Ep 1. Columbo Goes to the Guillotine

Columbo Goes to the Guillotine is the first episode of Season 8 of the iconic television series, Columbo. The episode begins with the murder of a psychic, Max Dyson, who was also the star of a stage show in San Francisco. The killer, known only as The Great Santini, somehow managed to execute the murder while leaving no trace of evidence behind.

When the police arrive at the scene of the crime, they find that nothing has been taken from Dyson's home. This leads them to believe that the motive was not theft, and that it was a premeditated murder. The Great Santini is known to be a master of deception, and he can make people believe whatever he wants them to believe, so the police wonder if he is able to fool them into thinking that he is innocent.

This is where Columbo comes in. He is known for his unconventional methods of solving crimes, and he is asked to investigate the murder. He quickly discovers that the victim's political views may have played a role in his death, as there are plans to put a guillotine on display at San Francisco's City Hall.

Columbo starts his investigation by talking to everyone who had access to Max Dyson. He speaks to the members of Max's team, who are all convinced that The Great Santini is innocent. In fact, they say that they saw him performing on stage at the time of the murder. However, Columbo is not easily fooled, and he continues his investigation.

As he delves deeper, Columbo discovers that the real motive behind the murder was not politics, but something else entirely. He begins to suspect that The Great Santini may have had an accomplice, and he starts to pay closer attention to everyone around him.

Columbo Goes to the Guillotine is a classic episode of the show, with all the twists and turns that fans have come to expect from the series. Peter Falk is once again excellent as the titular detective, and he brings his trademark charm and wit to the role.

The episode is also notable for its guest stars, with Anthony Andrews playing The Great Santini, and Karen Austin playing his assistant, Lillian Stanhope. Both give strong performances, particularly Andrews, who manages to make The Great Santini both likable and menacing at the same time.

One of the standout scenes of the episode is when Columbo sits down for a reading with The Great Santini. The two men engage in a battle of wits, with Columbo trying to use his own intuition to get a read on The Great Santini. It's a great scene, and it's one that fans of the show will no doubt appreciate.

Overall, Columbo Goes to the Guillotine is a great start to Season 8 of the iconic series. It has everything that fans love about the show, from the clever twists and turns, to the memorable guest stars, to the always excellent performance from Peter Falk. It's a must-watch for any fan of the show, and it's a great introduction to anyone who has yet to discover the brilliance of Columbo.