The Case of the Wrathful Wraith

As a recent convert to perry mason, 3 seasons so far. I found this show to be so tedious that I fell asleep twice before powering through to the end.

The defendant is such a mess that even though she get off, she will fly off the rails if she sees a mouse. The plot is one of those where a guy is thought to be dead, his wife is charged, and he shows up alive later in the show. I have to agree with the person who talked about how unsympathetic her character was. Perry didn't want her institutionalized but treatment for mental illness wouldn't be a bad idea.

Would have liked this episode if the client hadn't been so tiresome and irritating. I had thought Perry's client who was the probation officer that rushed to the aid of his old girlfriend was my least favorite, or Noah Berry acting as the hick husband were worse,Oh, there are so many unlikeable clients. Ms McCargo plays a hysterical, whining rich woman who is so stupid, who would care if she's framed for murder? Her character has to be really irritating if I give a one star to a Raymond Burr show. I know strong, confident women were rare in those old shows, with Della as the exception. Honey West was an exception, too, but that's another show

Best line ever from Della. I have been rewatching Perry Mason episodes and have to say season 9 has been so much better than the previous seasons 6,7,8. The past few seasons spent almost too much time on the guest stars with very little interaction between Perry, Paul and Della.. especially Della seemed relegated to the background.

This episode was entertaining and a little spooky.. Perry represents a woman (Marian McCargo) who is accused of murdering her husband and he gets her off not in the court of public opinion.

Afterwards strange things start to happen to her such as disappearing items, a strange man lurking outside her house, ghostly visitations.. the usual twists and turns. Did not care for the acting of Marion McCargo, who was too over the top and annoying, but enjoyed the plot. Over the years Perry Mason touched on some interesting topics.. tabloids, mental health, teenage angst, protests, domestic violence, unwed mothers. Perry was always had a moral compass and tried to do the right thing even when odds were against him. The characters of this show have always been endearing which to me is why the show remains a classic .. even with its shortfalls of crazy plots, courtroom outbursts and overacting guest stars.

As this episode opens up we learn that Perry Mason actually had a case that went to jury and Marian McCargo was found not guilty. That sure would have shattered the usual paradigm for Perry Mason stories as he never lets cases get that far. But no matter he gets to defend McCargo again.

Hard to prove murder without a body maybe it was the DA's fault and he never should have indicted in the first place. Only now McCargo is being haunted by her dead spouse and one night he's shot to death at their home and she's found standing over the body murder weapon in hand.

McCargo delivers a fine performance as a woman really about to lose control. Even William Talman is feeling sorry for her as he offers to take a plea for temporary insanity.

But this time Raymond Burr acquits McCargo and in true Perry Mason style.