I didn't like the I.R.A. angle either. Columbo is too genteel of a show (if that's the right word) to truly portray the dark underbelly of a terrorist organization. One of the most ridiculous scenes was the sequence that showed Joe Devlin "shopping around" for a new gun supplier. One of his old contacts tells him that he's totally legitimate now and won't take a chance dealing in illegal operations. Devlin simply drives away in frustration.

Yeah, an I.R.A. terrorist is really going to take "no" for an answer. In a realistic drama, Devlin would MAKE that fellow supply him with guns whether he likes it or not -- by holding a knife to his throat, blowing up his car, kidnapping his spouse or child, or any number of other persuasions.

I do like that way that (like so many COLUMBOS) it muddles things when it comes to whether the victim "asks for it" or not. After all, he's an arms dealer (someone the audience isn't meant to sympathize with), but he gets murdered for supposedly cheating Devlin when he wasn't.

I've always liked this episode. I love the music, Revill is so talented, despite the caricatured Devlin, and the final lines are perfect.