The Tale of the New England Clambake: Good Eats, Bad Romance?
The romantic origins of the New England clambake are more myth than reality. The narrative that indigenous people introduced early colonial settlers to the clambake as an ancient foodway is not historically accurate. The clambake originated in 19th century Rhode Island, and was widely incorporated into the United States’ evolving national identity following the Civil War. (For scholarly rigor and more details, please refer to The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink.)
Despite its prosaic origins, a New England clambake is still worthwhile, distinctive, and delicious. In theory, a barebones beachy version can be accomplished using only fished and found objects, which lends it a certain scavenger/desert isle “I want your everything as long as it’s free” kind of romance.
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 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.
In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the first guiding principal I use in my work on the MSWSW canon timeline is to place an episode’s events before, but as close as possible to, the initial airdate. This episode first aired on Sunday, November 25, 1984.
The Oeuvre of J.B. Fletcher
This episode doesn’t include any details about J.B. Fletcher’s writing, although we do get to see the author at work at her typewriter. When Jessica first meets Leslie Andler, the newcomer says she’s read Jessica’s “books” plural, which means the events of this episode took place no earlier than May 1984.
The Clambakes and Cookouts
Founder’s Day Clambake and PicnicA Cookout with Daniel
The denizens of Cabot Cove are outdoors enjoying warm weather throughout this episode. The town holds a celebratory picnic, Daniel hosts a cookout, and the rose bushes are in bloom. All of this points to a warmer time of year, if not strictly summer, then certainly sometime between May and September.
The Unbroken Ice
With all that lovely warm weather, the ice between Jessica and Sheriff Tupper strikes one as a bit strange. Just a few episodes ago, Amos unhesitatingly called Jessica as soon as there was a whiff of foul play.
And yet, here they are, smack dab in the middle of episode 7, acting like they’ve never even thought of cooperating on a case.
Jessica and Amos in S1 E7, making tentative overtures as tepid as that Styrofoam cup of coffee.
It’s my theory that this episode is, in fact, the first time Jessica and Amos work together. Further, the sweeping aerial shots of rugged coastline and the majestic musical score give the opening scenes of this episode a premiere aesthetic. I feel almost certain that this episode was originally intended to air as the series’ first episode after the pilot, or at least as the series’ first episode set in Cabot Cove.
So, in terms of our MSW canon timeline, I’ve decided the events of Hit, Run and Homicide occur before those of Deadly Lady, explaining the differences in Jessica and Amos’ rapport, and placing Hit, Run and Homicide sometime between May and early July 1984.
The Players
In order of appearance, the locals we’ll meet this episode, plus a few from away:
We continue to build our list of Cabot Cove locals this episode. Special mention goes to Lois Hoey, in her second, and sadly, last appearance as Jessica’s friend and a Cabot Cove lady about town. Other denizens we encounter this episode include Letitia, Nurse Bates, and Cora.
The Automobiles
A veritable fleet of vehicles provides the driving force for this episode. Some of these autos almost have as much personality as the actual characters. In order of appearance:
The Red and Gray Van
Large, looming, and ominous, what is the purpose of this mysterious vehicle, and who is the shadowy figure behind the wheel?
The Driverless Station Wagon
Oh, the dream of the safe, reliable, self-driving car. Forty years later, and we still haven’t figured it out.
Ethan’s Old Pick Up
A vehicle beatified by its service and honest wear, it is a reflection of the man behind the wheel. This must be Ethan’s business-mobile, as it bears the name and crest of Cragg’s Charter Services.
Leslie, the New Sedan
Ick, ick, triple ick upon the writers’ room, for creating a character who voluntarily and needlessly likens herself to a sedan. Girl, if you’re going to objectify yourself, be a Porsche, be a Maserati, be a pink Cadillac. Or, you know, don’t.
The Rental
While a Bostonian like Tony could get by without a car, it’s unusual for a traveling saleslady not to own one.
The Moving Van Heading North on Highway 27
This van is headed towards Augusta, and away from the truth.
The Panda
Cabot Cove’s finest serve and protect in this law enforcement classic.
The Arcade Game
Ethan and Jessica play the 1983 arcade classic Spy Hunter. Jessica’s turn at the wheel inspires this episode’s aha moment.
Roy Gunderson is Chief of Police in New Holvang, NY. He is a church goer, a football watcher, and dislikes working on Sundays. Roy initially negs Jessica on her book, but he quickly warms up to her assistance with the case. Their subsequent rapport is such that he later accepts her offer of lobster stew if ever he’s in Cabot Cove.
Hello, and welcome to this installment of MSWSW. What follows is a detailed, somewhat meandering look at “Hooray for Homicide.” There will be spoilers. I recommend watching the entire episode first, possibly with a light beverage and nosh, before proceeding.
Hooray?
This episode appears to have everything one could want in a great episode of MSW: a glamorous locale, plenty of camp, the oeuvre of J.B. Fletcher… and yet, perhaps much like Tinseltown itself, the allure quickly fades.
