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 9 to me is one of the weakest and most inconsistent 'Murder She Wrote' seasons, leaning more towards the disappointing with notable exceptions such as "A Christmas Secret". "Final Curtain" is another one of the exceptions. It is occasionally a touch convoluted and occasionally the pace could have been tighter, but it is a very atmospheric episode with one of the season's most compelling mysteries and it is also one of the few episodes of Season 9 and of the latter seasons that is emotionally resonant.
The season has mostly been disappointing for denouements, for every clever one like "The Wind Around the Tower" and "A Christmas Secret" there is also too-easy-to-solve, implausible or poorly acted ones such as (as far as previous episodes go) "Murder in Milan", "The Mole" and particularly "The Dead File". "Final Curtain's" denouement is not only surprising, it is also shocking and actually has both suspense and pathos, one of few cases too where one actually wants Jessica to be wrong and where the killer doesn't come over as that bad a person. It is also a denouement that is solved actually using evidence and not being reliant on coincidence or not-so-clever clues.
"Final Curtain" is also entertaining. The community theatre scenes are intriguingly and entertainingly done and seeing Eve Simpson is always a pleasure, particularly in a scenario that serves the character well and allows her to shine.
Splendid acting also helps. Not just an always terrific Angela Lansbury, William Windom as everybody's favourite curmudgeon doctor, the easy presence of Ron Masak as the never bumbling or pushover Mort and very funny and classy Julie Adams. Bradford Dillman and Dennis Christopher also do great work, but it's a very moving Peter Donat who makes the biggest impression.
Production values are slick and stylish, Cabot Cove is always a pleasure. 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.
Writing is amiable and keeps one on their toes guessing, while taking itself seriously at other times without going overboard.
All in all, very good and one of the better episodes of Season 9. 8/10 Bethany Cox