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Wednesday, November 6, 2024

The 8 Greatest Episodes Of Columbo, Ranked






There are few tv exhibits as heat and comforting as “Columbo,” the long-running thriller sequence starring Peter Falk because the eponymous detective. Every episode begins with a homicide, and the enjoyable is not attempting to determine whodunnit however as an alternative watching Columbo put collectively the items and catch the unhealthy man. Whether or not you are watching one of many authentic Nineteen Seventies tv episodes or one of many movie-of-the-week “episodes” that got here out all through 2003, you’ll be able to sit safe within the information that Columbo will most likely take the wealthy and highly effective down a peg or two and be virtually impossibly lovable whereas doing it. Although Peter Falk wasn’t initially the sequence’ creator’s option to play Columbo, he’s what makes the present so unbelievable watchable as he appears to aimlessly wander by crime scenes in his rumpled trench coat and damage criminals’ days along with his trademark “only one thing more…” Nearly each episode of “Columbo” is enjoyable to observe consequently, however some are positively higher than others. 

Though Columbo himself is extremely constant from episode to episode, there are very totally different vibes to every story courtesy of various administrators and totally different murderers, performed by a menagerie of well-known visitor stars. (Critically, they obtained everybody from William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy from “Star Trek” to Johnny freaking Money.) Listed below are the eight finest episodes of “Columbo,” ranked from worst to finest, though “worst” is a really free time period relating to the magic of “Columbo.” Pull up a seat, seize your self a (faux) stogie, and examine the easiest “Columbo” has to supply. 

8. The Bye-Bye Sky Excessive I.Q. Homicide Case

An everyday characteristic on “Columbo” is murderers who assume they’re smarter than everybody else, however in “The Bye-Bye Sky Excessive I.Q. Homicide Case,” the assassin is definitely a member of a genius-level I.Q. membership. Oliver Brandt (Theodore Bikel) is a member of the Sigma Society (just like the real-life Mensa, a “excessive I.Q.” membership) who’s found embezzling by his good friend Bertie (Sorrell Booke). Oliver comes up with an elaborate homicide plan that he thinks will seem like a botched housebreaking, however Columbo finally ends up pinning him anyway by utilizing his sky-high ego in opposition to him. Columbo makes up an much more ridiculously elaborate homicide plan and whereas explaining it, Oliver will get livid and defined how he truly put the entire thing collectively. It is nice stuff and one of the entertaining (and satisfying) closing reveals in all of “Columbo.” 

The episode additionally encompasses a younger Jamie Lee Curtis as a waitress in a restaurant, only one 12 months earlier than she first appeared as Laurie Strode in John Carpenter’s “Halloween.” It isn’t an enormous position, however it’s enjoyable to see her pop up for a second as Columbo quizzes one in every of Oliver’s accomplices. “The Bye-Bye Sky Excessive I.Q. Homicide Case” is likely one of the extra difficult “Columbo” episodes, however it’s additionally top-of-the-line. 

7. Try to Catch Me

Within the season 7 opener, “Try to Catch Me,” Columbo should check his wits in opposition to murder-mystery author Abigail Mitchell (Ruth Gordon), an aged girl who’s clearly impressed by real-world creator Agatha Christie, who wrote the well-known Hercule Poirot thriller novels. Abigail believes that her nephew-in-law Edmund (Charles Frank) murdered her beloved niece and the police dominated it was an accident, so she takes issues into her personal fingers. She lures Edmund into a large protected to allegedly present him among the riches he stands to inherit, then she locks him in there and lets him suffocate. Because the LAPD examine, Abigail makes use of her homicide thriller writing abilities to throw them off track, ruining proof and actually enjoying up the “candy little outdated woman” routine. Sadly for her, Lt. Columbo is on the case, and he even introduced his beloved Basset Hound, Canine, together with him. 