Well, we’re here, so let’s do this thing.
Lights, Camera….
Oh no! The Corpse Danced at Midnight is being turned into a cheap horror flick with pearl-clutching amounts of sex and gore! Jessica flies to LA, determined to defend the integrity of her work.
This is another episode that seems to be completely free of clues as to what time of year it is, especially since it’s warm and sunny year-round in southern California. However, we know the events of this episode take place after Jessica’s “Birds of a Feather” trip to San Francisco, because at that time, the Corpse movie deal was still intact. The initial air date of this episode was October 28, 1984, so I place these events in late October 1984.
Ethan makes a brief, but notable, appearance in the opening scene, set in Cabot Cove. He is the first gentleman, but not the last, to try to tackle Jessica’s plumbing. Freud did say “Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar.” But that’s not the case here, friends.
If you’re a MSW fan (and if you’ve read this far, you are) I’m sure you’ve recognized a few actors who appear multiple times throughout the series, but in different roles. Check out The Rogues’ Gallery for more details. In this episode, one supporting character, Marty Strindberg, is played by an actor who we’ll see again in a future MSW, Lyle Waggoner.
The Timeline
Day 0
At home in Cabot Cove, Jessica sees a television interview with Jerry Lydecker about the slasher film he’s producing, J.B. Fletcher’s The Corpse Danced at Midnight. Oh, the horror!
Jessica and Ethan, astonished and agape.
Day 1
Morning
Jessica flies out to Hollywood and meets with her attorney, Marty Strindberg. He can’t, or won’t, intervene in the Corpse project, and instead suggests that Jessica should go:
Visit Disneyland!
See Farmers’ Market!
Take a Hollywood Tour!
Jump in La Brea Tar Pits! (I jest.)
But she’s a woman on a mission, so Jessica crashes the studio gates with the aid of the film’s costume designer, the glamorous Marta Quintessa.
Meanwhile, in her trailer, Eve is confronted by Jerry about his suspicions that there’s another man.
On the way to the set, Jerry and Allan argue about financial matters. Marta, Allan, and Jessica all lament the quality of the screenplay. Jerry and Marta discuss costume challenges.
Ross, Eve, and Scott meet on set to shoot the “nude scene.” Jessica is discomposed.
Eve and Scott in the first bathrobes of the episode.
Just after Lunch
Jerry and Jessica face off. Jerry stands his ground, and our lady says, “Just because the Almighty gave people a taste for lobsters doesn’t mean that He gave lobsters a taste for being boiled alive.” I think this line is a little too over the top to include in my Le Mot Juste, but it recalls David Foster Wallace’s excellent essay Consider the Lobster, which I highly recommend.
Made-for-TV artwork is usually a little underwhelming, but I love this fake movie poster.
Later that Afternoon
Norman, a junior attorney from Carr, Strindberg and Roth, brings the Corpse contract to Jessica’s hotel suite. Legal eagle-eyed Jessica discovers that she is in the wrong and resolves to see Jerry to make amends.
Jessica increases this episode’s robe count to three.
Off camera, Jerry views rushes in the screening room, and then goes to the set.
After pressing his secretary, Ms. Finch, Jessica follows Jerry to the set to apologize. Instead, she finds his real body in his fake cemetery. Plus, a gold button! It’s a clue!
After being aided/detained by security, Jessica meets Lieutenant Hernandez. He’s a big fan of J.B. Fletcher, and we learn that the “B” is for Beatrice.
Ross and Marta arrive and voice their weak alibis and some even weaker lines. Jessica is sent to Jerry’s beach house to break the news to Eve.
Cocktail Hour
At the beach house, Eve offers Jessica some scotch and (diet) soda.
Here, the viewer might pause to contemplate the difference between purposeful bad acting and unintentional bad acting, and whether we should evaluate a play within a play by the same standards as the play itself. Please leave your thoughts in the comments.
Jessica and Eve decide a cold shower plus a cup of tea is a recipe for sobriety, and then they have an important chat.
The episode’s fourth bathrobe. This one is monogrammed with Jerry’s initials, which is a nice detail.
Night
Jessica returns to her hotel with Lt. Hernandez, who tells her she can’t fly home yet, because she’s a suspect.
Day 2
On the way to the set with Jessica, Allan explains how he, Ross, Marta, et al stand to benefit from Jerry’s death.
On set, we finally get to see Jerry’s vision for the film, and there’s a lot of… choices.
In another tête-à-tête with Jessica, Marta divulges the nature of her past relationship with Jerry, and alludes to a possible allergy or medical condition that Eve has when she drinks alcohol.
Lt. Hernandez halts production to publicly arrest Jessica as prime suspect. Back at the precinct, instead of booking her, he leans on Jessica to solve the case for him.
Day 3
Morning
I deduce it’s morning, as Jessica’s wearing another bathrobe. Does she travel with multiple robes? Is one of them the hotel’s robe? I need to know why there’s more than one. Also, I’ll note that Jessica does all her robe wearing with Norman. However, Jessica and younger men is a subject for a later episode.
