"columbo" Undercover(1994) May 2026

: (Peter Falk’s real-life wife) appears as Geraldine Ferguson . Critical Reception

: Plays the character Dorothea McNally ; her performance is often cited as a highlight, featuring a character very different from her usual roles. "Columbo" Undercover(1994)

: Returns to the series (after a role in Season 7) as Irving Krutch , a manipulative insurance investigator trying to find the stolen money. : (Peter Falk’s real-life wife) appears as Geraldine

: Unlike most episodes where the audience sees the murder happen at the start, "Undercover" is a traditional "whodunit" where the killer’s identity isn't revealed until the end. : Unlike most episodes where the audience sees

The Columbo episode is notable for being one of the most drastic departures from the series' established "how-catch-em" formula. Based on an Ed McBain 87th Precinct novel, it features the Lieutenant operating incognito to solve a series of murders linked to a long-lost bank robbery loot. Episode Overview Original Air Date : May 2, 1994 (Season 12, Episode 64).

: It features a grittier, "hard-edged" atmosphere compared to the usual upper-class settings of the show. Why It's Different Typical Columbo "Undercover" (1994) Murder Format "Inverted" (murderer shown first) Traditional Whodunit Source Material Original teleplays Ed McBain's 87th Precinct novel Columbo's Tactics "Just one more thing" questioning Physical disguises and infiltration Body Count Usually one victim Becomes a quadruple homicide Episode review: Columbo Undercover

The episode remains highly polarizing among fans and critics due to its deviation from typical show tropes: