A nearly perfect episode to set up the future episodes. Without going into the details of the plot others do, I found this a great episode. It was an early one, and Columbo begins to show us his trade mark ways in perfect balance. He does not try too hard and it isn't forced. The acting is superb, as Faulk naturally shows us the things we love about Columbo and it's as natural as breathing. Every action by Columbo has a purpose, and it's not too much as is the case in some later episodes. He lets the murderer walk into the trap he sets and incriminate himself, without him even knowing he is being set up. What makes this cat and mouse game even more impressive is Columbo is going head to head with an ex cop and one of the best private eyes in the business. To be able to lull him into a trap shows the brilliance of Columbo. Robert Culp does an excellent job in his role. He seems smart and cool, but you can see that everything is gradually getting to him. He slowly begins to lose his grip, and Culp does a great job of slowly showing the effects of having Columbo hound him. But it isn't too much. Even when Columbo guesses the exact way the murder was done and runs his theory by Culp, he stays cool and it's not until later you can see him get flustered. It's also one of the only times I remember Columbo being bribed, and he uses it to his advantage.
Culp comes across as someone that really could have been a ex cop and running a business. Superb acting all around. The plot is not too complicated to follow but not too slow either. Just an all around excellent episode, and a definite top 10 for me.
Culp comes across as someone that really could have been a ex cop and running a business. Superb acting all around. The plot is not too complicated to follow but not too slow either. Just an all around excellent episode, and a definite top 10 for me.