The Witch's Curse

"The Witch's Curse" is an unusual but enjoyable episode of "Murder, She Wrote". It all begins with a community theater production going through selections and rehearsals. A strange new woman, Mariah (Mary Crosby), tries out for the role of a woman condemned long ago for witchcraft. I say strange because she lives in a dilapidated old house (the one actually used on "The Munsters"), looks a bit witchy and is, gasp, a stranger! As the show progresses you can't help but assume she came to town for some ulterior motive....but what, who knows? In the meantime, there's a murder and naturally the folks of Cabot Cove assume she did it....though with Cabot Cove being the murder capital of the world, it could have been done by practically anyone!

This is a decent and enjoyable episode. I am not sure that the witch angle helps the show much or harms it...but it does make it unusual. Overall, nothing to love nor dislike....and it's worth your time.

Mysterious newcomer Mariah Osborne arrives in Cabot Cove just as the community theater's putting on a play about Rachel Abbott, a real life woman executed as a witch. Mariah stirs up some controversy when she gets the lead role and shows a great deal of sympathy to Rachel Abbott. While there's more to Mariah than meets the eye, Jessica has to figure out if she's also capable of murdering a local judge.

Mary Crosby cuts a fine figure as a mysterious woman who turns up and makes some heads turn. She's quite enigmatic, which is matched by the plot, and a murder occurs halfway through. Of course, Crosby gets framed for the murder of the judge. It's unusual but diverting and enjoyable.

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.

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.

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