There are two actors I really love, who played killers in Columbo: Robert Culp and Patrick McGoohan. The fact they played in multiple episodes means they really did put in masterful performances.
Patrick McGoohan returns to play in and direct his last episode in the series. The last time it was controversial: we all remember the episode Last Salute to the Commodore. This time, however, he is once again brilliant. His character is so smart and a touch arrogant, the perfect enemy for Lt. Columbo. He keeps evading him, there is no evidence against him. The murder looks like the perfect one. Even the only probable evidence is destroyed, when his coat is washed. But then the cheese and the bite. We, the audience are just as surprised as the killer is. We are also satisfied, as he is. It's just brilliant. McGoohan is defeated but he accepts the loss. It seemed a perfect murder, but there is no such thing. Lt. Columbo had to work really hard on this case but it payed off, as always. Brilliant, just brilliant!!!
Patrick McGoohan returns to play in and direct his last episode in the series. The last time it was controversial: we all remember the episode Last Salute to the Commodore. This time, however, he is once again brilliant. His character is so smart and a touch arrogant, the perfect enemy for Lt. Columbo. He keeps evading him, there is no evidence against him. The murder looks like the perfect one. Even the only probable evidence is destroyed, when his coat is washed. But then the cheese and the bite. We, the audience are just as surprised as the killer is. We are also satisfied, as he is. It's just brilliant. McGoohan is defeated but he accepts the loss. It seemed a perfect murder, but there is no such thing. Lt. Columbo had to work really hard on this case but it payed off, as always. Brilliant, just brilliant!!!