Cross, double-cross, and triple-cross as Michael Hagarty and representatives of other governments try to elicit information and money from a Mafia family.Cross, double-cross, and triple-cross as Michael Hagarty and representatives of other governments try to elicit information and money from a Mafia family.Cross, double-cross, and triple-cross as Michael Hagarty and representatives of other governments try to elicit information and money from a Mafia family.
Photos
Angela Lansbury
- Jessica Fletcher
- (credit only)
George DiCenzo
- Mario Carboni
- (as George Dicenzo)
Daniel D. Anderson
- Korshack
- (as Daniel Douglas Anderson)
Ralph De Lia
- Pilot
- (as Ralph DeLia)
Anthony De Fonte
- Tailor
- (as Anthony DeFonte)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaUpon meeting Claudia Carboni's fiancé Peter Baines, Michael Hagerty discovers he's the estranged brother of Hagerty's MI6 colleague Harold Baines, last seen in "Appointment in Athens." Both characters are portrayed by Ian Ogilvy.
- GoofsOn two occasions, Claudia refers to her late husband as "my ex-husband". Unless they were divorced or had the marriage annulled, the correct reference would be either "my late husband" or more simply "my husband".
- Quotes
Peter Baines: By the way, you never did mention how he died.
Claudia Carboni: Suddenly.
- SoundtracksMurder She Wrote Theme
Written by John Addison
Featured review
A not particularly compelling encounter
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.
Season 6 has seen some great episodes such as "Dead Letter", "The Fixer Upper", "The Error of Her Ways" and particularly "The Big Show of 1965". Despite having one of the best recurring 'Murder She Wrote' characters in Michael Hagarty, "The Sicilian Encounter" while much better than the previous episode "The Szechuan Dragon" (almost any other 'Murder She Wrote' episode is better than that) is not one of them and finishes Season 6 on a mildly interesting whimper than a bang.
It's not one of the worst 'Murder She Wrote' episodes, "The Szechuan Dragon" and the worst of Seasons 9 and 12 (though am slowly getting through re-watching all the episodes but am sure that my opinion will still stand after that's achieved) are worse. It's also not one of the worst bookend episodes, "The Szechuan Dragon" (if it counts), "Good-Bye Charlie" and the worst Dennis Stanton episodes are worse. However, for a Michael Hagarty episode (although from memory his final episode from Season 9 is his worst), "The Sicilian Encounter" disappoints.
Despite "The Sicilian Encounter's" many problems, Hagarty himself is not one of them, again proving why he is one of my favourite recurring 'Murder She Wrote' characters. He is full of charisma, fun and charm and Len Cariou again does a very good job. Nor does the blame lie with Ian Ogilvy and Deidre Hall, both of whom are a lot of fun and bring much needed zest to the proceedings.
Production values are slick and stylish with a lovely exotic locations. The theme tune is irresistible and there is a welcome return to the never over-bearing or too low-key scoring after "The Szechuan Dragon" felt over-scored. Some of the writing is thought-provoking and doesn't take itself too seriously.
On the other hand, "The Sicilian Encounter's" story doesn't really compel. There are far stronger 'Murder She Wrote' mysteries before and since "The Sicilian Encounter", ones that are much better paced and make one concentrate hard without confusing them. For me the mystery was dull, lacking in suspense and mystery (the murder itself is not focused on enough and is lost amidst everything else, when it is focused on it's not a particularly tricky puzzle) and was too convoluted (have no problem on the most part with following things, particularly when it comes to 'Murder She Wrote' which is mostly not hard to follow, but some of the goings on went over my head) with clichés as long as one's arm.
This was as a result of having too much going on and having too many characters. Of whom only the three leads are interesting, the rest are exaggerated stereotypes with broad accents and even broader support acting and some of them were not even necessary to the story. Most of the script is leaden and half-baked.
All in all, love Michael Hagarty but this was generally un-compelling and one of his weaker episodes. 5/10 Bethany Cox
Season 6 has seen some great episodes such as "Dead Letter", "The Fixer Upper", "The Error of Her Ways" and particularly "The Big Show of 1965". Despite having one of the best recurring 'Murder She Wrote' characters in Michael Hagarty, "The Sicilian Encounter" while much better than the previous episode "The Szechuan Dragon" (almost any other 'Murder She Wrote' episode is better than that) is not one of them and finishes Season 6 on a mildly interesting whimper than a bang.
It's not one of the worst 'Murder She Wrote' episodes, "The Szechuan Dragon" and the worst of Seasons 9 and 12 (though am slowly getting through re-watching all the episodes but am sure that my opinion will still stand after that's achieved) are worse. It's also not one of the worst bookend episodes, "The Szechuan Dragon" (if it counts), "Good-Bye Charlie" and the worst Dennis Stanton episodes are worse. However, for a Michael Hagarty episode (although from memory his final episode from Season 9 is his worst), "The Sicilian Encounter" disappoints.
Despite "The Sicilian Encounter's" many problems, Hagarty himself is not one of them, again proving why he is one of my favourite recurring 'Murder She Wrote' characters. He is full of charisma, fun and charm and Len Cariou again does a very good job. Nor does the blame lie with Ian Ogilvy and Deidre Hall, both of whom are a lot of fun and bring much needed zest to the proceedings.
Production values are slick and stylish with a lovely exotic locations. The theme tune is irresistible and there is a welcome return to the never over-bearing or too low-key scoring after "The Szechuan Dragon" felt over-scored. Some of the writing is thought-provoking and doesn't take itself too seriously.
On the other hand, "The Sicilian Encounter's" story doesn't really compel. There are far stronger 'Murder She Wrote' mysteries before and since "The Sicilian Encounter", ones that are much better paced and make one concentrate hard without confusing them. For me the mystery was dull, lacking in suspense and mystery (the murder itself is not focused on enough and is lost amidst everything else, when it is focused on it's not a particularly tricky puzzle) and was too convoluted (have no problem on the most part with following things, particularly when it comes to 'Murder She Wrote' which is mostly not hard to follow, but some of the goings on went over my head) with clichés as long as one's arm.
This was as a result of having too much going on and having too many characters. Of whom only the three leads are interesting, the rest are exaggerated stereotypes with broad accents and even broader support acting and some of them were not even necessary to the story. Most of the script is leaden and half-baked.
All in all, love Michael Hagarty but this was generally un-compelling and one of his weaker episodes. 5/10 Bethany Cox
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- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 10, 2017
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