Jessica reopens a 16-year-old murder case at the urging of a dying author who felt injustice was done.Jessica reopens a 16-year-old murder case at the urging of a dying author who felt injustice was done.Jessica reopens a 16-year-old murder case at the urging of a dying author who felt injustice was done.
Photos
LaReine Chabut
- Madeline
- (as La Reine Chabut)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFinal TV role of Van Johnson who had twice before guested on ''Murder, She Wrote'', in Hit, Run and Homicide (1984) and Menace, Anyone? (1986).
- GoofsWhen receiving the anonymous letter suggesting to check the digitalis levels in order to reveal murder, the secretary says she 'tried to handle it as little as possible as soon as it came in'. Nevertheless, the Police Commissioner does nothing to prevent tampering and grabs the note with both hands, smearing it all over with his fingerprints and then hands it to Jessica (who is slightly more cautious and handles it with minimum finger contact).
- Quotes
[last lines]
Ernie Dolan: Can I give you a ride?
Jessica Fletcher: Yes, yes, I'd- I'd like that. Thank you Mr. Dolan... Could you possibly drop me at police headquarters?
Ernie Dolan: Surely.
- SoundtracksMurder She Wrote Theme
Written by John Addison
Featured review
Exonerating the innocent
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.
Of the Season 7 episodes, "Hannigan's Wake" is not one of the best by some way but is still in the better half. There are things that could have been done better. The revelation of who was responsible for what happens to Jessica mid-episode was more of a cheat than it was clever. And after such an intriguing and brain-teaser mystery where one does care about learning the truth, the episode did deserve a much better ending than the one here that will leave one dumbfounded by how hard to swallow it is.
It is a pity because "Hannigan's Wake" is a very good episode otherwise and could have been a great one, if the last 10-15 minutes or so were better. What elevates it to a higher level is the cast. Angela Lansbury demonstrates once again why Jessica Fletcher is one of her best-remembered roles and particularly excellent in support are Bradford Dillman and Anthony Geary. Van Johnson, in his last television episode, makes the most of his small screen time.
As said, the mystery is mostly very clever and engaging with three quarters of it being intriguing and twisty.
Production values as ever are slick and stylish. 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 suitably light-hearted, amiable and intriguing while taking itself seriously when needed without going overly so.
Overall, very good and nearly great until the last quarter or so spoilt things. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Of the Season 7 episodes, "Hannigan's Wake" is not one of the best by some way but is still in the better half. There are things that could have been done better. The revelation of who was responsible for what happens to Jessica mid-episode was more of a cheat than it was clever. And after such an intriguing and brain-teaser mystery where one does care about learning the truth, the episode did deserve a much better ending than the one here that will leave one dumbfounded by how hard to swallow it is.
It is a pity because "Hannigan's Wake" is a very good episode otherwise and could have been a great one, if the last 10-15 minutes or so were better. What elevates it to a higher level is the cast. Angela Lansbury demonstrates once again why Jessica Fletcher is one of her best-remembered roles and particularly excellent in support are Bradford Dillman and Anthony Geary. Van Johnson, in his last television episode, makes the most of his small screen time.
As said, the mystery is mostly very clever and engaging with three quarters of it being intriguing and twisty.
Production values as ever are slick and stylish. 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 suitably light-hearted, amiable and intriguing while taking itself seriously when needed without going overly so.
Overall, very good and nearly great until the last quarter or so spoilt things. 8/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•75
- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 12, 2017
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