is being returned. When they arrive, they discover that a member of the crew who supposedly jumped with the rest of the crew was actually murdered. An investigation ensues and the man investigating makes all the members take a polygraph test; when they all pass, he concludes that Jessica's husband is the one who killed him. Not believing that, Jessica sets out to prove her husband's innocence, and she discovers a few oversights the investigator made, but not enough to convince him of her husband's innocence.
Episode 8
Prediction: Murder
Sun, Jan 1, 198947 mins
Jessica visits real estate magnate Lee Goddard's Arizona ranch. Professional performer Francesco's psychic atypically gloomy predictions at a private performance impress only Lee's son Del's reputedly superstitious wife, Jill Goddard. She sees nearly choking on toast and a fall from her horse as proof, then is kidnapped. Worse follows, and Jessica sticks to skeptical investigation of the facts, as does county police Lieutenant Turner.
Episode 9
Something Borrowed, Someone Blue
Sun, Jan 8, 198947 mins
It's obviously going to be a very busy weekend when Jessica attends her nephew Grady's wedding to Donna Mayberry. Donna's parents aren't too impressed with Grady and aren't convinced he's much of a catch for their daughter. Mr. Mayberry, an accountant like Grady, is a domineering sort who likes to be in control. He's also irritated by his ne'er-do-well brother who is always in need of money. Donna's mother is constantly frazzled, always worried about her social standing and what the wedding guests might be thinking. When the Mayberry's cook, Harriet Lundgren, is found dead, stabbed in the back with a meat thermometer, Jessica has a murder to solve. Between the overwrought parents and the hapless local police chief, Jessica seems to be the only one who can save the wedding.
Episode 10
Weave a Tangled Web
Sun, Jan 15, 198947 mins
When Eric Bowman is found dead in a cheap motel room, the only person surprised is Sheriff Mort Metzger. Doc Hazlett not only provides him with a cause of death, stabbed in the heart with a thin-bladed knife, but also provides the Sheriff with some background on the victim. Bowman was known to play fast and loose with the ladies and his wife, Margo, was in the process of divorcing him. The police find Vivian Proctor's car keys lying next to the victim and there is little doubt that she had seen him on the evening of his death and had lied to her husband, Ralph, and her children about what she was up to. Jessica Fletcher finds it all very hard to believe but begins to reevaluate her views when, at a fund-raiser in New York, her host introduces her to his wife, none other that Vivian Proctor. She claims to know nothing about the murder and Jessica believes her but, when the Sheriff finds the murder weapon in Ralph's car, he's charged with the murder. Vivian's car keys provide the solution to the crime.
Episode 11
The Search for Peter Kerry
Sun, Feb 5, 198947 mins
For years, old multi-millionaire Andrew Kerry's ultimate wish was to find his grandson, Peter, missing for 20 years. While meeting Jessica about a charity donation, Peter's college friend, Danny Schubert, recognizes the restaurant pianist playing an unpublished song of Peter's which the pianist says was written by Rick Barton. Danny, his ex and Rick are actually faking this. Jessica not only realizes this when all are invited to Andrew's Calvinburg estate, but snoops along with apparently inept Police Chief Miles Underwood when Danny is stabbed to death in the garage.
Episode 12
Smooth Operators
Sun, Feb 12, 198947 mins
Jessica visits old NYPD Lieutenant Timothy Hanratty and helps him with the corpse of a John Doe, found with only one shoe. Fingerprints identify him as Elliot Winston, a former drunk who died from alcohol poisoning. Neighbor and friend, Grace Fenton, remarks that his secretive papers are missing. Jessica checks in as a rich hypochondriac into Doctors David Latimer, Lowell Wheatley and Craig Zachary's hospital, where Elliot was an accountant. Captain Everett Larson still couldn't care less, until the wino adjacent to the corpse confesses stealing his watch, wallet and one shoe, then charges him with the murder.
Episode 13
Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble
Sun, Feb 19, 198947 mins
Doc Hazlitt witnesses a young woman in Salemite dress performing a witchcraft rite. Author Gordon Fairchild arrives to launch his book on local witch Patience Terhune at her burning's 300th anniversary. His media consultant is desperate to milk it and hires an impersonator to be Irene, the sister of librarian Mildred Terhune, who has returned after losing contact when she was nine. Irene is found under a barn that was burned down. An inheritance raises more questions.
Episode 14
From Russia... with Blood
Sun, Feb 26, 198947 mins
Jessica is in Moscow attending the International Writers League Conference when a waiter attempts to steal her purse at an evening gala. Unbeknown to her, her fellow writer, Russian Sergei Chaloff, had put a canister of microfilm in her purse when she wasn't looking. The thief is apparently shot by security officers and the police seize Jessica's passport until they can figure out just what is going on. Jessica is soon absolved of any wrongdoing but Chaloff is arrested. Jessica believes the waiter was assassinated to protect someone's identity and sets out to find exactly what is going on.
