The Canine Collar

At one point in this episode Karl Malden's Mike Stone turns to his partner with a disgusted "Are you kidding me?" expression on his face at the bad joke he'd just told and says something like "Let's get outta here." I found it a more appropriate epitaph for this often incredible show than this episode as a whole. Unfortunately in this case they didn't save the best for last and as my review title states they go out with a whimper rather than a bang. Considering the plot of this particular episode you might even say that the show had truly gone to the dogs by this point although the final season itself did have some amazing highlights including the first time ever 2 parter in the season opener and Ned Beatty's Emmy deserving episode. I'm watching "Back to the Streets of San Francisco" (Google where to watch it) that I apparently missed from 1992 (When it came out) until now but what can I say? This show that I'd never watched an episode of prior to this just completed binge has become one of my all time favorite television series. Great characters, interesting plots, and talented people will always be in style.

Thanks for the memories Streets of San Francisco and thank you to the late great Karl Malden (who I still think might have played a better Mickey than even Burgess Meredith did in the Rocky films) who was the very heart & soul of this amazing show.

If you review this keeping in mind that it's the last episode of the season, you're more likely to be disappointed. If viewed on its own merits and not as a series closer, it's more effective. It has lots of action, moves quickly and resolves well, if a bit abruptly. George Dzunda excels as a dog owner who is heartbroken when his beloved schnauzer is killed in a vehicle accident. This is a side story that runs parallel to the main murder mystery which involves diamond theft and smuggling. All the performances are quite good although Richard Hatch is a bit lightweight among the more accomplished actors who share the screen with him.

***SPOILERS*** A series of murders and assaults leads to a dog show where the somewhat deranged killer Swedish deckhand Thor Olafson, Kaz Garas, comes out in the open and attempts to murder as well as rip off Fred Spears, Dean Santoro, who's Irish setter dog Candy has been entered into. It was Fred's misfortune to get the dog collar of the killed in a traffic accident giant schnauzer Rex, since being dead he didn't need it anymore, and put it on his Candy not knowing that its studded with 1.2 million dollars in stolen diamonds whom the person who smuggled it into the US, from Hong Kong, Mr. Montigue was murdered by Olafson. It was later that Olafson murdered ASPCA driver Andy Wilson,Bruce Neckels, who he suspected in snatching the collar while driving the mortally injured Rex to the animal hospital to be treated.

Both Det. Let. Stone, Karl Malden, and his youthful partner Inspt. Dan Robbins, Richard Hatch, are on the scene to prevent any farther bloodshed by Olafson who's already murdered two people on his quest to find the diamond studded dog collar as well as brutally worked over Dr. Thhompson, Dennis Patrick, who tried to save Rex's life. There's also sweet and kindly animal lover Paul Webber, George Duzndza, who's dog Rex was hit by a truck and killed who's collar was, at the animal hospital, switched with the diamond studded one placed on Rex by mistake. Weber went out of his way and tackles the out of control and crazed Olafson and held him until the police came to arrest the creep.

***SPOILERS*** The episode shows us just how much people feel for their pets, dogs as well as cats, that they go to extreme lengths to care for and protect them. This isn't the case for Thor Olafaon who couldn't care less for any dog but only for a dog collar that he was more then willing to murder for. As for the real hero in this "Streets of San Francisco" episode Paul Webber he was rewarded free of charge with a new baby schnauzer, courtesy of the dog show officials as well as Stone & Robbins, to replace his best friend Rex who's, as it turned out, tragic death enviably lead to Olafaon's capture.