Ep 1. The Case of the Corresponding Corpse

The Case of the Corresponding Corpse is the first episode of the second season of Perry Mason. The story begins with a wealthy businessman named Frank Thatcher, who is found dead in his apartment. The police are calling it a suicide, but Thatcher’s daughter, Laura, believes her father was murdered. Laura hires Perry Mason to investigate the case and prove her father's death was not a suicide.

Mason, along with his private investigator, Paul Drake, begins investigating the case. They find that Thatcher had been receiving threatening letters from someone unknown. Meanwhile, a woman named Lorraine Kendall, who is the daughter of a friend of Thatcher, comes forward with information about the case. Lorraine claims that she saw a woman leaving Thatcher's apartment on the day of the murder.

As Mason delves deeper into the case, he finds that there is another Frank Thatcher in the city, who is also a wealthy businessman. This discovery leads to an unexpected twist, and it becomes hard for Mason to discern who truly is the victim of the crime.

Throughout the episode, Mason and Drake are met with obstacles. They find themselves being misled, and they come across people who are not what they seem. However, they continue to push forward, and they eventually start to unravel the mystery.

The episode also explores the personal lives of some of the characters. Mason’s secretary, Della Street, and Paul Drake have their own problems that they are dealing with outside of their work. Della is struggling to find the right words to tell her fiance that she is not ready to get married yet, while Paul is struggling with the fact that his estranged wife has remarried.

One of the standout features of this episode is the return of Hamilton Burger, the prosecutor who had a contentious relationship with Mason in the first season. Burger is not pleased that Mason is back, and he makes it clear that he will do everything in his power to make sure Mason doesn't win the case.

As the episode progresses, Mason and Drake begin to gather evidence that points to a suspect. However, the evidence is circumstantial, and with no real motive for the crime, it becomes increasingly harder for Mason to build a strong case.

The episode comes to a climactic end during Mason's cross-examination of the prosecution's star witness. It's a tense moment, and everything seems to hinge on Mason's next question.

Overall, The Case of the Corresponding Corpse is a strong start to the second season of Perry Mason. The episode is suspenseful, and it keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is well thought out. It's a great continuation of the first season, and it's sure to keep viewers hooked for the rest of the season.