Jessica in this episode’s fifth and final robe
Norman agrees to help Jessica solve the murder. This includes researching the other four suspects and calling in a favor at the studio.
Midday
Since she’s been banned from the set, Jessica returns to the studio undercover as a tourist.
Trespassing! Again!
She completes a studio tour of her own design:
View Jerry’s rushes!
Annoy Scott!
Chat with the costume mistress!
Search Eve’s trailer!
Egads, it’s Ross! And he has the gold button! It’s a clue!
Due to an irksome plot hole, Hernandez is immediately, inexplicably on the spot to arrest Ross. As they watch the paddy wagon pull away, Norman provides Jessica with the final clues to the mystery:
Ross is financially embarrassed.
Allan is struggling to stay sober.
Eve takes oral medication for diabetes mellitus.
Marta once threatened to turn Jerry into shish kebob for cheating on her.
Cocktail Hour
It’s a party at Jerry’s beach house and Jessica, Marta, Allan, Scott, and Eve are there. Norman is not in attendance; I imagine he’s having a long overdue dinner at his uncle’s house.
The champagne and diet soda flow. After Jessica’s toast to the wrongfully accused Ross, each party goer takes their leave, until only the murderer remains.
Show Your Work
Fair Play Pause Point
Once Norman gives Jessica his report on all the other suspects, she has enough information to know who the killer is, and so do we.
Suspects
All the main characters should be considered as potential suspects, the one exception being Ethan, who only makes a brief appearance in the opening scene set in Cabot Cove. The rest, in order of appearance:
Jessica Fletcher
Jerry Lydecker
Marta Quintessa
Eve Crystal
Allan Gebhart
Ross Haley
Scott Bennet
Norman Lester
Lt. Mike Hernandez
Motive
Five suspects have motives to kill Jerry:
Jessica despised his adaptation of her novel
Marta was a bitter and jealous ex
Eve was seeing another man
Allan was shortchanged on his screenplay
Ross wanted credit as the producer to revive his career
As for the rest of the main characters:
Jerry was not suicidal, nor could he have self-inflicted the lethal blow
Scott didn’t like Jerry, but as far as he knew, did not stand to gain by Jerry’s death
Norman and Lt. Hernandez have no motive because they had no relationship with Jerry
I’m on the fence about whether Scott had a motive. Neither Jessica nor Lt. Hernandez consider him a serious suspect, but he didn’t like Jerry and was interested in Eve, which seems to me very nearly as much motive as Marta had.
Means and Opportunity
In this case, means and opportunity are inseparable. All five main suspects had access to the set where Jerry was killed, and the weapon was a prop urn on that set. None of the suspects have a particularly strong alibi for the time of the murder. Eve was alone, as was Jessica. Ross and Marta left separately from the costume department during the time of the murder, so they were alone, as well. No alibi is given for Allan. Or Scott, if you care to include him.
Clues!
Solving the murder comes down to a couple of clues that are presented to us during the scene in which Ross is arrested.
The Gold Button
The gold button, first glimpsed beside Jerry’s body when Jessica discovers the murder, is missing for most of the episode. When the button is found in Ross’s possession, Jessica suggests to Lt. Hernandez that it belonged to a costume. The only costume of import throughout the episode is Eve’s original majorette costume. Eve didn’t like it, and Jerry wanted Marta to redesign it. It’s also missing from the costume department.
The gold button beside the body indicates that the majorette costume was present at the time of the murder. Of the five suspects with motives, only Marta, the costume designer, Eve, the costume wearer, and Ross, the director, would have had reason to interact with Jerry in the vicinity of the majorette costume. Neither Allan nor Jessica (nor Scott) were concerned with the majorette costume. Additionally, that Ross is found in possession of the gold button means that he was at the murder scene before the police arrived, and that he understood the significance of the button as evidence.
Eve’s Medication
At Jessica’s request, Norman confirms that Eve takes oral medication for diabetes. If you’re fuzzy or even completely ignorant about the different kinds of medication available for diabetes, don’t worry, so am I. We can still sort this out, because we know Jessica would not have asked Norman for this information unless it potentially pertained to the murder.
We can tie it back to Marta’s remark about Eve’s reaction to vodka, which, in addition to the scotch and diet soda at the beach house, really should have been plenty for us to question Eve’s “I’m drunk” alibi for the murder.
J’accuse!
This was another fair play episode, there was plenty of evidence that Eve was lying about her alibi. The gold button was relevant, but also injected just enough chaos and uncertainty to keep the plot moving.
This was another early episode where the final scene felt a little clunky. All the remaining suspects are called together, but instead of a Hercule Poiret-style dramatic denouement including the entire group, each character leaves one at a time, and just like a party breaking up, the final scene loses all its steam. You can kind of see how the later episodes fell into the classic MSW end scene where Jessica confronts the killer alone, often at the risk of some sort of threat or violence. It becomes a cliché, but at least it’s a reliable way of sustaining tension and energy until the conclusion.
