Well, I kind of like this episode...I admit I never really connected the dots regarding only the bedroom door opening, and the ability of the videotape to zoom like that is pure fiction, but, you know, when you like something you generally give it more slack than otherwise. I like the acting, and I like the story line in general, even though the technical details don't add up. I love that scene in the art gallery where the 'nice new young girl'(lol) looks over at Harold and he gives her that flirtatious gaze..makes me crack up every time I see it.
What I like about Columbo is watching Columbo and the suspect interact. This is why I can watch an episode so many times.
Playback had some really good interaction between Columbo and Harold. Watching Harold's pent up anger and frustration was fun, especially when confronted by an innocent person just doing his job without a care in the world, meanwhile Harold has all this guilt, anger and frustration boiling inside.
One of the best examples of this was Death Lends A Hand.
As for the doors opening when the gun was shot, in the surveillance tape you can see the front door open while the Margret falls to the ground. And there's a goof on the tape.... there is a puff of gunshot smoke that comes out in the upper left hand corner of the surveillance tape....there's no way the gun was shot from behind the camera mounted up on the wall!