Columbo "Double Shock" #2.8 (1973) (TV)

Twice the Landau = Twice the Fun, 24 February 2006

As far as episodes of Columbo go, Double Shock is neither the best I've seen, nor is it the worst. It rests firmly in the middle. On the positive side, this episode presents a nice change-of-pace from the norm. In every other Columbo I've seen, not only do you know how the murder was committed, but you know beyond a shadow of a doubt who the killer is. Double Shock is a real mystery. It's not until the final reveal that crucial elements of the murder and the identity of the murderer are revealed.

But, there are negatives. Far too much of Double Shock's runtime is made up of scenes that have nothing to do with advancing the plot. Columbo often goes off on tangents, but he does so to prove a point or discover something about a suspect. Not here. Scenes like those where Columbo argues with the housekeeper or where Columbo appears on a cooking show have nothing to do with the meat of the story. Columbo gains nothing making these scenes pointless.

6/10