Episode Rating
I give this episode two stars. It had potential, and I loved the campy b-movie premise, but the cast was undermined by too many terrible lines, and the ending did not work for me.
Bonus Features
Do crimes.
Murder!
Culprit: Eve Crystal
Motive: Fear, to protect Scott’s career
Weapon: Blunt object (urn)
Before Our Eyes: Murder portrayed on screen in flashback
Crime Scene: Real body in a fake cemetery
Discovery: 15:38, about 32% through
Other Crimes!
Removing evidence from the scene of a crime: Ross Haley, for playing who’s got the button
Trespass: Jessica, for sneaking back onto the studio after being banned
Felonious assault: Ross again, for knocking down Jessica during a hasty escape
This is an easy one. This is the first time in the series that law enforcement considers Jessica a suspect, and for good reason. I award a gold button star to this episode for how deftly Jessica is framed, and how concisely Lt. Hernandez and Ms. Finch make a case against her. If Jessica’s the killer, it went down just the way they said.
Tropes, Devices, and Other Conventions
Mystery Tropes
Despicable Victim
As often happens, this episode’s victim is so dastardly that almost everyone has a reason to kill him.
Love Triangle
This is the series’ first, but not last, love triangle that includes the murderer and the victim.
Oddly Located Corpse
Jessica finds a real body in a fake cemetery, which is clever. Incidentally, it is the first time in the series that Jessica discovers the body.
Plot Devices
Flashback
We see a flashback during Eve’s confession, and it’s the first time in the series that the murder is portrayed on screen.
Wham.
MSW Tropes
Nay, Tarry
This time, Jessica has to miss her flight home because she’s the prime suspect.
Confess Thyself
Jessica uses her superlative powers of persuasion to convince the killer to confess.
Law Enforcement
Lt. Mike Hernandez is the first law enforcement officer who is an unabashed fan of J.B. Fletcher, but he won’t be the last.
Le Mot Juste
This episode is riddled with terrible lines. So many, I should have called this section Le Mot Injuste. Here are the top three stinkers:
Second runner up, Allan: “Just remember, the picture’s not over until the credits roll.”
First runner up, Ross: “Will the suspects please form a double line?”
Worst line of the episode, Marta: “Should someone tell our star that her star-maker has gone to his maker?” Ugh.
To her credit, my favorite line this episode is also from Marta, regarding the majorette costume: “Darling, if I cut it any higher, there will be nothing left but a belt.”
Family Matters: A Tiny Plot Hole
Since the events of this episode come seemingly on the heels of Vicky and Howard’s wedding and their new start in Hollywood, why didn’t Jessica visit them while she was in LA?
What She Wore
Jessica’s Best Look
My favorite look from Jessica this episode is the blue striped blouse and white straight skirt she’s wearing when she finds the body. It’s so timeless it could be worn today, maybe with an updated belt and shoes. Plus, it could look great on a woman of any age.
Jerry’s not looking too good, but Jessica looks fantastic.
Best Look
My favorite look this episode is Eve’s beach house casual. It’s colorful, but well composed. It looks like it belongs in an 80’s Esprit ad. It also looks super comfy.
At least one of these three women is a murderer.
Least Best Look
This is the second episode in a row I’ve had to come down hard on a jumpsuit.
“Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” – Coco Chanel
The Rest of the Story
The world of MSW is one in which Eve Crystal is a very good, perhaps excellent, actor. She was able to deceive Jessica the day of the murder. It follows, then, that she was also able to deceive Jessica when she seemingly confessed all and agreed to turn herself in to the police.
While the facts of the case were undeniable, Eve, with the help of the best criminal defense team her studio could buy, was able to convince judge and jury that she acted in self-defense. Only Ross Haley, the lone eye witness to the murder, knew the truth, and it was in his personal and professional best interest to keep quiet.
In addition to the best legal defense, Eve’s studio also invested in a stellar PR campaign. Consequently, the publicity of her trial and acquittal actually boosted Eve’s career. She went on to become a solid B-list actress, and, for a time in the late 80’s, a household name. Whenever possible, she worked on Ross’s projects, helping him to quietly rebuild his career as a respected director and producer. Though they worked closely together for many years, they never, ever discussed the circumstances of Jerry’s death.
Eve purchased Jerry’s beach house from his estate. She led a solitary life there until her death thirty years later.
Extra Credit
Looking for some more movie magic, plus a little murder? Here are my recommendations:
Thriller: Jerry Lydecker’s film adaptation of The Corpse Danced at Midnight is described as a combination of Halloween, Porky’s, and Flashdance, but it resembles to me nothing so much as a budget derivative of Michael Jackson’s iconic music video.
Hollywood Hotel: This classic film originated the song “Hooray for Hollywood,” the inspiration for the name of this episode.
“Requiem for a Falling Star:” An excellent episode of Columbo that features some of the same Universal Studios sites as this episode, plus a cameo by Edith Head!
