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.
"The Dream Team" is also for me one of the lesser 'Murder She Wrote' episodes and one of Season 11's weakest alongside "Murder in High C" and "Twice Dead". Not unwatchable or bad enough to be a nightmare, but a long way from a classic or a dream. It does suffer from the presence of Grady, in his thankfully final appearance he is a bland dead-weight and annoys rather than endears (his role and what he does in it are questionable).
Many other things cripple it too. The premise was unbelievable to begin with, and the execution of it is utter nonsense. The story rarely rings true and is every bit as dull as Grady himself. Found myself caring or engaging with very little for the characters and at the end of the day who committed the murder and why, which weren't surprising all that much.
Dialogue is not the thought-provoking or amiable kind one expects from 'Murder She Wrote', here it's pretty dreary. The younger cast are completely lacking in charisma or natural line delivery, meaning that it is left to the regulars/recurring characters and older guest cast to deliver the goods.
And deliver the goods they thankfully do. Angela Lansbury is terrific in justifiably one of her best remembered roles. Likewise with charming William Windom as everybody's favourite curmudgeon doctor and likable Ron Masak. Older guest cast members include Charles Napier.
Production values are slick and stylish with a very atmospheric foggy setting in places. 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.
In conclusion, fairly lacklustre. 4/10 Bethany Cox