 Written by Noel Behn and directed by John McNaughton , " A Many Splendored Thing " was not originally planned to close the second season , but the expected finale " Bop Gun " was changed to the season premiere to capitalize on a guest performance by Robin Williams . The homicide case in " A Many Splendored Thing " involving a man who committed murder over a pen was based on a similar real @-@ life killing that took place in Anne Arundel County , Maryland . The episode featured the second of two guest appearances by actress Julianna Margulies as Linda , Bolander 's romantic interest , as well an appearance by Adrienne Shelly as the owner of an S & M fashion store . 
