I really enjoyed this episode because of the clever choices that the writers made in depicting Columbo and his nemesis.
Columbo is not depicted as his usual self in this episode, and that is hinted at by his odd behavior at the crime scene, and then his even more odd behavior at the Adult Lounge where he is entranced by the woman belly dancing. Usually, he would be somewhat shy and reticent about seeing a woman seductively dancing, but in this episode he is very engaged. Columbo seems truly befuddled by Bremmer, so much so that as he's leaving Bremmer's office after questioning him, he doesn't turnaround and say "sir, one more question". No, it's Bremmer that stops Columbo and says, let me see you to your car. In fact this happens twice where Columbo is leaving after questioning Bremmer, and doesn't turn to Bremmer again, but Bremmer stops Columbo. Bremmer seems to relish the cat and mouse game and is amused by Columbo. A clever choice by the writers.
In addition, the CIA involvement puts Columbo distinctly lower in authority to even pursue Bremmer, a CIA operative. Bremmer warns Columbo that he is getting involved in more power and authority than he realizes. The Director of the CIA even sets up a secret meeting with Columbo to basically tell him to stand-down and not pursue a valued CIA agent. Columbo seems awed by the authority of the CIA Director and eager to comply. In my opinion, it is at this point that Columbo knows he has no authority over Bremmer, he will not be able to make an arrest. But the cat and mouse game has not ended. Columbo visits Bremmer at his home, and in an unusual encounter Bremmer hints to Columbo that he has bugged his home, and knows that Columbo's wife enjoys the score from Madam Butterfly and plays it for Columbo. Brennan is in Columbo's head, and even in his home. Bremmer also tells Columbo he knew of the meeting with the Director of the CIA, and even had it set up. Even if Columbo were to go to the Director of the CIA with evidence against Bremmer, it's more likely Columbo would wind up dead than Bremmer be arrested, that is how the CIA works.
In the final scene, Columbo is back in his familiar position, waiting in Bremmer's office for him to arrive with the evidence that proves Bremmer killed Geronimo. The cat and mouse game plays out, and many have commented that Bremmer gave up too easily. The reason is because, in my opinion, he wasn't going to be arrested and he knew that. Their interesting cat-and-mouse game had come to an end and there would be no arrest. That is my interpretation, take it or leave it.
Some have written that they didn't understand why Patrick McGoohan's character, Nelson Bremmer, killed Geronimo. You should watch the opening scene on Youtube and really pay attention, it's easy to miss. They were spys together in South America and had some sort of "currency scheme" which netted them $300k. Geronimo has returned 3 years later and wants to collect, and makes a veiled threat about exposing Bremmer as a double agent. So, that is Bremmer's motivation for eliminating Geronimo.
Columbo is not depicted as his usual self in this episode, and that is hinted at by his odd behavior at the crime scene, and then his even more odd behavior at the Adult Lounge where he is entranced by the woman belly dancing. Usually, he would be somewhat shy and reticent about seeing a woman seductively dancing, but in this episode he is very engaged. Columbo seems truly befuddled by Bremmer, so much so that as he's leaving Bremmer's office after questioning him, he doesn't turnaround and say "sir, one more question". No, it's Bremmer that stops Columbo and says, let me see you to your car. In fact this happens twice where Columbo is leaving after questioning Bremmer, and doesn't turn to Bremmer again, but Bremmer stops Columbo. Bremmer seems to relish the cat and mouse game and is amused by Columbo. A clever choice by the writers.
In addition, the CIA involvement puts Columbo distinctly lower in authority to even pursue Bremmer, a CIA operative. Bremmer warns Columbo that he is getting involved in more power and authority than he realizes. The Director of the CIA even sets up a secret meeting with Columbo to basically tell him to stand-down and not pursue a valued CIA agent. Columbo seems awed by the authority of the CIA Director and eager to comply. In my opinion, it is at this point that Columbo knows he has no authority over Bremmer, he will not be able to make an arrest. But the cat and mouse game has not ended. Columbo visits Bremmer at his home, and in an unusual encounter Bremmer hints to Columbo that he has bugged his home, and knows that Columbo's wife enjoys the score from Madam Butterfly and plays it for Columbo. Brennan is in Columbo's head, and even in his home. Bremmer also tells Columbo he knew of the meeting with the Director of the CIA, and even had it set up. Even if Columbo were to go to the Director of the CIA with evidence against Bremmer, it's more likely Columbo would wind up dead than Bremmer be arrested, that is how the CIA works.
In the final scene, Columbo is back in his familiar position, waiting in Bremmer's office for him to arrive with the evidence that proves Bremmer killed Geronimo. The cat and mouse game plays out, and many have commented that Bremmer gave up too easily. The reason is because, in my opinion, he wasn't going to be arrested and he knew that. Their interesting cat-and-mouse game had come to an end and there would be no arrest. That is my interpretation, take it or leave it.
Some have written that they didn't understand why Patrick McGoohan's character, Nelson Bremmer, killed Geronimo. You should watch the opening scene on Youtube and really pay attention, it's easy to miss. They were spys together in South America and had some sort of "currency scheme" which netted them $300k. Geronimo has returned 3 years later and wants to collect, and makes a veiled threat about exposing Bremmer as a double agent. So, that is Bremmer's motivation for eliminating Geronimo.