Unwilling Witness

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.

While "Nan's Ghost" gets my vote as the best episode of Season 12, "Unwilling Witness" to me is a very close second. It is also a standout of the post-Season 8 episodes (what is meant by "latter seasons" as cited in previous reviews). Can't really think of anything wrong with it, other than it slightly lacking in the extra something of the very best episodes.

The mystery is very twisty and has a lot of energy. A highlight is the twist ending, that is terrific, and is not only the best ending of Season 12 and one of the best and most unexpected endings of post-Season 8 but also one of the most leaving-one-floored-in-shock endings of the show.

Angela Lansbury can't be faulted in one of her best remembered roles. Likewise with the truly charming supporting cast in one of the best-cast episodes of Season 12 and of the latter seasons. Standouts are Lisa Eichhorn, in full on bitchy mode and not looking at all uncomfortable with it, Larry Linville, Sydney Walsh, Joel Brooks and Shea Farrell.

Production values are slick and stylish. 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. The writing is fun and thought-provoking, not taking itself seriously.

Summing up, one of Season 12's best episodes. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Jessica's life is turned upside down when she receives a phone call that is a wrong number. This is because the guy who made the call was in SERIOUS legal trouble...and an incredibly overzealous prosecutor insists that that call meant something. In other words, she insists on proving that Jessica is in league with an embezzler! When Jessica responds to a Grand Jury summons, the prosecutor won't let her talk and browbeats her. Then, she insists that Jessica be jailed for refusing to testify! Clearly the prosecutor is a mess...and her mess is making Jessica's life tough. So, once Jessica's lawyer gets her out of jail, she sets out to solve the case in order to get this prosecutor out of her hair! Naturally, there will be a murder in all this.

The best thing about this episode is that it is different...and considering it came in season 12, that's a very good thing! Well worth seeing and most unusual.

Jessica Fletcher finds herself in contempt of a federal grand jury in this average episode. It's different from the other episodes with The subject matter, however it can get a bit confusing and ponderous at times.

Jessica only just misses a phone call from a businessman, who is killed before he can speak to her. Jessica is made to testify by a tough prosecutor, who fails to believe that there wasn't a link between the two.

The standout episode of series 12, Unwilling Witness is definitely a cut above, and definitely feels like it belongs in the show's purple patch back in the third or fourth series. Even as a production, it felt like an earlier episode, some of the later ones somehow felt a little wishy washy.

There's a definite lack of silliness, this is very much a straight up, serious thriller, it's very, very good.

I loved the big twist at the end, it truly came out of nowhere, surely one of the show's biggest surprises.

Excellent performance from Lisa Eichorn, Rayburn has zero respect for Jessica's good name. Very good performances from Larry Linville, Ron Dean and Joel Brooks, the cheeky photographer.

Excellent.

9/10.