"Furuhata Ninzaburô" does a fair share of airtight alibi mysteries. Here is one of the weakest. In fact, in its many plot holes and blunders, it reminds me a lot of "The Laughing Corpse" which is still easily my least favourite episode of the show. The main trick with the killer switching places with her assistant is not a bad idea, however, there is absolutely no way for her to ensure that the patient doesn't realize the switch nor that the assistant doesn't recognise that the patient she was treating is the detective questioning her. It really shouldn't work but it does. In fact, it works so well that Kôki Mitani has to scramble to find a way for Furuhata to break the killer's alibi. Consequently, the final gotcha is one of the show's weakest. There is no reason for the killer to confess besides the fact that the episode had run out of time.
The other trick, involving the killer dressing up as a man is better in theory but actually, Furuhata figures it out in a matter of minutes which begs the question of why it was included in the episode. This is yet another story in which Furuhata seems to divine the solution out of thin air. Why does he suspect his friendly dentist? How does he figure out the switch? Who knows. Maybe he has latent psychic abilities.
What makes "Furuhata Goes to the Dentist" a more bearable watch than "The Laughing Corpse" is the performance of Mao Daichi one of the show's most likeable guest stars. For the first time since "Message from the Dead", I really wanted her to get away with the crime. I shudder to think what a brilliant guest star she could have been if she had starred in one of the better-written episodes. That would have certainly been a classic.
Another enjoyable aspect of the episode is the fact that Shintaro gets to lead the investigation. With Furuhata on leave due to a toothache, Shintaro is the most senior detective and quickly gets himself tied up in knots. But, of course, he is much too proud and stupid to listen to his smarter junior partner Saionji. Once again, I must point out that Masanori Ishii is a welcome addition to the cast. Saionji is a very funny, likeable character and his rivalry with Shintaro is one of the highpoints of the third season. Another returning character is Hamada, the goofy waiter from "The Terror of Dr Kuroiwa". While I found him annoying in that episode, I thought his brief appearance in "Furuhata Goes to the Dentist" was very clever. He solves the murder in a matter of seconds in front of the baffled Saionji.
A quick final note on the fact that this is the first aired episode directed by Yûichi Satô. Much like Keita Kôno's, his work here is rather bland and uninspired. But since the script is not very good, there's still hope he'll do better next time.
The other trick, involving the killer dressing up as a man is better in theory but actually, Furuhata figures it out in a matter of minutes which begs the question of why it was included in the episode. This is yet another story in which Furuhata seems to divine the solution out of thin air. Why does he suspect his friendly dentist? How does he figure out the switch? Who knows. Maybe he has latent psychic abilities.
What makes "Furuhata Goes to the Dentist" a more bearable watch than "The Laughing Corpse" is the performance of Mao Daichi one of the show's most likeable guest stars. For the first time since "Message from the Dead", I really wanted her to get away with the crime. I shudder to think what a brilliant guest star she could have been if she had starred in one of the better-written episodes. That would have certainly been a classic.
Another enjoyable aspect of the episode is the fact that Shintaro gets to lead the investigation. With Furuhata on leave due to a toothache, Shintaro is the most senior detective and quickly gets himself tied up in knots. But, of course, he is much too proud and stupid to listen to his smarter junior partner Saionji. Once again, I must point out that Masanori Ishii is a welcome addition to the cast. Saionji is a very funny, likeable character and his rivalry with Shintaro is one of the highpoints of the third season. Another returning character is Hamada, the goofy waiter from "The Terror of Dr Kuroiwa". While I found him annoying in that episode, I thought his brief appearance in "Furuhata Goes to the Dentist" was very clever. He solves the murder in a matter of seconds in front of the baffled Saionji.
A quick final note on the fact that this is the first aired episode directed by Yûichi Satô. Much like Keita Kôno's, his work here is rather bland and uninspired. But since the script is not very good, there's still hope he'll do better next time.
