Murder investigation is easy. When interviewing people, all you do is listen for the dramatic music and you got your killer. Its why police have such a high percentage of convictions.

The makeup in this episode was incredible; I couldn't even see an outline of Leonard Nimoy's real ears.

Nimoy is one of the most evil Columbo villains there ever was. I love this episode for how different it is. Normally the killer has some type of redeeming quality...not Spock!

There really isn't a killer more scary than a doctor: the ultimate betrayal.

Correction: The face of a killer who THOUGHT he won.

Love how Columbo effectively intimates him into saving the old doctor’s life.

Columbo staring intently during the operation is even cooler because earlier in the episode he was too squeemish to watch an operation.

I remember watching this episode, I was surprised when Columbo got very angry at the suspect, because usually he's very friendly with them. And it was because a life was in danger, it wasn't only about catching the guy, but about saving a life. We already knew he was a good empathic person, but seeing him so passionate trying to save a life was awesome

Nimoy's laugh before Columbo slams the desk is about the most realistic laugh by an actor I've ever heard. Cudos to Nimoy. And the way Nimoy does those 2 slight blinks at the exact right moment after Columbo slams the desk is perfect.

It’s great to see Nimoy displaying his versatility beyond Star Trek.

To believe one can outsmart Columbo is not logical.

As far as I know, this is the only episode where Columbo ever got angry at the murderer. One of the best scenes in the whole series.

You know he's pissed when he drops the "I'm just a regular average guy asking questions to an expert" act and cuts straight to the point.

In the 1970s, the greatest aspiration an actor could have was to be the bad guy in a Columbo episode.

One of the few times you saw Columbo display anger at his suspect.

When Columbo loses it--the only time in the whole series--the face Nimoy makes is fantastic: stony, blinking, and for just that moment, afraid--like a kid who just got nailed for shoplifting. He recovers immediately, but it's masterful acting on Nimoy's part: he's a psychopath, but he's still human enough to be afraid for his own skin.

I love the episodes when columbo cuts the act and just tells them straight up he thinks they did it and hes gonna bust em

I love Nimoy's ability to raise a single eyebrow so expressively.

These early Colombo episodes are of incredible high quality, both the plot, the acting, the music and the camera, everything is top notch, many movies and tv-series fade by time, but not Colombo, still absolute quality

Best episode ever. Columbo gets pissed at the doctor and slams his desk. Love that!

The relief shown by Nimoy in the end is such a beautiful setup for Columbo's entrance. The reversal could not be executed any better.

Columbo in it's prime is still regarded so highly because it had top notch acting, top scripts, top directing, top music, top editing. Simple. Peter Falk doesn't get enough credit , he was a mighty fine actor.

RIP the both of these legends.

Leonard Nimoy plays the perfect psychopath in this, and seeing that high functioning psychopaths can make exceptional surgeons it fits like a glove.

The lifting of the eyebrow at the very end when Dr Mayfield realizes he is caught is priceless - reminiscent of Spock’s facial expression in response to one of Dr. McCoy’s verbal jabs.

7:33 Nimoy changes for 5s into the role of Mr. Spock, standing in a military manner, than realizes it...

"Live long and...just one more question."

I remember first watching "Columbo" decades ago as a child. Little did I know then that it would still be one of the best things on screen in 2022.

Leonard Nimoy's portrayal of Dr Mayfield is perfect: cold, calculating and utterly ruthless. Could he be the most despicable Columbo murderer ever?

Columbo almost never loses his temper which makes that scene even more effective.

Love this episode! Not only for the anger of Columbo, but the machinations Nimoy has to go through. Nimoy is a cold blooded killer, but can't kill his intended victim because he can't kill him in a way that won't be detected by the autopsy Columbo is going to get if the victim dies. So, not only do we want to know how Columbo is going to catch him, we ALSO want to know how Nimoy is going to wriggle out of the murder he's already set in motion! The fact we know that Nimoy knows that Columbo has him dead to rights if the victim does die is icing on the cake.

first time I've seen Columbo show aggression, but I figured it was all part of his strategy to make the doctor panic and rush to save his next victim from dying

Spock can never be beaten, except by Lt. Columbo.

Now, we can all learn from this: If you are a talented surgeon who killed a patient and the detective in charge just left your office empty-handed - lock your door before you celebrate.

Well that told him. Colombo wiped the smile of his face and showed him how serious he was about his job.

