Episode 77: Juicy Pickled Herring

TONIGHT ON MURDER, SHE WROTE, Viktor and Petra are enjoying our jolly holiday this week in England for the first (only?) episode of the series where Jessica Fletcher doesn't appear.  Perhaps you'll be able to satiate yourself with a serving of cousin Emma MacGill (Angela Lansbury) as she explores the family dynamics of her former flame, now a lord (Richard Johnson). Everyone sucks: his sister (Rosemary Murphy) and brother (John Standing), his sister-in-law (Carolyn Seymour), and the nephews (John David Bland; Mark Lindsay Chapman). They all look down on Emma, who's here to confirm Geoffrey's suspicions that someone wants him dead.  When Geoffrey appears to be quite correct, Emma looks to the inspector (Anthony Newley) and friendly solicitor (Christopher Hewett-- Mr. Belvedere!), but must settle the score herself, as she's the suspect du jour.  Plus, Jane Leeves (FRASIER; HOT IN CLEVELAND) is nearby to give us all considerable (if common) charm.   Dirty parlor songs, curious picnic fare, and the worst place to keep your recently fired shotgun and muddy boots provide IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY a series of quaint events that, while they somewhat feel like an entirely different series, provide the cozy mystery trope to the hilt.