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 final Cabot Cove-set, and third from last 'Murder She Wrote', episode "What You Don't Know Can Kill You" is to me the third best episode of Season 12, one of 'Murder She Wrote's' weakest and most inconsistent seasons, first and second being "Nan's Ghost" and "Unwilling Witness". There is very little wrong here actually. The weakest element, other than Andy being underwritten (again), was that the identity of the killer was not a shock to me, being the one with the most expertise to carry the first murder out.
Part of me didn't want it to be them though and it was very difficult to hate them for what they did, that it is one of the season's most affectingly acted denouements helped a bit.
"What You Don't Know Can Kill You's" cast is excellent. 'Murder She Wrote' is very variable when it comes to casting younger cast members, Cari Shayne is one of the best and an example of how to do it. Her reaction to the first death (one of the show's cleverest and pretty brutal) was very genuine and broke me.
Just as good are Kathryn Morris, Anthony Michael Hall, Judson Mills, Jerry Hardin and Bruce Kirby, though Kirby's screen time isn't large.
Angela Lansbury cannot be faulted, Jessica Fletcher is one of her best remembered roles for a reason. Neither can charmingly curmudgeonly William Windom, with expert comic timing, and likeable, never bumbling or push-over, Ron Masak. The charm and tension between them is irresistible. Louis Herthum does his best.
Mystery-wise, "What You Don't Know Can Kill You" goes at a lively pace and springs its fair share of surprises on the viewer, nothing is predictable here.
Production values 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 fun and thought-provoking, not taking itself seriously. Cabot Cove is always a welcome sight.
Overall, very good and one of Season 12's best. 8/10 Bethany Cox