This famous quote from "The Godfather Part II" occurred to me when watching this outstanding episode from Season 4, which is arguably the finest season of the "Columbo" series.
Robert Vaughn makes an excellent, albeit novice, villain. His plan to murder his lover was pedestrian, but he didn't expect Lt. Columbo to be on board the boat--I mean ship.
I think the script was sublime in placing Columbo in an environment to solve a crime via primitive methods. As is usually the case, Columbo's first instinct about the identity of the murderer was correct. Vaughn's character was a bit naive to see through Columbo's feigned innocence as Columbo confided in Vaughn the problems he encountered to solve the murder. The ending is great. The supporting cast was also first-rate. This is for me the peak season for the series ("Negative Reaction", "An Exercise in Fatality", "A Deadly State of Mind").
Robert Vaughn makes an excellent, albeit novice, villain. His plan to murder his lover was pedestrian, but he didn't expect Lt. Columbo to be on board the boat--I mean ship.
I think the script was sublime in placing Columbo in an environment to solve a crime via primitive methods. As is usually the case, Columbo's first instinct about the identity of the murderer was correct. Vaughn's character was a bit naive to see through Columbo's feigned innocence as Columbo confided in Vaughn the problems he encountered to solve the murder. The ending is great. The supporting cast was also first-rate. This is for me the peak season for the series ("Negative Reaction", "An Exercise in Fatality", "A Deadly State of Mind").