10 best episodes of Columbus

The best Columbus episodes show why the series has been considered one of the best murder mystery shows of all time. Peter Falk created one of the most original and brilliant fictional detectives with his performance as the titular police officer. Columbo is a lieutenant who investigates murders and suspicious deaths with his own eccentric approach. He seems like a clumsy detective, but as he gradually and politely digs deeper into the truth, he always solves the case.

Columbus stood out from many murder mystery shows of its type by showing the audience who the killer is. The show’s format then focuses on the killer’s attempts to escape and cover up the crime, only for Columbo to start snooping around. It’s a series that perfectly combines murderous intrigue with a charming sense of humor. Falk is unforgettable in the lead role. and he has some amazing guest stars to play with. While not every plot is memorable, the best Columbus The episodes are exciting and satisfying.

10

Swan Song

Season 3, Episode 7

Peter Falk is the magic behind the series in the titular role, but it’s great fun to see the various guest stars in the series. Columbus. One of the most unexpected and memorable was country music icon Johnny Cash, who fully embraced his outlaw persona when playing the killer in the episode “Swan Song.” Cash’s Tommy Brown is a country gospel singer whose career is kept under blackmail by his wife, who took him from his life of convict to force him to be part of her mission to spread the word of God.

In an effort to escape his control and make some real money, Brown stages a small plane crash. It’s certainly one of the most elaborate murder plots in the series, sometimes even straining credulity. However, Cash brings his natural charisma mixed with darkness to the role. Tommy is also a killer who sometimes manages to catch Columbo off guard, creating some hilarious scenes with Falk.

9

The IQ Bye-Bye Sky High Murder Case

Season 6, Episode 3

One of the best things about the character Columbo is how much people underestimate him. Because of his clumsy nature and seemingly confusing questions, many of the criminals he faces feel like they can easily outsmart him, which is exactly what he wants them to think. In “The Bye-Bye Sky High IQ Murder Case”, Columbo comes across a certified genius, with Oliver Brandt (Theodore Bikel) being a member of a society of high IQ people. Brandt feels he has committed the most untraceable murder of his snooping friend and associate.

Brandt is a very entertaining killer as this tortured genius, and his conversations with Columbo help to reveal aspects of the titular detective that have never been addressed. The episode is also one of the funniest in the entire series, a reminder of its great mix of comedy and crime. This leads to the wonderful ending with Columbo using Brandt’s enormous ego against him in a truly satisfying way. As a bonus, the episode also features a small early role from Jamie Lee Curtis.

8

Murder by the book

Season 1, Episode 1

The first episode of Columbus also has the distinction of being directed by Steven Spielberg before his big Hollywood success, Jaws. In a fitting way to approach Columbo as a new television detective, this initial mystery revolves around a crime writer being killed by his business partner. Jack Cassidy plays hitman Ken Franklin, the two partners’ manager, who is not only getting revenge on his partner for trying a solo career, but also wants to flex his own ego by pulling off the perfect crime.

From the stunning opening scene, Spielberg showcases his confidence as a filmmaker and the skills he would later bring to blockbuster films. Cinema helps to establish Columbus like something special on television, while the writing presents a thrilling thrill ride. Cassidy is an incredible villain, with his arrogance surpassed only by his cruelty. Besides being one of the best episodes of ColumbusThis first glimpse of the show’s brilliance is also one of the most important.

7

Étude In Black

Season 2, Episode 1

Although he is best known for his role as Columbo, Peter Falk has had an excellent acting career outside of the series, including appearances in several John Cassavetes films. Cassavetes returns the favor by appearing as the villain in this standout episode of Columbus while also giving one of his best performances. The late actor plays Alex Benedict, a famous conductor who kills a talented young pianist to hide his affair with her.

Not surprisingly, it’s a lot of fun to see Cassavetes and Falk share the screen and face off as adversaries. However, “Étude in Black” provides some of the most enchanting moments for Columbo himselfreally cementing him as a great character. The episode also introduces his faithful dog, Dog. However, the best moment comes when Columbo finds himself in the deserted Hollywood Bowl and begins happily playing “Chopsticks” on the piano.

6

In the early morning light

Season 4, Episode 3

Although Columbo can maintain a friendly demeanor even when investigating murders, he has proven many times that he is not intimidated by anyone, including those of great authority. “By Dawn’s Early Light” finds Columbo investigating a murder at a military academy with Colonel Lyle C. Rumford (Patrick McGoohan) killing a fellow officer and framing a young cadet for the crime.

