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.
Although none of the episodes up to this point of Season 1 are bad, all are pretty good or more (especially the pilot episode "The Murder of Sherlock Holmes"), "It's a Dog's Life" is the weakest up to this point while still being decent. Again, neither Season 1 or 'Murder She Wrote' has reached its peak or best, is likable, light-hearted fun and the mystery had some interesting elements.
"It's a Dog's Life" has the second most obvious murderer to me up to this particular point in the season. After taking note of something that gave them away and put them at the scene of the murder, the guilty sign flashed nearly as much and nearly as badly as when the murderer gave themselves away in "Deadly Lady". Also when taking note of the suspects, their movements and motives, they also had the most to gain and to lose.
Have realised upon re-watching the show recently that I have never been a fan of the corny humorous dialogue at the end or the freeze frame photographs, "It's a Dog's Life" does nothing to change my mind. There are also a few too excessively long shots at times which pads things out a little too much.
On the other hand, it is a good-looking episode. Very nicely shot with attractive locations and fashions. The music 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 charmingly light-hearted, gently amiable and down to earth but provokes thought too. The mystery is straightforward, if somewhat formulaic, and compelling, with one of the strangest but cleverest murders of the whole show involving a gate and, despite the identity of the murderer being obvious, the final solution like the motives and how it was all done was clever. It was fun to see everything come together and how Jessica did her sleuthing to solve the case.
Angela Lansbury is terrific in one of her best remembered roles (one of the roles that is most closely associated with me at any rate), and Lynn Redgrave brings a lot of class and charm. To me, however, the dog Teddy steals the show, so adorable, beautifully trained and fun to watch.
Overall, good. 7/10 Bethany Cox