As a psychologist, I'm interested in the depiction of psychologists and psychiatrists on Columbo. They're generally using their knowledge for foul purposes. Psychiatrists and psychologists often decry their displacement in the field by licensed social workers, counselors, and nurse practitioners, but so far I don't think anyone's examined the role of Columbo in the demise of the power and prestige of the head doctors. There's an academic paper in there for some charlatan.
George Hamilton as Dr. Collier, like a previous psychiatrist/murder depicted by Gene Barry, is having a sexual relationship with a vulnerable patient, and therein lies both the emotional and practical drama of this episode. Poor Lesley Ann Warren (Mrs. Donner) has been reduced to an infantile state by Dr. Collier's masterful hypnosis and seduction skills. The murder is accidental and defensible, but I think the implication is that Dr. Collier needed to hide his relationship with his patient to protect his reputation and get his book finished, therefore losing any sympathy he might have gotten from Columbo. Nowadays he'd be big on the TED Talk circuit and on the bleeding edge of psychedelic psychopharmacology research.
I initially found this episode slightly unengaging, I'm not sure why, since the performances were excellent. I found myself admiring the upholstery at the beach house, particularly the pair of orange chairs; superb set dressing. I also liked Dr. Collier's house with the heavy wood and Spanish medieval touches, it conveyed the mix of hipness and prestige that a psychiatrist of his ilk would want to convey. Ms. Donner's apartment décor was a bit tacky and the apartment seemed much more luxurious than the balcony on the outdoor shots suggested, but she was supposed to be a fragile histrionic borderline so no real objections to that esthetic choice by the set designers. Costume design was also delightful. Highlights include Mrs. Donner's white leather suit and the bright green scarf and dark suit worn by Dr. Borden (Karen Machon) in the outdoor scene on the college campus. I've got to learn to tie a scarf like that.
I enjoyed the party scene at Dr. Collier's house. The drunk intellectuals seem a little condescending when they first invite Columbo to join them, but there's a subtle shift and a few seem eager for his approval as the conversation progresses. Having been a member of numerous gatherings of tipsy eggheads, I thought that was very realistic, nicely written and acted. Intellectuals tend to be pretty insecure and crave the approval of the working class.
The denouement was clearly foreshadowed by the near hit and run of the blind man, but the final confrontation was nevertheless fun and satisfying. I have a soft spot for Fred Draper.
George Hamilton as Dr. Collier, like a previous psychiatrist/murder depicted by Gene Barry, is having a sexual relationship with a vulnerable patient, and therein lies both the emotional and practical drama of this episode. Poor Lesley Ann Warren (Mrs. Donner) has been reduced to an infantile state by Dr. Collier's masterful hypnosis and seduction skills. The murder is accidental and defensible, but I think the implication is that Dr. Collier needed to hide his relationship with his patient to protect his reputation and get his book finished, therefore losing any sympathy he might have gotten from Columbo. Nowadays he'd be big on the TED Talk circuit and on the bleeding edge of psychedelic psychopharmacology research.
I initially found this episode slightly unengaging, I'm not sure why, since the performances were excellent. I found myself admiring the upholstery at the beach house, particularly the pair of orange chairs; superb set dressing. I also liked Dr. Collier's house with the heavy wood and Spanish medieval touches, it conveyed the mix of hipness and prestige that a psychiatrist of his ilk would want to convey. Ms. Donner's apartment décor was a bit tacky and the apartment seemed much more luxurious than the balcony on the outdoor shots suggested, but she was supposed to be a fragile histrionic borderline so no real objections to that esthetic choice by the set designers. Costume design was also delightful. Highlights include Mrs. Donner's white leather suit and the bright green scarf and dark suit worn by Dr. Borden (Karen Machon) in the outdoor scene on the college campus. I've got to learn to tie a scarf like that.
I enjoyed the party scene at Dr. Collier's house. The drunk intellectuals seem a little condescending when they first invite Columbo to join them, but there's a subtle shift and a few seem eager for his approval as the conversation progresses. Having been a member of numerous gatherings of tipsy eggheads, I thought that was very realistic, nicely written and acted. Intellectuals tend to be pretty insecure and crave the approval of the working class.
The denouement was clearly foreshadowed by the near hit and run of the blind man, but the final confrontation was nevertheless fun and satisfying. I have a soft spot for Fred Draper.