PLOT: A psychologist (George Hamilton) murders the husband of a patient (Lesley Ann Warren) in passionate rage and they agree to cover it up as a break-in. When it becomes apparent that the delicate woman might expose the murder the doctor uses hypnosis to control the situation. Karen Machon, a low-rent Angie Dickinson, is on hand as a colleague.
COMMENTARY: The first half is routine with a boring intro based around psychotherapy & hypnotism but, thankfully, the story perks up in the second half with the rumpled sleuth meeting friends of the doctor at a house party and, especially, a surprising turn of events. Columbo again stages things at the climax to crack his quarry.
Hamilton would resurface in the series 16 years later in the worthy "Caution: Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health" (1991).
GRADE: B
COMMENTARY: The first half is routine with a boring intro based around psychotherapy & hypnotism but, thankfully, the story perks up in the second half with the rumpled sleuth meeting friends of the doctor at a house party and, especially, a surprising turn of events. Columbo again stages things at the climax to crack his quarry.
Hamilton would resurface in the series 16 years later in the worthy "Caution: Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health" (1991).
GRADE: B