A Tight Squeeze – The episode opens with Sister Boniface (Lorna Watson) riding her moped when she encounters a partially dressed man. Crashing into a structure on the roadside, she goes flying over the handlebars while the “Oh, Do Behave” gang watches in astonishment. Director Sexton St Juste (Stephen Matthews) yells, “Cut!”

Detective Gillespie (Max Brown) visits her in the hospital, with a bouquet of flowers and sweets. He informs her of Sergeant Felix Livingston (Jerry Iwu) acting as the film crew’s police advisor. Sexton tells Felix that the crew won’t be heeding his advice before shouting orders at a man, regarding a costume. Felix stresses the importance of the murder investigation elements. Sexton assures him that viewers desire “titillation,” not “procedure” when Roy Perk (Jamie Kenna) asks a question about his character. Sexton reminds him of Sexton St. Juste Productions being the sole owner of the characters.

Peggy Button (Ami Metcalf) suggests Sally Chagford (Chelsea Fitzgerald) attends fabulous parties. Sally describes the parties as “boring” before explaining how she enjoys becoming her character. Storming out of his cabin, Eric Cockburn (James Hurn) tells Genevieve Loveday (Lisa Ellis) that he will never appear in another “poxy film.” Sexton orders her to get to wardrobe. Eric confronts Sexton about “airing his dirty laundry.” When Sexton suggests speaking with Livingston, Eric tones down his anger. The cast voice their concerns about Sally’s revealing costume.

Livingston discovers Sexton’s lifeless body. Gillespie informs Sister Boniface of his murder. Preparing to get out of the hospital bed, Reverend Mother Adrian (Carolyn Pickles) orders her to stay put. She suggests the police help themselves for once before rushing Gillespie out of the room. Sister Peter (Tina Chiang) delivers Sister Boniface a bowl of nettle soup.

Assessing Sexton’s body, Livingston says the cause of death is probably strangulation. Sister Peter and Sister Reginald “Reg” (Virginia Fiol) arrives to collect evidence for Sister Boniface. Livingston escorts them to a cabin recently broken into. He discovers a divorce decrement that surprises Gillespie. They confront his wife, Genevieve about the divorce decrement. She claims their marriage was for convenience and appearance. Gillespie reminds her that she would be the heir of his life insurance payment. She describes Sexton as a “monster.”

In a flashback, Stewart blatantly explains why playwrights are interested in Sally. Back to the present, Gillespie asks her if Stewart threatened to have her replaced if she didn’t remove her clothes. She assures him that she would have already left the show before complying with his demand. She claims Roy, Genevieve, and Eric stayed to rehearse when she left.

Gillespie and Felix consult with Sister Boniface about the case. Sister Reg produces a bottle of alcohol from William Asher to Stewart. A note reads, “Thanks for the tip.” Sister Boniface points out a floral indention on Stewart’s neck. Gillespie asks if it could have been from a necklace. They hurriedly put the crime scene evidence away and assume hiding places before Reverend Mother enters the room. Satisfied, she leaves. She suggests a bra was utilized to strangle Stewart.

The cast believes the show much go on with a few changes in the screenplay. Eric voices concern about sticking around could get them all killed. Roy describes the scene as “perfect.”

Miss Thimble (Sarah Crowden) gets Sister Reg order wrong. After she leaves, she and Sister Peter discuss Sister Boniface helping the police solve murders. Thimble returns once again with the wrong order. When she returns with a sausage roll, Sister Reg is gone to search for the murder weapon, a bra.

Felix is a bit hesitant to ask around about a bra. Eric slips a flask into his pocket before Gillespie approaches to ask if the filming has resumed. He informs him that Roy who wrote the first script is replacing Stewart. He adds the play was Roy’s idea. Roy says they decided to move the play forward since they are still under contract. Gillespie points to a brassiere in his cabin. As he claims it belongs to a groupie, Genevieve appears to take claim of the bra. Gillespie asks if Stewart was aware of their affair. Roy assures him none of the cast or crew knows.

Sister Peter and Sister Reg work on collecting DNA from Eric’s bra. They discover it is covered in saliva.

Sally reluctantly hands over her bra to Felix before calling him a “pig.” Button announces the bra utilized to strangle Stewart has been located. Emerging from his cabin, Eric sees them and flees in a blue van belonging to a caterer. Holding a handful of bras, Felix is forced to jump out of the way to avoid a collision. Sister Reg and Sister Peter block the exit, along with their bikes. As Gillespie apprehends Eric, they tease Felix about the bras.

