The first Columbo after a pretty long hiatus, and the '80s are almost over, even. Inspector Frank Columbo has aged, and it shows, but not all too much. He has become a lot more agreeable and subtle in his manner, but that's just my observation.
The first episode starts out with a pretty long intro, with quite a few twists and turns. Anthony Andrews and Alan Fudge play well enough, and Andrews gets to do the whole show - a good choice; he may seem rather fragile, but he can dish it out with verve.
The part with the 'distant viewing' is interesting (something the military have actually dabbled with, apparently), but the repeating act with Columbo and the kid seemed a bit too much. Maybe they wanted to give the kid (Michael Bacall, if I'm not mistaken) a career boost?
The case itself is nicely put together, as usual, even if it, as usual, seems a little far-fetched. But it's a TV-show, with the emphasis on show, and it's all quite entertaining.
ll in all, a pleasant return of the L.A. trench-coat detective. 7 out of 10.
The first episode starts out with a pretty long intro, with quite a few twists and turns. Anthony Andrews and Alan Fudge play well enough, and Andrews gets to do the whole show - a good choice; he may seem rather fragile, but he can dish it out with verve.
The part with the 'distant viewing' is interesting (something the military have actually dabbled with, apparently), but the repeating act with Columbo and the kid seemed a bit too much. Maybe they wanted to give the kid (Michael Bacall, if I'm not mistaken) a career boost?
The case itself is nicely put together, as usual, even if it, as usual, seems a little far-fetched. But it's a TV-show, with the emphasis on show, and it's all quite entertaining.
ll in all, a pleasant return of the L.A. trench-coat detective. 7 out of 10.