I'm going to try and review all the Columbo episodes I have ever seen, which will certainly keep me busy over the next few weeks, if not months. I'm going to start with the newer episodes and work backwards. Having just watched the 10th Season DVDs repeatedly, "Death Hits The Jackpot" is the standout episode of the series, and a fitting way to kick off my reviews.
Two words make this episode so special and memorable: Rip and Torn. He must be one of the very best Columbo murderers of all time, and this episode makes an excellent way of introducing people to the series (some of the colours and fashions of the 70s episodes may scare some younger viewers off!). But Rip Torn, infamous as Artie in The Larry Sanders Show, plays the archetypal Columbo villain here, and he plays the role to perfection. Like many Columbo murderers, Leon Lemarr comes across to his friends and family as funny, charming and lovable. He is a high-calibre jewellery salesman who gives the outward appearance of being wealthy, successful and well-respected. But the truth is, his finances are in dire straits, and his creditors are starting to close in on him.
When Leon's rather naive nephew Freddie Brower reveals that he has won the lottery jackpot, but doesn't want to go public in case his soon-to-be-ex-wife claims half the winnings, Leon comes up with the perfect plan. He persuades Freddie to pass over the winning ticket, Leon will publicly claim the jackpot and then privately pay Freddie the money. Whether or not he immediately plans to deceive his nephew is not made clear; I would imagine that at first he genuinely wants to help out but soon hatches a much darker plot once he realises just how much money he could make if he kills Freddie and keeps the cash for himself.
The rest of the plot is typical Columbo - the "perfect" murder is carried out, Lt Columbo comes on the scene to investigate and is the only one not to believe the death was merely a tragic accident. Gradually Columbo picks away at the loose ends that don't tie up, pestering away at his suspect until eventually he has all the proof he needs to make an arrest. This happens in all but one Columbo episode that I've seen and the fun comes from watching Columbo slowly but surely close the net on the murderer. More often than not, Columbo has already suspected the killer from his first few meetings with him.
What makes an episode better or worse than the others is down to many things: the believability of the plot, the quality of the acting, and the gradually shifting dynamic between smart and elegant killer/scruffy and apparently-stupid Columbo, ultimately leading to worn-out killer/triumphant Columbo. So an actor playing a Columbo villain has to cover a wide arc of emotions - from arrogant good humour through to desperate paranoia. "Death Hits The Jackpot" scores very well on all three counts.
The plot is made slightly more complex by the addition of an accomplice, and Rip Torn's furious outburst aimed at her when the inevitable finally happens is an excellent conclusion to an excellent episode. The lottery scenario might at first seem a little contrived, but then people win the lottery every week, and it's a common occurrence for fights and arguments to surround the sudden acquisition of a lot of money. The murder itself and Columbo's conclusive evidence are both watertight in terms of logic. Well, nothing I can find fault with, anyway.
This ranks as one of my favourite ever episodes. Brilliant stuff!
Two words make this episode so special and memorable: Rip and Torn. He must be one of the very best Columbo murderers of all time, and this episode makes an excellent way of introducing people to the series (some of the colours and fashions of the 70s episodes may scare some younger viewers off!). But Rip Torn, infamous as Artie in The Larry Sanders Show, plays the archetypal Columbo villain here, and he plays the role to perfection. Like many Columbo murderers, Leon Lemarr comes across to his friends and family as funny, charming and lovable. He is a high-calibre jewellery salesman who gives the outward appearance of being wealthy, successful and well-respected. But the truth is, his finances are in dire straits, and his creditors are starting to close in on him.
When Leon's rather naive nephew Freddie Brower reveals that he has won the lottery jackpot, but doesn't want to go public in case his soon-to-be-ex-wife claims half the winnings, Leon comes up with the perfect plan. He persuades Freddie to pass over the winning ticket, Leon will publicly claim the jackpot and then privately pay Freddie the money. Whether or not he immediately plans to deceive his nephew is not made clear; I would imagine that at first he genuinely wants to help out but soon hatches a much darker plot once he realises just how much money he could make if he kills Freddie and keeps the cash for himself.
The rest of the plot is typical Columbo - the "perfect" murder is carried out, Lt Columbo comes on the scene to investigate and is the only one not to believe the death was merely a tragic accident. Gradually Columbo picks away at the loose ends that don't tie up, pestering away at his suspect until eventually he has all the proof he needs to make an arrest. This happens in all but one Columbo episode that I've seen and the fun comes from watching Columbo slowly but surely close the net on the murderer. More often than not, Columbo has already suspected the killer from his first few meetings with him.
What makes an episode better or worse than the others is down to many things: the believability of the plot, the quality of the acting, and the gradually shifting dynamic between smart and elegant killer/scruffy and apparently-stupid Columbo, ultimately leading to worn-out killer/triumphant Columbo. So an actor playing a Columbo villain has to cover a wide arc of emotions - from arrogant good humour through to desperate paranoia. "Death Hits The Jackpot" scores very well on all three counts.
The plot is made slightly more complex by the addition of an accomplice, and Rip Torn's furious outburst aimed at her when the inevitable finally happens is an excellent conclusion to an excellent episode. The lottery scenario might at first seem a little contrived, but then people win the lottery every week, and it's a common occurrence for fights and arguments to surround the sudden acquisition of a lot of money. The murder itself and Columbo's conclusive evidence are both watertight in terms of logic. Well, nothing I can find fault with, anyway.
This ranks as one of my favourite ever episodes. Brilliant stuff!