Murder, We Watched
July 19, 2014 10:51 PM - Subscribe

Jessica Fletcher is a retired English teacher who has an eye for details, such as those related to mysterious murders. Her escapades are captured in Murder, She Wrote, in twelve seasons with 264 episodes in total. Who would like to watch and discuss the show?

The show is streaming on Netflix (except for the first episode, which is weird and annoying). Each episode is ~48 minutes long, and there are also 4 movies. At an episode a week, we'd get through the series in five years. That is preposterous. So should we dive in and see how it goes, maybe ramp up to 2-3 episodes per week? Or start with one episode per week and go from there?
posted by filthy light thief (14 comments total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
I'd give it a go, sure.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 8:41 PM on July 20, 2014


Is there an overarching storyline, or can I hop in and out? I used to watch it with my mom when I was small, so would like to check them out but don't really want to commit for half a decade. :)
posted by Literaryhero at 4:53 AM on July 21, 2014


To be honest, I've only watched the first season plus, and it's been a while. Browsing through the list of episodes and the short Wikipedia synopses, it looks like there are some two-episode continuations, as well as some characters who make multiple appearances, but that kind of thing can be summarized to get everyone caught up.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:35 AM on July 21, 2014


I thought as much. Well consider me an occasional member who will pop in when time allows.
posted by Literaryhero at 4:37 PM on July 21, 2014


Maybe we can start with season 2, episode 1 as the most easily available - youtube has parts of season one, but not consistently, and not the pilot in full. Then we can skip any episodes that are dull and get to fun episodes like 2x05 with Emma!
posted by viggorlijah at 7:07 AM on July 23, 2014


Literaryhero, you can definitely watch it out of order. And half asleep. And drunk. It is a big favourite with me and my toddler because it is watchable both as a very light cognitive load and then also for the 1980s details and sheer range of acting ability, and trying to figure out the weird universe in which Jessica Fletcher's life makes sense.
posted by viggorlijah at 7:10 AM on July 23, 2014 [4 favorites]


Maybe we can start with season 2, episode 1 as the most easily available

Oh, but there's so much to talk about! In all honesty, I have been half-tempted to start a blog on the series, because it features so many weird things for a 1980s whodonit. There's all the people that know Miss Jess, and the weird technology that shows up (a remote control car comes to mind, but I'd swear there were was some strange bit of futuristic technology in most of the episodes that I've seen in the first season).

To move things along, we could post 3 episodes per week, and then maybe take a hiatus at the end of the first season. That's 8 weeks (7 weeks at 3 episodes per week, and then one week with one ep).

That way, this could keep things interesting for folks who can't get access to all episodes, and we could get through six seasons in about a year :)
posted by filthy light thief at 7:41 AM on July 23, 2014 [1 favorite]


I'm in, I've watched a wide smattering of episodes (whatever the hallmark channel was showing, basically) and am always up for more.
posted by troika at 8:10 AM on July 23, 2014


Is there an overarching storyline, or can I hop in and out? I used to watch it with my mom when I was small, so would like to check them out but don't really want to commit for half a decade. :)

The only overarching storyline is "Grady is a nitwit". Other than that there are a few recurring characters but you can absolutely watch out of order or skip episodes or whatever.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 8:15 AM on July 24, 2014 [2 favorites]


I am definitely up for this, and I would definitely be up for following a blog on the series.

I'm not sure I could keep up with 3 episodes per week right now, but I've recently rewatched (within the last two years) the first season, so that wouldn't be a problem.

(And I'd like to start with the beginning at least because I love the ending of the first episode A LOT.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 3:38 PM on July 24, 2014 [1 favorite]


Hey Netflix is showing the pilot - it's listed as Season 1: Episode 2 for some reason, but it is the first part of the two-part The Murder of Sherlock Holmes.

It is SO delightful, can we start the rewatch??
posted by viggorlijah at 8:50 AM on August 9, 2014


Save yourselves time and just read this instead (Warning - Meta-spoilers for every MSW episode ever):
The Formula For An Episode Of Murder, She Wrote

(seriously though it's pretty funny)
posted by EndsOfInvention at 3:23 AM on August 13, 2014


Hey Netflix is showing the pilot - it's listed as Season 1: Episode 2 for some reason, but it is the first part of the two-part The Murder of Sherlock Holmes.

Weird, thanks! I was kind of peeved about the missing pilot episode.

I requested the show for FanFare, and I'll put up the post today, or someone else can jump on it.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:50 AM on August 13, 2014


And we're live!
posted by filthy light thief at 12:50 PM on August 13, 2014


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