Murder, She Wrote got an amazing twelve seasons before it finally came to an end. Like any series, there are good episode and bad episodes. And given that there are twelve seasons to pull from, there’s more than a fair share of both the amazing and the less than stellar. Thanks to IMDB, it’s easy to tell the overall ratings of a series or even a specific episode list. Using the IMDB rankings, we’re going to provide you with a list of the ten worst episodes of Murder, She Wrote. Amazingly, the lowest ranked episode of the series only hit a 6.6 – which could certainly have been a whole lot worse.
Showdown in Saskatchewan - Star Rating: 7.1
Showdown in Saskatchewan aired along with the rest of Season 4. In this episode, Jessica Fletcher is off visiting one of her many nieces (Jill Morton) because of family concerns. This results with Jessica Fletcher showing up to a rodeo. Naturally, after a series of events, a murder occurs. The rodeo doctor is murdered, and Jessica is on the case to solve what happened.
This episode features a lot of stereotypical events in rodeos, such as bull riding and the injuries that can occur from them.
The Grand Old Lady - Star Rating: 7.1
The Grand Old Lady aired during Season 6 of the 12 season show, and it had a slightly lukewarm reception. This episode revolves around Lady Abigail Austin, her death (of natural, old age, believe it or not) and the murder Jessica Fletcher remembers her solving, back in the day. The plot gets increasingly more complex, bringing in more characters and connections, all of which Jessica Fletcher remembers with perfect accuracy (naturally.)
Day of the Dead - Star Rating: 7.1
Day of the Dead is the only episode from Season 8 that is making this list. Jessica Fletcher is on a working holiday – because that is the only type of holiday she seems to ever give herself. She’s found herself in Mexico City, due to working with a friend known as Cyrus Ramsey. While in Mexico City, she finds herself on the case for a priceless artifact that has been stolen. Naturally, things quickly spin out from there, involving a drug investigation, and of course, a murder.
Double Jeopardy - Star Rating: 7.1
Double Jeopardy is one of two episodes from Season 9 that are making this list. This episode starts off with a trial – Frank Fernandez, slumlord and a generally awful person just stood trial for the murder of City Councilman Roberto Galvan. And won.
Jessica Fletcher gets on the case and quickly finds that there is much more going on behind the scenes. The Galvan family is full of secrets, and have more reason than most to want to keep it all nice and quiet. Things don’t look good for this family.
The Sicilian Encounter - Star Rating: 7.0
The Sicilian Encounter is yet another episode from Season 6, and another episode that was only decently loved by fans. In this episode, Jessica Fletcher is reading a tale written to her by an old friend Michael Hagarty (of MI-6, of course). His letter is full of espionage, and of course, murder.
Set in Palermo, Sicily, Mr. Hagarty’s story tells of a mob widow, who gets wrapped up in a murder mystery thanks to her family. She then has a quick marriage, with the intent to flee the country. That’s where Hagarty comes into play – he wants an item that she has in her possession. Though naturally, the turn of events ends up being much more complicated than that.
The Survivor - Star Rating: 7.0
The Survivor is the second episode from Season 9 to make this list. In the Survivor, Jessica Fletcher travels to New York City, where she is hoping to help an investigation on the murder of a young police officer. She quickly becomes concerned about the officer’s superior, Sgt. Vince Lofton, whom she fears will commit an act of vigilante justice. This compels her to find the real killer before the Sargent makes a fatal mistake.
Time to Die - Star Rating: 7.0
Season 10 had only one episode worthy of being included on this list, Time to Die. Once again, Jessica Fletcher is in the right place at the right time. Or the wrong place at the wrong time, depending on how you want to look at it. Jessica sees a fatal hit and run accident, only when she steps forward as a witness, she finds that two others have stepped up with false alibis to protect the driver. Before Jessica can safely bring forward another witness, the driver is himself murdered.
Murder in High “C” - Star Rating: 7.0
Season 11’s Murder in the High “C” has arguably one of the biggest pun titles for the series, but that didn’t result in a higher ranking for the episode. This entire episode revolves around an opera singer and star to be, Andrea Beaumont, and the person who is haunting her every move.
Andrea Beaumont is being stalked, harassed, and scared off with death threats. Yet nobody seems to be taking it as seriously as they should. Until Jessica Fletcher steps up, witnessing some of the phone calls, and being smart enough to start recording everything that happens. Now it’s up to Jessica to find the mysterious stalker before things take a turn for the worse.
Death Goes Double Platinum - Star Rating: 6.9
Death Goes Double Platinum was aired along with the rest of Season 12, and is one of two episodes that ever dropped below a 7 in the star rating system. This episode is another musically based episode, with an equally dark twist.
Set in New York City, Desi Ortega is part of a Latin band, one that looks like it’s about to make it big. Unfortunately, that draws the attention of some darker figures in Desi’s past, such as mobster Max Daniels. Daniels is willing to do whatever it takes to force the band to sign on with him. And unfortunately, that is only the beginning of a series of murders and mysteries that Jessica will have to solve.
Where Have You Gone, Billy Boy? - Star Rating: 6.6
Where Have You Gone, Billy Boy? Was part of Season 7, and holds the record as the worst ranked episode from the entire run of Murder, She Wrote. All things considered, the episode didn’t actually have an awful ranking – it hit only a 6.6, but we’ve seen worse numbers out there.
This episode follows ventriloquist Elwood ‘Woody’ Perkins, and his missing (but heavily insured) puppet known as Billy Boy. Things spiral quickly in this plot, with only Jessica Fletcher seeming to care enough to track down the culprit, while also sussing out the truth and motives behind what is happening.