The King of Clubs: In the David Suchet adaptation of this Agatha Christie mystery, an actor is suspected of murdering her rapacious film producer.
What follows is a detailed discussion of Murder She Wrote S1 E3, “Birds of a Feather.” The plot will be spoiled, and the tea will be spilled. I recommend you watch the episode before reading further, and maybe make it dinner theater.
A Feathery Farce
MSW S1 E3 “Birds of a Feather” was inspired by the 1978 film La Cage aux Folles, which was also released as Birds of a Feather. Like the film, this episode concerns a drag club, although no one in 1984 San Francisco seems to know the colloquial term for “female impersonation.” More on that later. MSW’s “Birds” combines romantic farce and murder mystery. Will it lay an egg?
The Oeuvre of J.B. Fletcher
In this episode we learn that Jessica already has six best sellers and a movie deal, which is extremely impressive, since her first book was published only months prior.
Where in the World is…?
This episode takes us to San Francisco, California. Here’s a map.
When Are We?
This episode is, as far as I can tell, completely free from any information or clues as to what time of year it is. In the absence of in-episode information to the contrary, I assume that the events in question occur prior, but as close as possible to, the initial air date of the episode. The original air date was Sunday, October 14, 1984, so I initially estimated early October 1984.
However, the timeframe for S1 E5 “It’s a Dog’s Life” can be pinned down to Saturday, October 6, 1984 through Saturday, October 13, 1984. This pushes the “Birds” timeframe up into late September, for a number of reasons.
The Days of the Week
The events of “Birds” take place over four days. On the first night, Les Champignons, a nightclub, is open, which makes it unlikely that it’s a Monday, since this is the most common day for nightclubs to be closed.
However, because Jessica is making the morning chat show rounds on Day 1 and Day 2, we know these first two days are weekdays.
On Day 4, Howard and Victoria get married in a church. Christian churches almost universally discourage weddings on Sundays, to avoid scheduling conflicts with regular Sunday services.
With these limits in mind, we can narrow down the possible four day timeline as being either Tuesday – Friday or Wednesday – Saturday.
Travel Restrictions
With an airdate of October 14 and the events of S1 E5: “It’s a Dog’s Life” taking place October 6 – October 13, the latest possible timeframe for “Birds” is Tuesday, October 2 – Friday, October 5.
However, this would mean that, immediately following the wedding reception, Jessica flew from San Francisco to Washington DC (5 hours direct, plus 3 hours lost to the time difference), then traveled 2.5 hours by car into rural Virginia, and was fresh as a daisy for another murder on Saturday morning. Technically possible, but both unlikely and deeply unpleasant for our lady.
Conclusion
The next latest possible timeframe for “Birds” is Wednesday, September 26 – Saturday, September 29, 1984. This is my current best estimate. As well as giving Jessica some down time in Cabot Cove between trips, it has the added benefit of giving our lovebirds a Saturday wedding. Isn’t that nice?
The Players
All our delectable little champignons, in the order we meet them:
Howard is a nice kid who might be in over his head at a local nightclub. He’s an aspiring actor who recently worked as a NYC cab driver. I usually try not to wade too far into IMDb waters, but this is a very direct reference to Jeff Conaway’s role in Taxi.
(L-R) Taxi, Jeff Conaway, Tony Danza
(L-R) John Travolta, Jeff Conaway, Greased Lightning
Al Drake is a disagreeable man who likes jogging. He owns a successful nightclub named Les Champignons, even though the name of the episode is “Birds of a Feather.” I guess the eponym Drake will have to suffice. Quack.
Actually, no, I’m putting Howard the Duck in here, too. The movie came out a few years after this episode, but the comics predate them both. Quack, quack.
Fritz
Is Fritz the German Shepherd a good boy or a bad dog? Only time will tell.
Victoria is the first we’ll meet of Jessica’s many nieces. Her maiden name is Brandon, a fact which, as far as I can tell, is never alluded to in-episode. It is the last IMDb factoid I will include here. I just really needed it for the family tree. Jessica says, “We’ve only had one killer in our family…” which I think implies that Victoria belongs to her side of the family rather than Frank’s. As a plot vehicle, Victoria is allergic to flowers. We’ll see her again in future episodes, and I’m curious as to whether the allergy bit will carry forward.
What is Jessica’s primary role in San Francisco? Is it Aunt Jess, lending familial legitimacy to Victoria’s hurry-up-already wedding? Or is it J.B. Fletcher, promoting her sixth bestseller on morning chat shows and meeting the mayor (Dianne Feinstein)?
Bill is a television talent agent, so we know right away that he’s an acquisitive asshole. He also happens to be the most enjoyable secondary character this episode. Bill hustles and does his homework. He specifies that J.B. has six paperbacks and one movie sale, and if you think the distinction between bestseller and paperback is kind of a small detail, why are you here?
Freddy York (L) and Bill Patterson (R) face off with Jessica
Freddy York is a comedian. He’s technically not a stand-up comedian since he also plays the drums. This character/performance felt very uncomfortable, and just… off, which was surprising to me, since the actor is a successful comedian.
