(Reply to Irene's comment) - That's a good point Irene, but then there wouldn't have been a story or this episode..! I think Ruth Gordon mentions tho how it would've been different if Columbo had been on that case..
I think this is one instance where we know Columbo liked and sympathized with the murderer. His extemporaneous speech at the women's club hinted at that, and when he pointed out to Abigail thay Edmund's apartment had no pictures of Phyllis, he was signaling to her that he understood why she,Abigail,had her suspicions.
Good observation about the "Senator." I never thought about that.
Personally, and this is just an opinion, I think the episode would have been somewhat better if Ruth Gordon had toned her character down a bit. I think some of her scenes, however, were great, eg the end when she describes herself as old and harmless.