Ep 5. Publish or Perish

Publish or Perish is the fifth episode of the third season of the iconic detective show Columbo. The episode, which aired first on February 2, 1974, was directed by Robert Butler and written by Peter S. Fischer.

The episode focuses on a successful publisher named Riley Greenleaf (Jack Cassidy), who is known for being incredibly arrogant and self-centered. After discovering one of his best-selling authors, Theresa Goren (Leslie Charleson), is planning on leaving his company, Greenleaf grows angry and confronts her about the situation. In a fit of rage, he strangles Goren and makes the scene look like a suicide by hanging.

Enter Lieutenant Columbo (Peter Falk), who is assigned to the case. Despite Greenleaf's attempts to clear his name, Columbo senses that something just doesn't sit right with the supposed suicide. Greenleaf is confident that he'll be able to fool the sometimes-bumbling detective, but soon discovers that Columbo has a knack for asking the right questions and putting the pieces together.

As Columbo digs deeper into the case, he uncovers an array of potential suspects, all with motives for wanting Goren dead. There's her volatile husband, Howard (John Chandler), who seems to have had an affair with a fellow author; the author in question, R.H. Corrigan (Michael Strong), who also had an issue with Goren; and Greenleaf's assistant, Joanne Nicholls (Jeannie Berlin), who was also having an affair with Howard.

Columbo is relentless in his pursuit of the truth, even when it seems like all clues are pointing towards Goren's suicide. He hones in on small details and inconsistencies, ultimately leading him to uncover the truth behind Goren's death.

The episode is a classic example of Columbo's attention to detail and his ability to outsmart even the most cunning of murderers. It also exemplifies the show's signature style of focusing on the killer's perspective, often showing the audience exactly how the crime was committed before watching Columbo piece together the clues.

Overall, Publish or Perish is a thrilling episode that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end. With plenty of twists and turns, it's a must-watch for fans of the show and lovers of the detective genre in general.