Episode 15
Alma Murder
Sun, Mar 12, 198947 mins
Jessica returns to her college town when a sorority sister calls to tell her that one of their much-loved professors, Leon Walker, has been arrested for the murder of a student. Walker has confessed to the killing and her old classmate - and now District Attorney Paul Robbins - feels he has no choice but to proceed. Jessica soon realizes that Walker's story just doesn't add up and that he is obviously protecting someone. When someone else confesses to the crime, Jessica realizes why Walker was prepared to take the blame but even that doesn't quite provide the solution to the crime.
Episode 16
Truck Stop
Sun, Apr 2, 198947 mins
Fellow author Walter Murray drives with Jessica from Las Vegas to L.A. When she awakens at the truck stop where Walter met waitress Vera Gerakaris years ago, he is dead. So are her husband Peter and Roscoe the mechanic. Sheriff Tugman is happy to accept a tape Walter left, confessing to both murders, but Jessica's suspicions are confirmed by forensics and a consultation with insurance officer Terence Locke.
Episode 17
The Sins of Castle Cove
Sun, Apr 9, 198947 mins
Jessica's orphaned former pupil Sybil Reed states on TV her debut novel 'Sins of Castle Cove' is based only geographically on Cabot Cove. However, townsfolk flock to buy it and react emotionally on their often ridiculous or vile counterparts with similar names. When Miriam Harwood is murdered with her own frying pan, even the sheriff arrests her husband whose counterpart killed her for adultery in a similar way, as Noah Harwood raged publicly against the suspect, butcher Tim Mulligan. Jessica insists on separating fact and fiction and finds the killer through a dissonance.
Episode 18
Trevor Hudson's Legacy
Sun, Apr 16, 198947 mins
Jessica and Dorothy Westerfield (Hudsons' publisher) arrive in Custer Creek, Montana for the unveiling of a federal stamp issued in honor of the recently deceased literary legend, Trevor Hudson, over whose Heritage Foundation Jessica presides. They're picked up at the tiny airport by young editor Bob Jarrett, but miss the dedication ceremony, where the whole Hudson family and the community have gathered. On Jessica's recommendation, Bob is tasked with finalizing Trevor's posthumous opus "The Valley Beyond". But the 400+ pages that he'd been expecting to work from don't exist, just a few notes, and some scribbled pages in the eldest daughter Maria's hand. Bob ghost-writes the entire novel and is contemplating revealing the truth, much to the chagrin of the Hudson family as they would be humiliated and financially ruined. When Bob is found murdered, Jessica is sure it was to protect Trevors' legacy, but the notes are now missing, and the young drifter (Adam Perry) who Cat Hudson Drake (Trevors' adulterous granddaughter) had spent the night with is arrested by Hudson family devotee Sheriff Hank Masters. As the accusations and confusion about which family member was at the time of Bobs' murder and questions surrounding how some of the evidence was found in the drifters' truck mounts, Jessica suddenly realizes who has the most to gain by protecting Trevors' memory - and she has only one family member to rely on to help her prevent more bloodshed, and solve her friend Bob's murder.
Episode 19
Double Exposure
Sun, Apr 30, 198947 mins
When Jessica bumps into acquaintance John Winslow in Boston, he pretends to be a stranger. His Chicago wife, Maude, and her brother, Dr. Adam Paulson, pretend John recently died from a heart attack, fearing she would upset some scam. Jessica hires suspended P.I. Harry McGraw, who finds out he uses the alias John Wilson. Jessica now investigates the fake John's cremation. She soon notices being followed by a certain Sloane and hears him call attorney Nathan Swarthmore, who denies everything, too.
Episode 20
Three Strikes, You're Out
Sun, May 7, 198947 mins
Jessica visits the Scottsdale, Arizona minor league Comets baseball team, which her nephew, Johnny Eaton, and his mate, Charley Holcomb, just traded to. Shortly after suave Charley cuts short his date with sports reporter Loretta Lee after she mentioned his Dixie past, she's found murdered in that hotel room. Lt. Caceras first assumes a robbery, then arrests Charley, having found out his false identity. Jessica believes in his innocence and snoops on for baseball-related motives.
Episode 21
Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall: Part 1
Sun, May 14, 198947 mins
Eudora McVeigh, a rival mystery writer, arrives at Jessica's door with seemingly friendly intentions, but the discovery of a corpse and a web of deceit follows her to Cabot Cove leading Jessica to suspect the woman of ulterior and sinister motives.
Episode 22
Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall: Part 2
Sun, May 21, 198947 mins
After Seth is hospitalized and diagnosed as poisoned, with an apple Eudora gave Jessica, she still believes in her colleague's innocence. Sheriff Metzger discovers the murdered P.I. was following her husband, Hank Shipton, and found him adulterous with rich Victor Casper's wife, Lisa. Hank's son, Bobby, is beaten up by local Arnie on account of pool bet debts. Jessica ties up all the loose ends.