User Reviews

"Mrs. Parker's Revenge" begins in the Atlanta Biological Research Institute where a Dr. Lamont is handling highly sensitive and closely guarded chemicals known as Project 14. This killer virus has the potential to wipe out millions of people in the wrong hands.

Jessica is in Atlanta for a Writer's Conference and is being welcomed by two old friends, Karen and Mark Reisner. Mark is the Head of Security at the Institue. However, Jessica spends the majority of her trip entangled with Police Investigators, Surveillance Teams and Detectives, as well as the life-threatening Project 14 virus. Only at the closing "happy ending" does Jessica actually recall what she is doing there.

Raul Jaffa is a shady character that is staying at the same hotel as Jessica and is blackmailing Dr. Lamont into giving him the virus in exchange for $2 Million. An admin error at the front desk means Jessica and Raul's suites are swapped, even though they both pre-booked and parcels had been delivered to the respective rooms, but no matter.

Carl Van Ness is another sinister character that surfaces in the hotel and is also after Project 14. He casually makes his way into Raul's suite and kills him by stabbing him in the neck with a needle - no "whodunnit" there. In her suite, Jessica looks at the delivered package she has been expecting to find some surveillance photos, so she makes her way to Raul's suite to swap them, to find him dead on the floor.

The whole time, a large surveillance team has been watching Raul's room so one of the many law enforcers of the episode shows up and feeds her a line which she naturally doesn't believe. When various Detectives and Security Agents then show up she takes her package after having a nose at the photos and goes on her way. You would think that her package, lying feet away from the victim would be classed as evidence, but apparently not.

To try and capture Carl Van Ness in his pursuit for Project 14, the various security personnel in the episode set up for Dr. Lamont to meet with Van Ness and arrange an exchange, which apart from a rogue pigeon goes unhindered. Lamont then makes a call to an unknown acquaintance in which the safety of Mark Reisner is put on the line, but Reisner is listening in on the whole thing, even though he shouldn't have been.

Back in the hotel-room-come-surveillance-centre, a clearly distressed Mark isn't willing to listen to the complaints the other detectives involved in the situation. He sneaks a key into Jessica's pocket, whilst she is in the highly confidential surveillance room without anyone thinking anything of it of course.

Mark and Jessica are talking in the hotels large lobby, and as Mark proceeds up one escalator, he momentarily comes flying back down the other way after being shot by a gloved hand behind a plant. Karen is understandably upset at the loss of her husband, but only for a minute. Finding out about Project 14 is much more important.

So, who could have killed Mark, and why? Could it be his wife who was getting tired of him working so much and didn't seem overly emotional of the loss? Could it have been Dr. Lamont, who was unhappy about Reisner hindering the plans he has for Project 14? Could it be any one of the 4 various identical detectives and enforcers who could have easily been merged into one character so the story isn't as convoluted? Or was it Carl Van Ness? He's killed before and has gone unpunished, so maybe he'll do it again? "Mrs Parker's Revenge" is far-fetched even by MSW standards. I'm sure we all love a little absurdity where Jessica is concerned, but this takes things to a new level. A generous 4/10.

Murder She Wrote was of an innocent time when economic prosperity in the USA was continuous and this is reflected in this series. You rarely see homeless folk or ethnic minorities in such an episode if you get my drift. The opening theme was quite upbeat and triumphant! Also it hardly ever rained in Cabot Cove. Cabot Cove got so much sun compared to the rest of the USA!!!

I think Diagnosis Murder is a product of the Clinton Administration, whereas Murder, She Wrote is progeny of Reagan-Bush definitely. Murder, She Wrote had a last gasp for survival by trying to await the outcome of the 1996 presidential election, but when it became clear Clinton would beat GOP candidate Dole, it was lights out for Jessica.

I think it's time for a Murder She Wrote reboot with an opening theme along the lines of Homicide: Life on the Street. I suggest the reboot could focus on Deputy Marigold Feeney, who featured in the episode 'Who threw the barbitals in Mrs. Fletcher's chowder?' and story lines could focus on crack, ice, cocaine, police brutality, corrupt politicians. Also there can be rain a la David Fincher's Seven. Maybe Denzel Washington can make a guest appearance in his Training Day persona. Maybe Angela Lansbury can be coaxed to make a cameo appearance to ensure a link with the past.

This penultimate episode of Murder, She Wrote was a bit tired and boring, and I think the writers knew the axe would be wielded by the powers-that-be when the opinion polls showed Bill Clinton would beat GOP candidate Dole in the 1996 presidential election.