The Witch's Curse

Another Cabot Cove episode as Dr. Hazlitt is busy casting a play based on early New England witchcraft and the residents are lining up to participate. A new and most strange arrival Mary Crosby arrives dressed for the part William Windom casts her immediately.

Then some strange things start happening and the down home folks of Cabot Cove start reverting to their tradition regarding witches. Especially when the real murder of Judge Ed Nelson who was playing a judge happens.

Of course Crosby is not a witch, but she does have a mission to right an old wrong done her mother. Quite a wrong it was too.

The murderer however is one you can feel a bit sorry for especially when a confession comes.

One to check out.

Seth is busy auditioning for a new stage play, he just finished seeing Eve, when Mariah Osborn bursts in, in dramatic fashion, soon after she's a suspect in the murder of a local judge.

When I read the episode listings for Series eight, this was the one I most looked forward to, the show had a penchant for dealing with black magic, witchcraft and occult themes episodes, and whilst this isn't quite a classic, it's another very good episode from Series eight.

Perhaps not as dramatic or polished as some from this series, but it's still a good one, I liked the story, I didn't guess the outcome.

I loved Marian's arrival, she burst onto the stage so to speak, in such a camp and over the top manner, even Eve was shocked.

I rated both Mary Crosby and Robert Vaughn, two very good performances, one understated, one rather bold, but both very good.

7/10.

This episode marks the most recent acting credit to date for Kerry Brennan, and the only acting credit thus far for Linda Frasier.

Rehearsals are underway at Cabot Cove Town Hall for a Play centering upon Rachel Abbott, as Doctor Seth Hazlett (William Windom) directs locals attired in Puritan garments.

Superior Insurance Agent Nate Parsons (David Ackroyd) plays the role of a prosecuting attorney. Judge Willard Clinton (Ed Nelson) plays the magistrate. Lydia Winthrop (Marian Seldes) plays the accuser of Rachel Abbott. Penelope Hope Daniels (Marian Mercer) plays the mother of Rachel Abbott.

But no actress reading the role of Rachel measures up to her attempts; Eve Simpson (Julie Adams) auditions, to meet the same panning from the rest of the cast and crew.

Enter Mariah Osborn (Mary Crosby) in her flowing dark hair and garments whisking in the wind, to audition in superior performance, to find all of Cabot Cove raving about her suitability for the role, as well as for the eerie old Walker house, which she has rented through Eve Simpson's agency.

The next morning, Seth reports details of the rehearsal to Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) and Sheriff Mort Metzger (Ron Masak), who, naturally, exchanges a few barbs with Seth, as the ladies of Cabot Cove begin to gossip about Mariah Osborn and the men whose attention she seems to capture rather easily.

Charles Winthrop (Robert Vaughn) receives Mariah, who returns his wife's shawl to their residence while he recuperates from a broken leg, suffered from a fall while Lydia has the staircase refinished. Lydia, of course, returns to face Mariah and Charles, and to arrive at a hasty conclusion. That night, a burglary occurs at the Winthrop residence, with rose petals left behind, to symbolize Rachel Abbott.

Mariah then visits Nate Parsons' Insurance office, with Lydia Winthrop, again, on hand to capture them in a whisper, and to express a similar conclusion as she had reached when she spotted Mariah with Charles. That night, a fire breaks out at Nate's storage shed, with a pentagram drawn onto its door, the flames destroying inactive insurance files and records.

The next night at rehearsals, Lydia Winthrop and Penelope Hope Daniels observe Mariah and Judge Willard Clinton's exchanging smiles and pleasantries, causing more tongues to whisper around Cabot Cove, with trouble following Mariah wherever she may go.

But after someone leaves a note upon an automobile windshield, signed by Rachel, a victim returns to Town Hall, to climb into its bell tower, and to be shoved through its window to hit the lower roof and fall to the ground, pointing fingers toward Mariah for murder, leaving Jessica alone to champion her innocence.

Louis Herthum is credited in this episode in the role of Deputy "Dave Anderson," whereas his usual role in the Cabot Cove episodes of Seasons Eight through Twelve is that of Deputy Andy Broom. In fact, there are five references to his character as "Andy" in "The Witch's Curse." But there is also one reference by Andy about his unseen "wife." In future episodes, Andy is presented as single, until "Evidence of Malice," in Season Twelve, when a fiancée plays into the story.

The cast is rounded out by Nate's wife, Anabelle Parsons (Carole Androsky); Beth (Kerry Brennan) and Arlissa Davenport (Linda Frasier) at the Town Hall rehearsals; Courthouse Library Clerk (Linda Porter), who assists Jessica with research; and Fireman Joe Hill (Lee de Broux), who assists Jessica on the trail of a flammable compound to which they refer as "Vivathorem Urethane."

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.

After two wonderful previous episodes "The List of Yuri Lermentov" (for me the best Michael Hagarty episode) and especially "Danse Diabolique" (a show high-point), "The Witch's Curse" is the third wonderful episode in a row for Season 8. Season 8 to me was a very solid season up to this point, with the sole disappointment being "A Killing in Vegas", an episode that was mainly let down by awful performances from the two young stars.

"The Witch's Curse" is enormous fun and also at times quite creepy, in the case of the latter the build up to the murder and the murder itself is a strong contender for the season's creepiest. The mystery is one worth engaging with and it keeps one guessing right up to a very neatly done denouement (even if it doesn't shock as much as other 'Murder She Wrote' episodes). What could have been a laughably ridiculous episode turned out to be nothing of a kind.

Angela Lansbury is terrific as usual. As are Ron Masak as ever likable Mort, William Windom as everybody's favourite charming yet funny curmudgeon and the funny and classy Julie Adams. The guest supporting stars all round also enjoy themselves, Marian Seldes in particular.

Production values are high in quality as to be expected, with slick photography and a great setting as ever in Cabot Cove (always a pleasure and one always wishes that there were more episodes in it) 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.

Writing is tight, thought-provoking and typically amiable and the characters and chemistry are good fun.

Summing up, wonderful. Although not quite perhaps a 'Murder She Wrote' classic, it's one of the standout episodes of Season 8. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Enjoyable if not exceptional episode with good performances, most notably by Mary Crosby as the alleged witch. Episodes set in Cabot Cove, especially those highlighting William Windom, Ron Masak and Julie Adams are often stronger than shows set out of town. This reality can be attributed to the actors' great gifts and chemistry as well as to better writing that plays to the featured characters' particular strengths. We have come to care about the town's regulars, and it is a weakness of the show's premise that Cabot Cove can only host so many murders.

The theme of embedded residents a tiny town turning against an unknown and seemingly unusual newcomer is always a compelling trope.

Unfortunately, the story suggests that 17th century Puritan accused "witches" were burned at the stake, but this trope is a persistent and erroneous myth. Those condemned in New England were hanged, not burned. Executions of witches by burning took place in medieval Europe.