9 Best Columbo Episodes to Watch First (and Rewatch)
Columbo is one of the most rewatchable classic TV shows ever made—but only if you start with the right episodes.
Because the series ran across different decades, networks, and production styles, not every episode feels the same. Some are sharp, clever, and endlessly watchable. Others are slower, uneven, or better appreciated only after you already understand how the show works.
That is why jumping into a random episode can be misleading. The wrong starting point can make Columbo feel dull or dated, even though the series at its best is anything but.
This guide focuses on the best Columbo episodes to watch first and rewatch often—episodes that highlight what made the show famous and still hold up for modern viewers.
Best Columbo Episodes for First-Time Viewers
Not all Columbo episodes are ideal starting points. Some rely on long character arcs, others assume familiarity with Columbo’s habits, and a few reflect later-era changes that can confuse new viewers.
The best Columbo episodes for first-time viewers share three traits: Clear storytelling, classic Columbo behavior, and villains who make the detective’s method easy to appreciate. These episodes show the series working exactly as intended.
Murder by the Book
Season 1, Episode 3, September 15, 1971
If you want to understand Columbo in one episode, start here.
Everything is easy to follow: the setup is clear, the suspect is confident, and Columbo’s style shows up right away. He seems casual and almost harmless—until you realize he is quietly testing the story from every angle. This is the kind of episode where you can relax and still feel the tension building.
It’s a clean entry point that shows the show’s rhythm without asking you to be “a fan” first.
Suitable for Framing
Season 1, Episode 4, November 17, 1971
If you want an episode that shows how Columbo wins without yelling, chasing, or action scenes, start here.
This one is satisfying because the suspect looks polished and untouchable—but small details keep getting in the way. Columbo doesn’t “catch” the person in one big moment. He notices little inconsistencies, returns calmly, and makes the suspect explain things again and again until the story starts to crack.
For first-time viewers, this is one of the best Columbo episodes because it teaches you the rhythm of the show: polite questions, quiet pressure, and a payoff that feels earned.
Death Lends a Hand
Season 1, Episode 2, October 6, 1971
This is a strong starter because it shows how Columbo handles someone who thinks they are above suspicion.
The suspect acts smooth and in control, but Columbo doesn’t take the bait. He stays polite, keeps the conversation going, and asks the kind of questions that sound simple—but are hard to answer cleanly. The episode moves forward in a satisfying, step-by-step way, so you never feel lost.
If you like the “quiet trap” style of mystery, this one will make you want to keep going.
Best Columbo Episodes Ranked by Villain
Once you understand how Columbo operates, the next thing that determines how strong an episode feels is the villain.
The most memorable episodes are not about clever crimes. They are about confident people who believe they are smarter than Columbo—and slowly realize they are not. These episodes are especially satisfying because the tension comes from watching that confidence erode.
Any Old Port in a Storm
Season 3, Episode 2, October 7, 1973
This episode stands out because the villain feels calm, cultured, and completely in control.
Columbo doesn’t rush anything here. He listens, waits, and lets the suspect talk. The pleasure comes from watching manners and intelligence become liabilities. Nothing feels forced, and the ending lands quietly—but firmly.
This is a great episode for viewers who enjoy psychological pressure more than fast pacing.
Candidate for Crime
Season 3, Episode 3, November 4, 1973
This one works because the suspect is public-facing and polished, which makes every interaction feel slightly performative.
Columbo keeps the tone respectful, but he never stops paying attention. Small details start to matter more and more, and the suspect’s confidence begins to slip in subtle ways. The tension builds through repetition rather than confrontation.
It’s especially satisfying if you like episodes where Columbo wins by letting people underestimate him.
Double Exposure
Season 3, Episode 4, December 16, 1973
This episode feels different because the villain believes they understand human behavior better than Columbo does.
That assumption becomes the mistake. Columbo stays grounded and practical while the suspect leans on theory and control. The contrast makes their interactions quietly tense, even when nothing dramatic is happening.
