This is a great episode. As one stated, Donald Pleasance could read a phone book for 30 minutes and it would be worth watching. I couldn't agree more. I have always admired his approach and this just nails it. It seems to me that it has undertones of the "A Christmas Carol". As he recalls his former students, and how he affected their lives, He feels as if there was no affect whatsoever. He seemed to find joy at the idea of shaping the coming youth with his teachings. At the prospect of losing this, he contemplated ending it all. His 'spirit' guides tell him he did more than he knew. For them to change his ideas; Not one of a miserly old codger, but of someone who loved his job. I delight in watching this episode.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Mrs. Columbo
(1979–1980)
Not Very Good representation
13 November 2011
Sorry, but this show didn't work at all, and a '2' is a generous vote. If you watch enough "Columbo", any time he is on the phone with her, she is given as a homemaker, not a reporter, and on top of that, she's not very bright. On "An Exercise in Fatality", she calls him at the office of the killer, and they discuss what to cook for the family guests for dinner. He then tells her what to do, i.e. call the Chinese restaurant, make the order and he would get it after work on the way home. Does that honestly sound like she has the wherewithal to find the answer to some caper? Not in my opinion, and I'm sure a majority of the readers of this would have to agree. She's just not that intelligent!
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