As an early reviewer has capably noted: the two types of Columbo episodes are the battle of wits and the character study. It's easy to dislike the arrogant, overly-confident narcissists whom he outwits in the former type (some of which seem disturbingly natural and perfectly comfortable acting superior and untouchable in their roles), but with the greatest of actors (for example, Ruth Gordon as the mystery writer and in this episode, a Mensa-type genius as portrayed by Theodore Bikkel), a close study of their character revealing more about how a person can be so broken by life as to commit murder. This episode initially looks like the former type, with Bikkel's character convinced of his intellectual genius & scornful of even his fellow geniuses. But slowly it's revealed how insecure and lonely he is, and utterly dysfunctional his marital relationship is. "Most people hate smart people, and children especially hate smart children." He begins to feel a kind of connection to the unpretentious and perpetually underestimated police lieutenant, who explains how he owes his career success as a detective to a superior work ethic (an earlier quote: "I'm working, and frankly can't remember when I wasn't.") Many apparently don't care to have their villains analyzed ("softened") in this way, as stereotypical evil is easier to root against.
Review of The Bye-Bye Sky High I.Q. Murder Case
