aaaManycriminalsmadethemistakeofunderestimatingLieutenantColumbo,ahomicideinvestigatorwithacrumpledtrench-coatandabeat-upcar,whocertainlyactedasanincompetentbumbler. Buthewassopolitetoeverysuspect,andhetalkedsomuchabouthiswife(whowenevergottoseeonanyepisode,butwhomanybelievelaterhadherownshow,starringKateMulgrew,laterofStarTrekVoyagerfame)thathelulledeventheshrewdestmurdererintoafalsesenseofsecurity. Andalthoughtheaudiencehadwitnessedthemurderinthebeginningofeachepisode,itwasstillasurprisetoseewhatmistakesthekillershadmadeduringtheseeminglyperfectmurder.
