I've always thought of it as Columbo's greatest challenge -- taking on the guy who has real authority over him, not just a rich bully who thinks he can wreck Columbo by putting in a few words with his buddies downtown, but a man who has actual power to take away almost everything that Columbo lives for. Columbo MUST win this one, not with just a weak insinuation but with solid proof -- and of course he does. And victory is sweet.

That's interesting about the real situation.

And what a fabulous ending when Columbo tells the Police Commissioner about the apartment...

My favorite part of the episode is that career criminal Artie Jessup actually becomes a good guy, an important ally.

I wish I could answer Stephen's original question, but I have no idea.