Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) Coal Miner's Slaughter (1988) User Reviews

Worth seeing for the cast

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 7 September 2017]

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.

"Coal Miner's Slaughter" is not one of my favourite episodes of Season 5 or of 'Murder She Wrote' in general. It is still very good nonetheless and to me is ranked among the better "Jessica getting involved in murder in a small town" episodes. There is actually not that much wrong with it, though that the killer's identity wasn't a shock to me and the way they're found out being on the lazy side was disappointing. The motive was not so obvious though.

The episode is particularly worth seeing for the cast. Not only the dependably great Angela Lansbury, but Megan Mullally (who has never looked so young) is also absolutely terrific as are Hoyt Axton and Chuck Connors. Denver Pyle is a natural presence too.

Mystery-wise, it's a fun and intriguing one. It's set up very well and, while it's a little formulaic, moves along at a neat pace. Only the conclusion could have been done a little better.

Production values as ever are slick and stylish with a highly atmospheric setting. 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 summary, very good and worth seeing for the cast in particular. 8/10 Bethany Cox

"In a Cabin in the Hills where Butchers Holler"

[WeatherViolet · 9/10 · 27 August 2009]

The nice-looking performers in this episode would make for a worthwhile guest cast on a "Love Boat" cruise: Hoyt Axton, Barbara Bain, Chuck Connors, Cliff De Young, Marilyn Jones, William R. Moses, Megan Mullally, Denver Pyle, Jared Rushton. But "Coal Miner's Slaughter" would neither work on a ship nor a love theme.

In the back story, about a dozen or so years before the action of "Coal Miner's Slaughter," an explosion inside the mine at Colton, West Viriginia had claimed four lives. Whether it had been an accident or set on purpose remains a matter of dispute among townsfolk, and a rather hot topic at that.

The sharp-shooting Morgan family stands at the center of controversy. Tyler Morgan (Chuck Connors) had served as mine foreman, who may have been responsible for negligence. Wife, Nora Morgan (Barbara Bain), has earned ribbons for target shooting at a very young age. Son, Reese Morgan (William R. Moses) can hold his own in disputes with his father.

Carlton Reid (Cliff De Young) has been an officer for the Miner's organization. Sheriff Tate (Hoyt Axton) serves as law enforcer for the county.

Birdie Harmon (Marilyn Jones) had lost her husband in the mining mishap, raising alone her young son, Travis Harmon (Jared Rushton), by opening a boarding house.

Eben Connors (Denver Pyle) had lost his son in the explosion. His son's daughter, Molly Connors (Megan Mullally), had relocated to Cabot Cove with her now-late mother, to tend to her schooling, with Jessica Fletcher Angela Lansbury) as her Ninth-grade English teacher. Molly has since graduated from law school and returns to Colton to act upon her suspicions that Tyler Morgan had caused the mine explosion.

And now, Jessica arrives in Colton by bus, after hearing of Molly's arrest for threatening Tyler at a celebration. When a murder occurs in the aftermath, the town takes sides leading to a hostile showdown outside the sheriff's office.

It's an excellent mystery.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 14 March 2021]

Jessica is on hand to help a former student, who stands accused of murder.

I think this is another really, really good episode, series five is definitely one of the most consistent, best runs of the show.

It's well paced, thoughtful and an intelligent mystery, it's one that has you thinking, and one that sees Jessica in real danger. I really liked The Sheriff, he wasn't your usual nice guy, he was a bully, and changed the usual dynamic up.

It's not perfect by any means, it's one of those where you know who the victim will be instantly, he almost needs a sign with I'm the victim on his head. It's yet another of Jessica's students...

One scene that makes me chuckle is where Carlton is driving Jessica, the background is rolling by so quickly you'd assume they were travelling at 100 MPH. Very nice production values here, it looks great.

I like an actor with charisma, and that's one thing that Chuck Connors has here in abundance, he has a real presence here.

Really enjoyed it, 9/10.

The show's low

[activewaste · 3/10 · 16 April 2014]

The user WeatherViolet gave a satisfying description of the plot, even if I didn't agree with her/his star rating, so just in brief: A rich man in a small village is accused by a young woman of killing her father, as well as others, in a mining explosion, of a mine the rich man owned. Shortly after the rich man is found dead and the young woman is accused. Jessica Fletcher to the rescue.

As followers of this show would know, the show has highs and lows in quality. And this ranks as among the low ones. It is usual, that Jessica at the end tells of the one thing, that the revealed murderer said or did, that was the mistake. The problem here is, that as soon as that thing was originally said, I knew (and I am usually the slowest to catch these things) that this was it. So the rest of the show was just charade for me. Also the feel-good vibe that this show admittedly uses on purpose, was to much in the end. The happiness and glee among the main characters was just too much.

And the small plus side, that gives this show it's few stars, is that it avoided the forced love story and that it did to some degree, show the problems/quarrels between a rich owner, who's de facto boss of his village and his "employers".

Dullish episode

[coltras35 · 4/10 · 27 May 2022]

A vengeful student becomes a murder suspect after believing a mine owner is responsible for herfather's death. Though standard stuff, I found this episode a weak and little on the dull side. But there's a good cast, location and good ole rifleman Chuck Connors.

A bit below average

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 27 November 2022]

In a small coal miners' town, a woman arrives back after many years of studying to become a lawyer. She announces to the town boss (Chuck Conners) that she's back and intends to investigate the death of her father, many years ago. However, since his is the boss, he immediately orders her arrest on some trumped up charges. But instead of calling a lawyer (since she is one already) she calls Jessica...who soon arrives to put up bail. Not surprisingly, however, by then, the boss is dead and now they have new charges for the attorney...murder.

This episode has little that stands out in my mind in a positive way. I normally write reviews immediately after I see a movie or show, but waited a few hours on this one...and by then the entire episode seemed like a distant memory. Nothing terrible...but also nothing particularly good about it.