User Reviews

This episode marks Lois Nettleton's third and final "MSW" appearance. Lois had acted in films and upon numerous television programs, from 1953, through 2006, before her unfortunate passing.

While many nice-looking guest stars adorn this series throughout its twelve-season run, "Terminal Connection" features nothing but handsome characters to sample the beautiful residents of Santa Barbara, California, toward which Clark Blanchard (Chad Everett) escorts Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) in his private jet for an author fellowship vacation with his wife, children's book writer Ginny Blanchard (Lois Nettleton), and their young adult son, Scott Blanchard (Hank Stratton).

Santa Barbara's opulence is reflected here, with mansions, beach houses, corporate offices and country clubs, where polo playing is the norm, and a player's substituting for the opposing team when needed is considered a gentlemanly practice, for the sport is more important than any win.

As Ginny Blanchard and Jessica lounge in the shade beside a polo field, they welcome neighbor Allison Franklin (Lisa Pelikan) to join them in watching a match between teams featuring Allison's husband, Greg Franklin (Douglas Barr), and Dane Kenderson (Jameson Parker), business associates of Clark Blanchard.

At a reception that evening, Attorney Margo Saunders (Kerrie Keane) and Lieutanant Paul Stratton (Steve Forrest) mingle with Jessica and Ginny and her friends, when one and all express amazement over Clark's presenting Ginny with an expensive diamond necklace.

Afterwards, at the Blanchard residence, Jessica peers beneath the curtains, to observe Ginny's returning late in the evening, long after bidding Jessica a "Good-night." The next day, when a body is discovered in a convertible near the Blanchards' beach house, Jessica assists Lieutanant Paul Stratton in his investigation, by discovering a purse, a telephone, a trail of blood, and a missing fireplace poker. (Usually in this series, a fireplace poker causes instant murder, but on occasion, a victim lingers.)

Jessica also learns that several around the community harbor secrets, involving Clark, Ginny, Scott, Allison, Greg and Dane, whom she finds snooping around the office.

But when Paul arrests one suspect, another rises to confess to the crime, while Margo advises her client neither to speak to Paul nor Jessica, who suspects that either is protecting the other from a "Terminal Connection."

When a powerful businessman is murdered, the finger of suspicion points at his battered wife - but Jessica is not convinced of her guilt, and manages to come up with a long list of other suspects

Domestic violence is touched upon in this rather engrossing episode. The back drop is bright Santa Barbara and polo clubs, but any respectability Chad Everett shows is only on the the surface - he plays a macho go-getter with some charm but when he get drunk he hits his wife. The wife's friend is Jessica- and when Chad is murdered,the wife is accused of his murder. Of course, Jessica isn't convinced that she's guilty. It's amazing how a serious subject is tackled in a general light episode without becoming too dark. A well done episode.

Jessica travels to visit her old friend Ginny Blanchard. Jessica becomes aware that Ginny has bruises, she confides in Jessica that her husband Clarke is abusive, Ginny is later accused of murdering Clarke.

This is a fine mystery, with Jessica once again coming to the aid of an old friend in need, the amount of pen pals she must have had in her youth is frightening to contemplate.

Plenty of red herrings, twists and turns, there's more than enough here to keep you guessing, you may think you've got it, but I think they do a fine job in blindsiding you.

There's a real fresh feel here, the setting and location is great, no hint of a studio here.

Chad Everett brings a real star quality as Clarke, and even at this age, what a handsome and charismatic man.

Lansbury is great once again, I definitely think they've toughened her up a bit for this eighth series, she's definitely a bit tougher.

8/10.

When the story begins, a rich big-shot, Clark Blanchard, picks up Jessica at the airport and whisks her off to see his wife Ginny (Lois Nettleton). Apparently Ginny and Jessica are old friends (a COMMON trope for this show). What Jessica doesn't know is that Clark is a big dumb jerk-face...who treats others terribly and beats Ginny. So, when Clark is found assuming room temperature after being struck with a fireplace poker, Jessica investigates to see what REALLY happened and, more importantly, WHY.

This is a good episode because it addresses a sad problem, domestic violence...and it deals with it very well. A bit surprising that Chad Everett would agree to play such a disagreeable character...but it's well worth seeing.

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.

Subject matter-wise, "Terminal Connection" is not the easiest of watches, the subject of domestic violence never is (the worst thing to happen in a relationship/marriage ever) but for a show that typically is light in tone it seemed somewhat heavier than usual. This is not a bad thing, because it is handled well and not distastefully or out of place within the general tone of the show and also it is a subject that is very much important and relevant.

The only thing that lets "Terminal Connection" down a little is that once one adds up all the clues together, a couple of them one is surprised at how obvious they are, the identity of the killer and what really happened is not a surprise at all.

On the other hand, Angela Lansbury continues to go strong, and she is particularly well supported by Chad Everett at his most brutish, Steve Forrest (a frequent guest star who is never less than good, the same applies here) and best of all a truly excellent Lois Nettleton (was very moved by her performance here).

Mystery-wise, "Terminal Connection", apart from the unsurprising ending, is a good one, it at least engages and intrigues.

Production values are slick and stylish as ever. 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. The writing is thoughtful, cosy and light-hearted while taking itself seriously as well.

In conclusion, a solid effort. 8/10 Bethany Cox