Lady Drake is the third eponymous bird. Duck, duck, goose duck. Candice plays golf, which I think is meant to demonstrate her merry widowhood, but seems both unnecessary to the plot and incongruous with her character.
Novack is the first of many officers of the law who will feel beleaguered and exasperated by the unasked-for assistance of Jessica Fletcher.
The Cockatoo
The only actual avian in “Birds of a Feather,” the cockatoo serves feathery realness. Both a ready bird and a red herring, the cockatoo’s range is unexpectedly expansive, portraying both fish and fowl.
George
George the marmalade cat is Floyd’s flatmate. Fun fact: Marmalade cats are usually male. I bet Lillian Jackson Braun would’ve know this. Unfortunately, it seems cat facts fall outside of Jessica’s otherwise estimable expertise.
Angela may enjoy working with animals, but in this instance, the feeling is not mutual.
Repeat Offenders
If you’re a MSW fan (and if you’ve read this far, you are) I’m sure you’ve recognized a few actors who appear multiple times throughout the series, but in different roles. Check out The Rogues’ Gallery for more details. The following supporting characters are played by actors who we’ll see again, in future episodes:
As far as I can tell, the events of “Birds of a Feather” take place over four days.
Day One
Morning
Jessica arrives in San Francisco and appears on the local television show Bay City Breakfast.
Afternoon
Al goes jogging with Fritz and has two unpleasant scenes; first with Howard, about financial matters, and then with Mike, also about financial matters. This is probably why Howard can’t get himself to the church on time. Once he arrives for the wedding rehearsal, Victoria is piqued because he can’t join her and Aunt Jess for dinner. She says she wouldn’t want to drag Howard away from a client, and that’s the only use of that four-letter word we’re going to get all episode.
Evening
Jessica and Victoria have dinner at what appears to be a British pub themed restaurant. Jessica seems unable to go 24 hours without Maine lobster, no matter how lethargic.
Victoria confides in Jessica about Howard’s odd behavior, and they decide to investigate. However, the truth is right in front of us. Howard fell in love with acting when he played the lead in Charley’s Aunt. Whatever might that mean, Victoria?
Later that night, at Les Champignons, Al and Barbara have an unprofessionally cozy conversation. Al then has his third and final unpleasant scene about financial matters, this time with Bill. Victoria leverages Jessica’s celebrity to get a table. It is the last time we see Al Drake alive.
Shortly before 9:50 pm, the maître d’ seats Jessica and Victoria. The opening act, a mysterious figure in pink, concludes, and Freddy York takes the stage.
During Freddy’s act, the lovely Mrs. Drake arrives. Backstage, Barbara intercedes when Felix is sent to tell her husband.
Just after 10:05 pm, Michelle Dupont begins her opening number, “Someone to Watch Over Me”. Barbara screams bloody murder from backstage. Howard, on the run and in full drag female impersonation clothing, is prevented from escaping.
Our young lovebirds are reunited. Boy, what a pickle!
Jessica meets the cockatoo and begins to beleaguer Lieutenant Novack.
Day Two
Morning
Everyone at the police station is understandably tired and grumpy after having been up all night. It’s Jessica’s turn to leverage her celebrity, and it looks like Dana Burns and Dianne Feinstein will have to wait, because the only person she wants to talk to is Howard. Like a fairy godmother waving a magic wand, Jessica grants Howard a nitric acid test, a lawyer, and a pair of pants.
Afternoon
Unsatisfied by Lt. Novack’s theory that Freddy’s drums obscured the sound of the gunshot, Jessica returns to Les Champignons in search of Barbara. Bill shoots his shot, Mike and Candice make a scene, Jessica makes the acquaintance of Freddy, and enjoys the view of Alcatraz from his dressing room.
After Barbara gets fired, Jessica takes her for a ride and gets valuable gossip in exchange for the cab fare.
Just wanted you to marvel at the similarity of their hairstyles
Mike and Candice meet on location at the Aquatic Park Pier to discuss the fortuitous turn of events and protest their respective innocence.
It must have been a roundtrip cab ride, because Jessica is back to Les Champignons to learn that Howard’s nitric acid test was negative. She gets to rock out while testing Lt. Novack’s drum vs. gunshot theory. Freddy enters stage left only to be knocked into the first row by falling stage lights.
I wanna rock
Day Three
Morning
Jessica takes a streetcar, and joins Floyd and George for coffee.
How does he open the cabinet behind the fridge?
Jessica and Floyd discuss motives and the intentional sabotage of the stage lights.
Midday
Jessica bails out Howard and tells him to take Vicky to lunch. Did he see Candice at the stage door the night of the murder? Maybe? That’s all the reason Jessica needs for another cab ride.
It appears Jessica is holding a bag of actual food… poor hungry hungry doggo.
Jessica takes a bagged lunch to the driving range to find Candice, who’s wearing, according to Jessica, very attractive golf togs. “I’ve never seen it done in black” is definitely a low-key burn. The only thing gained from this scene is the knowledge that Freddy is receiving visitors at the hospital. I hope Jessica told the cab to wait.
