Zwei Leichen und Columbo in der Lederjacke

UNDERCOVER is an odd entry in the late-stage COLUMBO, probably the episode with the least of a general COLUMBO feel ever. That's because it's based on a novel by Ed McBain that has nothing to do with Columbo whatsoever, but which was adapted to try to fit into the Columbo mould. It doesn't work very well, as at an hour and a half the plot feels padded and dragged out and there are some of those annoying moments where plot elements are being spoon-fed to the audience. But the fact that UNDERCOVER remains watchable and - to a degree - oddly enjoyable at all is a testament to the skill of the actors involved.

It's clear that Peter Falk is relishing the chance to play 'dress up' here, appearing as a gangster and even mafia don at one point. He gets beaten up and even threatens someone with a gun. The supporting cast is very good too, even though Ed Begley Jr. gives a horrible turn as the insurance man. Burt Young (ROCKY) is pretty much playing Paulie here and as lovable as ever, and Tyne Daly is an arresting sight as a washed-up hooker. Finally, it was great for me to see Harrison Page (A.W.O.L.) in support. UNDERCOVER isn't an entire successfully production, but COLUMBO fans will probably enjoy it just for the sheer oddness of it all.

When you watch this movie, you will immediately notice that it does not follow the standard "Columbo" formula in which you know who the murderer is right from the start. Instead, we get a genuine mystery. That's because this movie is based on Ed McBain's novel "Jigsaw", originally published in 1970. This was one of his 87th Precinct mysteries, which did not originally feature Columbo.

Columbo is substituted for several different characters from the book, alternating from scene-to-scene. Sometimes he's the book's Detective Carella, other times he takes over for Detective Brown, who also appears in the movie. As confusing as this may sound, the movie is actually a very faithful adaptation of the book - even the pieces of the photo are identical to the illustrations in the book.

BTW, this isn't the only recent Columbo movie to be based on an Ed McBain novel -- "Columbo: No Time To Die" is an adaptation of the novel "So Long As You Both Shall Live".

I reasonably liked Undercover, but I can think of better and perhaps more interesting episodes. My complaints are some moments where the script, while mostly amusing and fun, loses lustre especially towards the end, the last 15 minutes doesn't hold that many surprises and feels unsatisfying and while Ed Begley Jnr is good actually I found the character underwritten. However, it is beautifully filmed with a fitting score and an intriguing, well paced and fun story. Columbo is different to how he's usually written, but Peter Falk puts his versatility to the limit and is as always entertaining. The support cast manage to be more memorable than Begley, with Tyne Daly just as good as with her performance in the Columbo episode A Bird in the Hand, Burt Young is amusing but faring best is Harrison Page who is a delight as Columbo's partner. Overall, entertaining and solid if not one of the better episodes. 7/10 Bethany Cox

It seems that Peter Falk didn't mind veering from the "Columbo" formula from time to time, but the attempts weren't always successful. "Undercover" from season 12 is one example.

The big problem is that it isn't a script meant for Columbo, and very little was done to adapt it to our rumpled lieutenant. It begins in a precinct and concerns the hunt for pieces of a photograph, cut to resemble jigsaw pieces, that will tell the police where $4 million was hidden after a robbery six years earlier. When they are approached by the insurance agent (Ed Begley, Jr.) who couldn't recover the money, the captain says that Columbo and another detective (Harrison Page) can take it on.

It's not an altogether unsuccessful episode, but the beginning is offputting. It's not just the precinct set and a 67-year-old man getting permission from his captain, it's the fact that the dialogue and setup are just not the character in any way, shape, or form.

Later it becomes fun, when Columbo actually goes undercover as a low-life to track down the photo pieces and then as a Mafia godfather. Also, he has good scenes with the real-life Mrs. Falk, Shera Danese, and a fun scene with Tyne Daly, who plays an old hooker. However, this scene wasn't in tune with Columbo either as I don't think he would have kissed her on the lips.

Burt Young, who once played Columbo in Murder Can Hurt You - but the name was changed to Palumbo - is one of the people looking for the puzzle, and the absolutely gorgeous Kristen Bauer, now Kristen Bauer von Straten is Begley's girlfriend.

There is a little Columboism at the end.

I can't say I didn't enjoy this episode because it's hard not to enjoy Columbo and I always took him any way I could get him. I'm just disappointed that a little more effort wasn't put into the script -- it actually could have been a Movie of the Week with Falk playing a completely different character.

What Peter Falk thinks might be a quick one though the case piques his curiosity turns out to be long and complex when Ed Begley, Jr. comes into his office. The case involved a break in of one criminal breaking into the room of another and each killing the other. The one breaking in has a carefully cut out piece of a photograph.

Begley who plays one Irving Krutch and who always refers to himself in the third person is an insurance investigator who has another piece and wants Columbo and his partner Harrison Page to look into this jigsaw puzzle like photograph which shows the location of stolen bank loot from a robbery several years earlier.

The usual Columbo formula departs radically as the man himself goes undercover and without the usual rumpled raincoat. It nearly gets him killed which sets up a very funny scene when a nurse won't let him out of the hospital.

In the meantime two other murders occur of piece holders, eight pieces in all. Breaking an alibi witness is at the climax of this story.

Burt Young is one of the piece holders and later a victim. Peter Falk goes undercover to smoke him out among others. Watch Falk assume a different guise to relate to Young on his level.

All in all a fine episode.