Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) Joshua Peabody Died Here... Possibly (1985) User Reviews

Body of more recent vintage

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 13 July 2017]

Excitement is buzzing when at the construction site of a beachfront resort hotel that a lot of the residents don't want, a skeleton is discovered. Could it be the body of long dead hero Joshua Peabody who led the patriots against the redcoats during the Revolution during the Battle of Cabot Cove.

With the help of Dr. Hazlitt, sheriff Amos Tupper finds the remains are of more recent vintage. Which makes it a homicide in his jurisdiction and a mystery for Jessica Fletcher. It gets real recent when an investor in the project is later found their shot to death. Now Tom Bosley has a real homicide and the suspect is protest leader Michael Sarrazin.

Complicating matters is Chuck Connors an FBI agent arriving in town who says Sarrazin is a 60s radical wanted by the Feds.

In the tradition of Murder She Wrote you know two things. The deceased always has many people looking to kill him and there's always a rush to judgment on someone that Angela Lansbury is always right in that the individual concerned is not the perpetrator.

This episode marks the first appearance of William Windom as Dr. Seth Hazlitt, widower and confidante of Jessica Fletcher. On a personal note one of my favorite characters from all of television. Crusty, but oh so wise.

Out with the Old, In with the New Body: "Abra-Cadaver"

[WeatherViolet · 7/10 · 28 December 2009]

And now we arrive at the first Cabot Cove episode of Season Two, which introduces the character of Doctor Seth Hazlitt, M.D. to the community. William Windom appears in a different character, in a Season One episode in which Jessica and her late husband's Army buddies gather in a tiny Wyoming community. During that episode, Jessica refers to her husband as "Tom Fletcher" and doesn't correct any discrepancy, for he is thereafter referred to as Frank Fletcher, an Air Force veteran.

So, there are a few minor squabbles to iron to achieve series consistency. Such is also the case with surviving relatives of Seth, as in a future episode, his last surviving relatives would consist of one brother, one nephew and one niece, although that notion would be challenged when additional relatives crop up during the course of "MSW." The topic of Cabot Cove Founder, Joshua Peabody, is also subject for debate in various episodes, but we'll hear more details about this presently....

From here on in, William Windom invariably portrays the character of Doctor Seth Hazlitt, a confidant to series star Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), who appears in most upcoming Cabot Cove episodes except for those in "MSW" Season Seven, when William Windom temporarily exits Cabot Cove to join the cast of a one-season television series, "Parenthood" (1990), but does appear in one "MSW" after the cancellation of the Sitcom.

Doctor Seth Hazlitt appears in a total of 52 "MSW" episodes, giving William Windom the distinction of most frequent guest star, adding his prior appearance to garner 53 episodes, he appearing in approximately one-fifth of the total number.

In addition to Seth's Cabot Cove-based episodes, he also accompanies Jessica on excursions set in New Mexico, Maryland, Massachusetts and South Carolina, and sometimes into the Maine woods, when he ends up missing and presumed endangered. In an episode in which Jessica travels to Silicon Valley, California, Seth accompanies her only as far as to a Boston airport, but when Jessica decides to lease a New York City apartment to spend part of her week instructing at Manhattan University, Seth accompanies her for the entire episode, "to protect" Jessica from danger in the big city, while staying in a different room in her suite.

Cabot Cove episodes feature a Sheriff and often at least one Deputy, who address Jessica as "Mrs. Fletcher" or "Mrs. F." except in a case in which a Night Deputy turns to "Jessica" for support to prove his innocence. But right from the start, Seth, who is widowed from late wife, Ruth, addresses Mrs. Fletcher as "Jessica" or "Jess," indicating a sense of cordiality between her and her local confidant, which seems a bit less formal than the strong rapport between her and local law enforcement authorities.

But for now, Jessica Fletcher, Doctor Seth Hazlitt, Sheriff Amos Tupper (Tom Bosley) and Real Estate Agent Harry Pierce (John Astin) keep themselves occupied, as Cabot Cove is torn between its patriot sense of preserving history and its desire to cater to the tourism trade when a construction crew, excavating to build the foundation of a proposed high-rise hotel, unearths the skeletal remains of a human corpse, believed to belong to community founder, Joshua Peabody.

