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