Just Another Fish Story

It's good news at the Fletcher household as Angela Lansbury finds out about Michael Horton's impending engagement to Debbie Zipp. Not only that the two are both accountants and have a share in a new trendy restaurant in New York partners with Dick Gautier.

Only Gautier likes silent partners as he plays all kinds of games with the books. When he winds up dead and killed with a most unusual weapon it sets off all kinds of inquiries and Angela Lansbury is all for helping the NYPD detective Norman Fell solve it as the inquiries touch her nephew and is fiance.

I will say this episode broke a mold of sorts in that an unusual suspect if collared and an unusual disposition of the case is done.

Might be worth tuning in for.

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.

Season 4 generally is one of the more consistent and one of the best 'Murder She Wrote' seasons, when it comes to season with the highest number of very good to classic episodes Season 4 is up there. There is however at least one episode every season to not be particularly good. Season 4 has two, "It Runs in the Family" and this. Not easy to tell which is better or worse between the two, "Just Another Fish Story" at least feels like 'Murder She Wrote' (unlike "It Runs in the Family") but one of its biggest problems is that it has not one but two of my least favourite recurring characters featuring in it.

As much as it is annoying for me to mention once more my dislike for Grady, it is hard not to. The good news is that he is not featured quite as prominently as in some of his other episodes and he isn't as dead-weight bland or grating and his situation thankfully is different. The not so good news is that he is not a compelling or interesting character still at all. "Just Another Fish Story" introduces Donna, and she comes over as the female Grady with the blandness and annoying factor multiplied, we are reminded constantly in all her appearances that she is a lovely character but with such a-not-easy-to-get-behind character and Debbie Zipp's inability to act with any humour, charm or subtlety the viewer has a very hard time seeing it.

The two have very little chemistry together, ironically considering that Zipp and Michael Horton are married. And just like with most of Grady's problems, despite Jessica's involvement and determination to help them, one just doesn't care about their problem and situation here. The mystery itself also underwhelms, notable only really for its very unique (for 'Murder She Wrote') murder method. It's so uninteresting, the investigation is not focused on enough (taking a back-seat to Jessica, Grady and Donna) and it's totally forgettable, that one remembers Grady and Donna more than the mystery is not a good sign. The denouement is similarly one of the show's least satisfying, the perpetrator was a mild surprise but the motive is not a difficult one to figure out and the outcome makes one shout what at the screen.

Do agree too that the title is terrible (one of the show's worst) and that a lot of the dialogue and episode is corny.

For all those faults, "Just Another Fish Story" has its merits. 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.

Some of the writing is thought-provoking and amiable but this is too far and between.

As one would expect, Angela Lansbury is terrific and it is not hard to see why Jessica Fletcher is one of her best-remembered roles. The rest of the supporting cast do very well with what they have, Brenda Vacarro indeed being the standout and the best asset of the episode.

In conclusion, has its moments but unsatisfying on the whole. 5/10 Bethany Cox

"Just Another Fish Story" is yet another episode with Jessica's nephew, Grady. And, while I usually hate episodes with this character since he's so pathetic and annoying, here he's fine and the episode ends well.

Jessica is in New York City because Grady has a finacee and she's come to see both of them. However, after visiting a local restaurant where the fiancee has a client, the client is found dead! Can Jessica get to the bottom of this strange killing...using a fish as the weapon!!

The episode has one important thing going for it....it's NOT much like other episodes. That originality alone make it well worth seeing. I also enjoyed seeing the fiancee as in so many ways she was Grady but in a dress. Quite enjoyable...and according to IMDB the actress playing the fiancee was actually married to the actor playing Grady!

Jessica is delighted when Grady and Donna are set to tie the knot, but a few things must be straightened out first.

This is one of the most ok stories of the show's history, it's not hard to like, but I cannot imagine anyone loving it.

Credit to casting here, for managing to discover a female companion for Grady, Donna was perfect, she is essentially the same character, well meaning, but a bit dim.

I wonder if there was an influence of Tales of the Unexpected episode 'Lamb to the Slaughter,' one key plot device is used.

The mystery itself is actually pretty engaging, the conclusion however is pretty silly, no worries at all about the murder, the real stress comes from the trivialities in life, the outcome of the killer didn't feel right.

Good to see Brenda Vaccaro, always good, I have to say that Zipp is quite charming as Donna.

6/10.

This is an excellent episode, especially considered as a mystery, The solution of this one is worthy of a good mystery novel, and that is something that is very rare in a TV show. That alone would merit the high rating I give this episode.

But also, this is a very fun and enjoyable episode, with the usual energy and wit that are the hallmarks of the series. Jessica is very warm and nurturing to Grady, as well as to his young lady, and she is a pure delight. The young lady is shy and quite lovable! Norman Fell as the police detective is perfect in his role; he was such a fine actor.

As for Grady: some viewers don't care for him, but you have to think about the role he fulfills in this series. He is naive, youthful, enthusiastic, and very prone to get into troubles that are more than he can handle! Of course his Aunt Jessica cheerfully comes to his rescue. Now, if Grady were a smooth, self-confident, take-charge kind of guy, then he wouldn't need Jessica nearly as much, would he? And there wouldn't be such a strong contrast between clever and capable Jessica, and well-meaning but bumbling Grady. If Dr. Watson had been a brilliant intellect, then Sherlock Holmes wouldn't have been nearly as impressive, because there would have been much less contrast. In the same way, the character of Grady is as we see him, because that sets up a vivid contrast with Jessica Fletcher. After you watch this episode, give the ending some thought. It's a very interesting and unusual ending for an episode, and I really liked it. Offhand, i can't recall another episode that ends this way; but then, I'm watching the series in order, so I haven't seen seasons 5-12 yet. Highly recommended for a pleasant hour of entertainment.