Ep 2. The Greenhouse Jungle

Columbo is an American detective drama series that initially aired from 1971 to 1978, comprising a total of 69 episodes. Season 2 episode 2 is called "The Greenhouse Jungle" and features the legendary Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo in his signature rumpled raincoat, playing his character in his inimitable way, casually smoking a cigar and bumbling his way through the case to trick the bad guy.

The episode opens with two men on a yacht talking about illegal activities where one of them is informing the other that a client wants a millionaire named John Colby to liquidate his greenhouse business. The two men hire a crooked private investigator and head to Colby's estate to carry out the job. When the plan goes wrong, Colby is murdered, and the detective is killed trying to pin the murder on him. Enter Lt. Columbo, who is initially called to investigate the theft of a rose, but quickly realizes there's more to the case and begins to suspect foul play.

As Columbo digs deeper, he finds himself immersed in the unscrupulous world of orchids. As the case develops, it becomes clear that there are several suspects, each with their motivations for wanting Colby dead. There's the wisecracking nephew, who stands to inherit a considerable fortune, the secretary who was in love with Colby and the business partner who wanted to take over the greenhouse. But despite the considerable wealth that surrounds the case, it's clear that all of the potential murderers are extremely small-minded.

As Columbo continues with his investigation, he unearths several clues that help him piece together what happened on the night of the murder and who the real killer might be. But the episode's genius lies in how the Lieutenant is not ready to give up on any lead and refuses to settle for a solution that feels incomplete.

The episode's pacing is deliberate and intense, resulting in a thrilling climax that one can't help but gasp at. The detective's signature ability to probe the interlinking of physical clues to interpersonal relationships is showcased to great effect in season 2 episode 2, making the episode a standout of both Columbo specifically and detective shows in general. The story builds up to a satisfying conclusion, with Columbo not only solving the murder but delivering the culprit to justice in a dramatic final scene.

In conclusion, The Greenhouse Jungle of Columbo season 2 episode 2 has everything fans of detective dramas could want, offering an intricate mystery with a unique ambiance created by the intricate structure of the greenhouse environment. Peter Falk's performance is truly the highlight, and the episode is an excellent example of why the show has been such an enduring classic for fans of the genre.