The poisoning deaths of three customers point to the local diner owner.The poisoning deaths of three customers point to the local diner owner.The poisoning deaths of three customers point to the local diner owner.
Photos
Dee Wallace
- Ellen Wicker
- (as Dee Wallace Stone)
Storyline
Did you know
- Quotes
[first lines]
Dr. John Logan: It was a heart attack, Doris, pure and simple. Po never felt a thing.
- ConnectionsReferences Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968)
- SoundtracksMurder She Wrote Theme
Written by John Addison
Featured review
Murder by arsenic
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.
While not one of the best episodes of Season 7 like "Who Killed J.B. Fletcher?", "The Return of Preston Giles", "Murder Plain and Simple", "A Body to Die For", "The Family Jewels" and "Thursday's Child", "Tainted Lady" is still a very good episode. What stops it from being great is the tension between Ellen and Hays, because of the cartoonishly unpleasant way Hays is written and how he behaves it was more out-of-place nastiness rather than tension and it did at times distract from what was actually one of the better mysteries of Season 7.
The mystery is clever and engaging, with a unique (for 'Murder She Wrote' up to this point in the show) murder method and how it was done. The ending was one of the show's greatest shocks in a good way, not only does the identity of the culprit floor you but one is equally shocked at the explanation for how the arsenic was administered.
Angela Lansbury plays Jessica without any problem whatsoever, and she gets terrific support from Dee Wallace as a very sympathetic suspect. Gary Lockwood does a very good job with what he has, he successfully brings out the creepy and oily factors, it's not his fault that his character is so unpleasant.
Production values as always are slick and stylish with some nostalgia induced. 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. The writing is thoughtful, cosy and light-hearted while taking itself seriously as well.
To conclude, very good episode if not quite a standout. 8/10 Bethany Cox
While not one of the best episodes of Season 7 like "Who Killed J.B. Fletcher?", "The Return of Preston Giles", "Murder Plain and Simple", "A Body to Die For", "The Family Jewels" and "Thursday's Child", "Tainted Lady" is still a very good episode. What stops it from being great is the tension between Ellen and Hays, because of the cartoonishly unpleasant way Hays is written and how he behaves it was more out-of-place nastiness rather than tension and it did at times distract from what was actually one of the better mysteries of Season 7.
The mystery is clever and engaging, with a unique (for 'Murder She Wrote' up to this point in the show) murder method and how it was done. The ending was one of the show's greatest shocks in a good way, not only does the identity of the culprit floor you but one is equally shocked at the explanation for how the arsenic was administered.
Angela Lansbury plays Jessica without any problem whatsoever, and she gets terrific support from Dee Wallace as a very sympathetic suspect. Gary Lockwood does a very good job with what he has, he successfully brings out the creepy and oily factors, it's not his fault that his character is so unpleasant.
Production values as always are slick and stylish with some nostalgia induced. 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. The writing is thoughtful, cosy and light-hearted while taking itself seriously as well.
To conclude, very good episode if not quite a standout. 8/10 Bethany Cox
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- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 18, 2017
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