I saw the full length version of this episode and I'd say it probably could use a good editing. It's very slow by today's standards. There's never any mystery to viewers. We know exactly who the criminals are and what they are up to, so there is no suspense ever, especially since viewers also know Quincy will also figure things out in the end. This also came out very soon after Jaws. Parts of the plot are such a direct rip off, it's hard to believe they were playing it straight and that this wasn't a parody. All we're left with is over an hour of Quincy yelling, his girlfriend constantly whining about being left behind, and a bunch of officials telling him to butt out, the same as we've seen in the previous 3 movies but with a less engaging plot. At least there are nice views around Catalina.
I watched Quincy as a kid and remember really enjoying it. I don't remember if certain aspects of the longer movies stick around for the weekly shows. I hope not, since they are already clichéd and repetitive after movie number 4. I'm already tired of his weasely boss and how all other doctors and cops are so lazy and/or incompetent. There's Quincy's constant yelling and lecturing. It does get old quickly. Again, this works in a one-off, TV movie, but I wouldn't want to sit through it weekly. Same with watching him jerk around his girlfriend and then watching her put up with it. He's right to investigate cases and all, but she doesn't need to always be there waiting, staying ready for him whenever he beckons. The whole attitude of the show is so stereotypical of certain problematic Seventies ideals, while taking itself very seriously. We know how those ideals played out in the real world.