Ep 2. Ransom for a Dead Man

In the second episode of Columbo's first season, titled "Ransom for a Dead Man," the beloved detective played by Peter Falk investigates an unusual kidnapping case. Leslie Williams, a wealthy heiress, fakes her own kidnapping and murder in order to extort a ransom from her husband, who she suspects is having an affair. Williams hires a staff member to play the kidnapper and leaves clues for the police in order to make the hoax more convincing.

When Williams demands the ransom from her husband, he contacts the police, and Columbo is assigned to the case. The detective quickly picks up on the various inconsistencies in the evidence and starts to suspect that Williams may still be alive. Despite Williams' efforts to cover her tracks, Columbo is certain that she is the mastermind behind the elaborate scheme.

Throughout the episode, viewers see Columbo using his trademark tactics of manipulation and disarming charm to gain information from suspects. He also employs some more creative methods, such as faking a vomiting fit to get a key piece of evidence from a suspect's coat pocket.

Eventually, Columbo's investigation leads him to Williams' hiding place, where he confronts her and reveals that he knows the whole story. In a tense scene, Columbo convinces Williams to reveal the location of the ransom money and turn herself in to the police.

The episode is notable for its clever plot and the chemistry between Falk and Lee Grant, who plays Leslie Williams. The character of Columbo is further developed in this episode, with viewers getting a glimpse into his personal life and his attention to detail in both his professional and personal spheres.

Overall, "Ransom for a Dead Man" is a classic Columbo episode that showcases the detective's intelligence and wit in solving an intricate crime.