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.
"To the Last Will I Grapple with Thee" is nothing exceptional, but it does nothing to disgrace itself either. A good way to pass the time and somewhere in the middle if one were to rank the eighth season episodes. Some of the plotting from the very charming prologue to the death does fall into cliché territory, which doesn't make the episode as suspenseful as it could have been, and the pace could have done with more kick.
Some of the acting is on the overwrought side too, mainly from the younger cast. The central conflict between Sean and Michael is done very well in the acting and writing and is where the first part of the episode fares the strongest, but the other stuff is not as interesting.
On the other hand, Angela Lansbury is terrific as always. It was truly lovely to see her reunited with her 'Sweeney Todd' colleague George Hearn, and their chemistry is truly charming. Hearn's accent is questionable (or at least it sounded to to me) but he has a very easy-going presence and it's easy to root for him. An effectively ill-looking Richard Lynch is quite ominous in his persecution.
It takes time to get going, but once the death happens and the whole business with the video tape is introduced "To the Last Will I Grapple with Thee" becomes more involving and twisty. Its best element plot-wise is the denouement, which is one of the cleverest of Season 8 and one of the most surprising of all the episodes of 'Murder She Wrote'.
Production values are slick and stylish as ever. 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.
Writing is tight, thought-provoking and typically amiable and the characters and chemistry are good fun.
In summary, pretty good episode but not an even one, the second half is better than the first. 7/10 Bethany Cox