25 Mystery Days of Christmas, Part III: December 17-25, Moonlighting, Murdoch, Ms Fisher, and More!

by Karen A. Romanko

It’s time for Part III of the TV Mystery “Advent Calendar” I’ve devised for my Facebook group Mystery TV—British and American Series. I’ve been selecting one holiday-themed episode per day of mystery, crime, and spy television series, and below is the last group. Please enjoy and check out the earlier installments: "25 Mystery Days of Christmas, Part I: December 1-8, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Miss Fisher, and More!" and "25 Mystery Days of Christmas, Part II: December 9-16, Monk, Sherlock, Lovejoy, and More!”

25 Mystery Days of Christmas! One holiday episode per day. December 17: Psych, “Christmas Joy” (2008). Holiday fun as Shawn (James Roday) and Gus (Dulé Hill) help a jailed Santa (lots of Santas in trouble on this list), and solve a murder in beautifully decorated (faux) Solvang. Season 3, Episode 9. From my DVD collection. 

25 Mystery Days of Christmas! One holiday episode per day. December 18: Chuck, “Chuck Versus Santa Claus” (2008). The Buy More is merry and bright for Christmas, but things turn dark when a car chase ends in a hostage crisis for the store’s employees. Chuck (Zachary Levi) steps in as negotiator, but things are not what they seem. Season 2, Episode 11. From my DVD collection. 

25 Mystery Days of Christmas! One holiday episode per day. December 19: Circles of Deceit, “The Wolves Are Howling” (also known as “Circle of Deceit,” 1993). This one is edgy and violent, so it won’t be to everyone’s holiday taste. John Neil (Dennis Waterman ) is brought out of retirement to infiltrate an IRA cell, whose Christmas holiday plans include a big arms deal. First in a series of four TV movies. From my DVD collection.

25 Mystery Days of Christmas! One holiday episode per day. December 20: Wonder Woman, “The Deadly Toys” (1977). A toy maker (Frank Gorshin) creates androids to replace scientists working on a secret weapons project. Diana Prince a.k.a. Wonder Woman (Lynda Carter) is on the case, but will she be any match for android Wonder Woman? Second appearance on this list (after Hart to Hart) of attacks by deadly toy planes (clearly a holiday problem during the 70s). Season 2, Episode 12. From my DVD collection. 

25 Mystery Days of Christmas! One holiday episode per day. December 21: Murdoch Mysteries, “A Merry Murdoch Christmas” (2015). Kratchit, Krampus, and Kringle, oh my! There’s something for everyone in this Christmas tale of murder set against a backdrop of snowy beauty. While it doesn’t deliver on all its promises, Murdoch’s Christmas is a jolly ride in a one-horse, open sleigh. Season 9, Episode 0 (Feature-length special). From Ovation TV. 

25 Mystery Days of Christmas! One holiday episode per day. December 22: Moonlighting, “Twas the Episode Before Christmas” (1985). Lots of yammering by private investigators Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) and David (Bruce Willis) amidst a slender tale of murder involving a baby, three kings, and a woman named Mary. Season 2, Episode 10 or 15 (depending on who’s counting). From my DVD collection. 

25 Mystery Days of Christmas! One holiday episode per day. December 23: Cagney & Lacey, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (1982). Cagney (Sharon Gless) and Lacey (Tyne Daly) work late on Christmas Eve to locate a larcenous Santa, while Petrie’s wife (Suzanne Stone) experiences pregnancy complications. The story meanders a bit, but Daly has some nice moments in Lacey’s family scenes, reminding me of how refreshing it was/is to see cops portrayed as real women with real home lives. Season 1 or 2 (depending on who’s counting), Episode 9. From my DVD collection. 

25 Mystery Days of Christmas! One holiday episode per day. December 24: Scarecrow and Mrs. King, “The Long Christmas Eve” (1983). Housewife turned novice spy Amanda King (Kate Jackson) works a miracle when she engineers a truce at a remote cabin between KGB and American agents, including wounded Lee “Scarecrow” Stetson (Bruce Boxleitner). One of my favorite Christmas episodes, this one gets to me every time, especially when Amanda gives her brave and touching truce speech. Season 1, Episode 10. From my DVD collection. 

Merry Christmas! Whew! I made it to the end of my little experiment! 25 Mystery Days of Christmas! One holiday episode per day. December 25: Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, “New Year’s Evil” (2021). PI Peregrine Fisher (Geraldine Hakewill) is in charge of the New Year’s Eve party at the Adventuresses’ Club, booking a swingin’ Beatles-esque band, but murder attends her bash as an uninvited guest. My love for this series, its 60s style, and spunky heroine knows no bounds! Season 2, Episode 8. From my DVD collection.

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Last, but not least, please check out my books about women and television from McFarland Publishers, available in trade paperback and Kindle editions at Amazon:

Television's Female Spies and Crimefighters and Women of Science Fiction and Fantasy Television
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