PLOT:
Dr. Joan Allenby is a sex therapist with an identity crisis. She transforms into 'the woman in black' and murders her two timing lover David Kincaid. Because of the description of the mystery woman she is unable to be linked to Allenby, though Columbo soon begins to have his suspicions. Columbo and Allenby have a good rapport, though it is obvious Columbo is on to her. He does his usual routine of asking her to help him and mentions the woman in black many times. Allenby finally gets rid of the 'woman in black' clothes and wig, though it appears she is sorry to see it go. It is almost as if she doesn't know whether the woman in black is part of her or not. Columbo is struggling to find hard evidence linking her to the crime so he resorts to his old friend trickery. Late at night they are in the building and Allenby sees someone dressed as the woman in black. She is surprised but says nothing to Columbo. He says this is proof that she is the murderer. An innocent person would have raised the alarm. Then he is quite sympathetic as to her plight and says he has enjoyed his chats with Allenby very much, but that doesn't stop him from arresting her for murder.
VERDICT: Lindsay Crouse gives a decent performance as Allenby and she and Columbo have many knowing glances during the episode. It is quite clear Columbo suspects her from early on, though he finds it difficult to find proof of her guilt. This episode isn't a classic but it's a reasonable effort.
Written by Mark Wilson
(C) Copyright Wilson/Young Enterprises 2006.
CAST:
Dr Joan Allenby.....Lindsay Crouse
Cindy.............Julia Montgomery
Dr Simon Ward........Peter Jurasik
Dr Walter Neff..........Ken Lerner
Helen Hendrix........Marge Redmond
David Kincaid........Stephen Macht
Norm...................Dave Florek
Charlie..............Harry Johnson