This is a strong pick if you enjoy watching intellectual certainty unravel.
Best Columbo Episodes That Reward Rewatching
Some Columbo episodes are enjoyable the first time and forgettable afterward. Others get better once you already know how the story ends.
The episodes in this group reward patience and familiarity. On a rewatch, you start noticing how early Columbo steers conversations, how often suspects talk themselves into trouble, and how small details are introduced long before they matter.
These episodes are not about surprise. They are about accumulation.
Étude in Black
Season 2, Episode 1, September 17, 1972
This episode benefits from rewatching because so much of it happens quietly in the background.
Columbo lets the suspect feel admired and unchallenged, which makes the later pressure feel natural rather than dramatic. On a second viewing, you can see how early Columbo’s conclusions form—even while he appears distracted.
It’s especially satisfying if you enjoy watching confidence collapse slowly instead of all at once.
Now You See Him
Season 5, Episode 5, February 29, 1976
This is a good rewatch because the episode relies on repetition and misdirection.
Columbo keeps returning to the same points, asking similar questions in slightly different ways. The first time through, it feels casual. On a rewatch, you realize how deliberately those moments are placed.
This episode works well if you like seeing the mechanics of Columbo’s method rather than just the outcome.
Forgotten Lady
Season 5, Episode 1. September 14, 1975
This episode stands apart because it is less about winning and more about understanding.
Columbo approaches the suspect with unusual restraint, and the tone stays gentle even as the truth becomes clear. On a rewatch, the emotional balance becomes more noticeable, and the episode feels more intentional than it may have at first.
It’s a good reminder that not every Columbo episode is about domination—some are about closure.
Why Starting With the Right Columbo Episodes Matters
Columbo is not a traditional mystery series where every episode delivers the same experience. The show’s long lifespan created real variation in pacing, tone, and quality—and that variation matters more today than it did when the show originally aired.
Pacing varies more than people remember
Many early Columbo episodes were built for appointment television. Scenes unfold slowly, conversations linger, and clues are often subtle rather than dramatic.
In the strongest episodes, this pacing creates tension and satisfaction. In weaker ones, it can feel like very little is happening. When viewers start with a slower or uneven episode, they often assume the entire series works that way.
It doesn’t.
Starting with a tightly written episode allows the slow burn to feel intentional instead of tedious.
The villain matters more than the crime
Columbo is an inverted detective show—you already know who committed the murder. The enjoyment comes from watching the detective outthink the villain over time.
That means episode quality depends heavily on:
- How intelligent the villain is
- How confidently they believe they’ve gotten away with it
- How satisfying their unraveling becomes
Episodes with flat or gimmicky villains struggle to sustain interest. Episodes with strong antagonists become endlessly rewatchable.
This is why many of the best Columbo episodes ranked highest are remembered more for the villain than the plot itself.
Later-era episodes don’t represent classic Columbo
Columbo returned several times after its original run, extending into the late 1980s and early 1990s. These later episodes often feel different in noticeable ways:
- Longer runtimes with less narrative focus
- More self-aware humor
- A softer, less precise investigative style
For longtime fans, these episodes can still be enjoyable. For first-time viewers, they often give the wrong impression of what made the series great.
Starting with peak-era episodes ensures viewers experience Columbo as it was originally intended.
Some episodes assume familiarity with Columbo’s habits
The show becomes more enjoyable once viewers recognize Columbo’s patterns:
- His polite interruptions
- His apparent absentmindedness
- The way he uses repetition to unsettle suspects
- The famous “one more thing” approach
Episodes that play with these habits work best when the viewer already understands them. Without that context, the rhythm can feel repetitive rather than strategic.
That is another reason starting with the right episodes improves the entire viewing experience.
What Makes a Great Columbo Episode
Not every Columbo episode delivers the same experience. The series ran across different decades, production styles, and creative teams, which means some episodes feel sharp and timeless while others feel slower or uneven by comparison.
Understanding what separates the best episodes from the rest helps explain why certain installments are remembered—and rewatched—far more often.
