Murder She Wrote – Season 4
By Mal Simons, Blockbuster.co.uk

Angela Lansbury returns as super sleuth Jessica Fletcher in Season 4 of Murder She Wrote.

Who would be friends with Jessica Fletcher? I mean, anyone with any common sense would know that the woman is cursed. If you’re friends with Jessica then you know that you’re going to be either murdered or falsely accused of murder; and then Jessica will stroll in, all smug; and sort it all out.

Furthermore, have you ever noticed how incompetent the police forces across world are? They arrest the first person they come across… and they are so desperate for help that they let the dottering old dear look at all their notes and files? – Obviously if that had happened today, in this country; crime novel or no crime novel, you could imagine them being convicted for breaking the data protection act.

And then, would she let it go? No. You’d feel compelled to invite her to Thanksgiving, Christmas… all the social occasions. The topic of conversation is sure to turn to “Do you remember that time I saved you from the electric chair?” Having your life saved probably comes with a heavy price.

That said however, Murder She Wrote is a real gem from the eighties and one of the best mystery shows in the history of television. A show from the decade of cheese, where our action heroes jumped out of planes without parachutes and Michael Jackson was widely regarded as a normal bloke; Murder She Wrote ran for an incredible twelve years! (and that doesn’t include the TV movies!)

At the heart of its popularity is its formulaic approach to crime solving. Jessica arrives, death soon follows and one of her close friends / acquaintances is blamed for the crime. Being outside of the police force and appearing to be a harmless old lady, Jessica manages to solve the crimes through a process of elimination… she succeeds in clearing her friend’s name and then makes a packet writing a novel about her experiences. She is like the Mills & Boon for crime novels apparently.

On a par with the other great TV detectives from the seventies and eighties, Jessica Fletcher always gets her man (or woman). Angela Lansbury is perfect in the lead role as Jessica Fletcher. It is easy to see why the British born actress was able to charm millions each week. Season 4 has Jessica spread her own brand of American justice abroad to Paris, Quebec and throughout the United States and includes some terrific guest stars from the past.

All in all, and jokes aside, Murder She Wrote is a high quality crime show and its kind of reassuring to imagine, that in these days of CSI, there is at least one crime fighter that will just go on Sherlock Holmes determination and gut feel rather than relying on science. A classic TV show, worth a watch.

Episodes 1 - 4

1. A Fashionable Way to Die
Ooh la la! Jessica travels to gay Paris to spend some time with an old friend...and finds herself entangled in a case involving fashion, finance and murder.

2. When Thieves Fall Out
A walk down memory lane is anything but pleasant for Jessica when she re-examines a 20-year-old case involving her close friends and former students.

3. Witness For The Defense
Jessica goes to great lengths for a comrade when she travels to Quebec, Canada, to testify on his behalf when he goes on tril for killing his wife.

4. Old Habits Die Hard
When a young nun's body is discovered, Jessica works with her old college roommate, who is now a mother superior, to prove that the deceased woman did not commit suicide.