Alma Murder

Jessica is on a trip to visit her old college and sorority house. However, shortly after she arrives, one of her favorite old professors is arrested for murder. But, unlike most of Jessica's cases, this time the accused freely admits to having committed the murder! But Jessica isn't convinced the guy committed the crime...and in fact, there's much more to the story...including another person who says he committed the crime...but probably didn't!

Having the fine actor, E. G. Marshall, in this episode is a plus. I also liked the victim's backstory...now THAT was interesting! Overall, a very good installment of "Murder, She Wrote" and it's well worth seeing.

Jessica is summoned by one of her Sorority Sisters, to help an old friend, who's admitted to a murder he's unlikely to have committed.

I'm not sure you'll agree, but I picked the killer here in seconds, there is pattern to this show, and once you know what to look for, you can sometimes spot the slip up.

It's a good, solid episode, if not remarkable. It does however pose an interesting question, what happens if someone innocent pleads guilty to murder, it added a twist, and gave the episode a different feel.

One or two threads were left dangling, but it didn't matter overall, it's a good, solid episode. 7/10.

After shining for decades on radio, screen and television, the lovely and ever-pleasant Dinah Shore joins the ranks of Classic stars delivering her swan song (in acting) performance on "Murder, She Wrote."

Here, when Delta Alpha Chi Sorority House Mother Emily Dyers (Dinah Shore) notifies Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) that their fellow Harrison College Professor Leon Walker (E.G. Marshall) has been arrested, Jessica boards the first flight to Green Falls, New Hampshire, to investigate matters at hand at her "Alma Murder."

Reuiniting with classmate Margaret Stone (Janice Rule) and old flame D.A. Paul Robbins (Ralph Waite) proves bittersweet for Jessica, who, along with Emily and the others, wish that their meeting would have been under happier circumstances.

Advertising Writing Instructor Steve Chambers (Jason Beghe) and his jealous and standoffish wife, Karen Chambers (Dana Sparks) also rally around the inspirational Professor Leon Walker, as a series of secrets begins to unfold around Harrison College and Delta Alpha Chi Sorority.

Sara Haines (Felicia Lansbury) had lost her fiancé in the aftermath of an April Fool's Day dance on the night of a faculty meeting, in an accident which also injured the unpopular schemer Rhonda Sykes (Kate Vernon), which also now lead to a murder to which Leon adamantly confesses.

But when Steve Chambers also confesses to the same murder, along with a differing account of the incident in question, Jessica continues to search for clues to investigate additional possibilities.

What Jessica uncovers as clues begin to unfold is a plot of blackmail, as nearly everyone around Green Falls has secrets to hide with the exception of Emily

This Murder She Wrote story has Jessica Fletcher going back to her old sorority house when she gets a call from Dinah Shore now the house mistress. It seems that their old professor E.G. Marshall has himself in a nice jackpot. He's been arrested for the murder of Kate Vernon, a coed with whom the old guy had been sleeping with.

Of course Marshall isn't the only one Kate's been diddling. Another of the faculty Jason Beghe also at one point confesses to her murder. We only see Vernon is flashback, but this was a gal who believed in doing it the old fashioned way for success.

For a solution here I would refer readers to the John Ford classic Young Mr. Lincoln and how Henry Fonda got his clients off in that film.

You'll like the guest stars here which also include Ralph Waite and Janice Rule.

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.

"Alma Murder" to me is one of the weaker Season 5 episodes though is still a decent episode, primarily for the cast. There are occasional dull stretches and the story is hardly one of the show's most tasteful with the dirty sleazy factor dripping off it, mainly because of the promiscuous victim being one that one does not root for and can totally see why she was killed.

Jessica's advice at the end is terrible too and it was just too clear from the get go, if one is familiar with the standard 'Murder She Wrote' formula, that somebody else was responsible.

The cast makes "Alma Murder" worth watching however. Angela Lansbury can't be faulted and E.G. Marshall and Dinah Shore are particularly good of a more than game supporting cast that succeeds in bringing dignity to the proceedings.

Despite reservations with some of the storytelling, the mystery is mostly diverting and has some nice surprises here and there.

Production values as ever are slick and stylish, love the setting here (not unusual for 'Murder She Wrote' in general but one of the more striking ones for Season 5). 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 thought-provoking, light-hearted and amiable.

In summation, decent but there is better in the season, let alone the show in general. 7/10 Bethany Cox