Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall: Part 2 (1989) User Reviews

Who Would Dare to Pay a Call?

[WeatherViolet · 8/10 · 13 October 2009]

Trouble continues to follow Eudora McVeigh Shipton (Jean Simmons) wherever she goes, including a stint in the jail at the office of Cabot Cove Sheriff Mort Metzger (Ron Masak), who suspects her of murder and attempted murder, but has the proof that she has lifted Jessica's manuscript in process.

Meanwhile, Doctor Seth Hazlitt (William Windom) recuperates under the care of a Doctor (Edward Penn) and Nurse (Lisa Nelson) at Cabot Cove Hospital, but has Jessica trying to connect his poisoning with the murder of the body which had been moved and discovered in the previous episode.

Lew Bracken (Richard Anderson), Liza Caspar (Shelley Fabares), Victor Caspar (David Hedison), Hank Shipton (Ken Howard) and Bobby Shipton (Daniel McDonald) remain in Cabot Cove to discover what they could do to help Eudora, or to see what they may obtain from her in certain cases.

As Victor suspects an affair between Liza and Hank, so also does Eudora, who says she must decide which of them she needs more. Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) and Sheriff Metzger confront Victor in a restaurant in the presence of a Maitre 'D (Scot Stewart), who steps aside for the resulting interrogation.

Bobby Shipton (Daniel McDonald), meanwhile, is beaten by a local thug, Arnie (Robert Dryer) in the presence of Arnie's pal Joey (Michael Doven), which sends Bobby to the Doctor (Edward Penn) and Nurse (Lisa Nelson) who treat a reluctant Seth down the hall.

Deputy Floyd (Will Nye) is on hand to assist Sheriff Metzger to act upon Jessica's theory as to where to uncover the site of the murder before the body was moved.

But after Jessica pieces together the entire puzzle and accompanies Sheriff Metzger to face a showdown, he demands that she exit the bar at the realization that the suspect has obtained the pistol from the holster of the victim and now intends to retaliate against anyone who steps into the way.

Eudora then meekly expresses apology and appreciation to Jessica, before leaving for a visit with her sister in Oregon, as they reflect along the moral of "Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall," thus leading Jessica to decide upon Seth's notion to attempt to enjoy the simple things which life has to offer, marking a pleasant send-off should the series terminate after this, the end of a five-season run.

But, of course, "Murder, She Wrote" has a long life ahead of it from here, for CBS to renew the series for seven additional seasons plus four reunion movies in the series' aftermath.

This episode marks the only acting credit for Scot Stewart, and one of only two thus far for Michael Doven as an actor.

A cracking series finale.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 19 March 2021]

We were left with a big cliffhanger from the devious episode, not something you're used to seeing on Murder she wrote, but it made you want to tune in straight away.

It's fair to say that Murder she wrote offers up generally light hearted, easy viewing, but every so often it throws up a story that's a little deeper, a little darker, and Mirror Mirror is one of those, one of the best of those.

You think you have all the answers, and know what's going on, but the writer's had other ideas.

Simmons continues to dazzle, an amazing actress, she gets some wonderful scenes with Lansbury, I love the idea of this feuding actress.

It's a really slick, smart story, Series five gets the excellent send off it deserves, it's been a great series overall, and this two parter has been one of the best aspects of it.

Excellent 9/10.

Who could take Jessica Fletcher's place?

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 20 May 2018]

Picking up where part one left off Jean Simmons is determined to gather great publicity in solving the case of the deceased NYC shamus found on Cabot Cove's beach and reap some of the publicity Jessica Fletcher has gotten for solving real crimes.

There's also another attempted murder in Cabot Cove of someone near and to Angela Lansbury. Suspicion falls on Simmons for a lot of things gone wrong and she did do Lansbury dirty. But she's guilty of a lot less than capital crime as it turns out.

In the end the story does turn out to be a family tragedy of sorts with an outstanding climax where oddly enough star Lansbury isn't really involved. I won't give the names of who was lest I give it away, but there's an outstanding bit of acting by two of the guest stars.

An even better continuation

[bellino-angelo2014 · 9/10 · 24 February 2021]

At the end of the previous episode Dr. Seth Hazlitt (William Windom) went to Jessica's home as her phone was ringing. He came by a basket of red apples and ate one, but he fell as the apples were poisoned and it was taken to an hospital. In the meanwhile Eudora McVeigh (Jean Simmons) has even a stint in the jail in the office of Cabot Cove Sheriff Mort Metzger (Ron Masak) who suspects her of murder but has the proff that she messed up Jessica's manuscript. Lew Bracken, Victor Caspar and Hank Shepton (Richard Anderson, David Hedison and Ken Howard) remain in Cabot Cove for seeing what they can do. After a while Eudora apologizes to Jessica for having scrambled up her manuscript and Jessica thanks her for having helped her in understand what are the simplest things in life. Sheriff Metzger continues the investigations on the dead private eye found on the gorge in the previous episode and the victim will finally be found.

