Murder by Appointment Only

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.

"Murder by Appointment Only" is another very nicely done episode of Season 2, if not quite one of my favourites of the season like "Murder in the Afternoon", "Jessica Behind Bars", "Sticks and Stones" (as far as previous episodes go). Of Season 2 up to this point, the only ones that don't quite do it for me are "Joshua Peabody Died Here...Possibly" and "Dead Heat".

Grady has never been one of my favourite recurring characters on 'Murder She Wrote', and that's putting it lightly (give me Michael Haggerty, Harry McGraw and even Dennis Stanton regardless of what people say about his bookend episodes any day). My opinion still hasn't changed, granted he is less annoying than usual and isn't so pointless but one doesn't really care for his subplot here and he and Michael Horton's acting are still as bland as dish-water.

Other than that, there is not much really to complain about "Murder By Appointment Only". The production values as ever are high, with some quite striking scenery and everything being very nicely shot. 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, while the story is fun and suitably complicated without being convoluted. The ending is a nice mild surprise and beautifully acted.

Angela Lansbury is terrific as to be expected, and Jayne Meadows especially is a joy out of the solid supporting cast (one where the only sore spot is Horton). Robert Culp is a very strong presence as well.

In conclusion, well done episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox.

Jessica Fletcher visits her nephew Grady Fletcher at a Lila Lee Cosmetics Convention in New York.

He is hoping to get a job in accounting arranged by old college buddy Todd Amberson (Leigh McCloskey.) His aunt Lila Lee Amberson founded the cosmetics company and managed by his father Norman Amberson (Robert Culp.)

There is a bit of a scandal as Norman is involved with a younger and attractive Elizabeth Gordon (Ann Dusenberry.) She is widely regarded as a golddigger and is engaged to marry Norman.

Lila Lee even offers her money to get out of Norman's life.

When Elizabeth is found dead. Jessica Fletcher investigates as she once taught her at Cabot Cove.

There were a lot of juicy characters such as the secretary with a romantic eye on Norman. I felt the eventual resolution was flat, more interested in a certain colour of lipstick.

Definitely not one of the best episodes, in my opinion. The character who committed the crime just didn't seem to have the personality to fit it, and the victim was pretty bland as well. The most redeeming factor of this episode was the flamboyancy of the Lila Lee character.

The setting for this episode is at a Lila Lee convention, which is obviously based on the Mary Kay cosmetic company. Instead of all the salesladies wearing pink, they wear light purple and the company gives away purple Cadillacs instead of pink ones.

Lila (Jayne Meadows) is a god-awful woman and martinet. However, oddly, she is NOT the murder victim. Instead, her brother (Robert Culp) is planning on getting married...and his fiancee is found murdered. Oddly, whoever did it was probably the one who scribbled all over a painting of the dead woman with lipstick. So, Jessica makes it a point to try to locate that lipstick as well as discover a bill paid by the dead woman. Both end up leading to the discovery that the lady had an interesting career to say the least!

This is a good episode and seeing Mary Kay parodied was fun. I just think the ending was VERY weak, as yet another suspect breaks down and confesses to Jessica even though the evidence was far from convincing. Still, it is entertaining.

The Lila Lee cosmetics company is holding its annual awards ceremony. Grady is once again out of work and hoping to land a job with them, Aunt Jessica is on hand once again to help out. Lila Lee is the figurehead of the brand, demanding and pretty rude, her brother Norman, runs the company, and is engaged to one of Jessica's ex students, Elizabeth. To get reacquainted, Norman organises a dinner for himself, Jessica and Elizabeth, but when Elizabeth doesn't turn up, they visit her apartment, discovering a body on the floor.

I loved this episode, it's so cleverly written, the neat mapping of the characters is really well done. Jessica's intimate knowledge of the victim adds a different dimension, allowing her to know fully how she would have behaved. On the surface the story is shiny and glitzy, underneath it's more complex, darker. A great job was done in masking a rather sinister murder in all that glitz.

The production team did a particularly good job with this one, they created a perfectly believable brand, with fantastic uniforms and props.

Jayne Meadows is an absolute joy as Lila Lee, so wonderfully theatrical, beautifully suited to the part. That 'Cabbage Cove' line is possibly my favourite from the show.