Simple. Because of the Jewish influence. Always evil. Always subversive. Always disruptive. Doubt that? Just wait to see the replies. Assuming my post lasts long enough to elicit any posted to this forum. Oy! Oy!

One common thread that links "By Dawn's Early Light", "A Case Of Immunity" and "The Conspirators" was Howard Berk's involvement as either the main writer or contributor (although I don't believe "Immunity" is usually credited in any way to Berk, he makes a brief mention in "The Columbo Phile" that he had some initial involvement in the development of the story). It seems as though that sort of story must have been of particular interest to him; I'm not familiar myself with any of his writing credits in other series, but it would be interesting to know if they included similar themes.

I agree, those episodes had a nice way of not letting the weighty subject matter interfere with the series' established formula. My only problem with "The Conspirators", though, is its place as the finale for the initial run of the series, and in that regard I feel the specialized subject matter (and musical score) was unfitting. To me, several other seventh season episodes that placed a greater emphasis on some of the rich traditions and familiar themes of the series would have been more appropriate for an ending, but perhaps that's being a little nit-picky.

I agree, those episodes had a nice way of not letting the weighty subject matter interfere with the series' established formula. My only problem with "The Conspirators", though, is its place as the finale for the initial run of the series, and in that regard I feel the specialized subject matter (and musical score) was unfitting. To me, several other seventh season episodes that placed a greater emphasis on some of the rich traditions and familiar themes of the series would have been more appropriate for an ending, but perhaps that's being a little nit-picky.[/quote]


I definitely agree with that. Sometimes the finale of a series can be perfectly all right with you in other ways, but it just doesn't "feel" like it should be the finale.
Even people who hate LAST SALUTE FOR THE COMMODORE like that image of Columbo going off in that rowboat while "This Old Man" is playing, and think of that as a great final scene.

Hum. Is this the real Bert. Or is it someone who is using his name. Long time ago someone posed as a different member, and I would not doubt that the same person is now using the Bert name. It is about that time when we would expedt "I C Thru You" "Messi" idiot to return, as 'it' does every few months. That idiot also has some anger issues and has made similar comments before.

I feel sorry for him.

I think they went out of their way to avoid social relevance, and I think it was a good thing. I've said before that the creators of the show had a clear vision of what the show was, and I don't think social relevance was part of it.

A couple of times, Columbo gives speeches that seem out of place, and I think it was cases of them veering from the vision a little. I'm thinking of in "Etude in black" where he is talking with the other detective about how sad suicide is. Also in Candidate for Crime, where he talks about how tragic it is when politicians get killed.

One episode I wonder about is "Make me a perfect murder", I wonder if it was meant at least in part as some kind of commentary on feminism. Possibly anti-feminist. As in, this woman thinks she's so great she uses murder to get her shot, and then when she gets her shot it turns out she's not qualified for the job, just like the victim told her. Of course this character is fictitious, so this would just be the attitude of the writer, who might have issues with female executives in the entertainment business. And then there's always the chance that this is all in my head.

I know what you mean by that. So many stories (and other things) that most of the world see as pro-feminist can be taken just the opposite way, And even the opposite thing can be true - something that you're constantly told is sexist can be PRO-feminist in a subtle way.

I have exactly the same concerns every time I watch ...Perfect Murder. I don't believe that one can ever be taken as entirely pro-feminism though I think if it was intended as anti-feminism it could have been a lot more savage. I suspect it may be anti-feminist but think it's simply meant to be ironic and a commentary on the character of Kay Freestone rather that a general criticism of ambitious women. Afterall it was made clear that if Mark had been prepared to recommend her for the job she'd have got it easily without opposition. Then again I you want to write an anti-feminist critique you probably don't want to be obvious about it my having every as sexist.