Intrigue abounds in sunny California when Jessica's niece, Victoria, is accused of the murder of a rich movie heiress in Beverly Hills.Intrigue abounds in sunny California when Jessica's niece, Victoria, is accused of the murder of a rich movie heiress in Beverly Hills.Intrigue abounds in sunny California when Jessica's niece, Victoria, is accused of the murder of a rich movie heiress in Beverly Hills.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the third time for Genie Francis playing Victoria, Jessica's niece. The first was Birds of a Feather (1984) (season 1) where her, then, fiancé is Howard Griffin, played by Jeff Conaway. They are married in Corned Beef and Carnage (1986) (season 3). Howard Griffin is still married to Victoria here, but Howard is now played by Dean Butler.
- Quotes
Victoria Griffin: [on phone with Kevin] But I told you, I'm seeing my husband's play tonight.
Kevin Tarkington: Vicky, I'm very disappointed in you. I, uh... I thought you were much more flexible, if you know what I mean.
Howard Griffin: [taking phone from Victoria] This is Vicky's husband. If you ever come near her again, I will personally eliminate some of your favorite body parts, if you know what *I* mean!
- SoundtracksMurder She Wrote Theme
Written by John Addison
"The Fixer Upper" turned out for me to be one of the best episodes of an uneven (it was this season onward where 'Murder She Wrote' from personal opinion became increasingly variable) sixth season. While there are great episodes such as this, "Dead Letter" and especially "The Error of Her Ways", there are also disappointments such as "The Grand Lady", "Night of the Tarantula" and particularly "Good-Bye Charlie".
Not much wrong here. My only complaint is the character of Howard, Dean Butler replaces Jeff Conaway (who starred as the character in Season 1's "Birds of a Feather" and Season 3's "Corned Beef and Carnage") and fares much better in the acting stakes, having a little more personality and not being as annoying, but the character is still not very interesting and it is difficult to root for his situation when not enough is done to make it or him worth caring about.
Genie Francis is very good however and Victoria thanks to Francis proves herself to be one of Jessica's most charming and best-acted relatives (while some fare well like Victoria, the energy-sucking annoying dead-weight that is Grady is a notoriously bad example). Angela Lansbury is terrific as always, and there is a very professional supporting cast showing how to do it all properly, a zesty and glamorous Brenda Vacarro is the standout.
Mystery-wise, "The Fixer-Upper" engages with some nice surprises, involving a clever murder and an ending that is not obvious and satisfies. It is very easy to root for Victoria and, although her innocence is never in doubt (one of the most predictable and most used tropes in 'Murder She Wrote' is that the innocence of the accused are nearly always obvious from the start), her dilemma is worth caring about. The other characters are colourfully drawn.
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.
Overall, great with the exception of Howard. 9/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 5, 2017