Ep 5. Dead Weight

The show Columbo revolves around the character of Lieutenant Columbo, a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department, who is known for his signature style of solving crimes by a careful study of the suspects and their movements. The season 1 episode 5 of the show, named Dead Weight, follows the same pattern as its predecessors and is a delightful watch for fans of the classic detective genre.

Dead Weight begins with the murder of a shipping magnate, named Henry Flemming, who is found dead in his office. Suspicion immediately falls on his business partner, Charles Clay, with whom he had been feuding over the running of the company. Columbo is called in to investigate the case and he arrives at the scene of the crime with his classic trench coat, cigar, and dogged determination to solve the case.

As Columbo begins to investigate the case, he soon discovers that the murder weapon used to kill Flemming was unique – it was a ship's clock, which had been used to strike him on the head and kill him. The clock, however, was found in the ocean several miles away from the scene of the crime, which makes it difficult to immediately identify the murderer.

Despite this, Columbo slowly begins to unravel the mystery surrounding the case. He discovers that Flemming had been planning to retire soon and had been making arrangements to sell out his share of the company to Clay. This knowledge strengthens Columbo's suspicion that Clay is the murderer and he continues to build his case against him.

As the investigation progresses, Columbo begins to notice some peculiarities in Clay's behavior. Clay seems to be very calm and collected, even when it becomes apparent that the police are closing in on him. Columbo, ever the astute observer, picks up on this and begins to exploit it in his interactions with Clay.

Columbo continues to gather evidence against Clay, including a key witness who saw Clay's car near the coast around the time of the murder. In addition, he also finds a piece of rope in Clay's trunk, which he believes was used to tie up the clock and throw it into the ocean. Slowly but surely, Columbo begins to build up a strong case against Clay.

The climax of the episode occurs in a tense confrontation between Columbo and Clay, where the detective finally confronts the murderer with all the evidence he has gathered against him. The scene is brilliantly acted out by both actors, with Columbo using his unique style to break down Clay's calm exterior and force him to confess to the crime.

The episode is a classic example of the Columbo series, featuring all the key elements of a great detective story. The writing is sharp and tightly plotted, with a satisfying conclusion that ties together all the loose ends. Peter Falk gives an outstanding performance as the titular character, showcasing his trademark wit, intelligence, and tenacity.

In conclusion, Dead Weight is a must-watch episode for fans of the Columbo series. It is a captivating and entertaining hour of television that showcases the best of the classic detective genre.