Among the finest issues about “Try to Catch Me” is the back-and-forth between Abigail and Columbo, as he appears to have affection and empathy for her in ways in which he hardly ever does with the murderers on the sequence. She is likely one of the extra sympathetic killers, even when she’s nonetheless very a lot within the flawed, and Colombo finally sees that justice is finished by discovering proof she could not conceal: a be aware from Edmund simply earlier than he died, indicating that she killed him. Even when the killer is as ready as a thriller author, they should keep in mind that Colombo all the time will get his man (or girl). 

6. Find out how to Dial a Homicide

One among Lt. Columbo’s many lovable traits is that he is a canine particular person, and in “Find out how to Dial a Homicide,” he will get to pal round with some stunning Dobermans … who additionally occur to be educated killers. Oh, and their names are Laurel and Hardy. In one of the uncommon murders of the sequence, Dr. Eric Mason (Nicol Williamson) trains the canine to assault and kill anybody who says the set off phrase “Rosebud,” a phrase eternally tied to Orson Welles’ traditional “Citizen Kane.” He kills Dr. Charles Hunter (Joel Fabiani) utilizing this technique, and as soon as Columbo is on the case, he tries to apply it to the detective as nicely. It does not go so nicely for him, nevertheless, as Columbo has educated the canine to kiss folks as an alternative of kill them after they hear the command, which is fairly darn humorous. 

“Find out how to Dial a Homicide” can really feel somewhat foolish in locations, however it additionally options one of many present’s most harrowing homicide sequences wherein Dr. Mason makes use of a cellphone name to get his sufferer to say the phrase after which listens in as he is torn to items. It is nasty stuff that is countered completely by Columbo getting cuddly with the pups. Somewhat silliness combined with homicide thriller is usually a complete lot of enjoyable, and “Columbo” mainly perfected the formulation. (Oh, and “Intercourse and the Metropolis” star Kim Cattrall seems as one in every of Dr. Mason’s psychology college students who practically turns into one other dearly departed doggy snack!)

5. Any Previous Port in a Storm

Individuals tend to underestimate Columbo due to his rumpled look and laid-back method, however he manages to shock them (and typically the viewers) at each flip. In “Any Previous Port in a Storm,” Columbo should study the finer factors of winemaking and wine tasting as a way to resolve a homicide, and he does so brilliantly. Donald Pleasance visitor stars as winemaker Adrian Carsini, who murders his half-brother Ric (Gary Conway) over a dispute relating to the household vineyard’s future, and he is one in every of Columbo’s most despicably entertaining villains. Carsini thinks he is above everybody else, particularly the seemingly doddering detective, and so he teaches Columbo every thing he is aware of about wine. That is his undoing as a result of some spoiled wine finally ends up being the smoking gun in Ric’s homicide, and Columbo would possibly by no means have caught him if he hadn’t divulged such particulars about his beloved craft. 

Pleasance and Falk are a delight to observe play in opposition to each other, and Columbo’s newfound information of wines is a deal with. Normally we solely see Columbo along with his trademark cigars or sometimes chowing down on some diner meals, so the world of wine is a little bit of a joyous departure as a result of he stands out like a sore thumb in a wrinkled trench coat. 

4. By Daybreak’s Early Gentle

Actor Patrick McGoohan turned a daily fixture on “Columbo,” enjoying 4 totally different murderers over the course of the sequence and directing 5 episodes as nicely. His first look was arguably his finest, nevertheless, as he performed Colonel Lyle C. Rumford, the pinnacle of a navy college who murders the President of the Board of Trustees as a way to shield his continued profession. He’s completely despicable because the colonel, who frames a goofy younger cadet for the crime. The homicide plot itself is fairly unbelievable, involving a dwell cannon, however what actually makes “By Daybreak’s Early Gentle” so pleasant is Columbo’s in-depth investigation. 

