I find this episode Dead Weight to be incredibly underrated. I guess because it's vastly different from the typical Columbo episode is the explanation for the low rating. For one, this may be the only time in the entire series that there is an actual witness to the murder. Based on the turn of events, it feels like the killer still would have been caught, but at a much later point than he was. I had assumed that if there hadn't been a witness, he'd have gotten away with it, but given how fast the body was found in the ocean after he dumped it combined with that the man was identified as high-ranking military who had worked with the General before and his body was found near his home, Columbo and the cops would have easily put 2-and-2 together and nailed the General eventually. But I don't think the crime was the main point of the episode.
This is one of the rare episodes of Columbo that actually makes the viewers care more about the characters than the crime or reveling in the briliant skills of our favorite, quirky, lovable Lieutenant. This is one of the few episodes where I actually LIKED the killer! The late, great Eddie Albert carries this episode for me as the courageous, proud, yet egotistical retired military man. At first, obviously the General had ulterior motives for confroting his accuser, the daffy and beautiful girl played by Suzanne Pleshette. But as the episode wore on, I genuinely believed that the General developed deep feelings for the girl. I mean, he could have easily just disposed of her on that boating trip after the authorities seemed to have him dead to rights as she was the only thing standing between him and being arrested for murder. As I watching the episode, I was astonished that I was actually ROOTING for this couple! This is one reason this is one of the best episodes, because it dares to be different from most of the series and give a real relationship that's the heart of the episode. The ending, which features amazing acting from Falk, Pleshette, and especially Mr. Albert has to be one of the best, most hearbreaking endings to any Columbo episode. After most episodes, I'm happy that Columbo solved the case, but this one made me incredibly sad, but for all the right reasons.
This is one of the rare episodes of Columbo that actually makes the viewers care more about the characters than the crime or reveling in the briliant skills of our favorite, quirky, lovable Lieutenant. This is one of the few episodes where I actually LIKED the killer! The late, great Eddie Albert carries this episode for me as the courageous, proud, yet egotistical retired military man. At first, obviously the General had ulterior motives for confroting his accuser, the daffy and beautiful girl played by Suzanne Pleshette. But as the episode wore on, I genuinely believed that the General developed deep feelings for the girl. I mean, he could have easily just disposed of her on that boating trip after the authorities seemed to have him dead to rights as she was the only thing standing between him and being arrested for murder. As I watching the episode, I was astonished that I was actually ROOTING for this couple! This is one reason this is one of the best episodes, because it dares to be different from most of the series and give a real relationship that's the heart of the episode. The ending, which features amazing acting from Falk, Pleshette, and especially Mr. Albert has to be one of the best, most hearbreaking endings to any Columbo episode. After most episodes, I'm happy that Columbo solved the case, but this one made me incredibly sad, but for all the right reasons.