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.
While a better episode than "Shooting in Rome", "Something Foul in Flappieville" and "Southern Double Cross" regarding Season 12 episodes, "Mrs Parker's Revenge", for a penultimate episode and having followed the season's third best episode "What You Don't Know Can Kill You", was very underwhelming. A revenge that should have sizzled, but is instead a fizzler.
There are a few good things. 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.
Angela Lansbury is terrific and is supported by a game supporting cast, all of whom do their best with what they have.
"Mrs Parker's Revenge" suffers from a needlessly convoluted and over-stuffed (sometimes superfluously) story, with a mystery that is neither surprising or engaging. Instead the pace is dull, taking too long to get going, and never really comes to life, even in the mystery elements. The espionage (which to me has been something that has rarely felt right in 'Murder She Wrote') never intrigues and only confuses the mystery, which ends on a fairly predictable note and further suffers from a far-fetched-ness bordering on the illogical.
Regarding the writing, very little thought-provoking and nothing amiable or light-hearted. A lot of it is very dreary in tone and takes itself too seriously, so having any kind of fun with it was impossible. The characters are never interesting or easy to invest in, not all of them add a whole lot either.
In conclusion, a fizzler rather than a sizzler. 4/10 Bethany Cox