a psychiatrist and dr. marcus collier who be the head of the institute of behavioral study and be have an affair with one of his patient and be use extreme method to render information from her during hypnosis session so that he can write a revolutionary book . when the patient husband threaten to expose him and a fight involve the three of them ensues and collier accidentally kill him while he quickly decide to make it look like two intruder execute the act during a burglary . a refreshingly originally conceive columbo adventure and which like death lend a hand and dagger of the mind feature a spontaneous act of manslaughter and which be cover up to become a murder . another asset to this episode be and in spite of the simplicity of the carefully craft burglar cover up and how columbo be able to increasingly undermine it likelihood with element the viewer be largely unable to telegraph . this be unusually convey by columbo at a party full of guest while an engaging and sharply observed sequence and which also see the murderer cleverly execute the murder of this lover through hypnosis over the telephone . one must also mention the quality of hamilton performance in all of this while his character womanise way be typically exhibited and but his presence in this episode warrant respect and especially consider his unflappability and self assuredness while trait which be powerfully upheld until the closing scene and when he try to undermine columbo perception of proof and the validity of an eye witness ( who come forward rather conveniently late in proceeding ) in front of his colleague . like death lend a hand and mind over mayhem and negative reaction columbo effectively gamble on the murderer implicate himself . the methodology use here be mind blowingingly clever and cap another very worthwhile case for columbo aficionado .