Simon Says, Color Me Dead

The aftermath of a quiet dinner party with reclusive artist Simon Thane throws suspicions on single mother Irene Rutledge when Simon's wife discovers him dead in his studio and one of Irene's dresses turns up stained with his blood. Jessica believes wholeheartedly that the young woman didn't kill Simon. However, she suspects Irene has been hiding a secret and that such taciturnity could result in a conviction if she cannot find the truth about Irene's mysterious past.

Jessica is on the case again in this okish episode. I found it a little dullish and tedious but it gets more interesting in the second half. I liked the part where Sheriff Amos takes a shine to the boy, even to the point of wanting to adopt him. He's my favourite character - very human and very funny.

Jessica Fletcher is back home in Cabot Cove where she enjoys a lovely dinner with her artist friend Simon Thane, his wife Elenor Thane and fellow admirers. Unfortunately, he ends up dead before the end of the night. He had been working on a top secret painting that even his wife hasn't seen yet...and the painting ends up missing. Will Jessica find the missing portrait, mystery model and the murderer?

This was a classic Murder, She Wrote and Jessica along with local sheriff Amos Tupper (Tom Bosley) get write to looking for clues, combing the crime scene and going through the potential suspects who include a suspicious part-time house keeper and a nomadic handyman. Amongst all the crime solving is a little boy in want of a dad and a bike.

Not as much star power as some of the other season three episodes but still totally worth seeing!

Cabot Cove has more than one distinguished resident as we continually find out on Murder She Wrote. Foster Brooks is a well known painter who has been working on yet another masterpiece all summer. His celebrity has a certain groupie appeal to the consternation of his wife Diane Baker. After a dinner party where Jessica Fletcher is one of the attendees, Brooks is discovered stabbed to death by Dr. Hazlitt the next day.

Suspicion falls on young widow Tess Harper who is a proud individual raising her son Chris Hebert. She's got one big secret to hide which when discovered by Angela Lansbury and Sheriff Tupper makes her the prime suspect. But you know it won't be in the end.

Keep in mind that groupie appeal, even Jessica Fletcher got this wrong, close but still wrong.

Cabot Cove's finest artist is stabbed to death, soon after dining with the locals. Jessica is on the guest list, chief suspect is Irene, who served dinner and cleaned, Irene is a single mum and financially down on her luck.

I really enjoyed this episode, it's a clever story, well crafted and well acted. Lansbury is always great, but she shines in particular here, the scene where she talks about marriage and the loss of Frank is brilliant, allowing her to go deeper with the character then before. The outcome of the killer is a surprise, but we'll crafted, and her method for unmasking is clever. Amos's sudden paternity push is beyond all reality, it's way to over sentimental.

I like the fact that this time the victim is a likable character, it's always the bad guy who gets killed, but on this occasion he's arguably the nicest character of the guests.

All in all it's a strong episode 8/10

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 the disappointing "Death Takes a Dive", "Simon Says, Colour Me Dead" is a step in the right direction for the third season. Although the mystery itself is not a complex one, hardly obvious (you don't figure out correctly who was responsible at least or why, nor does it feel random or last minute) but there have been more shocking final solutions, "Simon Says, Colour Me Dead" is very entertaining and among the better episodes of Season 3.

Its only real weak point was Amos's fatherhood contemplation subplot. That was not necessary or interesting at all really, seemed there for padding reasons and a clumsy way of giving Amos development and it caused little more than groan-inducing unintentional humour.

Production values are slick and stylish as ever with 'Murder She Wrote'. 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 thought-provoking, light-hearted and amiable and the episode is engaging from start to finish.

The very good cast add hugely to the appeal. Can't complain about Tom Bosley, William Windom and especially the ever terrific Angela Lansbury, and the guest turns from Foster Brooks, Tess Harper and a frosty Diane Baker in particular are more than up to their level.

In summation, solid episode and much better than the previous one, seeing Season 3 back on track. 8/10 Bethany Cox