During the course of "Murder, She Wrote", many episodes were supposed to take place throughout the world...yet they were actually filmed in the States. Of these, the one that made me laugh was this one, "Southern Double-Cross". Why? Because I've been to Australia and despite what we think in the States, folks there almost never drink Foster's Lager. I did originate there but is just not a drink anyone there seems to drink. Like Outback Steakhouse, it's more an American idea of what Aussies are like. But that's not what made me laugh. What was funny was how many times folks talked about the beer...something they just wouldn't do. And, in the pub there are dozens of Fosters cans everywhere and the taps all say Fosters! I am pretty sure Aussies watching this would be baffled...and most never would have even tasted this bland beer! In fact, most of the Foster's we see in North America is was made by Molson Coors and by Heineken in the Europe. In fact, Heineken makes MOST Foster's Lager.
Jessica arrives in the middle of no where in Australia just as the locals are all up in arms. Why? Because a mining outfit wants to buy up the town and the local sheep ranchers are fighting them. So why is Jessica there? She might just be the heir that owns this town! But of course, bodies soon start piling up...something you expect with a visit from this particular mystery writer.
The mistake about the beer didn't bother me. It made me laugh...but otherwise it wasn't important. What I did NOT like was the use of the world's WORST cliche from murder mysteries. What was it? A guy phones Jessica and tells her to meet him so he can help clear up the mystery...and the cliche just dictates that he'll be dead before Jessica arrives...which is exactly what everyone knows will happen. This really is NOT a spoiler...it's just that standard cliche.
So despite all this, is it any good? It's okay. If you pay attention, you can figure out the killer during the course of the show. But as with all the episodes, it's still worth seeing despite its limitations.