Columbo himself is all the time the spotlight of the sequence, however in “By Daybreak’s Early Gentle,” he decides to remain on the navy academy as a way to finest examine the homicide. Meaning he bunks down with the cadets and goes by a little bit of their routine, which is hilarious given his laid-back, rumpled demeanor. It is arduous to think about Columbo again in police academy, the place he needed to iron his shirts and shine his sneakers, and he is simply as misplaced right here. “By Daybreak’s Early Gentle” is an absolute blast, until in fact you are the President of the Board of Trustees… then it is a very totally different type of blast. 

3. Double Shock

Being the assassin on “Columbo” turned a fairly enormous visitor star spot, the type of factor that confirmed an actor was actually a any person. Among the finest visitor stars of all was Martin Landau, the actor identified for his position on the “Mission Unattainable” tv sequence who later performed late actor Bela Lugosi in Tim Burton’s “Ed Wooden.” Within the season 2 finale, “Double Shock,” Landau performs a pair of an identical twins who’re each suspects within the homicide of their uncle Clifford. In contrast to most episodes, the true assassin wasn’t truly revealed till the top, so the viewers was in simply as a lot suspense as our beloved lieutenant. 

“Double Shock” additionally options one of many present’s most spectacular visitor stars in a minor position, as the unique Catwoman, Julie Newmar, performs Clifford’s stunning younger fiancée. She spends most of her screentime stretching and displaying off her legs, clad in a black leotard, however it’s clear she’s having a little bit of enjoyable vamping it up. What’s to not love about an episode that has a real thriller to unravel, double Martin Landaus, and Julie freaking Newmar? 

2. Swan Tune

Talking of completely unbelievable visitor stars… within the season 3 episode “Swan Tune,” nation music legend Johnny Money appeared as wildly well-known gospel singer Tommy Brown. His spouse Edna (the always-fabulous Ida Lupino) has him on a brief leash, nevertheless, after she catches him sleeping with one in every of his underage backup singers, Maryann (Bonnie Van Dyke). Tommy, an ex-con, needs to dwell extra of a rock ‘n’ roll life-style and so he comes up with an elaborate plan to kill each of them. He medicine them after which pilots a aircraft out into the center of nowhere earlier than parachuting out, leaving it to crash in a ball of fireplace. He sustains minor accidents and a few of Lieutenant Columbo’s sympathy, although that does not final for too lengthy. 

Money’s appearing is surprisingly respectable, and he will get to sing within the episode, which makes for some entertaining tv. It is an fascinating episode as a result of even after Columbo has arrested Brown, he tells him that he believes a person with a voice like that “cannot be all unhealthy.” All through the sequence, Columbo exhibits that he has empathy for even the worst killers, as a result of he is each an optimist and a humanist at coronary heart. Episodes like “Swan Tune” present why Columbo himself is so not like some other cop on tv, earlier than or since. 

1. A Buddy in Deed

One factor is for sure about Lieutenant Columbo: he was one uncommon police officer. He was speculated to symbolize the best model of a cop, an investigator with a stable ethical core who stands up for what’s proper even when it goes in opposition to the established order. Within the season 3 finale, “A Buddy in Deed,” audiences are launched to the present’s model of a foul cop in Richard Kiley’s Deputy Commissioner Mark Halperin. Halperin helps his good friend Hugh Caldwell (Michael McGuire) cowl up the unintentional homicide of Caldwell’s spouse in change for Caldwell doing the identical for him, as he is grown uninterested in his spouse Margaret (Rosemary Murphy.) “A Buddy in Deed” is likely one of the darkest episodes of “Columbo” and has not one of the typical silliness, however it’s an ideal instance of why the sequence works as a result of Falk’s Columbo is extremely watchable it doesn’t matter what. 

“A Buddy in Deed” encompasses a dastardly double homicide and one in every of its craftiest villains, and the truth that he is not solely a cop however Columbo’s superior makes it all of the extra compelling. Columbo additionally will get to be a lot intelligent, with one of many present’s finest gotcha moments in its complete run. It might be legal to damage it right here, however Columbo will get to essentially present Halperin who’s the higher cop and the higher human being. 


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