Ep 19. Double Exposure

In “Double Exposure,” the nineteenth episode of the fifth season of Murder, She Wrote, Jessica Fletcher, the seasoned mystery writer and amateur sleuth portrayed by Angela Lansbury, returns to Cabot Cove, her hometown, to visit her dear friend Seth Hazlitt, the town’s medical examiner played by William Windom. As she walks through the main square, she notices a new art exhibit at the local gallery, showing the work of a young photographer named Bradley York, played by Lance Guest. Bradley’s photography combines elements of surrealism and photorealism to create haunting images of people and landscapes that blur the boundaries between reality and imagination. Jessica admires Bradley’s talent and strikes up a conversation with him, offering to congratulate him on his opening night.

Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of a group of teenagers who taunt and ridicule Bradley, accusing him of stealing a camera and taking pictures of them without their consent. Bradley denies the allegation but is clearly shaken by the accusations. Jessica offers to help Bradley clear his name, but he insists that he can handle the situation on his own. Jessica senses that there is more to the story than meets the eye and decides to investigate further. She talks to the gallery owner, the victim’s family, and the local sheriff, but no one seems to have any clues or motives for the crime.

As the days go by, Jessica notices that strange things are happening around her. She receives anonymous phone calls, hears footsteps in her backyard, and finds her belongings moved around. She suspects that someone is trying to scare her away but can't imagine who or why. She confides in Seth, who assures her that he will look after her and investigate the matter. He discovers that Bradley has a history of mental illness and has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals for years. He also learns that Bradley’s photography is a way for him to cope with his trauma and express his innermost feelings.

Meanwhile, the sheriff arrests a suspect in the stolen camera case, a local troublemaker named Billy Ray, played by Paul Lieber. Billy Ray has a criminal record and is known for his drug addiction and violent behavior. The sheriff is confident that he has the right man and prepares to close the case. However, Jessica is not convinced that Billy Ray is the culprit and decides to do some sleuthing of her own. She interviews Billy Ray’s girlfriend, his parents, and his friends, but none of them have any proof or knowledge of his involvement.

As the tension mounts, Jessica discovers a clue that leads her to Bradley’s studio. She finds evidence that implicates Bradley in the crime and confronts him with her findings. Bradley confesses that he stole the camera to take pictures of the teenagers for his latest project and that he used his mental illness as a cover-up. He apologizes for his behavior and begs Jessica to keep the truth a secret to protect his reputation and career. Jessica promises to keep the secret but insists that Bradley seek professional help and take responsibility for his actions.

In the end, Bradley is arrested and charged with the theft, but his career is not destroyed. Jessica writes an article about him for a photography magazine, praising his talent and resilience. She also inspires him to join a support group for people with mental illness and turn his photography into a tool for raising awareness and promoting acceptance. The episode ends with Jessica bidding farewell to Cabot Cove and promising to return soon for more adventures and mysteries.