Episode 85: Is This What English People Do?

If you've ever said to yourself, "This northeastern family drama does not have enough cursed gemstone jewelry," this episode is for you. 

TONIGHT ON MURDER, SHE WROTE, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) and pal Seth (William Windom) are in Maryland to visit his estranged brother Richard (Richard Bradford), newly married to sweet but milquetoast Alice (Jane Windsor), approximately thirty years his junior. 

The family, particularly Richard's moneygrubbing kids (Douglas Barr and Jane Badler), are less than enchanted by the arrangement and are prime suspects when an attempt is made on Alice's life. 

It may be as simple as familial ire. Still, a precious ruby—purported to cause misfortune to all who wear it—is thrown in the mix, casting mystical aspersions and sideways glances to the only nonwhite person in town, Mr. Singh (Kabir Bedi, playing it to the hilt). 

When someone is indeed finally murdered for real this time, Jessica is on the case with puppy-eyed detective of the week Larry Lincoln, who is convinced Jessica is a secret agent. 

There's a lot going on in this relatively simple story of sibling discord, jinxed corundums, exotic cigarettes, and well-timed car exhaust, and Petra and Viktor are here for it. It's THE CURSE OF DANAAV, and it's got its own theme music and everything.