This is a great episode of the series, one you must try and catch! Falk and Gordon go back and forth throughout the episode once trying to outsmart the other. They both idolise each other which makes for some entertaining encounters between the two of them.
The high point of this episode without a shadow of a doubt is Columbo's speech at the club. The fact that he personally tells his feelings on the job is great and really develops the character of Columbo. The things he says there, while some would have thought were true anyways, still make for a memorable moment.
Despite all the praise I didn't enjoy Gordon's character. I thought she was too over-the-top, too ambitious. Also, unlike some killers, she just gave away herself on too many occasions.
Another brilliant part of the episode is when Gordon thinks she's safe but then Falk comes back to haunt her one final time. The way in which he discovers the murderer is brilliant. One by one he pieces together the puzzle and at the end he is as baffled as Gordon. He knew, yet he couldn't believe it either. This pleasant and funny granny really did commit such a terrible act. He really did like her by the end and, despite her cry for not being convicted, she is politely taken away by our detective.
The end is in many ways heartbreaking. A murder is an unforgivable act of crime, yet we grew so close to Gordon and we kind of understand her reasons. It's sad, but criminals do have to pay for their crimes. The same applies to the first victim: the nephew who killed Gordon's daughter is taken care of, just as Gordon is at the end. Yet, I feel as though the murderer will not be convicted, she is very old, weak. It just won't happen. Some sort of reward, I guess.
The high point of this episode without a shadow of a doubt is Columbo's speech at the club. The fact that he personally tells his feelings on the job is great and really develops the character of Columbo. The things he says there, while some would have thought were true anyways, still make for a memorable moment.
Despite all the praise I didn't enjoy Gordon's character. I thought she was too over-the-top, too ambitious. Also, unlike some killers, she just gave away herself on too many occasions.
Another brilliant part of the episode is when Gordon thinks she's safe but then Falk comes back to haunt her one final time. The way in which he discovers the murderer is brilliant. One by one he pieces together the puzzle and at the end he is as baffled as Gordon. He knew, yet he couldn't believe it either. This pleasant and funny granny really did commit such a terrible act. He really did like her by the end and, despite her cry for not being convicted, she is politely taken away by our detective.
The end is in many ways heartbreaking. A murder is an unforgivable act of crime, yet we grew so close to Gordon and we kind of understand her reasons. It's sad, but criminals do have to pay for their crimes. The same applies to the first victim: the nephew who killed Gordon's daughter is taken care of, just as Gordon is at the end. Yet, I feel as though the murderer will not be convicted, she is very old, weak. It just won't happen. Some sort of reward, I guess.