Death Stalks the Big Top: Part 1

Jessica has arrived for her niece's wedding and they express regret that the niece's grandfather cannot be there, for he supposedly died many years ago when his boat exploded and burned. The niece's grandmother is really a nasty woman, she is very domineering and controlling, even to people like Jessica. When the niece receives a silver leprechaun in the mail, both her and Jessica take it as a sign that the grandfather may be alive, for no body was ever recovered. Using the source address on the package as a clue, Jessica immediately departs for a small town in Arkansas. When she arrives, the trail leads her to a traveling circus that is struggling to survive financially. There have been a series of accidents that have created problems. Jessica pokes around and is not welcomed by the members of the circus. She finds the man she is looking for working as a clown in the circus and when one of the least liked members of the circus is beaten to death, the man she was searching for is arrested for the murder. There are many supporting characters to this episode, including a mayor that is full of himself, thinking that he is a better crime investigator than the professionals. Other supporting characters, such as the niece's grandmother, are also exaggerated in execution. Many extended head shots of a character expressing emotions for a fade-out are an integral part of the episode. Yet, it does set the proper ground for the second part, where Jessica solves the case and all is well in the end.

"Death Stalks the Big Top" is a two-part episode...and my review covers both parts one and two.

The show begins with Jessica going to visit a niece (about the 3842th time so far in the series) because she's getting married. However, something strange happens...she receives a present which reminds her of her grandfather. The problem is he apparently died some time ago...and Jessica soon leaves to see if she can track down the sender and if it IS the supposedly dead man. The trail leads to a circus...and guess what....soon someone is murdered! While it looks as if an elephant did it, in reality the victim was beaten to death. So Jessica sticks around...and soon MORE bodies pile up!

The episodes have a rather amazing cast. Some old-time actors like Jackie Cooper, Laraine Day and Martin Balsam appear in the show. Some newer actors like a very young Courtney Cox, Alex Cord, and Ronny Cox also appear in the show.

As far as the plot goes it's good, though the way the show ended with the murderer being caught was a bit formulaic. Still, well done and worth watching.

By the way, the show is supposed to occur mostly in Catlinburg, Arkansas...though there really is no such place.

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.

"Death Stalks the Big Top Part 1" is a great start for Season 3, and to me the best 'Murder She Wrote' since Season 2's "Keep the Home Fries Burning". To me it wasn't overblown and with such a lot of twists and a lot going on having the episode in two parts was not just justified but in some ways needed. Just personal opinion of course. The whole business with the leprechaun figurine did create some poignancy, while the scenes at the circus were fun and saw a lot of tension between the characters, hard not to with such a loathsome character in Hank.

Who's going to get killed is blatantly obvious, hardly the first time on 'Murder She Wrote' and certainly not the last, but in no way does that spoil the enjoyment of the episode.

Production values are high in quality as to be expected, with slick photography and a great circus setting that has so much colour and fun but also an equal amount of character tension under the surface. 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 very engaging and suitably twisty.

Can't say enough good about Angela Lansbury, she is always dependable and there is a reason as to why Jessica Fletcher is one of her best-remembered roles. It was interesting to see a young Courteney Cox in an early role while former child star Jackie Cooper and Laraine Day bring classy colour and Charles Napier relishes his role as perhaps one of the show's most loathsome characters.

In conclusion, great season premiere. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Jessica arrives at the family home of her beautiful niece Carol Bannister, a girl haunted by the death of her beloved grandfather, Jessica's brother in law Frank Fletcher. As the pair talk Carol receives a wedding gift, a small leprechaun, a gift Frank had promised Carol for her wedding. Jessica, convinced he's alive tracks Frank to a circus, where he's arrested for the murder of Hank Sutter, a member of the circus community and a bully.

The first installment of an excellent two part serial. The additional screen time allows great development of the characters, and a wider story. It's cleverly crafted, providing a quality start to Series 3. Lansbury is superb, her disguise to fool Maylene and find Frank is really funny. She is always particularly good, but each time she recounts memories of Frank she shines that bit brighter.

Courtney Cox has quite a small part, but she's great as niece Carol. I would love to see Jessica's family tree! Charles Napier is arguably the standout, making Hank utterly loathsome, the obvious candidate for murder. I would argue this is a more gritty episode then what's gone before, ore serious in tone, that's no bad thing.

Great episode. 9/10

Carol Bannister (Courtney Cox) is the bride to be in a society wedding. Jessica Fletcher is her aunt and a special guest at the wedding. Her grandfather Neil Fletcher was Jessica's brother in law. He has been presumed dead for years.

When Carol gets a small leprechaun as a wedding gift. Carol is convinced that it is from her grandfather. Neil Fletcher must still be alive.

Jessica decides to investigate and the clues leads her to a traveling circus run by Edgar Carmody. Only no one claims to know Neil.

There is soon a murder in the circus. The loathsome bully Hank Sutter (Charles Napier) is found dead. The local mayor (Ronny Cox) seeking re-election wants the case resolved very quickly and corners cut.

The missing circus clown soon becomes a suspect.

The first of a two parter. This has a larger starry cast. Both Napier and Cox are stand outs as despicable characters. You just know Napier is going to be the victim, abusing a host of ladies and even a little kid.

Courtney Cox has only a small role in this story. Ironically, it was the success of Friends a decade later that led to the end of Murder She Wrote.