Jessica Behind Bars

Has a lot of similarities to Prisoner Cell Block H as has all female cast and similar prison uniforms and a Bea Smith character

When I saw this was a 'women in prison' episode of "Murder, She Wrote", I assumed (wrongly) that it would be filled with 1001 stereotypes and would be predictable. Instead, it was intelligently written and different.

Jessica is filling in for a teacher at the women's prison. However, the timing sucks! This is because in the middle of her class, a riot takes place...and a murder! Jessica is worried the prisoners will run amok and go on a killing spree, so she tries hard to solve the crime AND keep the prisoners from letting their emotions get the best of them.

The story has a lot of neat twists. It also avoids many of the stereotypes you see in women in prison films...and for the good. Overall, an interesting show with a most unusual murder!

I don't care that its not realistic, this episode is so tense and dramatic and the acting is so good. Its heartfelt, with Mary's struggle, and I just kept guessing with this one on first watch and the best part is that its highly rewatchable.

Jessica agrees to substitute when a teacher for a class in a women's prison takes an unexpected trip to the hospital. However, she finds her time more occupied with investigation than instruction when the prison locks down and the staff doctor turns up dead in her office. Jessica finds herself the middleman between the desperate inmates and the law, and struggles to find the truth before the already uneasy situation disintegrates into mayhem.

Brilliant episode that features some fine acting performances, especially by Adrienne Barbeau as a loose cannon of a prisoner, some tension and very baffling mystery. Obviously an innocent person gets accused - well, it's a prisoner. The twist in the finale stings real effectively. In between the mayhem, subjects such as prisoner treatment is touched upon.

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.

Personally liked "Jessica Behind Bars" much more than the previous reviewers. In fact, it's always been a standout episode of Season 2 from personal opinion, and as far as 'Murder She Wrote' in general too it's up there. Didn't really buy how everything was resolved so patly at the end, and Jessica seemed almost too calm and collected in moments of great tension.

Otherwise, "Jessica Behind Bars" is a great episode, and a fairly unique one too. Having an all female cast was a first in 'Murder She Wrote' and even after the show ended in 1996 it's still a unique distinction.

Even in a confined setting, a prison this time, "Jessica Behind Bars" is well shot and suits the tension of the episode well. It is kind of a hoot as well seeing all those 80s hairdos. 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.

"Jessica Behind Bars" is very thoughtfully scripted too when it could easily have been trashy, instead it touches upon heavy themes like power, corruption, fight for survival and the nature of crime, debating it in an intelligent way. The story is compelling with a final solution that is quite shocking (for both deaths) and a quite suspenseful climax (so much so it was a shame that the episode ended on a pat note).

Angela Lansbury is terrific, while there are insane performances (in the best of ways) from Margaret Avery and Adrienne Barbeau and classy support from Vera Miles and Linda Kelsey. Even Yvonne De Carlo appears as a cook. As well as its unique distinction as a 'Murder She Wrote' episode with a all-female cast, "Jessica Behind Bars" is worth seeing for the cast alone.

In conclusion, great fun and quite thrilling. 9/10 Bethany Cox