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.
"Dead Man's Gold" is really not one of 'Murder She Wrote's' best episodes. To me actually, while not terrible, it is one of the lesser early season episodes. The premise was interesting and it started off promisingly but it never quite came together as a whole package for me. Was indifferent to "Dead Man's Gold" on first watch, still am.
There are certainly good things. Production values are high in quality as to be expected, with slick photography and a great 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.
Some of the writing is amiable and thought-provoking, and the episode did start off promisingly with the wonders and dangers of treasure hunting.
Angela Lansbury is great as always and the performances from the Cabot Cove regulars (in this case Tom Bosley and William Windom) are solid as is Robert Hogan. The identity of the killer was not an obvious one at least.
However, "Dead Man's Gold" has a good deal wrong too. The story fails to compel after a promising beginning, the pace is on the slack, the mystery doesn't have enough to keep one guessing and the denouement is spoiled by the murder being explained to have been committed for trivial/they killed for that reasons. Some of the dialogue is overripe as well.
It is also let down by the acting of the treasure hunters not being particularly good. Particularly that for the victim, with some of the worst attempts of drunk acting ever seen on television that only succeeds in providing unintentional humour. None of the treasure hunter characters are interesting enough.
All in all, didn't do much for me sad to say. 5/10 Bethany Cox