Local shoppe owner David Marsh (Michael Sarrazin), with his wife, Matty Marsh (Deborah White), and young son, Eric Marsh (Robert Jayne) find themselves embroidered in the controversy, as David leads a march against the construction project for its disturbing the natural environment. David has been arrested in the past for rebelling as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam conflict, and he has a record to prove it.

Henderson Wheatley (John Ericson), the property owner, decides to continue with the hotel construction, employing his foreman, Leo Kowalski (Ken Swofford) to continue with the digging. David then has an altercation with Leo, after a rally turns chaotic.

Della "Del" Scott (Meg Foster), a television news reporter and Arthur Griswold (David Sheiner) arrive to cover the discovery, while Historical Society Chairman Ellsworth Buffum (Robin Bach) arrives to rally Cabot Cove citizens for this monumental discovery.

Austin Bailey (Ed Morgan), Eli Harris (Roger Price), Sarah Harris (Barbara Ann Grimes), Olive Newton (Jody Carter), and Mavis Gillam (Sandra Hawthorne) join in the commotion as Cabot Cove locals, some in recurring character, as events take another turn.

For, the next morning, when Sheriff Amos Tupper returns to the excavation site, he lifts the tarp covering the remains, to discover a new body, a recent murder victim. FBI Agent Fred Keller (Chuck Connors) arrives in town to arrest David Marsh on an outstanding warrant, but Amos concludes that David is his prisoner because murder trumps desertion although Matty, Eric and Jessica suspect that David is innocent.

So, whether or not "Joshua Peabody Died Here...Possibly," at least two victims have.

This episode marks the first television acting role for Bruce Lawrence, who appears as Earthmover Driver. Robin Bach, acting since 1970, Chuck Connors, acting since 1952, and Roger Price, acting since 1951, have since passed.

Rather indifferent to this episode

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 19 July 2017]

Have always been quite fond of 'Murder She Wrote'. It is a fun and relaxing watch that makes you think as you try to unwind in the evening. If one wants more complex, twisty mysteries with lots of tension and suspense 'Murder She Wrote' may not be for you, but if you want something light-hearted and entertaining but still provide good mysteries 'Murder She Wrote' fits the bill just fine.

While not a bad episode, "Joshua Peabody Died Here...Possibly" has always left me indifferent. Will always love the Cabot Cove setting, the characters and sense of close knit community, but the story has never quite done it for me despite starting promisingly. After some refreshing fresh touches in the previous episode "Widow Weep for Me", "Joshua Peabody Died Here...Possibly" is a return to standard territory.

The identity of the murderer becomes more obvious as the mystery goes on and the innocence of the main suspect (by means of formula, even with their past) is never in doubt and is even more obvious. "Joshua Peabody Died Here...Possibly" is also rather too exposition-heavy, both off screen and when explaining how and why the murder was committed.

"Joshua Peabody Died Here...Possibly" has some intriguing moments and starts off promisingly, but there are parts where interest is lost and the Joshua Peabody plot could have been better resolved.

However, it is a good looking episode as to be expected. Nicely shot and attractive fashions that makes one nostalgic for the 80s period (even to those who weren't even alive yet). Cabot Cove once again is a great setting. The music has energy and has presence but also not making the mistake of over-scoring, while it is hard to forget or resist the theme tune.

Scripting here is light-hearted and amiable with the Cabot Cove regulars having great chemistry. The episode is notable for the debut of Seth Hazlitt, played with real curmudgeonly charm by William Windom. Again, love the Cabot Cove setting and characters, as well as the real sense of community.

As always, Angela Lansbury is terrific in one of her best remembered roles one of the roles that is most closely associated with me at any rate). Windom, Tom Bosley and John Astin (in the first of many appearances in Season 2) give very solid support, while Michael Sarrazin and Chuck Connors are good value.

In conclusion, enough good and large elements make this episode watchable, but it has always left me indifferent. 6/10 Bethany Cox

enjoyable...but needing a confession when there's no real evidence to implicate the killer for the murder!

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 25 October 2022]

The episode begins with a construction project being held up by protestors. Why? Well, some knuckleheads want to put up a huge building in Cabot Cove and it will spoil the town's beauty. However, the project is temporarily delayed when a long-dead body is found in the excavation. But imagine the Sheriff's surprise when the head of the project is later found dead...in the exact spot where the first body had been found.

