Murder, She Wrote
(1984–1996)
The pervasive stench of death looms over Jessica and Seth's visit to his cousin's South Carolina plantation.
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Title: The Scent of Murder (08 Jan 1995)
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Cast
| Episode complete credited cast: | |||
| Angela Lansbury | ... | Jessica Fletcher | |
 |
David Byron | ... | Dan Wilkes |
| Ann Cusack | ... | Margaret Barkley | |
| Robert Hooks | ... | Kendall Ames | |
| Sally Kirkland | ... | Evelyn Colby | |
| Patrick Malone | ... | Billy Ames (as Patrick Y. Malone) | |
| Tom Mason | ... | Sergeant John Lindley | |
| Dakin Matthews | ... | Buford Hazlitt | |
| Craig Richard Nelson | ... | Rob Hazlitt | |
| Melanie Smith | ... | Nina Larson | |
| William Windom | ... | Dr. Seth Hazlitt | |
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James Staszkiel | ... | Cory Davis (as James Staskel) |
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Greg Callahan | ... | Edward Delaney |
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Walt Beaver | ... | Dr. Travis |
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G. Eric Miles | ... | Deputy Tom Ardmore |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Seth's cousin Buford has a newly-developed magnolia, a contract for it with a company who will do anything to get possession, a co-researcher with differing opinions, a girlfriend who may be more interested in money than love, and a stepdaughter with her hand out. When he is murdered, there are more than enough suspects to bewilder the county sheriff. Written by mama.sylvia
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Goofs
Although Buford Hazlitt is revealed here to be Seth Hazlitt's cousin, his brother Mark is stated in "Curse of the Daanav" to be his only relative. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
8 January 1995 (USA) See more »Filming Locations:
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden - 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, California, USA See more »Company Credits
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This episode of Murder She Wrote finds Jessica Fletcher and William Windom driving to South Carolina where Dr. Hazlitt has a cousin who owns a large plantation. Dakin Matthews is a most gracious host as both Angela Lansbury and William Windom join the mint julep set for a bit.
This plantation is also known to have the only natural Scarlet Magnolia tree in existence which has been cultivated and preserved by Matthews and Robert Hooks who is both a partner and amateur botanist like Matthews. There's a perfume company led by Melanie Smith who want the control of said tree and its essence so essential for their business. Smith is not too squeamish about the illegal methods she's using to gain her wishes.
But the episode has also given us a host of friends, acquaintances, family and co-workers so that when Matthews is found dead one morning there are no shortage of suspects.
I have to say I had this one figured out right away with the introduction of the murderer's character in the story. Always a downer with me for a murder program.
Still I did like hearing William Windom's clipped New England speech among all those southern drawls y'all. Both he and also Tom Bosley used the accent effectively in their characters during the show's run to always establish the roots JB Fletcher came from. Angela Lansbury's character was most cosmopolitan and fits everywhere.
I think most viewers will figure out the guilty party early on too.