To be honest I watch this eposode now, only to create this topic here. It is definately the worst one from the original series for me. For every reason, not typical Columbo. political things involved, no typical LA, I don't like the killer, acting, I even have personal reasons not to like it because it is connected with Ireland (I mean my private live). So, let's have some opinions:
- who is this Kerry guy? why is he involved?
- the Devlin's performance with joking is pathetic for me, not funny at all..
- Kate O'Connell, and her son.... for me they look the same age :P
- I think Mr Pauley was the least innocent victim in the whole series, normally we feel sorry for them, not here
- how stupid can you be to leave the bottle of whisky like that?
- it looks like Columbo really quickly entertained himself with games after coming to Devlin's house
- Columbo says they found a book in the top coat pocket, did't Devlin say that he took everything from the room?
- why Devlin came to the hotel room to speak with Columbo? who asked him to do that?
- when they play darts, Columbo needs 66 points, and then he scores the middle of target, I think it doesn't count that way
- I don't understand how could Kerry check TV programs of Pauley's??
- I watch it with English subtitles. Columbo says about his nephew "it seems to relax him before he goes into those weightlifting contests". I REALLY can't hear how Columbo says "weightlifting" word... How can you Americans understand that? :D
- how could Coplumbo see Devlin in the Captain's window?? it was so far away. How could have he recognized him?
- Columbo calls a radio show. Was it so easy at this days to just call and be online?
- does really every diamond in the world has its own pattern?
- ending reminds me a little about ending with Ms Williams :)
I know that Jeanette Nolan was always playing characters older than she was, so maybe she and Bernard Behrens ARE about the same age (for all I know).
It's easy to have mixed feelings about Pauley. He's an arms dealer, but he's killed for cheating Devlin when he DIDN'T cheat him.
This has always been one of my favorite episodes, so I'll try to answer a few of your questions, Matti.
- Kerry is some sort of underling for Devlin. There may have been some family connection between the two back in Ireland (his parents knew Devlin's parents or the O'Connells. Devlin and the O'Connells "rescue" poor Kerry from the bad streets of Belfast, but he manages to help them out doing various things like following gun dealers on his motorcycle and looking for clues on TV guides.
- The book in the pocket has always bothered me, too.
- Back to the TV Guide - Devlin said he grabbed EVERY scrap of paper in that room. We are to assume (aside from the book) that means EVERYTHING, including Pauley's TV Guide. Kerry simply did a bit of detective work.
- The visit to the hotel: Devlin was bothered by the writing on the book and wanted to speak to Columbo, in an effort to make himself seem less suspicious. I think we can assume he phoned the police headquarters or some such thing and perhaps they directed him to the hotel.
- Weightlifting - Weightlifting concepts were a big deal back in the 70's and 80's. Not necessarily bodybuilding, just feats of strength (deadlift, clean and jerk, bench press, etc.). The mention of needlepoint fits in with a former 1960's-70's NFL player, Rosey Grier, a huge lineman who was well-known as someone who did needlepoint, thus showing a man could be tough and tender at the same time.
- Darts - I don't play, but I've read from several different sites that the scoring for that was incorrect.
- I don't see how Columbo could see Devlin in the Captain's window, either. Especially with only one eye!
- Radio Shows: Yes, radio shows did (and some still do) have numbers to call. They usually have a screener who takes the call and puts the caller in a queue. I don't think they showed what would have been the entire conversation between Columbo and the screener, so I've always assumed Columbo told them a bit about himself or his question and they found it so interesting, they put him up at the front of the line.
I know many are critical of this episode as a failed attempt at doing a "politically" centered theme (IRA), the "bogus" Irish accents, etc. I've always enjoyed the episodes where the producers (and Falk, too) tried to stretch the character. It reveals quite a bit about the depth of Columbo's prowess. He's able to solve crimes on ships, crimes in England, crimes in Mexico, crimes in LA, crimes by conductors, photographers, singers and operatives. Why not tackle an IRA gunrunner?
Aside from Devlin's pithy remarks throughout the film (Q: "What's going down?" Devlin Answer: "The world. In terminal descent."), I've always thought Clive Revill's performance is terrific. He's easily one of the most talented performers to ever guest on Columbo. The extended screen time shared between Revill and Falk drives the episode and highlights the talents of both. L.Q. Jones is also great as the sly "middleman" who happens to sell RVs.
John, thank you for your comment! I review every next episode here and I do it on points on purpose, so they can easily be commented. I always hope that as many as possible of them will be clarified or commented or whatever. And I appreciate all the responses! But always a lot of points are not replied. Your answer is perfect :)
Regarding the darts game, there are different rules, but the way that I always played was that an “outer” bullseye was 50 points and an “inner” bullseye is 100. Columbo hit an inner, giving him the points he needed to win (100). I could be misremembering the game score though.
You are welcome, Matti! I enjoy reading your posts, even if I don't have time to respond to each one. Cheers!
Ah! Brett, you may be right. I'll have to watch it again, but that would explain his presence. Not sure how he would have been able to just walk right in, however, as I would think it would still be a police crime scene. As a counter to that, though, is the fact that we don't see any tape up around the door, etc. The body outline, however, is still visible on the floor and Columbo is going there regularly. Plus, Devlin says to him, "I remember now, it (the "Ourselves Alone") was already there."
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