As the ninth season get underway the writers are doing their best to come up with different plots for each weeks mystery. And in this episode they run the regulars of murder, blackmail and then introduce something new- known as distinct sound evidence. It is with this new twist that we get this episode's storyline.
The episode starts off with Carla Chaney (Jean Hale) in the women's wing of the county jail being held for the death of Gerald Havens. We do learn that the charges are not groundless since she was at the scene of the murder, she did touch the knife that killed Gerald and she was caught by police running from the area with Gerald's blood on her dress. So even to the most novice viewer, she is highly suspect.
Anyway the inmates are watching TV and see an news report about the opening of Devore Gallery owned by Leona Devore (Constance Towers). During the broadcast there is an annoying laugh away from the camera. And to Carla that was the laugh she heard when she found Gerald stabbed to death.
Since Carla has been in trouble with the law all her life, no one believes her story. That is until a judge friend ask Perry to look into the matter. We get to see a softer side of Perry when he agrees to take this case knowing full well that his fee cannot possible be paid by Carla.
The rest of the show is Perry and Paul dealing with that annoying laugh and trying to find out where and who made that sound. It also goes into the dealing of Leona's gallery and the people that work behind the scenes. And with a little luck and a lot of investigating, Perry hopes to find the true murderer.
The only problem I had in the entire show was that they spent very little time with the interesting characters in this episode. There was some top-notch actors in this episode. Instead more time is given to the business dealing of the gallery and which book Della is to check out of the library.
But as usual, when Perry finds who made that laugh the episode fulfills its purpose of entertainment. Maybe not the best mystery but one that is different. Looking forward to the next case.
Note- Richard Anderson is slowly introduced as Lt Dumm (the new Lt Tragg). He only has a bit part for this first show.
The episode starts off with Carla Chaney (Jean Hale) in the women's wing of the county jail being held for the death of Gerald Havens. We do learn that the charges are not groundless since she was at the scene of the murder, she did touch the knife that killed Gerald and she was caught by police running from the area with Gerald's blood on her dress. So even to the most novice viewer, she is highly suspect.
Anyway the inmates are watching TV and see an news report about the opening of Devore Gallery owned by Leona Devore (Constance Towers). During the broadcast there is an annoying laugh away from the camera. And to Carla that was the laugh she heard when she found Gerald stabbed to death.
Since Carla has been in trouble with the law all her life, no one believes her story. That is until a judge friend ask Perry to look into the matter. We get to see a softer side of Perry when he agrees to take this case knowing full well that his fee cannot possible be paid by Carla.
The rest of the show is Perry and Paul dealing with that annoying laugh and trying to find out where and who made that sound. It also goes into the dealing of Leona's gallery and the people that work behind the scenes. And with a little luck and a lot of investigating, Perry hopes to find the true murderer.
The only problem I had in the entire show was that they spent very little time with the interesting characters in this episode. There was some top-notch actors in this episode. Instead more time is given to the business dealing of the gallery and which book Della is to check out of the library.
But as usual, when Perry finds who made that laugh the episode fulfills its purpose of entertainment. Maybe not the best mystery but one that is different. Looking forward to the next case.
Note- Richard Anderson is slowly introduced as Lt Dumm (the new Lt Tragg). He only has a bit part for this first show.