Columbo episode review — 8.1 — Columbo Goes to the Guillotine

Original air date: February 6, 1989
Director: Leo Penn
Writer: William Read Woodfield

Rating: 6/10

Columbo’s return after a decade-long hiatus doesn’t quite recall the glories of the original run of the series, but it’s nice to see him back nonetheless.

This is the first time I’ve ever seen anything from the revival of the series, so I was looking forward to it. It does feel much more modern, right down to the score, which is quite good.

The plot is definitely a bit absurd, though it’s not the first time Columbo has gone in a similar direction. A psychic, Elliott Blake (Anthony Andrews), tries to get a government contract, and collaborates with a magician, Max Dyson (Anthony Zerbe), to verify his ESP abilities. This involves murdering him with the guillotine used in his acts.

Columbo basically has to solve this crime before the government covers for Blake, which is a bit too ridiculous for the show, I’m afraid.

The highlights of the episode, in my opinion, are Columbo’s brief but fun interactions with teenage aspiring magician Tommy (Michael Bacall).

It’s an alright episode. I’d say it’s best than the weaker ones of the original series, but it’s definitely not as good as the better ones.