Deadly Lady

Wealthy financier Stephen Earl is apparently killed in a storm on a boat with his daughters, who will each receive $25 million at his death. Sheriff Amos Tupper (Tom Bosley) suspects foul play and calls Jessica Fletcher in for her advice and he meets the man's daughters, most of whom seem to have little love lost for him. At the same time, a drifter named Ralph (Howard Duff) comes to Jessica's house seeking work and she gives him some work and befriends him.

She sees a picture of the financier in the newspaper and realizes it's the drifter, which means he didn't die in the storm, clearing one of his daughters who confessed to the "murder." However when his body washes up on the beach, Jessica has to find out who killed him and why.

There's a nice chemistry between Howard Duff and Angela Lansbury - what's really impressive is how Jessica figures out that Duff's character is fibbing about being a hobo, but she still kind to him. The mystery itself is quite good, enough twists and turns. A good start for this classic series.

A stranger turns up at Jessica's home, offering to work for food and shelter. 'Ralph' arrives the same time as wealthy Stephen Earle is swept overboard during a rough storm, leaving his travelling family members to believe he's died.

The first episode in the regular 45 minute format, allowing less time for plot and character build then the previous 130 minute pilot. We're introduced to Jessica's residence, to Cabot Cove, we meet local Sheriff Amos Tupper.

It's a cosy, safe episode, one that focuses on establishing the show, Jessica's role in the community etc. That said it is definitely well paced, it moves along nicely.

Very strong production values, well acted, and a cleverly crafted ending make this an excellent episode. 9/10

This is a great first official "regular season" episode. We get our first introduction to some of the regulars of Cabot Cove (Claude Akins as Ethan and Tom Bosley as Sheriff Amos Tupper). We have a great list of guest stars: First, we have Howard Duff and Stephen Earl masquerading as a drifter (a kind of mystery before the mystery), Anne Lockhart as one of the sisters is exceptional (as always), Cassie Yates, Marilyn Hassett, and Doran Clark round out the other sisters - all do a fine job and find a nice balance between being a bit crass (at the death of their father) and still more or less likable (or understandable) nonetheless. We have a good mystery, a sweet Meerchaum pipe, and J. B. illustrating both her kindness (to the murder victim, who turns out to be not the most endearing character in retrospect, as told from the view of his daughters) and cunning (in sussing out the killer). Classic J. B.!

And now, in the aftermath of the pilot episode, which launches the "Murder, She Wrote" (or "MSW") series, we arrive at its first weekly episode to be broadcast.

But first, a few prefatory remarks: I have no connection with the production of this series nor any of its fan sites although it can prove interesting to discover those little mistakes which each and every last one of them contain. As we proceed through this series extending episode reviews, should I mistakingly blunder in mixing up one fact with another, please feel free to correct any mishap, as we strive to communicate "what the episodes are all about" as a sort of learning process, based upon content as our source of information (without familiarity of any first-hand "MSW" production source).

By the series start, we are aware that retired schoolteacher-turned-Mystery Novelist Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) resides in Cabot Cove, Maine, Seat of Cabot Cove County, for which Sheriff Station is based. Sheriff Amos Tupper (Tom Bosley) investigates Cabot Cove County homicides during the first four "MSW" seasons. At times, a deputy takes center stage during a Sheriff Tupper episode, but for the most part, Amos operates without a steady deputy at his side (except in a couple of cases of a recurring role). In this episode, Deputy Emma (Carol Swarbrick) supports the Sheriff. For the remainder of the series, the Cabot Cove Sheriff does have steady deputies, along with extras to function as suspects or victims on occasion.

During Cabot Cove episodes, Jessica keeps company with an authoritative male confidant, to accompany to community functions and to help to study murder evidence. Throughout much of the series, he is the Doctor, who also provides medical examinations upon the victims, or the newspaper publisher, who helps to research and report upon local murders.

But, during Season One, her confidant comes as Fisherman Captain Ethan Cragg (Claude Akins), with whom Jessica conducts fluent conversations about navigating, knot tying, and anything to do with sailing. This knowledge comes in handy when studying evidence in the aftermath of Cabot Cove's premiere murder.

So, before we get into "Deadly Lady," here's a chance to see whether I mix up these three supporting actors: Jonathan Bailey (Tom Bower) as the fisherman who spars with Ethan, Nils Andersen (John Petlock) as the stranger in town, and Elias Cobb (Robert Beecher) as the Medical Examiner? All right, the remainder seems relatively smooth sailing--at least for now....

One day, Jessica receives a visitor, Stephen Earl (Howard Duff), who presents himself as "Ralph," and volunteers to perform odd jobs in exchange for a stipend. Jessica agrees to employ Ralph to assist with her yard-work while she types a potential manuscript or accompanies Ethan on a boating session. She learns little about Ralph but finds his knowledge refreshing and his company enjoyable.

But Ralph suddenly disappears after a team of four sisters dock their craft in Cabot Cove harbor.

When Grace Earl Lamont (Anne Lockhart), Lisa Earl Shelby (Cassie Yates), Maggie Earl (Marilyn Hassett) and Nancy Earl (Doran Clark) report to Sheriff Tupper that their father is nowhere to be found and believed to have fallen overboard during a storm, Sheriff Tupper suspects foul play, and one of the Sisters Earl confesses to shoving her father, Stephen Earl, to his death.

Jessica realizes that the account doesn't add up, without disclosing the fact that she has met Stephen, a.k.a. Ralph, after he was reportedly murdered and manages to convince Amos to release the suspect on the grounds that no crime has been committed.

Grace, Lisa, Maggie and Nancy "Nan" Earl then check into a Cabot Cove motel, at which Brian Shelby (Dack Rambo) arrives to stay with wife, Lisa, during this time of distress, for whether or not her father was murdered, he is still missing, and Jessica has no idea what has become of Ralph/Stephen.

Terry Jones (Richard Hatch) soon arrives in Cabot Cove to meet his fiancée, Nan Earl, this eventually leading Jessica to question everyone connected with the Earl family.

What Jessica learns is that the wealthy widower Stephen protects his daughters to the point of controlling their lives in a manner overbearing to them. While Stephen has destroyed Grace's marriage, he has also prevented Maggie from marrying, and also does everything in his power to keep Terry away from Nan. Lisa, on the other hand, has no intention of allowing Stephen to come between her and Brian although he is suspected of marrying her for a share of her father's great wealth.

During the course of this investigation, the plot thickens when a body is discovered and has a direct bearing upon the Earl family's in-fighting.

When one of the sisters is subsequently arrested for murder, Jessica places together the pieces of the larger puzzle to realize that she has been framed, but suggests that Amos hold her in a cell at any rate, for her own safety.

This episode introduces to the series Anne Lockhart, Cassie Yates, Marilyn Hassett and Doran Clark, as the Sisters Earl. Each of these lovely actresses goes on to appear in at least three "MSW" episodes, often in chameleon-like fashion, sporting a variety of hairstyles, and interchanging playing innocent or guilty or victim, perhaps. And, as this episode indicates, the four are each invariably paired with nice-looking co-stars in future episodes, whether or not any will serve in the function of "Deadly Lady."

Claude Akins, acting in film and on television since 1953, and appearing in four "MSW" episodes in the character of Captain Ethan Cragg, Howard Duff, film and television star since 1947, and Dack Rambo, performing since 1962, and appearing in three "MSW" episodes as different characters, have unfortunately since passed.

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