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.
Never cared for "Southern Double Cross". Saw it again recently to see if my dubious memories were the same or if it would be better on re-watch. After re-watching, "Southern Double Cross" is not just a tie with "Something Foul in Flappieville" as the worst episode of Season 12 it is too one of the worst episodes of 'Murder She Wrote', not just as bad as remembered but actually worse. Due to that all the problems had with the episode were still there and worse, and then found more to dislike.
"Southern Double Cross" is not irredeemable. The way it's way is typically slick and stylish. 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.
Best of all is Angela Lansbury. Great as ever and really rises above weak, beneath her material.
Otherwise, "Southern Double Cross". The rest of the acting is risible with no exceptions (a strong contender for the show's worst supporting cast), only Lansbury is good here. There is no tension whatsoever in the interaction, a severe lack of emotion and charisma, a few are over-the-top and the line delivery throughout is clunky. Lets not get started on the accents, which are far too broad and overdone to pass as an Australian. Not even the Irish accents in the Irish-set episodes were this bad.
Furthermore there is not one interesting character or one to care for, they never rise above stereotypes that are even broader than the accents and almost borderline insulting. The dialogue is far too heavy in exposition, very little of which is intriguing and is instead stilted, sometimes needless and takes ages to get to the point.
When it comes to the story, it's very dull and takes too long to get going. A lot of it is absurd, parts actually illogical, is far too obvious (the identity of the murderer was not a surprise at all, the only thing surprising about it is how it took Jessica so long to figure out it was them) and lacks any kind of tension. Despite being well shot, the scenery is clearly glaring stock footage and studio back-lot rather than the real thing.
Overall, a mess apart from a few things. 3/10 Bethany Cox