Goodbye, genius.

Poorly directed, as it gives away far too much in the beginning, so you know how Columbo's going to solve it. It's still fairly enjoyable watching it play out though, as usual.

interplay!

A weak episode of Columbo, with John Cassavetes going a little over the top as a conductor who kills his piano playing mistress. It's comical if you have ever been to a symphonic concert to watch Cassavetes "conducting" the orchestra. It still makes me laugh after all these years.

Great interplay between Falk and Cassavetes as a genial, friendly murderer who nevertheless shows resentment out of his eyes when prodded further by the detective. That being said, it's kind of drawn out, and the reveal is obvious and unimpressive. Still entertaining for the acting and dialogue delivery alone, but that's about it.

Peter Falk had starred in the John Cassavetes-directed "Husbands" and would later star in his masterpiece "A Woman Under the Influence" and in his "Big Trouble", and here Cassavetes "pays him back" by guest-starring in Columbo. Disappointingly, it's not a very good episode. Columbo ends up with what seems like inconclusive evidence, and at one point, he knowingly and in broad daylight presents a child witness to the murder suspect - a definite no-no.