Category: Episode Guide

Death Takes a Curtain Call

Everything was beautiful at the ballet…

Greetings, dear readers. Welcome to an unexpectedly eventful afternoon at the ballet. Before we take our first steps, I recommend watching the entire episode; there will be spoilers. If you’re peckish, I recommend some coffee and pie.

There are four parts to this episode guide:

  • This is Part 1, which includes the setting, characters, and context of the episode.
  • Part 2 is a detailed timeline of the episode’s events. (Coming Soon!)
  • Part 3 is my analysis of the episode. (Watch this space!)
  • Part 4 is a collection of fun extras that I like to call Bonus Features. (ETA? TBD!)

A Deadly Dance at the Boston Ballet

Jessica attends the invitation-only U.S. premiere of a renowned Soviet ballet troupe. The delicate dance takes a deadly turn, and international intrigue pirouettes all the way from Boston to Cabot Cove. Fair warning: if you don’t like my dance puns, it’s only going to get worse from here.

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We’re Off to Kill the Wizard: Bonus Features

Everything in here is dimly lit and covered in cobwebs… spooky!

There are four parts to this episode guide:

  • Part 1 is a introduction, including the setting, characters, and context of the episode.
  • Part 2 is a detailed timeline of the episode’s events.
  • Part 3 is my analysis of the episode.
  • This is Part 4, a collection of fun extras that I like to call Bonus Features.

Bonus Features

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We’re Off to Kill the Wizard: Analysis

Do we have all the keys to this spooky locked room mystery?

Hello, and welcome to MSWSW’s analysis of “We’re Off to Kill the Wizard.”

There are four parts to this episode guide:

  • Part 1 includes the setting, characters, and context of the episode.
  • Part 2 is a detailed timeline of the episode’s events.
  • This is Part 3, an analysis of the episode.
  • Part 4 is a collection of fun extras that I like to call Bonus Features.

Show Your Work

Welcome, dear readers, to the very first locked room mystery of the series. Let’s see if we can find the key…

Continue reading “We’re Off to Kill the Wizard: Analysis”

We’re Off to Kill the Wizard: The Timeline

It’s time for a deep dive into this episode’s thrills and chills…

There are four parts to this episode guide:

  • Part 1 includes the setting, characters, and context of the episode.
  • This is Part 2, a detailed timeline of the episode’s events.
  • Part 3 is my analysis of the episode.
  • Part 4 is a collection of fun extras that I like to call Bonus Features.

Using in-episode clues, I’ve been able to pin down a specific timeframe for the following events. You can find my methodology here. If pinning MSW episodes to the calendar is something that interests you, may I suggest the MSWSW Murder, She Wrote canon timeline.

Saturday, July 21, 1984

Saturday Morning

Michael Gardner solemnly swears to his boss, Horatio, that he will obtain Mrs. Fletcher, by hook or by crook. Meanwhile, Aunt Jess fixes little Billy’s bicycle.

Continue reading “We’re Off to Kill the Wizard: The Timeline”

We’re Off to Kill the Wizard

Don’t be afraid, my friends. Nothing frightening awaits you.
Oh, perhaps a moment or two of panic, but we did warn you.
Seat belts pulled tight? That’s good. And now, just sit back…

Welcome to Horatio’s House of Horrors!

This episode is a delightfully campy, deftly executed locked room mystery. If you want to make it dinner and a show, you can eat along with Jessica and the Donovans with this family-friendly menu. Guests who wish to avoid spoilers should watch the entirety of “We’re Off to Kill the Wizard” before proceeding. Thank you, and enjoy the ride!

Continue reading “We’re Off to Kill the Wizard”

Hit, Run and Homicide: Bonus Features

Hello, and welcome to the fourth and final installment of the episode guide for “Hit, Run and Homicide.”

  • Part 1 includes the setting, characters, and context of the episode.
  • Part 2 is a detailed timeline of the episode’s events.
  • Part 3 is my analysis of the episode.
  • This is Part 4, a collection of fun extras that I like to call Bonus Features.

Bonus Features!

Continue reading “Hit, Run and Homicide: Bonus Features”

Hit, Run and Homicide: Analysis

Hello, and welcome to MSWSW’s analysis of “Hit, Run and Homicide.”

There are four parts to this episode guide:

  • Part 1 includes the setting, characters, and context of the episode.
  • Part 2 is a detailed timeline of the episode’s events.
  • This is Part 3, my analysis of the episode.
  • Part 4 is a collection of fun extras that I like to call Bonus Features.

Show Your Work

Pencils ready!

How does this episode’s mystery stack up? Is it plausible? Does it make sense? Can the audience solve the mystery by the time Jessica does?

Fair Play Pause Point

Jessica has her epiphany while playing the arcade driving game Spy Hunter. By this point in the episode, which I call the fair play pause point, can the audience solve the mystery?

Continue reading “Hit, Run and Homicide: Analysis”

Hit, Run and Homicide: The Timeline

Hello, welcome to MSWSW’s detailed episode timeline for “Hit, Run and Homicide.”

There are four parts to this episode guide:

  • Part 1 includes the setting, characters, and context of the episode.
  • This is Part 2, a detailed timeline of the episode’s events.
  • Part 3 is my analysis of the episode.
  • Part 4 is a collection of fun extras that I like to call Bonus Features.

The Timeline

Not a lot of time or attention is given to establishing a precise timeline this episode. The plot doesn’t rely on time-specific details, so it’s not devastating, just more of a missed opportunity, imho. Here’s my take on this episode’s sequence of events:

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Hit, Run and Homicide

Fair Warning

Hello, and welcome back to Cabot Cove for another cozy murder mystery. Before reading further, please watch the episode, there will be spoilers! If you’ve got a beach nearby, this episode pairs nicely with a New England Clambake.

There are four parts to this episode guide:

  • This is Part 1, an introduction including the setting, characters, and context of the episode.
  • Part 2 is a detailed timeline of the episode’s events.
  • Part 3 is my analysis of the episode.
  • Part 4 is a collection of fun extras that I like to call Bonus Features.

A Crash Course in Road Safety

Welcome back to Cabot Cove for Jessica’s second collaboration with Sheriff Tupper. Or is it? Either way, there’s an absolute fleet of autos that make this episode go. Even the famously non-driving Jessica gets her turn behind the wheel.

Continue reading “Hit, Run and Homicide”

Lovers and Other Killers: Bonus Features

Hello, and welcome to the fourth and final part of my Lovers and Other Killers episode guide. If you haven’t already seen it, I recommend starting with Part 1.
There are four parts to this episode guide:

  • Part 1 is a introduction, including the setting, characters, and context of the episode.
  • Part 2 is a detailed timeline of the episode’s events.
  • Part 3 is my analysis of the episode.
  • This is Part 4, a collection of fun extras that I like to call Bonus Features.

Bonus Features

Gender Politics 101

This episode examines conventional gender roles, norms, and double standards, but with a critical eye, or a blind one?

Continue reading “Lovers and Other Killers: Bonus Features”