From a very young age, nothing piqued my attention, adoration and admiration quite like the life and times of one J B Fletcher. Brought to life by the inimitable Angela Lansbury in “Murder, She Wrote”, Fletcher’s lady detective didn’t just solve crimes, she rewrote the book on what it means to be a woman on TV.
It’s no surprise that I was drawn to MSW. White picket fences, idyllic communities, wholesome existences—the notion of American small-town life has always fiercely attracted me. Not to mention the masked spectre of sinister activity, the many-layered portraits of a small town’s womenfolk, and the curious dichotomy between modernity and tradition in which they live.
But aside from the divine theme tune and kitsch appeal, MSW detailed and disseminated the actions and adventures of a small-town feminist in a way no other TV show ever had.
Jessica who?
MSW follows retired English teacher—and accidental heroine—Jessica Beatrice Fletcher. Having written her first book while grieving for her late husband Frank, Fletcher’s manuscript is secretly submitted to a publisher by her nephew Grady. Before long, J B and her murder mysteries become a household name—and she takes up as an amateur sleuth on the side.
But, what exactly is so revolutionary about an old lady solving mysteries? Hetty Wainthrop has done it, not to mention the all-knowing Miss Marple. Rosemary and Thyme even do it while gardening, for crying out loud: what is so darned special about Ms Fletcher?
For a start, MSW was launched in 1984 and survived (nay, flourished) over 12 seasons in an era obsessed with wealth, youth, upward mobility and physical beauty when you’d think a pensionable, small-town female lead was hardly a recipe for ratings success. But not only that, Fletcher continued to break with convention the longer the show ran: this was a woman who jogged daily, who had a sizeable, personal income, a woman who was constantly in demand. She travelled the world, hob-nobbing with stars of stage and screen, writers, politicians, musicians and university deans. In short, she may have been a retired widow, yet she lived her life more fully than most 25-year-old women.
Moreover, she did all these things without once ever being reduced to a caricature. Far from depicting the character of Jessica as a novelty, a winsome parody of the traditionally male role of ‘detective’, a comedic foil to a male counter-part, or simply an ornament in a male-dominated environment, MSW painted a picture of a multi-faceted, many-layered, complex older woman.
Fit Fletcher
Jessica was attractive, sprightly, learned, and desirable. Bedecked in natty ensembles, she was wooed by a multitude of suitors, including a (potentially murderous) college student (go Jess). However, she also largely rejected these beaux, using her time and freedom to travel, write, teach—and catch criminals.
That is not to say she was a bitter, defensive man-hater either. Far from it: the majority of Jessica’s platonic friends were male. Cabot Cove Sheriff Tupper, local physician Seth and Boston cop Michael Haggarty all featured heavily in Jessica’s life. Yet she was rarely seen to be relying on these men—and why would she: this was a woman who fixed bicycles, played video games, went fishing and who could speak Chinese to a pair of baby-wielding nuns on cue. Heck, she even wrestled with killers.
Man’s world
Her professional life was also dominated by men, and yet she was always one step ahead of the bumbling, small-town policeman, or the showy, fame-hungry New York cop. Not only that, but her male colleagues often sought out her advice.
The balance of traditional values and contemporary change was carefully maintained throughout the series. At no point did Jessica declare herself a feminist. Rather, it was simply implied: it was just a part of who she was, as a well-rounded human being.
And J B was popular—MSW ran for 12 seasons, plus spin-off series, TV films, books and computer games. Generations of women have grown up watching this feisty, scrappy, elegant, intelligent lady conquer her world—it’s no stretch to reason that MSW was, and remains, an important televisual feminist text. Thankfully most of the series can be purchased in boxsets, and just so you all know, I never say no to an unsolicited gift. . .
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a cup of tea and the divine Ms. Fletcher: we have some crime-solving to do.
Annette Barlow is the editor of The Girls Are.
Love it. Many hours spent watching episode after episode thinking I must get on and do something else but as soon as the next one started I just had to watch.
I knew I wasn’t a “Loony” for loving this program as was hinted by close family members!! In the past I have set up my Sky box to record them. Brilliant show and i loved the message
You should check out http://www.bjfletcherprivateeye.com/ – created by a fantastic filmmaker in Toronto named Regan Latimer. Regan’s inspiration is tv detectives like Jessica Fletcher and “Murder She Wrote.”