Bite the Big Apple

There is an old Jewish joke in the form of a prayer: "Oh, Lord, protect me from my friends; I can take care of my enemies." NEVER have I seen a better dramatization of this truth than "Bite the Big Apple." Seth Hazlitt, who is ordinarily an excellent foil for Jessica, is here utterly and totally insufferable. He shows up at Jessica's apartment unannounced, moves in to stay for several days (despite Jessica's obvious hints that she wants him GONE), and monitors her every action (if anyone EVER said to me "Where do you think YOU'RE going?" IN MY OWN HOME, those would be their last words in this world). This episode is excellent in every other way; but this is a really unusual, and unpleasant, take on a generally popular character.

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.

"Bite the Big Apple" is a strong start for Season 8 and among the season's better episodes, if not quite one of the very finest of 'Murder She Wrote' (when it comes to Season 8 episodes "Murder on Madison Avenue" and particularly "Danse Diabolique" are standout episodes). Season 8 generally is one of the stronger seasons of the show, so it is high praise to consider "Bite the Big Apple" one of the better episodes. There is nothing really wrong with it actually, just that the very finest episodes had the extra something that "Bite the Big Apple" just slightly lacks.

Can't say anything bad about Angela Lansbury. Nor the uniformly good supporting cast, where Jay Acovone and particularly Eugene Roche are excellent. Julie Adams and William Windom (welcome back Seth, you were very much missed in Season 7, where he was only in one episode that wasn't particularly worthy of him) are always pleasures and help make the beginning an affectionate one.

The episode is notable for establishing Jessica's new job and her move to Ne York, but it has much more to it than that. The mystery is a good, intriguing and easy to follow (without ever being too easy to solve) one, with one of the most shocking endings of the latter seasons. Not many 'Murder She Wrote' episodes in a long time left me floored, the ending here did.

As for the production values, they are slick and stylish as ever. New York looks great. 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 thoughtful, cosy and light-hearted while taking itself seriously as well.

Overall, Season 8 gets off to a great start. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Jessica moves to New York to teach criminology at Manhattan University. She soon has a chance to practise what she preaches when she discovers that the previous tenant of her apartment was found murdered. A fun MSW with Dr Seth Hazlitt visiting her apartment- he's worried about her because of the plethora of crime in New York. The twist at the end adds an extra bite to a good episode.

Season 8 of Murder She Wrote has Jessica Fletcher taking an apartment in New York because she's joined the faculty of one of the colleges here. Her BFF Dr. Hazlett is skeptical about big cities especially New York's reputation for crime in the streets.

William Windom when he visits Angela Lansbury spends the whole episode with an 'I told you so' look on his face because sure enough when she arrives Lansbury finds Alan Feinstein the previous tenant the subject of a murder and the cops in the persons of Eugene Roche and Jay Acovone investigating. In fact Roche is a big old fan.

Feinstein was in the smuggling business using his brother's import/export business for a cover. He's got a lot of people wishing him ill will.

There's a nice performance from Rosemary Forsyth who is Lansbury's new neighbor who keeps her door perpetually open. No mugger would bother this lady, but God forbid she should miss some juicy gossip.

A heralded debut in the Big Apple for Jessica Fletcher.

Jessica has landed a new job teaching in The Big Apple, she takes an apartment in Manhattan, and soon gets drawn into the murder of the previous tenant of her new home.

Series eight sees the format of the show changed somewhat, Jessica would spend a lot of her time in Manhattan, away from dear Cabot Cove.

This series kicks off with a great episode, it's an intriguing mystery, it features an intriguing crime linked to Jessica's new apartment, and it throws in Seth for some familiarity.

I really enjoyed the music, it feels very well made, with some strong visuals and a refreshing change of scenery.

The ending is a memorable one, it's always great to see Jessica thrown into a dangerous scenario. The humour comes from Seth, who provides several laughs.

A very satisfying episode.

8/10.