Novel Connection (7.9)

[HyperCaz]

I have the Region 2/4/5 DVDs. The syndicated ending is the one included, though the Murder She Wrote episode tells a different story in the "previously" part. Same as the R1 DVDs, I take it.

[cornell770]

Great crossover episode. Lots of funny moments if you pay close attention. Rating: 9.0.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Hello, Cornell770, and welcome to the Forum!

You're right, this is an especially enjoyable episode for those of us who are Murder fans as well as Magnum fans. And as for paying attention, that's always an advantage!

[Waterbug Blue]

One detail I like - has anyone noticed the duel of guns? MAGNUM and Cpt BROWNING? I think that's classic writing...

[Croix de Lorraine]

The amazing thing to me about John Hillerman is that he is from Texas. He doesn't have the faintest Texas accent in that show. I was thoroughly convinced that he was really English.

He does slip the odd soft T or rolling R every now and then but yes, he is suberb.

[snp389]

I reckon the best part of this episode, is the reality of TM taking the terminal shot against Mayfield the hitman.
Military training.

[Higgette]

The amazing thing to me about John Hillerman is that he is from Texas. He doesn't have the faintest Texas accent in that show. I was thoroughly convinced that he was really English.

He does slip the odd soft T or rolling R every now and then but yes, he is suberb.

He sounds to me like a British person who's been in the States for a long time - which is perfect for Higgins!

[Doc Fred]

Higgins is becoming my favorite character. I can see why Mr. Hillerman won an Emmy for the role.

This passage through the entire series is finding me also looking at Higgins in a really positive way. While Magnum remains my favorite character (all four could really be called "the favorite"), there's great respect for Higgins as a man of honor and integrity. Yes, he's boorish and "British" (not a real knock) at times, but he more than makes up for it with the quality of his character. Yes, a really good man to have as a friend, a friend you could count on.

[Doc Fred]

Yes, yes, yes... I so agree with so many of you about that witch Pamela... I wanted to rip her throat out several times during the two episodes. Actually, she looks like she could be the twin of one of the women in the community in which I live... I don't like that woman, either. Maybe the look alike coincidence made me dislike Pamela from the beginning, but she was one horrible woman.

Were it not for Goldie, Pamela would be my least favorite non-criminal in the entire series. For anyone to rival Goldie, that person had to be a real loser.

[ScrapStitching]

I caught this episode on Encore tonight. I enjoyed the Murder She Wrote crossover. Jessica Walter was great as her usual bitchy self. It still amazes me how many people get shot on this show. I didn't watch when it as new, but now I'm hooked.

[Stelth]

The screeching harpy that played Pamela Bates is not only the most annoying character ever, she is also one of the ugliest. Her face looked like it was melting. She had these big jowls and wore more makeup than a corpse at a wake. What a horrible looking, horrible sounding woman. Magnum should have Ivaned her.

A truly ghastly hag

[ScrapStitching]

The screeching harpy that played Pamela Bates is not only the most annoying character ever, she is also one of the ugliest. Her face looked like it was melting. She had these big jowls and wore more makeup than a corpse at a wake. What a horrible looking, horrible sounding woman. Magnum should have Ivaned her.

She's an old time stage actress who did some stuff on TV. I saw a lot of over acting on her part. It would be interesting to see the Murder She Wrote episode that is part two of the story. Tony winners don't make the best television viewing.

[Stelth]

I was glad that the Magnum episode didn't tell the rest of the story. I couldn't have cared less about Pamela's fate.

[EZiller]

Never watched "Murder, She Wrote" I must admit Angela Lansbury is rather good in the role. I don't recall this episode, it's pretty good. Higgins is entertaining, as is TSM, with his "I don't really want to be on this case but my feelings will be hurt if you don't ask me" routine. I guess we've all had moments like that. Thought Jessica Walters was great as Joan, the recently widowed nympho secretary. Top ten MPI babe, Cougar division. She looked hot in the swimsuit. 8.5

[SignGuyHPW]

I don't think the episode lived up to its potential. Murder She Wrote and Magnum PI were pretty different show, but had similar elements to them. I think Jessica Fletcher would've had much more in common with Higgins than with Robin Masters or Thomas Magnum. I think the writers tried to turn the Fletcher character into something that she wasn't in order to make it fit their needs.

I didn't really like the main plot of Magnum doing a full on investigation after hiring himself to the case. Granted, the women were guests of Robin and he was capable, but a true professional wouldn't go to the lengths he did when told his services were not wanted or needed by someone he didn't even know. It was also a bit confusing keeping the women straight and what their ties to the story were. There was too much happening. It also really baffled me that Magnum didn't know JB Fletcher was a woman, but was in the middle of a book that had her picture on the back cover.

I liked the idea of crossing the two shows even though I very rarely watched Murder She Wrote. The subplot where Rick and TC needed Magnum to invest on their real estate deal was a bit weak, but kind of funny in parts. I also thought the guy in room #3 screwing things up for Magnum when he came back and discovered guys in his room was hysterical. Jessica not knowing the true nature of why she was asked to fly to Hawaii, but helping things along anyways was a good way to use her, but I think the writing of it was lacking. It just seemed a bit off. Also, does anyone know if Robin was originally planned to appear in this one? They kept building to it and then dismissed it in a throw away line. It made me wonder if they had replaced Orson Wells as the voice and changed their minds or were going to just show the body like normal, but couldn't make it work right.