The best Columbo IMO. The few seconds the killer almost won makes it so perfect.

funny how Columbo says FASCINATING to Nimoy. the word, FASCIBATING was one of Mr Spocks signature lines. very clever of the writers

The very end of the scene was awesome. The music played a big part of the dramatic effect. Columbo humbly walks out the office after admitting defeat. The music becomes soothing as the doctor breathes a sigh of relief. Then BAM! Here comes Columbo back again as the music plays along. I love this show!!

Beautiful: The doctor just raises his eyebrow: "You got me! well done!". Leonard Nimoy was awesome!

this is my favorite episode of columbo, this is the only episode where i could've accepted that columbo didn't catch the murderer.

"Are you going down?" Excellent foreshadowing

Nimoy was a great villain in this. He was calm and collected, and he didn't really lose his composure until he was in danger of being caught.

Two legends, both gone RIP.

Love they way he comes back into the room...

First time I had ever seen Columbo actually lose his temper. Dr. McCoy was right - Spock could annoy the hell out of anybody. Lol. One of the things I loved about Columbo - aside from that sharp detective mind that equals Sherlock Holmes and would put Batman to shame - was that the perpetrators usually went quietly. Columbo's charm and finesse usually softened up these killers to the point where they would just surrender and let themselves be taken in, usually without any fuss. He never played tough or arrogant, like today's so-called television and movie police detectives. Most of the criminals would be escorted out without handcuffs and in a few cases Columbo himself asked that they not be restrained. Columbo usually worked within the high society of the day, so most likely, although he detested their crimes, he was thinking of the reputations of their innocent friends, families, and associates. Columbo drove an ugly car, dressed like he had slept in his clothes, rarely (VERY rarely) ever lost his temper, shuffled about like he didn't know what he was doing. And don't get me started on his signature trenchcoat! In other words he didn't have the physical tough-guy, pretty-boy look, no fancy clothes, no fancy gadgets, and I wonder if he even carried a gun. I'm sure he did but I never saw him use it. He was no Magnum P.I., Shaft, or James Bond, but that was what made him great.

I was waiting for him to say “fascinating” at the end

How is it possible to dislike this video? Every single act or scene is spot on.. Some people wouldn't recognise gold if they had a tone in front of them...

2:07 a rare moment when Columbo steps out of character and looses it.

I don't care if I was a brilliant, talented surgeon, I wouldn't be able to operate at all with Columbo lurking over my shoulder.

Finally, somebody saying to Nimoy, “Fascinating!”

oh my. Columbo in this episode ... not just his genius, but he is cross! yes. good. lovely touch. Peter Faulk...such a natural actor in this role. total respect. for me this never dates. x

Love seeing Leonard Nimoy in another role. He was a wonderful actor but is mostly recognised for Star Trek

these old episodes hold up so well They can be reintroduced to this current generation without skipping a beat.

Not seen this one, never seen Columbo lose his temper before.

One of the most truly psychopathic killers from the early Columbo series. It's actually quite a creepy episode - you're left wondering how many others the doctor has 'dispatched' over the years.

An interesting thing about this episode is that the elderly doctor was really Leonard Nimoy’s first intended murder victim in the story, when he sabotaged the original operation. Then he killed the nurse in order to cover up what he’d done to the doctor, and later on he killed the Vietnam veteran and recovering addict in order to cover up the murder of the nurse. Those other two really fit the profile of a secondary victim in a Columbo episode, as part of a cover-up. But in the end, the elderly doctor still survived it all.

It would've been so funny if when columbo storms back into the room, he would say... oh theres just one more thing !

I think most of the guilty in Columbo episodes were so tired of another question, that being caught was an end to a nightmare.

I love how the Gotcha at the end feels less like Columbo pulling the rug out from under the guy after he briefly thought he won, but more like Columbo was openly fanboying about the stunt he pulled.

Dr. Mayfield was stone cold in this episode. A borderline serial killer. Just kept on going and killing to the end.

I like the giant ashtray by the elevator at 3:24. Better finish your cigarette in the hospital lobby before you get on the elevator.

A rare display of temper from Columbo when he shows his contempt for the suspect. One of my favorite moments from the series.

That's right Spock, you can lift that eyebrow as high as you like, he's got you busted!!! XD

They should have got McCoy to do the operation, not Spock. He's not a doctor.

It's my favourite Columbo episode and its my favourite ending to a Columbo episode.

One of the few episodes that Columbo shows real anger, I love this episode.

