Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall: Part 1

....Who's the fairest mystery writer of them all?

Long standing Eudora McVeigh or Jessica Fletcher?

This episode explores what happens when an ailing Eudora arrives at Cabot Cove bearing gifts of luscious red apples, with evil intentions in her heart.

The beginning of Series five's two part finale is a classic story, episode such as this are the reason the show remains ever so popular.

First off, I love the title, it conjures up images of Sleeping Beauty, that simile completes when the cruel hearted Eudora arrives on Jessica's doorstep clutching a basket of rosy red apples.

The acting is always great on this show, but Simmons managed to take it to new heights, a favourite of mine, a Hollywood screen legend and beauty, her star quality is proven by her performance.

Jessica has always been on a pedestal throughout the show, and never really faced any sort of direct challenge, here she gets one from Eudora, who in this part is a true rival.

Wonderful, 10/10.

I have always liked MURDER SHE WROTE and there was a period that I used to watch it every day when I returned home after the lessons at University back in 2017. Having not seen an entire episode in years, I decided to try a two-part episode and I wasn't disappointed.

When the episode begins Eudora McVeigh (Jean Simmons) has a meeting with her boss (Richard Anderson) and he says that she has been surpassed as the best selling author by Jessica Fletcher. So Eudora storms off and decides to go to Cabot Cove without letting her husband know about her evil plan. Jessica is delighted of having a guest as she really needed a break from writing (as also Seth Hazlitt said her). The day after a dead man is found in a gorge and Jessica notices some of the pages from her book in production scrambled. Eudora is suspected, but then the episode ends.

I thought that this season was probably the best from the show and this episode of course didn't disappoint. Angela Lansbury was also very funny and it was surprising seeing a legendary actress of the 1950s such as Jean Simmons guest-starring in the show. William Windom, Richard Anderson and David Hedison give great support. The soundtrack too was great, and I think it's among the best for the entire show's installments.

The ending makes you anxious to see where everything is going, and it was for me until I saw the second part.

The action of this Murder She Wrote story starts in New York City where Richard Anderson who is a book publisher is telling mystery writer Jean Simmons that her last few books haven't been doing that well. He also confirms the rumor that he's looking to sign JB Fletcher as she's the current rage of the mystery reading public.

Things aren't looking good on the domestic front either as her husband Ken Howard is having an affair with her agent Shelley Fabares. In her mind she conceives that Jessica Fletcher is the cause of her problems, not logical, but Simmons isn't thinking logical.

Simmons decides to visit her rival in Cabot Cove and Angela Lansbury does welcome her at first.

This marks one of the few MSW stories where we never meet the murder victim. But a body is found on the beach and it's PI from New York City. Just what kind of case was he on that brought him to Cabot Cove. At this point all the guest cast members start showing up.

I've always thought so, but Ron Masak as sheriff gets a bit frustrated and wonders just why he took the Cabot Cove job. More murders here per capita than the South Bronx. Finally someone voices what every fan of the show has thought.

But the solution is in part 2.

When the story begins, Eudora Shipton (Jean Simmons) is meeting with her publisher....and hearing news she really DOESN'T want to hear. Apparently, her mystery novels have not been doing well and this queen of murder mysteries learns that the publisher is going to feature Jessica Fletcher instead of her. Oddly, shortly after, she arrives unexpectedly in Cabot Cove at Jessica's house....and you can only expect her to have really nefarious plans for Jessica!

Soon after arriving, Eudora dopes Jessica...making her sleep very soundly. During this time Jessica is knocked out, a murder is committed. You can only assume Eudora is responsible. After all, she drugged Jessica and stole a copy of her latest book! By the end of the episode, a beloved character in Cabot Cove is poisoned and is on the verge of death!

So much happens in this episode....and it's very exciting. Additionally, Simmons did a great job playing this evil writer. Well worth seeing.

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.

Although there are wonderful Season 5 episodes, such as "Mr Penroy's Vacation", "The Search for Peter Kerry", "A Little Night Work", "The Sins of Castle Cove", "Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble" and "The Last Flight of the Dixie Damsel", my vote for the best episode of the season is the first part of "Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall". The only episodes of the season to not do much for me are "Three Strikes You're Out" and particularly "Truck Stop".

The mystery is a suspenseful and thoroughly engaging one, with a cliff-hanger that leaves one on the edge of their seat as we worry about the fate of one of the show's most popular recurring characters and well drawn characters.

"Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall's" acting is very good across the board. Angela Lansbury as always in one of her best-remembered roles is terrific, as are a firm but amusing Ron Masak and charmingly curmudgeon William Windom. Ken Howard and Shelley Fabarres are very strong support, but the episode is stolen by one of the show's best ever guest supporting performances in Jean Simmons, brilliant as a writer who we at first are not sure of her motives and whether she's harmless or not.

Production values as ever are slick and stylish. Just love the Cabot Cove setting and the sense of close knit community. 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 mostly thought-provoking, light-hearted and amiable.

Overall, Season 5's highlight and one of my favourite 'Murder She Wrote' episodes. 10/10 Bethany Cox