Cocktail Hour
It’s time for a glass of champagne with Freddy and Bill at the hospital.
Freddy’s ring, so big and shiny!
Freddy’s gown, so short and tiny!
Bill is obstreperous, and delightfully so, imho. They discuss the suspicious incident of the falling stage lights and all the possible targets.
Back to Jessica’s hotel with Howard and Vicky in tow, and Jessica is very, very tired. I’ll admit, I might be losing the threads of the timeline here, because I feel like due to the wardrobe changes, everyone had time for a full night’s sleep between the falling stage lights scene and coffee at Floyd’s apartment.
But anyway, Jessica is tired and it’s noisy next door, so she has occasion to use a pillow to muffle the sound… and, eureka!
Cut for time, Jessica returns to the police station to acquire crime scene photos from Charlie, and then it’s back again to Floyd’s apartment, and finally to Les Champignons for some pillow talk and an onstage reenactment that amounts to reckless endangerment. Floyd could have been killed, Jessica, wtf.
Jessica names the killer, who then conveniently walks onstage to confess.
Day 4
Victoria and Howard get married! All our remaining little mushrooms are there, except Felix and the MC, whom I assume are dog sitting Fritz and bird sitting the cockatoo. Everyone is so G-D blissful, even the freshly unemployed Barbara. Nothing erases the horror of violent death quite like a wedding, apparently.
Show Your Work
Fair Play Pause Point
Jessica’s eureka moment happens at her hotel, but she does seek confirmation of her suspicions via the crime scene photos and a follow up onsite visit. Lt. Novack serves as a stand in for the audience, and Jessica walks him through the final clues, as follows:
The pillow from Al’s settee was used as a silencer for the gun.
The damaged pillow was later replaced with a pillow from another dressing room.
Floyd heard the falling stage lights above him in time to step out of the way.
Once Lt. Novack successfully avoids the falling stage lights, Jessica expects him to be able to put all the pieces together. So, let’s see if we can.
The Pillows
There are five people with motives to kill Al: Howard, Mike, Bill, Freddy, and Candice.
Originally, the police concluded that only the sound of the drums during Freddy’s act could have obscured the sound of the gunshot. Once Jessica establishes that a pillow was used as a silencer, the possible timeframe for the murder expands to include any time after which Al is last seen until the murder is discovered. This includes the final minutes of Howard’s act, all of Freddy’s act, and the beginning of Michelle’s act.
Crucially, this means that Freddy no longer has an alibi for the murder.
If we pay close attention to the appearance of the replacement pillow, we can see that it is sun faded, and can be connected to the window in Freddy’s dressing room. However, MSW is generous to its casual viewers, and drops one more big clue on us.
The Stage Lights
Once we learn about the pillows, things start to look bad, but not conclusively so, for Freddy. Once Jessica stages her reenactment (pun intended), he is the only possible suspect. Jessica proves that a person with normal hearing and physical response times would be able to dodge the lights. Therefore, Freddy faked his fall and injuries in an attempt to misdirect the investigation, and possibly, also clobber Jessica. Two birds with one stone. Birds. This episode is purportedly about birds, so I have to get my birds idiom in somewhere.
J’accuse!
This mystery is pretty simple, and the writers play fair with us in terms of evidence. The tone of the episode is light, especially with the attempt at romantic farce. Neither aspect of this episode really worked for me, I think there’s just simply not enough time to do both things well in 45-ish minutes.
This episode Jessica seemed to ricochet from suspect to suspect with only the slightest hint of reason or driving force. Similarly, the denouement, Freddy’s confession, also seemed to lack impetus. He quickly abandons his claim of innocence, but why? He’s correct in saying that the stage lights prank doesn’t prove he murdered Al, and any one of the other suspects could have framed him by taking his dressing room pillow. He certainly isn’t remorseful. In fact, Freddy’s deadpan manner and his matter-of-fact suggestion that he should have also killed Jessica make him seem like a complete psychopath. And yet, the writers seem to think they have created a sympathetic character, because Jessica tries to console him, assuring him that she’s sure he would have been a success in Las Vegas.
There’s a couple of missed opportunities this episode. First, there’s an interesting theme that runs through almost all the important evidence this episode – sound: the sound of the gunshot, the sound of the drums, the sound of the falling stage lights, and it might have been interesting to pursue that further. Second, another key element to the plot was Freddy’s dressing room window, the light from which caused the upholstery to fade, but which also had a great view. And yet, the writers did not explore the idea of a man who feels desperately trapped, gazing out of his window every day at Alcatraz.
As for Howard and Victoria’s happily ever after? It’s fine, I guess. Thankfully, many of the happy couple’s ideas about marriage and gender roles are now laughably dated. The one thing “I do” wish would come back in style is small, simple weddings. A relief all around, I imagine.
Episode Rating
I give “Birds” three stars… it was nearly just a two star episode, but the cast was good, and the camp hit all the right notes for me.
