Episode 31: The Cuckold Chair in the Boat House

TONIGHT ON MURDER SHE, WROTE, we are heading for a restful jaunt to a local lake resort to enjoy the company of new friends, get in some nature walks, and catch up on our sun.  Oh, sorry, no. This one has dead bodies, lascivious affairs with the staff, fugitives, mental abuse between spouses, and naked women running in the woods. Bring your binoculars because things are about to go down. Intrepid murder mystery writer Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) is persuaded by a friend in real estate (John Astin) to visit this perilous cabin in the woods. We get a quick glimpse of the matron of the property (Lee Meriwether) staring threateningly out of the upstairs window, setting the tone that this week may have more in store than planned. The players are many: the nebbish birdwatcher Hollis (William Christopher), the outgoing naturalist (Lee Purcell), and two sets of unhappy couples! There's the uncharismatic Turneys (Lauren Tewes and Charles Frank), where the wife is having an affair with the pool house boy/handyman (Charles Taylor); and the bickering Cranes (Susan Blanchard and Laurence Luckinbill), who give us all an unpleasant look into their home life during a particularly aggressive card game. When a body fails to wash up after going overboard during a morning boat ride fight, the question is how and why, as the who seems pretty straightforward. Naturally, Jessica is not convinced and will have to spend the rest of the week letting Sheriff Tupper (Tom Bosley) know how incorrect he is every step of the way.  We also have William Windom returning as Dr. Seth Hazlitt to provide medical clues that will shock everyone... except our fearless protagonist, who's one step ahead in this mystery of A LADY IN THE LAKE. Hope you know your regional birds' nesting patterns. It'll be on the quiz.