While this episode is not particularly remarkable, it is very important. Harold Smith, Dick Tremayne, and Jean Renault all appear for the first time, and several important advancements to the plot occur.
As the series progresses, Dick becomes bland and overused. However, there is the spark of something interesting at this early stage. He's just quirky enough to work in this episode, even if he doesn't always later.
Harold, meanwhile, has all the makings of a serial killer. But even as creepy as Lenny Von Dohlen plays him, he's nowhere near as intimidating as the also newly introduced Jean Renault. Jean is by the far the scariest (and only) Québécois villain I have ever seen.
Albert, Leland, Nadine, and Jacoby also all have great and/or important scenes in the episode. Albert in particular, as his character reaches a turning point. All in all, the episode comes off as solidly average, but it is in fact crucial to the development of the series.
As the series progresses, Dick becomes bland and overused. However, there is the spark of something interesting at this early stage. He's just quirky enough to work in this episode, even if he doesn't always later.
Harold, meanwhile, has all the makings of a serial killer. But even as creepy as Lenny Von Dohlen plays him, he's nowhere near as intimidating as the also newly introduced Jean Renault. Jean is by the far the scariest (and only) Québécois villain I have ever seen.
Albert, Leland, Nadine, and Jacoby also all have great and/or important scenes in the episode. Albert in particular, as his character reaches a turning point. All in all, the episode comes off as solidly average, but it is in fact crucial to the development of the series.