A Quaking in Aspen

When Jessica helps her friend with the launch of a new television show in Aspen, her friend's estranged husband is killed in what appears to be an accident. However, Jessica suspects foul play.

A fairly enjoyable MSW with a shady insurance guy and Jessica looking into a case involving perjury and murder. The twist at the end is quite good. The car crash down the Aspen is quite spectacular.

Jessica arrives in Aspen, and finds herself looking into the murder of her friend's husband, her visit coincides with an insurance fraud investigation.

Well to start off, the opening sequences are spectacular, possibly the show's most elaborate stunt, it looks amazing. Sadly what follows is a bit underwhelming, a nicely written story, but it just doesn't come to life.

I didn't particularly rate Wayne Rodgers here, I thought he was a little bit over the top, too theatrical in parts, he just wasn't right.

I wish they'd made the characters a little more different from one another, at times I muddled up who was who.

6/10.

This episode marks the fourth of five appearances of the fun-loving Chicago-based Private Detective Charlie Garrett (Wayne Rogers), whom clients often hire to investigate cases in exotic resort localities. Although Charlie functions in a role of guest detective, his episodes invariably entangle his authoritative colleague Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) into a situation which leads to murder, and do not function independently of her, as "Bookend episodes," in which she introduces him as guest sleuth, thus stepping aside. Charlie often encounters more troubles along the way than he is able to handle, thus needing Jessica's capable logic to bail him from his difficulties.

This also includes a sub-titled introductory back-story segment, as several "MSW" later-seasons episodes contain, such as "One year earlier," or "On a certain date," in this case "One month ago," in which a man is assaulted while escorting a woman across the resort compound, as well as an intent by a client to her attorney to divorce her husband.

Laney Sherman Boswell (Leigh Taylor-Young), a close friend of Jessica's seeks to end her marriage to Grant Boswell (no actor credited for the role), before Attorney Terry Folger (Gerald McRaney), who has designs of his own regarding the situation at hand.

Sheriff Milo Pike (Kurt Fuller) investigates a suspicious vehicular accident which claims a life, without determining foul play for certain, in this saga, reaching from Aspen, Colorado, to Chicago, Illinois, to Denver, Colorado, and back into its main setting of Aspen, for Jessica's return excursion into "The Centennial State."

Mr. Vernon / Grant Boswell (Tom Everett) has been involved with the victim, to the effect that his daughter, Nancy Boswell / Nancy Grayson (Leslie Horan) has been named as a beneficiary in a very large life insurance policy. Sydney Pembrook (Elizabeth Gracen) also has a connection to the deceased.

Executive Director Olivia Archer (Deborah Lacey) also has a stake in the victim's business ventures, as another beneficiary party to the insurance policy. She, therefore, hires Charlie Garrett (Wayne Rogers), who poses under the guise of a stockbroker with an alias for his cover.

Hardware store owner Anthony Pembroke (Victor Bevine) witnesses information which may prove detrimental to the defense of Laney Sherman Boswell, unable to prove her innocence unless she solicits assistance from dear old friend Jessica Fletcher, who travels to her Aspen, Colorado, resort, to investigate.

Laney's daughter, Gina Sherman (Wendy Benson-Landes), and her friends Darman H. Keene (Scott Valentine) and Phil Carmichael (Thom Bierdz) also do what they can to assist Laney and remain in Gina's good graces. Darman H. Keene works as a reporter and joins in the resulting investigations, in one way or another, along with Milo, Charlie and Jessica.

When Jessica is "introduced" to Charlie, under his alias of "Howard Dietrich," she plays along, under the impression that exposing his cover could lead to danger, she awaiting his explanation.

But during the course of clue-mongering, Charlie is assaulted and knocked unconscious, thereby preventing him from witnessing a second murder which occurs, relating to the case, as another body pops up along the sidewalk, resulting in another "Quaking in Aspen."

Jessica joins forces with Sheriff Milo Pike to attempt to clear her friend Laney Sherman Boswell of murder suspicion, and to ascertain that young love flourishes for her daughter, Gina Sherman, as she must decide which of her suitors deserves her the more.

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.

Season 12, along with Seasons 9 and 11 one of the weaker and more variable ones of 'Murder She Wrote', started off quite well with "Nailed". "A Quaking in Aspen" is even better and generally one of the season's better episodes. A few of the twists are on the predictable and not that surprising side, including a customer that triggered our suspicion once he was introduced, and a little too much was revealed too early for my liking.

On the other hand, the mystery generally is a good one. It is intriguing, thanks to its numerous twists that mostly are clever and unexpected. The denouement is well done, and the episode is all round entertaining to watch.

"A Quaking in Aspen" is also one of the better cast Season 12 episodes. Not just the always great Angela Lansbury and the charmingly professional Wayne Rogers, but the guest supporting cast succeed in not making the goings on too obvious too soon, keeping things as twisty as possible and making the characters not too hard to root for. Instead of having inexperience-ridden younger cast members, this felt professional level and like they were serious in doing it properly.

Production values are slick and stylish with great use of the setting. 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 amiable and thought-provoking on the most part, though there are moments of overripe-ness.

In summary, good episode and one of Season 12's better ones. 7/10 Bethany Cox

This MSW story opens with one spectacular car crash one of the best ever staged for the small screen. No one could have survived it as you see the vehicle careening down the mountain side of one of Aspen, Colorado's bigger peaks.

The next scene is in an insurance office where Deborah Lacey is telling private eye Charlie Garrett to make real sure that her company doesn't have to fork over the big bucks in this multi-million dollar insurance policy. She dangles quite an offer in front of Wayne Rogers.

Who goes to Aspen undercover and nearly gets his cover blown by his old friend Jessica Fletcher. She's friend of the widow Leigh Taylor-Young who is also waiting her settlement. Good thing for all concerned as Angela Lansbury is there to sort the facts out for all concerned.

Did like Gerald McRaney's performance as a most devious lawyer for the widow who is working his own agenda.

It's quite a plot Lansbury uncovers and for Wayne Rogers the upshot is quite ironic.