Mind Over Mayhem

The plot was good but the writers for Columbo don't do Sci-Fi/mystery all that well. The Institute is a gee wiz think tank that is a little too much to believe. Add in the Robot and real world is kind of pushed aside. Add in the pre-pubessant genius and it steps even farther away from the real world. I won't say it was dreadful, it stretches reality a bit far. I keep waiting for the robot to wave its arms while shouting, "Danger, danger, rum Will Robinson" Even the military gathered around the game board is very far from what it would really be like. That much brass in that room brings huge egos that tend to shout and posture a lot. This war game was way too sedate and quiet. It is interesting to watch Lt Columbo navigate thru a think tank that is way too fake.

The episode is not a total loss as the Lt. does what he soes best, chew through the misplaced Sci-Fi BS to find the perp.