Eric who formerly worked with Maigret producer, William Asher denies killing Stewart. Gillespie tells him that someone overheard him accusing Stewart of sharing his “dirty laundry.” Laying the note that came with the bottle of alcohol on the table, he asks what Stewart told Asher. After admitting to drinking, Eric claims Stewart warned Asher that he is a “liability.” He says Maigret took back his job offer. Gillespie suggests he crammed his bra into Stewart’s mouth. In a flashback, Eric confronts Stewart about his losing the Maigret job. Stewart boasts it would keep him there to play the role he was born for. Removing his bra, Eric crams it into his mouth before walking away. Back to the present, Eric claims Stewart was still alive when he left. Smirking, he says his death was an “accident” if Stewart suffocated on his bra.

Camera footage reveals nothing but a wall. Felix questions if there are other film reel sizes. Sister Peter tells him that people generally utilize smaller cameras with 8mm or 16mm film. He points out that Stewart delivered a small roll of film to Genevieve. Gillespie delivers the film to Sister Boniface while Felix searches Genevieve’s cabin to discover a film reel.

In a dream, Sister Boniface’s hospital mate is Stewart, Nurse Blush is Button, Dr. Thrustgood, Gillespie, and Dr. Wedbetter, Felix. She asks Thrustgood about his headpiece. He says it “keeps him in the spotlight.” Upon waking, she hurriedly scans through the film. Finding what she is looking for, she prepares the bed to appear as if she is asleep. Reverend Mother stops Sister Reg and Sister Peter to inquire about their large load of wine crates. When she walks away, Sister Boniface blames them for hurting her injured leg.

Button, Gillespie, and Felix who covers his eyes are shocked by what they see on the wedding reel. The sisters arrange the set like on the day Stewart was murdered. Gillespie informs them of the missing reel being a “bedroom movie.” Genevieve, Eric, Sally, and Roy are present when the last minutes of Stewart’s life are re-enacted. Eric claims Stewart’s murder was an “accident.” Sister Boniface assures him that strangulation was an act of murder. He denies strangling Stewart which Gillespie confirms before pointing the finger at Sally. Sister Boniface explains how the camera captured the reflections of her dress. Sally asks why would she murder Stewart. Gillespie holds up the missing blue film. She claims Stewart threatened to expose her if she left his production for the “West End.”

In a flashback, Stewart pins Sally against the wall before threatening to expose her blue film. She searches his cabin for the spool but comes up empty-handed. Sally enters immediately after Eric departs to force him to tell her where the blue film is hidden. Irate, she strangles him before fleeing. Back to the present, Felix arrests Sally for murdering Stewart. Roy comforts Genevieve as they watch him escort her out of the room.

The play wraps up. Eric agrees to continue working with Roy and Genevieve. Roy suggests a play set in a convent. Genevieve says she is game.

Hoping Mother Reverend wouldn’t find out, Gillespie and Felix assist Sister Boniface back to bed. After threatening to report them for sneaking into the hospital, Mother Reverend and the sisters bring the vespers. The episode ends.

 

Sister Boniface Mysteries Review

Sister Boniface lands in the hospital after a scooter mishap. St Juste Productions films “Oh, Do Behave” in Great Slaughter. The producer, Sexton St Juste knows no end to what he will do to keep his actors and actresses. When he discovers Maigret Film Production offers Eric a role in its play, he sends William Asher a warning that he is a “liability.”

Stewart gets his hands on a blue film (adult video) starring Sally who has been offered a role with West End. To prevent her from leaving his production company, he threatens to take her blue film to the press. Entering after Eric stuffs his bra into Stewart’s mouth during an altercation, she finishes him off.

Sister Peter and Sister Reg step in to help solve Stewart’s murder. Sister Boniface does escape her hospital bed but only temporarily.

The episode was similar to “Don’t Try This at Home” in which film editor, Dinah Morgan was difficult to work with. Morgan is killed at the hands of a “Jolly Roger” host. “Oh, Do Behave” was taken from the episode as well. It seems the writer may be running out of ideas.

The episode wasn’t a complete disappointment. It deserves a 6. Get more Sister Boniface Mysteries recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Our onsite advertising is available in customized packages.