Merry Christmas Waldo

Pepper and Co try and trap an elderly man dressed as Santa Claus who has been committing a series of robberies in order to give impoverished senior citizens a Merry Xmas.

Crime dramas are never as good as when they take a lighter, more frivolous approach to their stories. Since our criminal here is a 75-year-old Lloyd Nolan there isn't gonna be much in the way of foot or car chases or brutish violence. Suffice it to say, Pepper is pretty safe in this one. Crowley is particularly grouchy throughout. Nolan's cause is so noble you kind of want to see him get away with it. Lurene Tuttle has a nice scene as one of the "gift" recipients.

Unfortunately, aside from the message of the problems faced by senior citizens living on meagre pensions, there isn't much here. I did love spotting Mrs. Kolchek from LAVERNE & SHIRLEY among the residents of the Seniors Center in the final scene, but she doesn't have any lines.

Not a must-see, and TBH a pretty dull episode, Xmas or otherwise. 4/10.