Unfinished Business

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.

"Unfinished Business" is not one of my favourite episodes of 'Murder She Wrote' and is a little bit of a let-down after the two part "Death Stalks the Big Top". It is still a nice solid episode, that is fun and engaging if not as strong in mystery as other Season 3 episodes and of 'Murder She Wrote'. Intriguing premise, made the most of, and maintains attention, if needing a little more kick and a few more surprises and suspense.

There are plenty of suspects here, which is a good thing, most plausible, a couple of others (particularly Erin Moran's) not so buyable as suspects.

Production values are high in quality as to be expected, with slick photography and great location work that provides room for 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. The story as said is executed quite well and engages, particularly fun is the rapport between Amos and Kale.

Can't say enough good about Angela Lansbury, she is always dependable and there is a reason as to why Jessica Fletcher is one of her best-remembered roles. Tom Bosley and William Windom are solid as rocks, and Hayley Mills as a classy delight. Of the supporting turns, Pat Hingle is the standout.

In conclusion, solid but doesn't leave one jumping out of their chair. 7/10 Bethany Cox

I give a lot of this episode 10 out of 10 stars. But the ending is so lame, I have to take off two stars. But the character actors are all wonderful, especially the guy playing the Sheriff. As usual, the technical elements are all very great. Great costumes, as always, fine photography, great Musical cues, wonderful sets and settings. Editing is sort of standard for television shows of that era. It was just as digital editing was coming in so there weren't a lot of abilities to do fancy edits easily and quickly as needed for a weekly TV program. I am now watching all of the episodes from DVDs I borrowed from the local library. It's a very big pleasure to not have the advertisements interrupting the flow of the story. And by the way, what fine acting by Angela Lansbury, as always. I was so glad to have seen her on stage in Sweeney Todd. But she was great right from the beginning, with Gaslight.

This is the worst episode so far. The motive doesn't make sense, the crime doesn't make sense, and the scenario doesn't make sense. Sad, because the cast is star-studded and amazing.

Cabot Cove episodes average five per season in this series, and, on occasion, the action transports into the interior of Maine.

The primary setting of "Unfinished Business" lies beyond Cabot Cove County and, therefore, the jurisdiction of its Sheriff, yielding the way for other law enforcement officers to interrogate suspects.

It all begins ten years earlier than the present day at the backwoods Juniper Lake, a once-promising resort, at which a group of investors is swindled in a Real Estate scheme, leading to the demise of Dectective Lowel Dixon.

And now, on the night of his third retirement banquet, Lieutenant Detective Barney Kale (Pat Hingle) vows justice for the murder of his former partner, with a vow to return to Juniper Lake for one final investigation.

News of Barney Kale's announcement makes headlines across the state. Dr. Terence Mayhew (Lloyd Bochner), while skeet shooting, reads this report, thus causing him to cancel his forthcoming flight to Tokyo.

Entrepreneur Cynthia Tate (Hayley Mills), former secretary to the investment group, receives a call from Detective Kale at her unlisted number, alerting her of his plans to renew the investigation.

Dr. Seth Hazlitt (William Windom) clips the newspaper article to slide into his desk drawer, as Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) visits his office. He then explains about his losses to the failed investment scheme after the passing of Ruth.

Juniper Lake Resort proprietor Jake Sanford (Don DeFore) rents a cabin to a young couple, Maggie Roberts (Erin Moran) and Gary Roberts (Erich Anderson), before he welcomes Cynthia Tate, who enters upon their exiting. "Do you mean that you haven't heard, Jake?" she asks, then filling him in on Barney Kale's plans to reopen the case of Lowell Dixon.

Later that evening, Jessica receives a call from Cabot Cove Sheriff Amos Tupper (Tom Bosley), who inquires to the whereabouts of Seth. "Amos, can you drive over here right away? I'll explain everything along the way," she tells him.

Upon their arrival at Juniper Lake Resort, Jessica and Amos encounter a screaming Maggie Roberts, who has just discovered a body in a cabin. (Tom Bosley and Erin Moran had played father and daughter on the series "Happy Days" for many years, but here they have no familiarity with each other, as their scenes are carefully framed to guide viewers beyond their famous co-starring roles.)

When Sheriff McCoy (J.D. Cannon) arrives the next morning with First Deputy (Phillip Clark) and Second Deputy (James Bartz), they escort a handcuffed Seth Hazlitt from their vehicle, as a prime suspect to murder.

Under his jurisdiction, Sheriff McCoy examines evidence of Dr. Terence Mayhew's missing rifle, a page containing Cynthia Tate's unlisted telephone number, and Seth's roaming the woods, while Jessica conducts a more clever investigation of her own.

A lot of Jessica Fletcher's cases take place in various exotic locales and just as many are close to home in Cabot Cove. This one was not too far from her home town. It also ties in to a murder 10 years earlier of a vacationing police detective.

In fact the detective on that case is in this area again and Pat Hingle and there's another murder of a recently released convict Erich Anderson with a shotgun. That's the thing about shotguns, there's no forensics with them.

There's a nice little stew of suspects that in the eyes of the local law also includes Dr. Seth Hazlitt who's also on the scene. The local law is Sheriff J.D. Cannon and on Angela Lansbury's list he's on it as well.

I was fooled on this one, but on reflecting the sequence of events no other outcome was possible.