August 11, 2025: Our Columbo rewatch continues with Murder, Smoke and Shadows!

This episode aired February 27, 1989.

Hot young director Alex Bradey was obviously a nod to hot young director (at the time) Steven Spielberg who directed one of Columbo’s earliest outings “Murder by the Book”. Actor Fisher Stevens, who played the role of Bradey, was a hot young actor at the time, coming off the hugely successful Short Circuit.

The episode is written by Columbo producer Richard Alan Simmons. It would be his sole writing credit for the series. He would go on to write for Mrs. Columbo.

My thoughts on this episode in chronological viewing order…

Looks like he is watching the Amblin card.

I want a bar where I can make ice cream sodas!

Why is this guy stupid enough to show him the incriminating film, inform him that he has yet to show it to anyone else, and then threaten his life? Some victims are just too stupid for sympathy.

Like the previous episode, I really hate this updated musical score.

“What the hell do you know about truth? What’s shadow? What’s substance?” Hooboy. Hammy dialogue alert.

Why is he running away from this little dweeb?

He finds Columbo already awaiting for him in his office. A classic Columbo power move.

Columbo struggling in the bean bag chair is kind of funny, but the water bed gag is just the bean bag chair gag that goes on for too long.

“Excuse me, sir, just one more thing…” Classic.

Why does Columbo fixate on those soda glasses? And why are they full when Columbo notes them and then almost empty when Alex smashes them? This isn’t a simple continuity issue as this is a single shot. Were the originals switched out for production-friendly candy glass?

My favorite character by far in this episode is Rose Walker played by the amazing Nan Martin. She doesn’t take shit from anyone.

Columbo delivering the clue in the model train is…a little too cutesy.

Nice to see Dog put in a cameo, but it’s all too short.

Why would Bradley be stupid enough to leave Columbo to snoop around his office for clues?

I initially liked this scene of Columbo, who we have already established as having a fear of heights, going up in the crane – but boy does this sequence go on for an annoyingly long time.

The Columbo/Battlestar crossover we didn’t know we needed.

Rose conveniently remembers Alex received a call from his old friend. Careful, Rose! Blackmailers never fare well on Columbo.

“You really should have tried the salmon, Alex.” My favorite line of the episode.

The exec is killing his movie. Yeah, I can empathize.

Columbo happens to find the footage!

Would Alex seemingly buying Rose’s silence as iron clad a piece of evidence as everyone assumes here? Wouldn’t the fact that he lied about receiving a call from his old friend, something Rose can confirm, be a stronger piece of evidence? This weird bit of pretzel logic solely serves to set up the big, showy/cringeworthy reveal with the various undercover cops stepping out to take their spotlight bows to musical accompaniment. WORST. GOTCHA. EVER.

Why is Columbo dressed as a ringmaster here?

By far, the very worst episode of Columbo I have seen to date. And Alex is one of Columbo’s feeblest adversaries, both physically and intellectually. His seemingly endless monologues on art and film are excruciating. Overall, this is one hell of a poorly scripted episode. Columbo just happens to find the victim’s heel after being permitted to roam the lot unattended? He also just happens to find the single book on the book shelf containing the ticket after, again, he is permitted to roam (this time Alex’s office) unattended. Even then, it’s all circumstantial evidence that would never stand up in court.

I don’t know. Two episodes into this return season and I am seriously underwhelmed. If the next two episodes don’t turn things around, I may have to end the rewatch with season 8.

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