Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) The Taxman Cometh (1991) User Reviews

Tracking Down Facts, Figures, Witnesses and the Bodies

[WeatherViolet · 7/10 · 23 September 2009]

Aunt Edna's Baked Goods founder and President Edna Hayes (Phyllis Newman) faces multiple difficulties around her multi-million dollar company's headquarters, in Joneburg, Missouri Corportate Accounting Supervisor Gail Manning (Robin Dearden) informs Edna that Plant renovation loan payments are coming due.

Sales and Marketing Director George Harris (Kent McCord) informs Edna that Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Tax Auditor Gerald Yelverton (Max Wright) claims that Aunt Edna's Baked Goods owes the government a two-million dollar payment for unpaid payroll withholding taxes for its 15,000 employees across the nation.

Vice-President J.K. Davern (Roy Thinnes) and Richard Wellstood (Gregg Henry) report that St. Louis-based tax accountant Spencer Prince, who is sometimes seen leaving the offices, may have been embezzling funds.

Edna's ex-husband, Nolan Hayes (Macon McCalman), reports to her that the IRS claims that he owes back taxes upon his $300,000 share of their divorce settlement even though he had received $100,000, and had remitted his share of tax payments.

And so, when her old college chum Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) flies into Jonesburg to pay a visit, Edna welcomes the distraction with open arms, at least until the plot thickens with murder to follow not far behind.

Lieutenant Phillips (Fred Willard) is summoned to investigate the homicide, interrogating Edna, while Tax Auditor Gerald Yelverton, in turn, questions him, with Jessica obtaining the idea to enlist Gerald Yelverton's resources to investigate the mysterious Spencer Prince.

Spencer's Maid (Joan Crosby), Mrs. Leeman (Annie O'Donnell), Pizza Shoppe Owner (Dominic Oliver), Officer #1 (Greg Allan Martin), Officer #2 (John Christopher) and a Clerk (Larry Eisenberg) round out the cast of this mystery.

But before Edna is able to prove the innocence on all counts, which she steadfastly upholds, while Jessica embarks upon her search to find and to question prospective witnesses, Edna and Jessica witness a second murder after "The Taxman Cometh" to town.

Extra points afforded for the performances of Phyllis Newman's maintaining integrity and Roy Thinnes's exercising decorum.

An old friend of Jessica's calls for help.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 30 October 2022]

One of Jessica's old college friends Edna Hayes, calls for some help when she's pursued by The IRS, and later mixed up in a murder charge.

A solid episode, with a decent plot and food set of characters, compared to the last couple of episodes, it just seems a little more run of the mill. It's still well crafted, with a good conclusion.

It's well acted and well made of course, the story is not without imagination, and I loved the use of The IRS Inspector, he's like the bogeyman in a sensible suit. Despite being over thirty years old, it still feels rather fresh.

One scene really did make me chuckle, 'looks like a wig ' I'm often saying that when I watch the show.

Two little irritations here, how big were Jessica's college classes, they just have had record numbers of attendees, Jessica spent her time befriending them all, and what was with that outfit, always so smart, there's a christening teddy bear somewhere out there missing its giant pink bow.

It makes me so sad to think that Lansbury passed away just a matter of weeks ago, so sad, she was terrific here (as always.)

A good watch, 7/10.

Tax evasion and murder

[bkoganbing · 9/10 · 3 July 2018]

This episode of MSW takes Jessica Fletcher to Missouri and a St.Louis suburb where an old friend from college Phyllis Newman has gotten rich off her pie recipes. She now is CEO of a multi-million dollar corporation and she has accountants managing the finances. But somebody's been embezzling to the tune of 2 million dollars.

When chief suspect and it turns out fall guy Macon McCalman is killed it's Newman suspected by the police. McCalman is also her ex-husband.

When Angela Lansbury finally puts it all together it's quite a scheme, one of the cleverest in the history of the show. Won't say another word, you have to see this one for yourself.

Big kudos go out to Max Wright the relentless IRS investigator who Lansbury points in the right direction. A rather humorless man Wright is practically orgasmic when Jessica Fletcher points him in the direction of a big fraud case.

One of my favorites of season 7

[mredsoha15 · 9/10 · 30 April 2022]

This is a stand out episode for season 7 and the show in general. It has everything I love about MSW. Very cozy, great mystery, nostalgic, and a fun big old house. Great episode with a great mystery and excellent chemistry between guest stars and Angela Lansbury.

Embezzlement and murder

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 16 October 2017]

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 Taxman Cometh" is a very good episode of both Season 7 and the show in general, if not quite a high-point for either. The ending is surprising and satisfying but pace-wise it felt a little rushed, feeling that a further crime had just been committed and then suddenly everything had been solved. The mystery is very interesting and springs many surprises, without coming over as confused.

Really liked that one gets the sense that the killer could be anybody and still has no idea half-way who it is and why and the truth about the embezzlement one doesn't see coming either.

Angela Lansbury is terrific as usual, and of the supporting cast Phyllis Newman's potently honest performance takes centre stage. Roy Thinnes' calm exterior and Fred Willard's authority stand out too.

Production values as always are slick and stylish with some nostalgia induced. The cosy, homey atmosphere that scaled things down was used to full and excellent advantage, one of those episodes where one likes not having big, exotic locations and instead having a smaller atmosphere that helps contribute to the mystery doing all the talking.

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 and amiable.

Overall, very solid. 8/10 Bethany Cox

The tax man is a jerk...but is he really the villain here?

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 22 January 2023]

Whenever Jessica shows up, problems follow. In this case, she arrives to see an old friend and low and behold the friend is in serious trouble with the IRS. Soon, her problems worsen, as her ex-husband is murdered and the police suspect she did it! What really happened? Well, he was killed by someone who doesn't really exist! What does this mean? See the show.

I SO wanted the victim to be the IRS agent and if it had been, I would have scored this one higher. Still, it's a fascinating episode and the story well written...and well worth seeing. Plus, the IRS man is such a jerk that you can't help but keep watching and HOPING!

The Taxman cometh

[coltras35 · 5/10 · 30 May 2022]

One of Jessica's college friends is accused of tax evasion and suspected of her ex-husband's murder. Ok, can be a bit confusing and can drag in places, and ends with the final denouement airing the whole clever scheme, thanks to Jessica.