While I have some quibbles here and there with this one (such as Columbo working a kidnapping AND a murder), it is a strong episode and it has an excellent villain.
The episode begins with a fake kidnapping. Tony and his Uncle Jarvis (Ray Milland) have staged it in order to get to Tony's trust fund. Jarvis also hates Tony's wife...and secretly thinks Tony is a weakling. That is why, following the successful kidnapping, Jarvis kills Tony....and later tries to pin it on the wife. Now, it IS easy to dislike the woman...and she seems angry and awful. But Columbo needs to keep personality out of it and focus on the crime and the evidence. Along for the ride is a young Detective Sergeant.
I liked this episode because although Columbo too often tends to focus in too much and too immediately on the real killer (as if he has ESP), here it's not as obvious AND the meticulous Jarvis does leave behind an important clue which Columbo catches. Overall, well written and well acted....and worth your time.
The episode begins with a fake kidnapping. Tony and his Uncle Jarvis (Ray Milland) have staged it in order to get to Tony's trust fund. Jarvis also hates Tony's wife...and secretly thinks Tony is a weakling. That is why, following the successful kidnapping, Jarvis kills Tony....and later tries to pin it on the wife. Now, it IS easy to dislike the woman...and she seems angry and awful. But Columbo needs to keep personality out of it and focus on the crime and the evidence. Along for the ride is a young Detective Sergeant.
I liked this episode because although Columbo too often tends to focus in too much and too immediately on the real killer (as if he has ESP), here it's not as obvious AND the meticulous Jarvis does leave behind an important clue which Columbo catches. Overall, well written and well acted....and worth your time.