The worst Columbo ever was "No time to die." This was the second worst. Why? Because Columbo was completely out of character, and committed reprehensible and illegal acts in trapping his prey: he plainly assaulted the suspect (death threats and ramming his car), held him against his will, extorted evidence (the location of the gun), a confession, and under threat of death a an ongoing covenant to take the fall.
Columbo is supposed to be a sympathetic goody-goody character (albeit a slob), not a felon.
Columbo is supposed to be a sympathetic goody-goody character (albeit a slob), not a felon.