Bonus Features
Do crimes.
Murder!
Motive: To escape a contract (greed)
Weapon: Gun
Done Deed: Murder happens offscreen
Crime Scene: Body comfortably seated behind a desk
Discovery: 15 minutes, 30% through
Murderer(s): Freddy York
Other Crimes!
Possession of a stolen firearm: Freddy York
Assault: Freddy York, for dropping the stage lights first
Reckless endangerment: Jessica Fletcher, for dropping the stage lights second
What if Jessica Fletcher is the world’s most successful serial killer?
After being seated by the maître d’, Jessica briefly excuses herself during Freddy York’s act, ostensibly to freshen up. She goes backstage and shoots Al. Why? For the Moët et Chandon he keeps in a pretty cabinet.
That’s why Freddy’s confession felt so unnatural. He was innocent, but because of his dark sense of humor, and, like many comedians, a tendency to self-sabotage, he decided it would be fun to do a bit where he’s the killer.
Tropes, Devices, and Other Conventions
Mystery Tropes
“Birds of a Feather” features one of the most common mystery tropes, a victim whom almost everyone wants to kill.
Plot Devices
Flashback
We’re treated to a classic wavy flashback effect at 22:50, when Howard recounts how he found the body. It seems like the writers are leaning into the camp, since Howard is definitely channeling his inner Dee Snider.
April 1984: We’re Not Gonna Take It
September 1984: No, We Ain’t Gonna Take It
Wedding Finale
The final scene is a wedding, because despite the murder, this episode is essentially a comedy, and nothing says happily ever after like “I do.”
MSW Tropes
Door of Truth
As often happens, an ordinary and unrelated event helps Jessica solve the murder. This time, it’s a pretty literal connection. When she puts a pillow over her ears to muffle the sound of nearby construction, she realizes a pillow could have been used as a silencer.
Infinite Jest
One of the best things about Murder, She Wrote is that often something completely absurd happens as a plot vehicle. In the spirit of farce that inspired this episode, Jessica and Victoria discover that Howard is secretly a drag performer in the same moment as he discovers a murder. What are the odds?
Law Enforcement
Lt. Floyd Novack is the first of many officers of the law who is truly antagonistic towards Jessica. Of course, as she almost always does, she wins him over in the end.
Le Mot Juste
In my opinion, the best lines this episode took place during Jessica’s cab ride with Barbara.
Barbara calls Candice “Lucretia Borgia in furs.” 80’s ladies like Candice still wore furs. One might imagine that Lucretia Borgia also had both the means and occasion to wear furs, making Barbara’s turn of phrase seem superfluous. However, the intricacies of sumptuary laws in Renaissance Italy may have meant Lucretia Borgia did not wear furs. So, points to Barbara for style and plausible historical accuracy.
After a nice juicy gossip with Barbara, Jessica says adieu and “It is so nice to talk to someone who knows how to be discrete.”
Don’t Say Gay
If you thought it was strange that there were no gay people at a drag club in 1984 San Francisco, you aren’t alone.
What She Wore
Scarves
We’re starting to see Jessica’s style develop a bit more. We get a repeat of the ivory blouse and pearls combo we saw in “The Murder of Sherlock Holmes,” which I actually don’t mind at all. I think it makes a character seem more authentic if we see her wear a piece of clothing more than once, like an actual person would do. We also get a couple of scarf variations, which I always enjoy.
Best Look
Mrs. Drake in white
Least Best Look
Mrs. Drake in black
Interior Motives
Les Champignons is a treasure trove of over-the-top interior design choices. My favorite piece is the pop art painting in the room with Howard before he’s arrested.
By contrast, the gag painting of Michelle Dupont can not be unseen. Sorry.
Honorable mention goes to Floyd and George’s apartment. It’s lovely.
The Rest of the Story
We’ll see Victoria and Howard again later in the series. It looks like Mike, Candice, and all the champignons will live happily ever after at their very straight drag club. But, what about Barbara, newly unattached and unemployed?
After a couple of glasses of champagne at the wedding reception, Barbara and Candice bury the hatchet. As it turns out, Candice found it incredibly difficult to run the club without Barbara, who was a very effective administrator. Still, both agree sharing a work space would be difficult. Instead, Mike and Candice offer Barbara a new position as manager of Les Nouveaux Champignons, their expansion location in Lake Tahoe. And who does Barbara take along as the premiere act? It’s Felix, lucky Felix, who launches a promising career as Lake Tahoe’s Sweetheart, Felicity.
Extra Credit
Want more birds? I recommend the original La Cage Aux Folles (1978) or the remake The Birdcage (1996).
Want more backstage murder? I recommend Vintage Murder by Ngiao Marsh, the master of theater whodunits.
Finally, it’s clear that “Birds of a Feather” is not representative of American drag culture in the 1980’s. For some 80’s drag realness, I recommend the documentary Paris is Burning (1990).
Murder, She Wrote, She Wrote 