I can see Columbo saying, "...I don't know how you're going to explain it sir..for what possible reason were you wearing a mask of yourself?"...
Creighton's new partner was vulnerable at least as an accessory after the fact...
While not a sylogistic proof...What will a jury believe?
I liked this episode because we the viewers were long in suspense as to what Columbo saw...i.e, one of those little things for which he didn't know how to explain it in his report.
I too enjoyed this episode very much. The ending kind of reminds me of the ending of Playback where Columbo studies the film and eventually sees the inivitation on one side of the film, but not the other. Similar yet different. The champagne thing in Murder of a Rock Star is also classic when Columbo wonders abnut the price. But that could be a whole other thread.
This is actually one of the best episodes of the new series.
I enjoy it very much: plenty of clever clues (the raking on the pathway to the sea-cottage, the champagne cork, the lack of the shadow on the mask etc ...).
Very very good: and Columbo is at its best (considering this is a "new episode"): I also like the way he repeatedely watch the film to get disturbing details.