Murder by Twos

This could have been the greatest MSW story ever told, bar none: Its setting is magical Cabot Cove, beloved by viewers as the epitome of small-town Americana. The premise is believable and highly mysterious, drawn up in richly dark hues that border on horror. The casting is excellent, introducing a handful of attractive yet subtly evil characters. Unfortunately, the script - written by Angela Lansbury's brother (I checked) - won't let us get truly absorbed in all this TV greatness. It reeks of paper, often giving the actors too big a mouthful to grapple with, and it shows. It also resorts to clichés, and recycles character quirks from older MSW installments. After a while, it all starts to feel as if one were watching a secret, bonus effort put together by the show's amateur fan club. Overall, a good mystery which stops short of enthralling.

Jessica searches for a link between the town bully's death and the death of the woman he was having an affair with in this rather good episode which above average in season 11. There's an air of macabre, especially when the town bully dies - even his wife and daughter happily tear up his photo and fling them into the fire. The mystery is quite good, too.

Local bully Sam Bryce is killed in suspicious circumstances, just a few days later, Terry Deauville, a young woman he'd been having an affair with, is also killed, Jessica has a double murder to investigate.

It's a very good episode, I enjoyed this one, it was obvious who was going to be the first murder victim, the second one came as a big surprise, gave this episode a bit of suspense.

Really nice to see an episode set in Cabot Cove once again, it feels like it's been a while, the place really has become the murder capital of the world.

That scene where Gloria and Emily rip up the pictures, then throw them on the fire, it was like something out of Macbeth. One thing you realise here, the women have terrible taste in men. Medora Finney was maybe a little too over the top.

Some nice sets here, that house looked pretty good, The Station looks like it's had rather a good makeover too.

Very good.

8/10.

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 Two" is one of Season 11's best. Can't think of much wrong with it personally, other than that Andy continues to be bland and underwritten (despite Louis Herthum's best efforts) and the script could have done with less talk and let the atmosphere speak a little more. Otherwise, the mystery is a clever one with an ending that surprises and rings true and a surprisingly macabre atmosphere for a latter season episode.

The cast are also excellent. Not just the Cabot Cove regulars, with the always terrific Angela Lansbury, charmingly curmudgeon William Windom and easily likable Ron Masak.

But also the guest support that consists of Bibi Besch, Ben Browder, Chris Mulkey and Troy Evans, Thomas Callaway also convinces as a bully.

Production values are slick and stylish as ever with 'Murder She Wrote'. 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 mostly is thought-provoking though other episodes have brought out the amiability and cosiness more. Cabot Cove is a welcome sight.

Overall, very good and one of Season 11's best episodes. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Cabot Cove is supposed to have a population of about 3000 people. And, during the course of the series, about 150 or more people are murdered there! This makes the chances of any random Cabot Cover dying at about 5%...making it the most dangerous town in the world!

In this murdery episode, you have a murder that appears to be accidental. But when it's followed by a suicide that is clearly NOT a suicide, then Sheriff Metzger has two murders to solve...and naturally, Jessica is on hand to offer some minor support!

I always enjoy the Cabot Cove episodes since I like the series regulars who supposedly live there. My only quibble about this one is that a couple characters seemed almost caricatures than real people...such as the bully and the sanctimonious hyper-religious zealot. Still, it is worth your time.