McGoohan is one of the most memorable Columbus guest stars, providing a cold, calculating villain whose plan is one of the most thrilling of any assassin in the series. However, the real treat in this episode is how the titular hero conducts his investigation. Wanting to immerse himself in the lives of the cadets, Columbo moves to the academy and lives like them, sleeping in the barracks, eating meals with them and doing his training. It offers some of the funniest moments in the series.

5

Negative Reaction

Season 4, Episode 2

Dick Van Dyke Mary Poppins the performance cemented his cheerful and friendly personality that most fans remember him for. This makes his role as an assassin in Columbus even more effective. Van Dyke stars in “Backlash” as Paul Galesko, an acclaimed photographer married to a controlling, mean-spirited woman. However, Galesko takes a dark approach to taking care of his marital problems, staging a ransom situation with his wife, in which he kills her in the process, and then proceeds to frame an innocent man and kill him as well.

Van Dyke’s performance is frightening because of how reserved he is. There’s an especially effective scene in which Galesko explains to his tied-up wife all the ways she’s mistreated him over the years, justifying her actions but showing no emotion as she does so. It’s a major subversion of the actor’s reputation and shows new sides to the legendary artist’s talent.

4

Try and catch me

Season 7, Episode 1

Agatha Christie’s books probably had a huge influence Columbuswhich is what makes the episode “Try and Catch Me” so fun. Oscar winner Ruth Gordon takes on the assassin role as mystery writer Abigail Mitchell, who is convinced that her nephew is responsible for the murder of her beloved niece. With the police declaring it an accident, Abigail decides to take justice herself, killing the would-be killer and using her mysterious knowledge to outwit the police.

This creates an ideal scenario, as Abigail comes across the kind of brilliant detective she would include in her own novels, in the form of Columbo. Another highlight of the episode is the interactions between Gordon and Peter Falk, as Columbo seems to sympathize with Abigail more than most of the series’ killerseven if that doesn’t mean he’s willing to let her get away with it.

3

A point in crime

Season 2, Episode 6

“A Point in Crime” is another example of Columbus standing out in the casting of the episode’s villain. In this case, Leonard Nimoy distances himself from his iconic hero role as Spock in Star Trek and plays one of the coldest killers in Columbus. Nimoy’s Barry Mayfield is an opportunistic doctor who wants all the credit for developing a groundbreaking new medicine. To do so, he attempts to kill the project’s lead researcher, another respected doctor, by sabotaging the man’s routine surgery.

Interestingly, the murder in question is not the one initially intended. Instead, Mayfield’s actions are noticed by a nurse who he kills to cover his tracks. Nimoy’s emotionless portrayal of the character contrasts wonderfully with his later scenes of arrogance in the face of the investigation. It’s also a great episode for Peter Falk, as it allows for new shades of Columbo, with him butting heads with Mayfield and showing genuine anger towards the man, which isn’t always seen by the laid-back detective.

2

A friend of action

Season 3, Episode 8

“A Friend in Deed” begins as a single Columbus episode, since the main villain is not the killer. Instead, Mark Halperin (Richard Kiley) decides to help his friend cover up the fact that he accidentally killed his wife. However, Halperin’s true villainy is shown when he forces that friend to return the favor and kill Halperin’s own wife. To add to the man’s diabolical nature, Halperin is also revealed to be Columbo’s police commissioner and boss.

This episode highlights the fact that Columbo has always seemed like an outcast on the police force. His methods are unorthodox and some of his fellow officers laugh at him behind his back, but Columbo is ultimately the best cop there is because he cannot be corrupted. Seeing him approach his superior officer without hesitation gives Columbo one of the most heroic episodes in the series within one of his darkest stories.

1

Any old port in a storm

Season 3, Episode 2

Before taking on the role of Dr. Sam Loomis on Halloween franchise, Donald Pleasence played a killer in the best episode of Columbus. In “Any Old Port in a Storm”, he is Adrian Carsini, a wine connoisseur who kills his half-brother when he plans to sell the land on which his winery is located. Although he makes it look like a diving accident, it isn’t long before Columbo realizes this ruse and searches the world of wine for the truth.

Columbo usually seems one step ahead of the killers from the start, but this episode introduces something interesting as he doesn’t understand wine and the techniques behind it, but needs to acquire this new knowledge to solve the case. The performances are the highlight of the episode, as Peter Falk and Pleasence play off each other wonderfully.with Carsini offering a different kind of villain, more desperate than malicious.