Have always been quite fond of 'Murder She Wrote'. It is a fun and relaxing watch that makes you think as you try to unwind in the evening. If one wants more complex, twisty mysteries with lots of tension and suspense 'Murder She Wrote' may not be for you, but if you want something light-hearted and entertaining but still provide good mysteries 'Murder She Wrote' fits the bill just fine.
"Deadly Lady" was an interesting start for the first season. It is not as good as the pilot episode "The Murder of Sherlock Holmes", which is one of my favourites from the show, but everything has to start somewhere and "Deadly Lady" doesn't fare too badly. It certainly does its job in providing some light-hearted fun with a story with enough to keep one engrossed.
It could have been better however. The four sisters are not fully fleshed out enough to make one care for them properly or be interesting as suspects, and the victim is also someone we don't really get to know other than that he's shifty very early on. More tension wouldn't have gone amiss, the build up to the climax was great and very creepy but this is lessened by the too mildly genial way, even for her, Jessica talks to the perpetrator.
And sorry, the guilty signs in my head flashed like mad the minute the murderer gave themselves away by a chance remark (giving away a detail that only they would know), as someone who likes to be shocked when murderers are revealed it was a disappointment for it to be obvious too early all due to a clumsy example of one of the oldest detective solving clichés in the book.
However, "Deadly Lady" is an appealing-looking episode, nicely photographed and it is hard not to love the quaint Cabot Cove setting. The music has presence but also not making the mistake of over-scoring, while it is hard to forget or resist the theme tune.
The writing is charmingly light-hearted and down to earth but provokes thought too. There are some lovely character moments. Jessica is far more interesting than your standard female detective, Ethan is a fun character with some amusing lines and instead of the bumbling sheriff cliché Amos clearly refuses to be treated like a fool (like with the daughters regarding the inquest).
Love, and always have done, how Cabot Cove is like a community, a close one and never gimmicky or acrimonious or anything like that. The standout character moments are Jessica's scenes with Ralph, namely looking close to tears talking about her husband and when she obliterates his story in a way that would make Sherlock Holmes very proud. The story is not perfect but compelled me enough and had a good atmosphere.
Angela Lansbury is terrific in one of her best remembered roles (one of the roles that is most closely associated with me at any rate), and there are standout performances from Tom Bosley, Claude Atkins and Howard Duff. The sisters/daughters are well played too.
To conclude, interesting start for Season 1. 7/10 Bethany Cox
"Deadly Lady" was an interesting start for the first season. It is not as good as the pilot episode "The Murder of Sherlock Holmes", which is one of my favourites from the show, but everything has to start somewhere and "Deadly Lady" doesn't fare too badly. It certainly does its job in providing some light-hearted fun with a story with enough to keep one engrossed.
It could have been better however. The four sisters are not fully fleshed out enough to make one care for them properly or be interesting as suspects, and the victim is also someone we don't really get to know other than that he's shifty very early on. More tension wouldn't have gone amiss, the build up to the climax was great and very creepy but this is lessened by the too mildly genial way, even for her, Jessica talks to the perpetrator.
And sorry, the guilty signs in my head flashed like mad the minute the murderer gave themselves away by a chance remark (giving away a detail that only they would know), as someone who likes to be shocked when murderers are revealed it was a disappointment for it to be obvious too early all due to a clumsy example of one of the oldest detective solving clichés in the book.
However, "Deadly Lady" is an appealing-looking episode, nicely photographed and it is hard not to love the quaint Cabot Cove setting. The music has presence but also not making the mistake of over-scoring, while it is hard to forget or resist the theme tune.
The writing is charmingly light-hearted and down to earth but provokes thought too. There are some lovely character moments. Jessica is far more interesting than your standard female detective, Ethan is a fun character with some amusing lines and instead of the bumbling sheriff cliché Amos clearly refuses to be treated like a fool (like with the daughters regarding the inquest).
Love, and always have done, how Cabot Cove is like a community, a close one and never gimmicky or acrimonious or anything like that. The standout character moments are Jessica's scenes with Ralph, namely looking close to tears talking about her husband and when she obliterates his story in a way that would make Sherlock Holmes very proud. The story is not perfect but compelled me enough and had a good atmosphere.
Angela Lansbury is terrific in one of her best remembered roles (one of the roles that is most closely associated with me at any rate), and there are standout performances from Tom Bosley, Claude Atkins and Howard Duff. The sisters/daughters are well played too.
To conclude, interesting start for Season 1. 7/10 Bethany Cox