Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) Wearing of the Green (1988) User Reviews

Green is the most jealous colour

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 8 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.

The main reasons to see "Wearing of the Green" are the character moments and the cast. While the mystery itself is a decent one, to me there are more intricate and more consistently compelling ones of the season and of 'Murder She Wrote' in general.

Of these character moments, three assets were particularly fun. One was Jean Peters' reclusive character with a tiara obsession. Two was the characters played by Erin Gray and Barbara Bosson fighting over jewellery design. Three was seeing a 'Cagney and Lacey' influence to the performances of Lucie Arnaz and Patty McCormack. The romantic triangle wasn't quite as convincing but didn't drag "Wearing of the Green" down.

Angela Lansbury as always is excellent, while Peters, Gray and Bosson particularly stand out in support. Arnez and McCormack are also fine. John McMartin is a little bland compared to the rest but not distractingly so.

Production values as ever are slick and stylish with a lovely setting and fashions. 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 and character moments in particular. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Wearing of the green

[coltras35 · 6/10 · 28 July 2022]

The theft of a legendary tiara and the subsequent murder of a gem dealer leads Jessica through a puzzling maze to an equally legendary actress, who is played by Jean Peters.

A rather fun mystery made more so by the appearance of Chadwick and Stacey - Cagney and Lacey spoof. They are really funny, though it can distract slightly from the mystery in hand. The beautiful Erin Gray of Buck Rogers fame co-stars:

Chadwick and Stacey Screen Queen of Tara Tiara

[WeatherViolet · 9/10 · 22 August 2009]

After leaving her mark as a major presence in nearly a score of films of the 1940's and 50's, the elegant and fashionable Jean Peters joins the ranks of Classic stars delivering a swan song performance on "Murder, She Wrote."

Here, Miss Peters portrays Siobhan O'Dea, a direct descendant of the Celtic Kings of Ireland, a now-reclusive theatre actress, admired by the masses, before entering solitude in an apartment across from the theatre which bears her name, in the aftermath of the untimely passing of her fourth fiancé, who had presented her with the emerald and diamond-studded golden "Queen of Tara" Tiara, which had since become confiscated by the U.S. government as a tax garnishment, and recently purchased by Blackthorn and Sons Jewelers for showcase display.

When television reporter Ken Parrish (David Naughton) attempts to alert Siobhan O'Dea of news of Blackthorn's procurement, she refuses to see him although he continues to attempt to interview her in hopes of advancing his journalistic career.

One month later, Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) arrives in New York City to tour Blackthorn and Sons, as a measure of background research, to set a lavish jewelry shoppe as the backdrop for a tentative mystery novel.

While awaiting her appointment to converse with Hudson Blackthorn (John McMartin), Jessica is tours the facility, meeting Hudson's precious stone buyer Laszlo Dolby (Michael Constantine), no-nonsense assistant Diane Raymond (Barbara Bosson), and jewelry designer Andrea Dean (Erin Gray). These three experience an uneasy working association, as times have become difficult at Blackthorn and Sons in recent years, between the transition of fifth- and sixth-generation entrepreneurs.

Upon Hudson's escorting Jessica around the vaults that evening, the security guard's coffee is laced with barbiturates, the alarm is set off, an explosion leaves the way clear from storefront to street, the Queen of Tara Tiara is stolen, and an envelope containing $1,500 is found in its place.

Detective Kathleen Chadwick (Patty McCormack) and Detective Bess Stacey (Lucie Arnaz) in their finest Brooklynese dialects are summoned to investigate the burglary; and, even though they do not work the Mid Town Homicide division, a subsequent murder, when Jessica and Hudson stumble across a body.

Jessica manages to convince Chadwick and Stacey to launch an investigation of her own once she decides that the arrested suspect is innocent, and leads the team into a new plot twist: the recovered Queen of Tara Tiara is faux.

The case of a reclusive actress.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 14 March 2021]

Jessica is on hand to help a young reporter who's accused of murdering an old friend of hers.

I really enjoyed this episode, it's another cracker in this wonderful fifth series. It's a smart, clever mastery, it definitely has extra sparkle.

If anyone understood what it was like to be a star, and live the life of a real life recluse, it was actress Jean Peters, who beautifully played Siobhan O'Dea.

Bess and Kathleen are a joy as The Detectives, it makes a really nice change to see some female Detectives in the show for a change.

Some glorious, wonderful eighties fashions on show, Jessica's grey floral set is exquisite, what a smart era the eighties were.

Cracking, 9/10.

Most annoying ever?

[xbatgirl-30029 · 3/10 · 13 November 2021]

Is this the most annoying Murder She Wrote episode? The Cagney and Lacey spoof is completely to blame, especially the ridiculous, Bowery Boys accent put on by Lucy Arnez. There were a couple times I almost bailed mid-episode because she was so loud, nasal, and grating. She steam rolls over everybody in the scene. Obviously the entire script was based around the "hilarious" Cagney and Lacey homage and their non-stop babbling on the phone about nonsense like apartment maintenance or fighting with their kid's teacher. On top of that the "ma'ams" every other word had me wanting to throw my tv out the window. Then there's some absolutely over the top bad acting from Erin Grey and Jean Peters. They can clearly do better so what went wrong here? Wow I feel like I need a xanax after watching.

More Like "The Wearing of the Garbage"

[zombiemockingbird · 1/10 · 26 March 2022]

Worst episode ever. The Cagney and Lacey parody is offensive. The female police officers portrayal is ridiculous; one brash and obnoxious, the other an air-headed simp, both apparently morons. Luci Arnez's accent is ludicrous. It was painful to watch.

All That Glitters is NOT Gold.

[bashwell · 1/10 · 15 December 2022]

Anything that can be exaggerated and stereotyped found a place of honor on any given episode of Murder She Wrote. "Wearing of the Green" was no exception. Lucie Arnaz and Patty McCormack should be embarrassed with their awful performances in this episode. Not that the writers of this series are strangers to stereotypes or hackneyed tropes. The rest of the cast are talented and accomplished... just not here.

Michael Constantine and Erin Gray are capable actors and have proven that fact throughout their careers... just not here.

Jean Peters was a respectable actress, with a number of fine roles to her credit... just not here.

MSW is a sometimes enjoyable series... just not here.

The writers' seem to have had an axe to grind...and it ruins the episode.

[planktonrules · 2/10 · 28 November 2022]

"Wearing of the Green" should rank as one of the worst episodes of "Murder, She Wrote". This is because someone obviously had some sort of axe to grind and they let it hurt the episode as a result.

Jessica is investigating the diamond business for an upcoming book. However, when a valuable tiara is stolen, the two most annoying and stupid detectives are assigned to the case...and make a complete mess of it. Of course, Jessica helps these dim-wits figure out what's going on in the episode.

The dim-wit detectives, Stacey and Chadwick (Lucie Arnaz and Patty McCormack) are obviously supposed to be a parody (or outright attack) on the popular 80s' TV show, "Cagney & Lacey". While I was no fan of that show, it just seemed awful to make these two knockoff cops THAT grating and dim...especially Detective Stacey....with her less than subtle Brooklyn accent and grating manner. As a result of these cops being so annoying, the actual crime is greatly overshadowed. The bottom line is that Stacey and Chadwick are unfunny and irritating. If you were to skip an episode, this one would be the one I'd choose.

By the way, since this episode was aired, I haven't seen a lot of Lucie Arnaz and perhaps characters written like this are why. It couldn't help but harm her career.