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- Angela Lansbury has provided film and TV fans with a wonderful variety of roles, that she made memorable every time. Her passing is a very sad loss, but her legacy of captivating work will continue to entertain viewers across the globe. Murder, She Wrote is one of her longstanding roles that she is widely known for, with other actors who starred alongside her in recurring roles.
The sad passing of Angela Lansbury is a true loss to film and TV, having had so many iconic roles and moments. Murder, She Wrote is one of the longest-running crime dramas in TV history, with Lansbury starring as Jessica Fletcher, a famous mystery writer who just so happens to solve murders wherever she goes. The show was an instant hit, lasting 12 seasons and 4 TV movies after the show's cancellation.
Even though the show was all about murder, it was never too violent. It was all about the mystery and suspense as the viewers tried to figure out the identity of the killer before Jessica did. Some of the episodes turned out to be pretty creepy without needing violence and gore to scare the viewers, and here are some of the very best.
UPDATE: 2022/11/28 By Ruby Brown
Angela Lansbury has provided film and TV fans with a wonderful variety of roles, that she made memorable every time. Her passing is a very sad loss, but her legacy of captivating work will continue to entertain viewers across the globe. Murder, She Wrote is one of her longstanding roles that she is widely known for, with other actors who starred alongside her in recurring roles.
Reflections Of The Mind (Season 2, Episode 6)
A friend of Jessica's is on the verge of having a nervous breakdown. She keeps hearing strange music and voices that make her believe she is being haunted by the spirit of her first husband. Jessica is convinced that someone is purposefully trying to scare her friend, and she is determined to prove it.
This episode is one of the few ghost story episodes in the series, and this one definitely stands out. Up to this point in the series, there have not been many episodes that tried to be serious and incredibly suspenseful. This is one of the first, and it is still one of the best.
The Witch's Curse (Season 8, Episode 12)
Seth is directing a play about a woman falsely accused of being a witch in Cabot Cove. When a woman arrives in town and auditions for the lead role, people believe she is an actual witch. She is accused of murder after someone falls from the bell tower, and Jessica sets out to find out what really happened.
The best Cabot Cove episodes of Murder, She Wrote, are typically favorites among viewers of the series, but what makes this episode stand out is the guest star playing the supposed witch. She gives a fantastic performance that would make anyone understand why people in Cabot Cove would think she is a little strange.
The Legacy Of Borbey House (Season 10, Episode 3)
Similar to the episode involving the town believing a woman is a witch, this episode is about a man people are convinced is a vampire. When the strange man is found dead with a wooden stake through his heart, Jessica seeks out to find the killer.
This is another great Cabot Cove episode, and the atmosphere of the town stands out in this episode. The mansion showcased in this episode really is chilling and probably one of the creepiest settings used on the show.
Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble (Season 5, Episode 13)
Seth sees a young woman appear to be using witchcraft. The next day, the author of a book about a local witch's burning arrives in town on the 300th anniversary of the burning. People are suspicious of the strange young woman as she appears to look very much like the descendant of the supposed witch. An exorcist's arrival does not help matters, either.
When the young woman is found dead, Jessica is determined to learn the truth. This episode is very well made, and it is perhaps one of the best Cabot Cove episodes. It also has a terrific cast with many actors known for their work in the horror genre including Dee Wallace, Roddy McDowall, and Brad Dourif.
Murder Takes The Bus (Season 1, Episode 19)
Jessica and Amos take the bus on the way to a sheriff's convention, but, due to a storm, they are stuck in a remote diner, along with the rest of the passengers. When one of the passengers is found dead after being stabbed with a screwdriver, everyone is a suspect.
Those that love Agatha Christie will love this episode. The remote, isolated setting adds to the eerie atmosphere of the episode, and the guest stars give incredible performances, including Rue McClanahan from The Golden Girls. To satisfy fans of the horror genre, this episode includes Linda Blair (an iconic scream queen) as a guest star, best known for her role in the horror classic The Exorcist.
Snow White, Blood Red (Season 5, Episode 4)
In this episode, everyone is trapped in a ski lodge during a major storm. There seems to be a homicidal maniac on the loose, and Jessica must figure out the identity of the killer before anyone else is killed.
This episode is very reminiscent of slasher movies, which were very popular in the 1980s. It also has one of the most gruesome shots of a dead body the show ever allowed on screen. The snowy setting and the feeling of isolation makes this episode unique and a favorite among many fans of the series. No one knows who to trust in the ski lodge, and there is nothing scarier than that.
Nan's Ghost: Parts 1 and 2 (Season 12, Episodes 6 and 7)
Although these are two of the best episodes from Murder, She Wrote, they only work when they are together as one long story. There were many episodes near the end of the series run where Jessica goes to Ireland, and this two-parter is perhaps the very best. Jessica visits her friend at her castle just as the body of Nan, a girl who disappeared the year before, is found. The castle seems to be haunted by her spirit, and Jessica sets out to find out what is really going on.
These episodes use the haunted house theme perfectly, and the creepy hallways and dungeon in the castle make the atmosphere stand out compared to other typical episodes of the series. This two-parter is definitely a fan favorite in the series, and for good reason.
Threshold Of Fear (Season 9, Episode 16)
A young woman in Jessica's apartment complex in New York refuses to leave her apartment. She is constantly having nightmares of her mother's murder five years earlier. Soon after she sees her mother's supposed murderer, he is found stabbed to death. Jessica begins to investigate, and more details about the gruesome murder 5 years earlier come to light.
This episode is very psychological, and viewers cannot help but feel sorry for the young woman plagued by these nightmares. The episode has a terrific cast, including Cynthia Nixon from Sex And The City, David Soul from Starsky And Hutch, and Superman's Margot Kidder.
Incident In Lot 7 (Season 8, Episode 13)
This episode is referred to as the "Psycho House" episode. Jessica goes to Universal Studios to meet with a producer about the development of a movie based on one of her books. When he is found dead in the Psycho house, Jessica begins her investigation.
Fans of Alfred Hitchcock's scariest moments in his masterpiece, will love the use of the famous house in this episode. The episode uses the house to its advantage, as there are many shots of the exterior of the house and suspenseful moments of Jessica wandering through the house at night. It is one of the very best episodes of the series, and it is definitely one of the creepiest.
Angel Of Death (Season 8, Episode 20)
Martin Tremaine, played by Darren McGavin from A Christmas Story and Kolchak: The Night Stalker fame, feels responsible for his wife's suicide and seems to be haunted by her ghost at his estate. Jessica comes to help him, and ,when someone is murdered after being stabbed with a big knife, she figures out the killer's identity.
This episode is a lot of fun, and it is definitely a highlight of the series. Season eight is considered one of the show's very best, and this episode is a great example of why this season was successful.