And mat I like it when the murderer is arrogant and self-centered and uppity...it makes it all the more delicious when Columbo gets him!
Alex was one cocky guy...picking up the flower, as stephen pointed out. Actually trying to deny doing it to Columbo, who SAW him do it. Running to the garage in broad daylight. And as mat pointed out, taking the chance that the car might not work...and what if Mike The Mechanic had locked the window? Even the murder itself was risky....what if Jenifer had come to before the gas got to her. He was very sure of himself and arrogant to the core....And that's why I love him!!

I agree that there are numerous problems
with the story, as others have pointed out,
such as Alex picking up the flower in a very
flamboyant way in front of Columbo, and I have
stated before that Alex's insistence that "it had
to be suicide" was unbelievably stupid, because
as someone supposedly uninvolved in the case, it
was very suspucious to make such a statement.
Given all that, it is one of my favorite episodes,
because there is more to the shows than simply the
mechanics of the plot--the acting (both men were supberb), the directing and the chemistry between
Columbo and the suspect are all very good in this one.

I obviously totally agree with everything you said here, YM.
One of the biggest aspects of Columbo that I enjoy is that interaction and chemistry between Columbo and the murderer. I think that is one of the many reasons why Columbo as a show stands far and away above most mystery shows. For me the relationship between him and the murderer is central to the whole show.
And as far as plot problems with Etude, yes there are many...but just as with Any Old Port In A Storm...the relationship between Columbo and Alex far outweighs the plot problems.

Saw Any old port again on saturday night and thought it was a great episode. We will just have to disagree and maybe after watching it a few times it will get better but i mainly found it slow and Alex really just got on my nerves, not for being an arrogant person but the character simply bugged me the whole way thru. Unlike all the other killers where you joy from seeing columbo catching them i was left thinking "is that it - ow well".

Shame really. Still certainly nowhere near the worse epsiode list.

God bless,

Matthew

That is why we are here Matthew. To agree to disagree. That is how the discussion happens. Everyone has their favorites, and their not-so-favorites.
Again with this episode, I am very biased because I am such a maniac over JC, and his personal real-life relationship with Peter...so it is hard for me to speak very rationally about it.
I find the ending quite satisfying.
One ending which could have been a bit longer was Playback. You see Gena Rowlands' face as her husband has just come apart in front of her eyes and then it is over....I had really wished that Columbo could have said something more to her and the scene could have been a bit longer.

mat & stymye........not to over-labour this, but do you think that you really didn't enjoy JC's character and the episode as well because you weren't all that familiar with him and his past acting work. Most of the Columbo murderers were "names"...either tv or film stars...and JC was a lot more obscure than them.
Well, it was just a thought on my part. It is possible that this might have something to do with the fact that you don't like Alex's character or the episode all that much.

(ok....i am reaching for straws here!!! i just can't understand why you guys don't like my johnny ......but believe me, as i have said, you are here to express your opinions and i love that...so you go!! guys!! )

well....It's possible... If he is naturaly boring in his past work, than I probably should give him more credit.He's your favorite columbo villan so I won't say any more negative things from now on ...promise

Um.....I never said he was naturally boring in his past work...he was dynamic!! Believe me he was. Just check out some of his stuff....he was a little pistol.
And feel free to say anything negative about him...that is why we are here....but just remember that cassa will come back with some wonderful 'etudes' to Johnny!!