Ep 8. A Friend in Deed

Columbo season 3 episode 8, titled "A Friend in Deed," centers around a wealthy businessman named Mark Halperin. Halperin is a successful and respected member of the community, known for his philanthropy and charitable contributions.

One day, Halperin's friend and business partner, Jim Ferris, is found dead in his office. The police suspect foul play, and Halperin comes under suspicion due to his close relationship with Ferris and the fact that he stands to benefit from Ferris's death.

Enter Lieutenant Columbo, the iconic detective with a disheveled appearance and a brilliant mind. Columbo is assigned to the case and begins to dig deeper into Ferris's murder.

As Columbo investigates, he uncovers a web of lies, deceit, and greed. He discovers that Halperin is not the philanthropist he appears to be, but rather a ruthless businessman willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead.

Throughout the episode, Columbo employs his unique and unassuming approach to solving the case. He appears to be befuddled and disorganized, but in reality, he is razor-sharp and highly observant.

As the investigation progresses, Columbo begins to close in on the killer. He follows numerous leads, conducts interviews, and pieces together the evidence to form a cohesive picture of what happened to Ferris and why.

Along the way, Columbo employs a number of clever tactics, including planting seeds of doubt in Halperin's mind, using a fake photograph to get a suspect to reveal their location, and using his own bumbling appearance to elicit confessions from suspects.

Ultimately, Columbo cracks the case and reveals the identity of Ferris's killer. Through his relentless pursuit of the truth, he exposes a complex web of deceit and motives and brings justice to the victim and his family.

Overall, "A Friend in Deed" is a classic episode of Columbo that showcases the unique style and approach of the iconic detective. It is a must-see for fans of the show and lovers of classic detective dramas.