"When a doctor does go wrong he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge." -Sherlock Holmes in "The Speckled Band" by Arthur Conan Doyle

This is the first time I've ever seen Columbo angry, coming straight out with the accusation and threat of imprisonment. He plays the fool, but it seems he doesn't appreciate being made a fool

A real life lesson is to be learned from Columbo. Don't talk to cops, and get a lawyer.

I thought Nimoy hid the sutures in his hair. Same color!

Nimoy wanted to get beamed up when he got caught 😅

I love Colombo, and one more thing. He gets his man everytime. 👍

"Columbo" gives the most accurate depiction of mans psyche as i have ever seen in any crime serie!

The problem with this is Columbo did not have a warrant or witnesses to search his office and the Doctor can say he planted that there and it's Columbo's word versus the Doctors. He still would get off Scott free in a court of law.

Let this be a lesson to you, doctor; NEVER mock Columbo when he's serious about certain findings on a case.. especially if he suspects you may be the killer; his slamming your desk tells you he's DEAD serious!! 🤔

I always wondered whether Columbo knew before he left the room, and just wanted to string it out a bit further to make the reveal worse for Mayfield, or whether it does just come to him in a flash once he left the room.

Pure Columbo gold. Acting, plot priceless.

That lift door should really have gone 'swoosh' as they headed down to the engineering deck.

NEVER have I seen Columbo switch from 0 to 100 they way he slammed that jug on that desk.

Watching all these little clips of Colombo makes me want to just buy the DVD box set.

"It's death Jim but not as we know it."

In all the times I've watched Columbo, I've never seen him lose his temper before.

What a tremendous episode and series. I wish Hollywood could produce programs like this again. Today it's trash of all kinds.

Spock, Grandpa Walton and Helen Crump all in one episode. What a lineup.

Frankly, one of the smartest things the Dr. did at the end when raising is 'Spock' eyebrow, was not to say or display anything: i.e. no break down confession. Brilliant episode where Columbo "gets" his criminal, but I'm not even sure this would make it to court. No doubt a Dr. of his stature is more than well off financially and could easily afford the best lawyers in that city, many who would loath Columbo for making them look stupid. I suspect being acquitted would be simple because of the suture evidence: was not found either in the O.R. nor on the physician, but only in the pocket of Columbo much after the surgery: he had to scrub up first. This would provide enough time for the police to plant it, some one else to plant it, it was already in that pocket etc. The whole case depends on that suture material and must remain untainted to be included in the prosecution: DNA was far in the future at this time.

Colombo: You are under arrest! Nimoy: Kirk! Beam me up quickly! Im having troubles on this planet...

Great episode. One of the most evil killers ever and he was getting away with it until the last few seconds. The best room re-entry in Columbo history.

WOW!!! I've never seen Columbo so pissed so quickly before! Columbo is not a tough guy, but because his reaction was so unpredictable, it was really intimidating and frightening! Morality ... don't even try to beat Columbo's intelligence, and underestimate him. No one can because ... those who tried, really hard, are all behind bars for a long period of time.

Very few of Columbo's perps deserved to be busted more than this doctor! LOL He was just so...arrogant!

9:18 Spock eyebrow

1:53 This was the first time I've ever seen Columbo get raddle! I love it!

When Colimbo slams the desk that smirk is totally wiped off Spock's face.

Im not going to a hospital where the nurses leave the medication on the reception desk...

This espisode and an Exercise in Futility are the only two espisodes where you think Coulumbo really really enjoyed nailing the guy and really, really dislikes them.

Never saw Columbo really lose his cool with a murderer aside from here. Makes the scene all that much more effective.

Thanks for posting. This is my favorite episode of all!

Well, it's nice that sometimes the ending is open. I think the killer cannot be jailed in this case. The doctor, as a continuation of this remarkable discovery, could have said that this is just a setup by the police lieutenant. The sutures were never found in his belongings, they weren't found in the doctor's pockets - only in the pocket of a police officer. With a good lawyer, I think the murderer is free to go!

I like how they banter about but then Coloumbo stops playing games and in now uncertain terms outright calls the surgeon a murderer. And the surgeon pretty much admits in in a roundabout way but he knows that Coloumbo lacks proof. It's a nice moment of tension when the games are done away with and they get serious.

Quite possibly the best of all the Columbo episodes. Leonard Nimoy was spectacular.

Wow Columbo says “fascinating.” Lol.