I like "Murder, She Wrote" but must admit some plots aren't as good as others. In this case, though the plot is interesting, the story relies on the killer admitting it at the end...even though there really isn't proof they did it!

By the way, I live in the Mendocino, California area and enjoy watching the show just so I can see the local sites circa 1985 (I moved there much later). It was nice seeing the bank/lodge and Ukiah Street in the show...as well as the extensive use of Point Mendocino and Portuguese Beach. Also, in the show Hill House Inn is mentioned...and it's a real place just north of the scenic downtown.

It's Meg Foster's eyes that make it!!

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 17 November 2017]

The builders have moved in to a large piece of land in Cabot Cove, the locals are out in force to oppose it, headed up by David Marsh, much to annoyance of businessman Henderson Wheatley. As work starts a skeleton is found in the ground, the locals believe it to be that of Joshua Peabody, a hugely important historic figure. Later on a more recent corpse arrives on the same site.

I can understand the mixed feelings towards this episode, but I really do enjoy it, firstly because it marks the first appearance of Seth, William Windom had obviously impressed in Funeral at Fifty mile. I just love Meg Foster's Del Scott, the tough journalist, I'm not sure if it's the voice or the eyes, I just love her in it. Sadly there were a few silly characters, if you thought the farming couple were daft, their blushes were spared by the arrival of Ellsworth Buffum, Buffoon would have perhaps been a more apt name.

A bit silly, but on the whole I really enjoyed it. 9/10

Solid episode

[coltras35 · 7/10 · 10 June 2023]

Real estate agent Harry Pierce was trying to maintain progress on the high-rise hotel development of Henderson Wheatley from the protesters, when an old skeleton is found with a skull wound on the site. According to Amos, it was the body of Joshua Peabody (18th century). The investors are furious, but a judge grants an injunction to interrupt construction. Then on the spot where the skeleton was found, the body of developer Henderson Wheatley if found, shot through the heart. But Jessica has one more case to solve. FBI Agent Fred Keller (Chuck Connors) arrests the protest leader for having assumed a false identity after Vietnam.

Enjoyable episode that has Jessica trying to find the murderer of a developer as well as proving that a friend wasn't involved in a violent protest. Same person is accused of bumping off the developer. A solid episode.

Just Because

[chevymun-29-220048 · 10/10 · 20 June 2021]

I grew up with Murder, She Wrote and have been an avid fan my whole life. I'm giving this particular episode 10 stars mostly because it is one of the only 9 episodes actually filmed (partly at least) in Mendocino, CA and for once has men in dump trucks at construction sites instead of old ladies in beauty parlors. Establishing shots of Mendocino, CA are used in all Cabot Cove episodes, however only in 9 of them do the actors actually go to the town and film there. If anyone else wants to know, the other episodes are: Season 1 - Deadly Lady, and Hit, Run, and Homicide. Season 2 - This episode, and Sticks & Stones. Season 3 - Obituary for a Dead Anchor. Season 4 - If it's Thursday, It Must be Beverly, and Indian Giver. Season 5 - both episodes of the season finale Mirror Mirror On the Wall parts 1 & 2. Happy watching!

Joshua Peabody Died Here... Possibly

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 31 July 2023]

The locals of Cabot Cove are up in arms. They are against the construction of a beachfront hotel by tycoon Henderson Wheatley.

The protest is led by David Marsh (Michael Sarrazin) and Sheriff Amos Tupper finds himself in the middle. The whole thing arouses press interest.

Construction comes to a halt when a skeleton is found. Believed to be that of revolutionary war hero Joshua Peabody who fought against the British redcoats at the Battle of Cabot Cove.

Dr Hazlitt is sceptical as he believes that Joshua Peabody is made up.

Later Henderson Wheatley is found dead. Marsh becomes the chief suspect especially when a FBI agent shows up wanting to arrest March for being a 1960's radical who has been on the run.

Jessica Fletcher finds out that Wheatley was a ruthless construction tycoon with little regard to health and safety. Many construction workers were fatally injured.

This is the kind of episode that does not stand up to much scrutiny. No one can tell if a skeleton is 20 years old or over 200 years.

Wheatley's lawyer can just get a court order to start construction work even though a skeleton was recently found. It's a crime scene and a potential historical site.