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

It's always pleasant to see which favorite actresses/actors from the past enliven this series with their guest appearances. Here, Don DeFore, much underrated generally, maybe because he's played so many likeable guys, turns in his usual good job.

This episode has the ingredients of a very good program, and it starts out well - a retired police detective, Barney Kale, sets out to show that his former coworker, Detective Dixon, did not have a natural drowning accidental death ten years ago, but was murdered.

There's the Maine setting, always a plus, assorted characters without much of an alibi, Jessica looking trim and efficient, lovable Seth. We find out about the backgrounds of a doctor, a businesswoman, a young opportunist and his wife, but practically nothing about the victim until the very end, so it's anybody's guess why poor Dixon was knocked off, if he didn't accidentally drown. Jessica, Amos and the Juniper Lake sheriff (wonderfully played in low-key style by J. D. Cannon) don't seem to exert themselves much to learn a thing about Dixon or any enemies he might have made.

The end is a big anti-climax. Don't want to give it away, but really, ask yourself, if you were Lt. Det. Barney Kale, would you have trekked to Juniper Lake to finish the "unfinished business"? HOW stupid is Kale? '

Unfin Police lieutenant, Barney Kale, finally announces that he will soon retire, after one final case. He soon travels to Juniper Lake, near Cabot Cove, to solve the one murder that has yet to be resolved - that of a close friend who was drowned ten years ago. Upon visiting the cabins where the murder took place, Kale invites several people who were connected to the investigation, including Jessica's friend Seth, to meet with him at the lakes. Concerned, Jessica accompanies her friend, and no sooner do the pair arrive when a guest at the cabins is found dead, having been killed with a shotgun. Jessica finds herself investigating alongside Amos to find out whether the current murder is linked to the one Kale is seeking to resolve.

Not a lot of mystery here, though Hingle's tussling with Amos Tupper is fun. It's just ok, nothing standout: I found it just average, yet watchable due to characters. There are few things that don't make sense.

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.