The villain matters more than the crime
Columbo is not a whodunit. You already know who committed the murder. What makes the Columbo best episodes stand out is the strength of the villain.
The most memorable episodes feature suspects who are:
- Intelligent and self-assured
- Convinced they have committed the perfect crime
- Willing to engage with Columbo instead of dismissing him
When the villain is compelling, the episode becomes a psychological chess match. When the villain is weak or gimmicky, the episode feels repetitive, no matter how clever the crime itself may be.
This is why villain quality plays such a large role in the best Columbo episodes ranked highest by fans.
The slow-burn structure only works when the writing is tight
Columbo relies on repetition, conversation, and gradual pressure. Scenes are allowed to breathe. Clues are often revealed through behavior rather than action.
In strong episodes, this pacing creates tension and satisfaction. In weaker ones, it can feel like the story is stalling.
Episodes that hold up best today use the slow burn intentionally:
- Each interaction moves the investigation forward
- Repeated encounters feel strategic, not redundant
- The payoff justifies the patience required
This is especially important for modern viewers who are streaming episodes rather than watching them weekly.
The best episodes reward rewatching
Many of the best Columbo episodes improve on repeat viewing. Once you know the outcome, you begin to notice:
- Early mistakes the villain makes
- How Columbo steers conversations
- Small clues hidden in plain sight
Episodes designed this way feel richer with familiarity, while weaker episodes tend to lose interest once the solution is known.
Later episodes often feel different—and that matters
Columbo returned several times after its original run, and those later episodes often reflect changes in television style:
- Longer runtimes
- Softer pacing
- More self-aware humor
- Less tightly focused scripts
These episodes can still be enjoyable, but they do not represent the series at its strongest. For viewers trying to understand why Columbo became iconic, starting with peak-era episodes makes a noticeable difference.
Columbo airs on free over-the-air channels (MeTV, Cozi, etc.). Many viewers still watch it using a simple TV antenna instead of streaming apps.
How to Start Watching Columbo Today
You do not need to watch Columbo in order, and you do not need to commit to the whole series.
Start with one episode from the first-time viewer list. If you enjoy the pacing and tone, try one episode from the villain-focused section next. Save the rewatch-heavy episodes for later, once you are familiar with Columbo’s habits.
If an episode feels slow, that does not mean the show is not for you. It usually means that particular episode is better appreciated after you’ve seen how Columbo works at full strength.
Watch one episode at a time, let the style sink in, and move on if it doesn’t click. Columbo works best when you approach it calmly, not as something to power through.
That’s it.
If you’re using a streaming device, most viewers find it easiest to watch on a Roku once it’s set up properly.
Do I need to watch Columbo in order?
No. Columbo episodes are self-contained. Many viewers enjoy the show more by starting with strong standalone episodes rather than watching in broadcast order.
Why does Columbo feel slower than other crime shows?
The show focuses on conversation and psychology instead of action. The tension comes from watching suspects slowly trap themselves, not from fast pacing.
Are later Columbo episodes different from the early ones?
Yes. Episodes made later in the series tend to be longer and less tightly written. Many fans recommend starting with earlier episodes to understand what made the show famous.
Was Peter Falk improvising Columbo’s style?
Much of Columbo’s manner—pauses, casual questions, and distractions—was shaped by Peter Falk, which is why the character feels natural rather than scripted.
Wrap Up
Columbo isn’t a show built for speed or binge-watching.
As a long time fan of this classic 70s show, I agree with the critics: Columbo’s best episodes rely on patience, conversation, and quiet pressure.
The nine episodes I’ve selected above show the series at its strongest and explain why it continues to hold up decades later.
If you’re watching Columbo again and want to know how to watch classic TV shows for free without cable, our complete guide explains the easiest options today.
And if you’re looking for one specific show, we also have a detailed Columbo guide that explains where it airs on streaming and antenna.
Whether you’re watching for the first time or returning after years away, they capture what makes Columbo different from other crime shows.
