That's true regarding "Death Lends a Hand". And regarding the raincoat...in "Now You See Him", Mrs. C buys him a new one and he's seen without any raincoat in several scenes.

Thanks, I was hoping we could get others to think about it and tell me I'm crazy or just maybe there's something to it...

Take care

You are not crazy. You know how we all are here.....we disect every nuance of every episode!

Could our hero have meant by "that" a change in his goals and lifestyle--from serving the public to serving himself? He's a natural public servant, feeling as called to his duty as many priests and teachers feel called to theirs? Then again, maybe I'm reading too much into it, too.

That may be going a bit far. The way he says it, I think there's something very specific intended. Which leads me to believe that it was a "minimum information" puzzle to solve -- just like the gold pieces.

Ok...how about this....David pointed this out earlier.....could it be the whole possible "ending" of the series thingy. It was the last episode of the 6th season. And maybe it was a reference to Peter himself...and that he could never do "that", meaning be anything other than an actor, and also Columbo?
But if we go with your "minimum information" theory, James, well do you have any insight there as what the puzzle could be?
I'm getting a headache!!

Every time I see that episode, I keep thinking that Columbo is specifically addressing a direct suggestion posed by Brandt; but I've never been able to figure out what he may be referencing. No insights -- that's why I thought I'd try here.

I assumed that Bikel was suggesting a career in crime, as Columbo had just demonstrated that he would be too smart to be caught.

Btw, as someone who always watched columbo in italian, I have to say it doesn't come across this way in the italian version: brandt asks him "tenente, non ha mai pensato di cambiare professione?" "lieutenant, have you ever thought to change your line of work?", and he answers "no, mai, non saprei fare altro" "no, never, I wouldn't be able to do anything else", implying he knows how to do ONE thing very well and that is being a detective, so at least in the italian version there's no hidden meaning.