The Lt. Columbo Forum

An area where fans from all over can ask each other questions and voice their own ideas and opinions on anything Columbo.

This Forum is fondly dedicated in memory of  "cassavetes45"  (Carleen Zink),
Columbo's greatest fan and a great friend to us all.
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Confusion on Identity Crisis

I've been beating my brains in trying to figure out the relevance of Steinmetz. Nelson Brenner was so smart that he even kept the secret identity from his own people. Also, how does the police sketch artist come up with Steinmetz out of the picture of Brenner standing next to the P(51?) Silver Star plane? Just a couple of burning things that I've been dubbing over in my mind.

Re: Confusion on Identity Crisis

I've wondered about Steinmetz too.

Of course it was Brenner,as such, who did the deed, on the beach known to Leslie Neilson (Geronimo). I guess if the motive was to not pay Geronimo for the old connection, Geronimo was drawn there for the fake deal pending with Steinmetz & go-betweens.

Steinmetz at best was relevant as a contrivance and thusly a person (non-existent) who could be implicated in the murder but never found.

The police sketch, while probably a stretch, was not the trap in the story. It was probably there to help arouse Columbo's suspicion, but more as an interplay tool.

Don't forget, the picture at the amusement park, and Brenner's speech writing alibi were the things that Columbo hung his own hat on.

Re: Confusion on Identity Crisis

I'm confused! Even though I like this one a lot, this episode always confuses me...sometimes I think I get all the facts and then I get confused again!!
The bit about the sketch...I think it was one of the primary traps for Columbo, Bob.
And Fred, if I'm understanding you correctly, the sketch artist got his info from Lawrence Melville...not from the picture with the Silver Star..

Re: Re: Confusion on Identity Crisis

Yes, I think the sketch put Brenner on notice, but it didn't "prove" anything.

The picture at the amusement park with the two together and the Chinese pullout from the Olympics more to the point """prove""" Brenner didn't have an airtight alibi, and he had been lying as to when he wrote that speech for Vito.

Re: Confusion on Identity Crisis

"Confusion on Identity Crisis" ... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Re: Confusion on Identity Crisis

it is a bit ironic...but definitely a good thread title...

Re: Re: Confusion on Identity Crisis

Thanks cass. I try

Re: Confusion on Identity Crisis

it was a t33 silver star!

Re: Confusion on Identity Crisis

well you dun good moosey...um...i mean fred..

and thanks robbie. i was racking my brain trying to remember the actual name of the plane...but i didn't want to cheat and look it up...i just knew you would know what it was. the t33 silver star! i can just hear patrick mcgoohan saying it.

Re: Confusion on Identity Crisis

.....ha...and look at that^..i posted at 3:33!!! yay!

Re: Re: Confusion on Identity Crisis

Cass, sometimes you're out there

Re: Confusion on Identity Crisis

i just thought it was kind of a cute coincidence!

Re: Confusion on Identity Crisis

At the beginning of the episode, you'll see Steimetz in the picture because Brenner is a double agent who is making money from the CIA as an "informant". To be blunt, he's a traitor.
I've always wondered why the CIA Director wasn't suspcious of the extravagant lifestyle of one of his agents (Brenner). I mean, do you think the CIA pays THAT MUCH?