In all honesty, Columbo adventures do not come much better than this one, simply because plot, script, acting, clue development and analysis, Columbo's characterisation and direction all interlink to captivating and thoroughly entertaining effect.
The plot is easily the best in the series: man kills wife after argument, rings his friend (the Deputy Police Commissioner) - he makes it look like a burglary gone wrong (taking advantage of a recent spate of burglaries in the area) and he also kills his own wife later on for her money, further capitalising on the "burglary gone wrong" theory.
In typical Ben Gazzara style, the story is carefully and deliberately developed with Columbo's meticulous appreciation of the crime scene the first hint that he is going to disagree with the prevailing burglary theory.
Falk's scenes with Kiley are well-crafted and incisive; Columbo is not afraid to be forthright about his observations in front of his boss as he subtly uncovers the truth.
The conclusion is arguably the best entrapment of a murderer in the entire series; the Deputy Police Commissioner turns to Columbo, after the latter states that he thinks that he was involved in both murders, and says "you've just lost your badge my friend!". The ensuing scenes are an absolute classic and thoroughly uphold the decisive quality that prevailed throughout the story. Watch it!
The plot is easily the best in the series: man kills wife after argument, rings his friend (the Deputy Police Commissioner) - he makes it look like a burglary gone wrong (taking advantage of a recent spate of burglaries in the area) and he also kills his own wife later on for her money, further capitalising on the "burglary gone wrong" theory.
In typical Ben Gazzara style, the story is carefully and deliberately developed with Columbo's meticulous appreciation of the crime scene the first hint that he is going to disagree with the prevailing burglary theory.
Falk's scenes with Kiley are well-crafted and incisive; Columbo is not afraid to be forthright about his observations in front of his boss as he subtly uncovers the truth.
The conclusion is arguably the best entrapment of a murderer in the entire series; the Deputy Police Commissioner turns to Columbo, after the latter states that he thinks that he was involved in both murders, and says "you've just lost your badge my friend!". The ensuing scenes are an absolute classic and thoroughly uphold the decisive quality that prevailed throughout the story. Watch it!