Roger (Roddy McDowell) is a very spoiled jerk....but he's been able to stay working at the chemical plant because he's the nephew of the owner. But the owner's husband (James Gregory) is sick of bailing Roger out of problems and is determined to buy him out and force him out of the company. But before he can do this, the seemingly lazy Roger comes up with a clever plan to blow up his uncle...and it succeeds wonderfully (unless you are the uncle). Can Columbo figure it out or will this just be seen as an accidental death?
There were a couple problems which prevented it from being better. First, Columbo figures out the solution to the case almost immediately. Sure, he's smart...but the only way the character could know as quickly as he did was if they read the script!! Second, Roddy McDowell's character was very smug...and easy to hate. He also had some very annoying mannerisms and my family was rooting for him to die...which isn't going to happen since he's the villain. A bit of a misstep for the series.
There were a couple problems which prevented it from being better. First, Columbo figures out the solution to the case almost immediately. Sure, he's smart...but the only way the character could know as quickly as he did was if they read the script!! Second, Roddy McDowell's character was very smug...and easy to hate. He also had some very annoying mannerisms and my family was rooting for him to die...which isn't going to happen since he's the villain. A bit of a misstep for the series.