For the most part this two-parts episode looked like a family tragedy as Hank's son had always problems with money and he even ended up in a brawl and also because Eudora wanted to divorce her husband. The acting was good by everyone and the ending was great and very satisfying for the viewer, with also some great soundtrack.

This two-parts episode is among the best in the entire series and if you are a fan of the show you shouldn't miss it. And don't forget to watch the previous episode before this one.

The exciting conclusion.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 2 December 2022]

In the previous episode, writer Eudora Shipton arrived in Cabot Cove to essentially (but not literally) stab Jessica in the back. It seems she's jealous of Fletcher's success and her plan includes drugging Jessica and photocopying her latest manuscript! It also might include poisoning someone and killing another! But Jessica is more charitable than many and sets out to prove that Eudora didn't do all the crimes. I don't know if I would be that magnanimous!

Overall, this two-parter is terrific and is filled with twists, turns and excellent characters. Among the best of season five....and well worth seeing.

One of the best episode(s) with strong guest star acting

[shrapp2002 · 9/10 · 25 January 2021]

Complex plot worthy of the established guest stars and an up and comer. Prefer Masak to Bosley as Chief.

A more than fair season finale

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 22 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.

Although there are wonderful Season 5 episodes, such as "Mr Penroy's Vacation", "The Search for Peter Kerry", "A Little Night Work", "The Sins of Castle Cove", "Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble" and "The Last Flight of the Dixie Damsel", my vote for the best episode of the season is "Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall". The only episodes of the season to not do much for me are "Three Strikes You're Out" and particularly "Truck Stop" (one of the oddest 'Murder She Wrote' episodes).

The mystery is a suspenseful and thoroughly engaging one, carrying on where the first part left off in a nail-biting cliff-hanger that sees one rooting for the fate of a regular recurring character. Though if there was a preference between the two halves it would be the first, which was nigh on faultless to me. The second part is outstanding still, apart from not completely buying the lack of proper consequence for Seth's poisoning but that's just a nit-pick.

Reiterating what was said about the first part of "Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall", being effectively the same episode, the acting is very good across the board. Angela Lansbury as always in one of her best-remembered roles is terrific, as are a firm but amusing Ron Masak (whose Metzger is settling in well, even if he understandably becomes more interesting in later seasons) and charmingly curmudgeon William Windom. Ken Howard and Shelley Fabarres are very strong support, but the episode is stolen by one of the show's best ever guest supporting performances in Jean Simmons, who is just marvellous.

Production values as ever are slick and stylish. Just love the Cabot Cove setting and the sense of close knit community. 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 mostly thought-provoking, light-hearted and amiable.

Overall, Season 5's highlight and one of my favourite 'Murder She Wrote' episodes. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Loose ends is the only flaw

[MsMisto · 9/10 · 16 August 2023]

I really loved this two part episode. It's probably the best I've seen so far in my newly-found bingeing of Murder She Wrote. As this was originally meant to be the end of the series, the implication at the end is that Jessica ends up with Seth, which is a lovely thought.

Jean Simmons was really amazing. I was led down the garden path believing the worst of her. I guess people pushed to the brink can do stupid things.

I may have to go back and watch a couple of scenes because I cannot figure out how or when the killer poisoned the apples. I know it was not shown but how did the killer get into Jessica's house? Or know where she lived? Or that Eudora had even bought the apples? This was a huge plot point. We're led to believe she bought them to poison Jessica. So the killer breaks into the house and sees some apples and that's supposed to implicate Eudora? Maybe I missed something!? I'd be delighted if you write a post of your own if you know the answer! Inquiring minds want to know!

And how did the killer lure the victim to the place in which he was killed? This was an experienced private detective and we're supposed to believe he wasn't super vigilant?

Clever clue that the always broke killer had $400 to pay for his pool gambling and was only short $200. And the PI was always flush with cash. Good one.

Overall a really excellent story. Just wish I could fill in the plot holes.

Thankfully not the end

[rgxdzrybr · 5/10 · 17 January 2024]

This two part season finale could have been the series finale fortunately for a few reasons it wasn't.

First there were still years of enjoyment left in the series. Second I don't care much for this two parter with a bunch of unpleasant characters descending on Cabot Cove . Third I know fans love this one but it's always left a bad taste in my mouth .

Seth is a pain in the neck and quite selfish in his wants in this one. I do like his character as the town doctor and curmudgeon . I don't like the implication Jessica should end up with him and fortunately she doesn't. Landsbury would eventually take control of the series and was able to ensure Jessica would remain single. For whatever reason she preferred that. The idea of a romance was dropped and the show hit the reset button in their relationship retuning it to a close friendship with nothing else in mind.

The attempted murder with the poison apples is a clever one as the killer injected poison into the apples with a syringe. I just don't care for much of the plot overall. Jean Simmons was a terrific actress and plays Eudora the opposite of Jessica without overplaying it but she is not in any way someone Jessica should have had so much sympathy for.