SPOILER: 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.
"Menace, Anyone?" is by no means a particularly great episode, but there is something entertaining about it. It is something of a strange and campy episode, whether it works for you is dependent on how you like strange and campy (don't mind either apart from when they get excessive, a distinction that the episode comes close to achieving), and it is fun to see the nostalgic but very out of date hairstyles and fashions.
The episode's biggest problem is that it does have a strong contender for the most confusing, over-complicated and weirdest ending of any episode of 'Murder She Wrote', and perhaps up there with the most confusing, over-complicated and weirdest endings ever. Usually have no problem understanding the final solutions of 'Murder She Wrote' episodes, some are actually very easy to figure out, the one here is one that has always seen me struggling to make complete sense of.
It does feel rather rushed at the end too, and the motive for the second murder didn't seem that well thought out.
Production values are high in quality as to be expected, with slick photography. The music has energy and 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 tight, thought-provoking and typically amiable and the characters and chemistry are good fun. The story is mostly engaging, if at times taking too much of a strange turn and there are too few suspects to make one properly question Carol's guilt.
Angela Lansbury doesn't disappoint, while Linda Hamilton (in a pretty great performance) and Van Johnson are the standouts of a reliable supporting cast, that includes Bryan Cranston looking so young.
Overall, strange and with an ending that doesn't make as much sense as ought but entertaining and well played. 7/10 Bethany Cox
"Menace, Anyone?" is by no means a particularly great episode, but there is something entertaining about it. It is something of a strange and campy episode, whether it works for you is dependent on how you like strange and campy (don't mind either apart from when they get excessive, a distinction that the episode comes close to achieving), and it is fun to see the nostalgic but very out of date hairstyles and fashions.
The episode's biggest problem is that it does have a strong contender for the most confusing, over-complicated and weirdest ending of any episode of 'Murder She Wrote', and perhaps up there with the most confusing, over-complicated and weirdest endings ever. Usually have no problem understanding the final solutions of 'Murder She Wrote' episodes, some are actually very easy to figure out, the one here is one that has always seen me struggling to make complete sense of.
It does feel rather rushed at the end too, and the motive for the second murder didn't seem that well thought out.
Production values are high in quality as to be expected, with slick photography. The music has energy and 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 tight, thought-provoking and typically amiable and the characters and chemistry are good fun. The story is mostly engaging, if at times taking too much of a strange turn and there are too few suspects to make one properly question Carol's guilt.
Angela Lansbury doesn't disappoint, while Linda Hamilton (in a pretty great performance) and Van Johnson are the standouts of a reliable supporting cast, that includes Bryan Cranston looking so young.
Overall, strange and with an ending that doesn't make as much sense as ought but entertaining and well played. 7/10 Bethany Cox