When a congressman suddenly dies from a heart attack, Jessica is asked to temporarily replace him in Washington.When a congressman suddenly dies from a heart attack, Jessica is asked to temporarily replace him in Washington.When a congressman suddenly dies from a heart attack, Jessica is asked to temporarily replace him in Washington.
Photos
- Lieutenant
- (uncredited)
- Marta Craig
- (uncredited)
- Bar Patron
- (uncredited)
- Patron
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAt the time this episode first aired, Maine had two Representatives in the House.
- GoofsAs per the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 2, Clause 4) representatives can only be replaced by special election.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Det. Lt. Avery Mendelsohn: Lt. Avery: What do you say, Mrs. Fletcher? I got an appointment with the podiatrist at 2:00, but I still got time for a bite to eat.
Jessica Fletcher: Lieutenant, I haven't eaten a thing since breakfast. Come to think of it, I didn't even eat then.
Det. Lt. Avery Mendelsohn: Good. I know this deli. The guy who runs it, Max, a friend of my cousin, Sadie, he makes a lox and cream cheese platter you could die from.
Jessica Fletcher: Lox? I-Is that something like gefilte fish?
Det. Lt. Avery Mendelsohn: Mrs. F., for a bright woman, you have been leading a very uninformed life. Permit me the pleasure of educating you.
- SoundtracksMurder She Wrote Theme
Written by John Addison
"Capitol Offense" is not one of the best episodes of Season 1, with there being better before and since, or of the whole show. It is however a good episode and continues the season's up-to-this-point-in-the-season's all solid to wonderful and no stinker episode run. It is not a perfect episode by all means.
Much has been said about the inaccuracy of the procedural aspects of being a congressman, which does take away from the enjoyment somewhat with a mistake as glaring as that. Occasionally the pace could have tightened up, and will admit to guessing who the murderer was and correctly after the second murder with the clue that made Jessica piece everything together on the obvious episode (if not as blatant as those for "Deadly Lady" and "It's a Dog's Life").
However, "Capitol Offense" is very slickly filmed with typically attractive locations and fashions. The music 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 charmingly light-hearted, gently amiable and down to earth but provokes thought too. The story is compelling and never too simplistic or confusing. The final solution is fun if lacking the ingenuity of a few of the previous episodes and many other future ones.
Angela Lansbury is terrific in one of her best remembered roles (one of the roles that is most closely associated with me at any rate). All the supporting roles are well-filled from the likes of Edie Adams.
In conclusion, good episode even though there has been better before and since. 7/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jul 10, 2017