I have always been a fan of this episode, I really felt sorry for Dr Allenby but the main reason I love this one is for the ending. I felt that Columbo showed real humanity in his final words with Dr Allenby especially that wonderful "I think I do understand." Also is it just me or does this one have a great score?
Fielding, this has always been one of my favorite "new" Columbo episodes. The music is fantastic, especially the saxophone that plays during Allenby's scenes. I think it was a neat twist to have Allenby be just as insecure as some of the people she tries to help.
I'm not a huge fan of the way "Columbo" refused to make most of its female killers as despicable as its male killers, but I think the sympathy for Allenby is well-founded. I really like Columbo's "I've enjoyed our talks very much." This was the first Columbo I ever saw as a kid, and it's definitely a sentimental favorite.