"Old Love" marked the third and final time that Hal Linden actually directed an episode, following "Corporation" and "Hostage," both from season four. Mario Roccuzzo (last of six) returns as handicapped 'Good Samaritan' Norman Deluca, previously seen in "The Arrival," where he tried to perform a good deed and was mugged for his trouble; here, he tries to save a choking man, Mr. Felch (Wynn Irwin, second of two), getting himself arrested for assault. Deluca laments that problems can arise when using the proper procedure ("broken ribs are always a risk when the 'Heimlich maneuver' is used, but most people prefer that to death!"). Former child actor Irwin Kroner (Mitch Kreindel) is arrested for throwing a telephone at his useless agent (Ben Hammer), striking him in the head, chipping his tooth, and cutting his eye and lip (Harris: "you might say he reached out and touched someone!" Kroner: "the guy wouldn't take my phone calls"). Kroner's mother (Audrey Christie, second of two) keeps insisting that her son is still a star, which proves to be highly embarrassing. An attractive woman (Sharon Spelman) shows up, not in need of a policeman, but to rekindle her friendship with old flame Dietrich, after 14 years apart (he uses this opportunity to take a looong lunch).