Incident in Lot 7

You'd think after Jessica's last disastrous time in Hollywood that she'd avoid it like the plague. However, once again, she's there to talk about seeing one of her books come to the big screen. But the studio boss she's working with is a real sleaze-bag...a guy who talks out of both sides of his mouth. Because of this and how awful he treats everyone, there's no shock when he's found murdered. What IS shocking is that he's found by Jessica inside the house from "Psycho". Jessica's job will be to narrow down the list of suspects...and there are many.

This is just an okay episode. Much of its okayness is that the killer turns out to be very willing to confess and there isn't the same amount of surprise with most killings on the show. Plus, with Jessica's previous movie experience, it's odd they wouldn't mention this and she's willing to have yet another book made into a film.

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.

After three wonderful episodes in a row in "The List of Yuri Lermentov", "Danse Diabolique" and "The Witch's Curse" (especially "Danse Diabolique"), "Incident in Lot 7" is still a well above-average episode, elevated especially for its atmosphere. Does it have the most inspired plot and mystery in the world? No, a little bland and lacking in surprises generally on that front. Does it have the best guest support acting? No, there has certainly been worse before and since but after such great casting in the previous three episodes there was not much that was exceptional on display although still very competent.

The standout in the guest support cast is Paula Prentiss, who is actually very good and has a ball as the actress intending to base her character on Jessica herself. Angela Lansbury as always carries the episode faultlessly.

"Incident in Lot 7" has three notable things about it. One is the atmosphere, which is quite creepy in parts. Two is the setting and use of the Psycho house, which does give the chills and creeps. Three is the denouement which is very clever and not just the best and most memorable thing plot-wise of the episode but to me it's one of Season 8's better denouements.

Production values are high in quality as to be expected, with slick photography and 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.

Writing is tight, thought-provoking and typically amiable and the characters and chemistry are good fun.

Overall, above average but could have been better. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Jessica is on hand to witness one of her books being adapted into a big action movie, but her Detective skills are needed when its product Darryl Heyward is killed.

Well they certainly took a chance with this one, but they got it absolutely spot on. I thoroughly enjoyed it, an intriguing mystery, but the mix up with Psycho was brilliantly done, and so unexpected.

A great mix of mystery and horror, it was a winning formula. The sets are brilliant, great looking episode.

Whenever Jessica's work has been adapted, be it for the big screen or stage, it's always carnage, you wouldn't think anyone would touch her books, but foolishly they keep coming back for more.

There are a few amusing moments, and that opening sequence featuring a Hitchcock stand in was brilliant.

8/10.

Sleuthing crime writer Jessica Fletcher goes to Hollywood to meet people who are filming one of her books, but the producer is murdered on a horror film set. Of course, the producer was rubbing certain people the other way, such as dumping his mistress, firing the movie carpenter - its fine entry, there's plenty of fun with all things Hollywood. Scenes in the Bates hotel is great. A satisfying ending.

This episode marks one of the last appearance by, and final television role for, Jackie Gayle, who endured a long career as a night club comic, and who began to perform in film and on television in 1969. Henry Gibson has also since passed.

When Universal Studios, in Hollywood, California, sets to adapt the non-fiction novel "Messengers of Midnight" to the screen, they welcome its author, Jessica "J.B." Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) to tour the facility.

Jessica meets Production Head Ben Miller (Stuart Whitman) on the lot before Secretary Caroline Pryce (Lar Park-Lincoln) ushers her to a meeting with self-serving Producer Darryl Heyward (Ron Leibman), his Agent Willy Montego (Jackie Gayle), and Screenwriter John Cavershaw (Daniel Bardol), who plans to embellish the script with automobile chases and fact changes, to Jessica's objections, until she convinces him otherwise.

Actress Leonora Holt (Paula Prentiss) is cast to play the role patterned after J.B. Fletcher and, therefore, requests plenty of time with Jessica to capture her character and mannerisms, sprinkling a few clichés along the way, to Jessica's surprise. Leonora demands of Darryl that he not hire the unseen actor Kevin Mason to co-star opposite her, but Darryl goes behind her back after promising to respect Leonora's wishes.

Monica Chase (Michelle Johnson), a woman whom Darryl has been seeing during his unexplained absences from the studio, has been given favors for her husband's benefit in exchange for seeing Darryl, but now that Darryl dumps her, Monica seeks revenge.

Oliver Thissle (Henry Gibson) sneaks onto the Universal Studios lot via a plant nursery truck, and into the Bates Hotel (the setting of the 1960 Hitchcock Thriller "Psycho") building atop a hill on Lot 7, before Ben Miller gives Jessica a tour of its exterior premises. He later sneaks into Leonora's office, drawing a prop pistol.

But after Darryl returns from ditching Monica, he returns to the Studios to fire Willy Montego, in the commissary, and to usurp Ben Miller's position as Head of Productions, on a sound stage.

When Jessica returns to enter the Bates Hotel, to discover a body in a pool of blood, Lieutenant Hanrahan (Ron Glass) is summoned to investigate this "Incident in Lot 7."

The cast is rounded out by Police Woman (Christina Rich) and T.V. Anchorman (Larry Carroll), who also broadcasts by the name "Larry" as he reports the murder in Tinseltown, customary to his acting forte.