Stephanie Powers and Edward Mulhare both guest star in this episode. It's an unusual show because there are some interesting parallels--perhaps intentionally so. One reviewer noticed the many similarities to "Vertigo", I was struck by how much it was like "Pygmalion" and "My Fair Lady"--which is REALLY ironic consider that Mulhare came to fame by playing Professor Higgins on stage in "My Fair Lady" (the musical version of "Pygmalion"). The big difference? This Henry Higgins-like character is freaking nuts!
The show begins with Avery (Mulhare) getting into an argument with a woman and killing her! Next, he's at an escort service* and is hiring a woman (Stephanie Powers) that looks almost exactly** like the dead lady. And, when they go out, he begins to remake her into the dead woman! The police get involved after they discover the last body. Can they find the lady in time to avoid her being next?
This is an enjoyable episode but one that really strains credibility--as have some of the previous installments. The psycho angle is interesting but also far-fetched. What's also far-fetched? The police discovering that Avery has taken his new girlfriend to Monterey and they take off that way with their siren blasting. This is a two-hour drive! And, oddly, they INSTANTLY found him about to kill her after this drive! Ridiculous. In fact, though enjoyable there are just so many silly plot devices in this one to take it very seriously.
*This escort service is an actual escort service--not a cover for prostitution. Surprising, huh?
**In a cheesy move, Powers played BOTH ladies. Now I know the plot needed them to look very similar, but the notion of identical strangers is a stupid cliché and made the show seem a bit dopey.