Ep 8. It Came From College

Murphy Brown season 4 episode 8, "It Came From College," follows the misadventures of the FYI team as they struggle to create a compelling story about the latest college fads. The episode opens with Murphy, Frank, Corky, and Miles brainstorming ideas for a segment about the latest trends among college students. Their first attempt is a predictable and unexciting piece on the popularity of pizza in college dorms, but when Murphy suggests they dig deeper, they stumble upon a bizarre and fascinating new development: "mud wrestling for intellectuals."

The team heads off to a local college campus to investigate this strange new trend, and what they find is both hilarious and surreal. Students dressed in tweed jackets and spectacles gather around a makeshift mud pit, where pairs of cerebral opponents engage in debates and arguments while simultaneously grappling in the mud. Murphy, ever the intrepid journalist, decides to participate in the event, but quickly realizes that her skills as a debater are no match for her opponents' wrestling abilities.

Meanwhile, back at the studio, Jim is dealing with his own crisis. His ex-wife has just published a tell-all memoir about their tumultuous relationship, and Jim is torn between wanting to defend himself and his desire to move on. Avery, his son, tries to help him navigate this difficult situation, but Jim's jumbled emotions get the best of him and he ends up lashing out at his coworkers.

As the episode progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that the mud wrestling story is less important than the personal struggles of the characters. Murphy is dealing with her own insecurities about getting older and losing her edge as a journalist, while Frank is grappling with his feelings for Corky and his fear of commitment. Even Miles, usually the rational and collected member of the team, is struggling to come to terms with his divorce and the fact that his ex-wife has moved on.

Despite these struggles, the episode ends on a hopeful note, as the FYI team comes together to support one another and Jim realizes that he needs to let go of his anger and start fresh. Even the ridiculous mud wrestling segment serves as a reminder that sometimes the most unexpected and seemingly silly things can bring people closer together.

Overall, "It Came From College" is a classic episode of Murphy Brown that showcases the series' blend of humor, heart, and incisive commentary on current events. Viewers will be drawn in by the absurdity of the mud wrestling storyline, but will stay for the nuanced exploration of the characters' personal lives and struggles.