Jessica happens on a computerized clue to a murder while writing a mystery story for a friend's interactive video game company.Jessica happens on a computerized clue to a murder while writing a mystery story for a friend's interactive video game company.Jessica happens on a computerized clue to a murder while writing a mystery story for a friend's interactive video game company.
- Sgt. Ignacio Delcanto
- (as Richard Yñiguez)
- Jeremy Hastings
- (as Arthur Cohan)
- Man in Restaurant
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOculus Rift founder Palmer Luckey said in a Wired interview that this episode inspired him to work on his virtual reality device.
- GoofsAfter Windstrom is shot, his body slumps to the wall which remains totally devoid of blood.
- Quotes
[first lines]
Jessica Fletcher: Thank goodness it's nonstop from Boston.
Dr. Seth Hazlitt: To Silicon Valley, huh? Now, let me get this straight. You made up an arcade game, is that it? What is it? One of those mind-numbing, blast-the-enemy space ships gizmos? Or, perhaps it's the one where one little face goes running around eating up all the other little faces.
Jessica Fletcher: Oh, of course not. Stop it. This is very fresh. It's a whole new technology and they call it virtual reality.
- ConnectionsReferences Virtual Murder: Dreams Imagic (1992)
- SoundtracksMurder She Wrote Theme
Written by John Addison
As far as Season 10 episodes go, "A Virtual Murder" is in the top half. It's not a 'Murder She Wrote' classic, but it is a lot better than the previous two episodes "The Legacy of Borbey House" (decent) and "The Phantom Killer" (fairly underwhelming). Some of the story is on the convoluted side, particularly for anybody whose technological and making-of-video-game knowledge is fairly limited, and it wouldn't have hurt to have seen more Seth (though that he appeared is a delight still).
Still it is very entertaining and engaging with a good set up/concept and the denouement is not over-obvious or confusing nor is it acted poorly, that is just one of the assets that immediately makes "A Virtual Murder" a better episode than the previous one. The technological/video gaming aspects are done very well, and it was interesting and fun to see how Jessica is faring being up to date with the times.
Angela Lansbury is terrific, and while the guest supporting cast is not an amazing one all the actors are never less than competent and often good. It was fun seeing Kevin Sorbo.
Production values are slick and stylish. 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.
Writing is thoughtful and amiable.
In conclusion, well done episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Nov 10, 2017