i felt that way when i saw the episode in it original run and still agree when i watch it on rerun . you have the culprit totally mock columbo throughout the episode and treat him like he have down syndrome . and in the end you see their shock when columbo get them dead to right and arrest them . you also get a realistic reaction from the arrogant preppy killer . they stillcouldn not give columbo his prop and say he just get lucky . i like the formula where there be an elaborate crime and the killer ( s ) totally underestimate columbo and and then you get their realization that columbo be totally play the criminal . i recall in the first few episode of the post 1989 episode they weren not follow that formula and this be the first episode that i be pleased with .