El Detective Casado y el Sexo

Columbo playing the tuba? Yes, that's one of the highlights of this delightful and funny adventure, in which a famous sex therapist crosses wits with our hero. Another great moment is Peter Falk giving advice to a bunch of psychiatrists! This really is one of the best outings for Columbo and will delight fans, both old and new.

Lindsey Crouse's tour-de-force performance as a nationally known sex therapist who is betrayed by fiancee Stephen Macht (himself, delightfully slimy) has a special place in my heart. The story is extremely well told with lots of humor and terrific supporting performances. The murder plan is ingenious and memorable executed. Columbo has a field day with the sex therapists. Columbo playing the tuba was a lot of fun also. The look Crouse comes up with for her courtesan alter ego is stunning. The scene where Columbo holds up a social event while he scans the Ladies' Room for clues is an all-time classic. The ending scene with the fireplace is very compellingly set up. This is one Columbo that should not be missed.

I am quite surprised at how many negative reviews I have seen here. I happen to think this is one of the best Columbo episodes around. I personally don't like the choice of music, because it is synonymous with cheesy sexual films. Other than that, however, I think this episode is first rate. Lyndsay Crouse does a superb job as the murderer. Columbo is not turned into a senile caricature, as in some of the later episodes. He retains his dignity throughout, with the occasional comic responses and scenes. The brief bathroom scene, and the longer scene in which he plays psychologist are both hilarious, and his embarrassed expressions and comments when the topic of S-E-X comes up are very endearing, and in line with his old-fashioned character. As for those critics here who have pointed out the incredible 'luck' in finding clues, I don't think that is the case at all. He finds them primarily because of his extraordinary awareness and astute recognition, not because of luck. Most other people simply would not notice a tag hanging from someone's clothing. His cat and mouse games with the suspect are highly enjoyable. As always, he accords respect for an esteemed person even after he suspects them of murder, and is more apt to put off any direct suggestions of guilt until he pretty much has it all in the bag. Finally, his manner of setting her up in the final scene, as well as her concerns regarding what he thinks about her and his eloquent and sensitive response, introduce an interesting psychological layer to the story. Thoroughly entertaining and absorbing.

I as I have said many times have always been a great fan of Columbo. While few of the later episodes are as amazing as the pre-1989 episodes, there are about five or six worthy ones and Sex and the Married Detective is one of them. Stylishly filmed and atmospherically scored, the episode can't be faulted production-values-wise. The story is always interesting, with many a delightful scene like Columbo playing the tuba and one of the cleverer murder scenarios of the later episodes, and the dialogue is clever with wit, ingenious humour and tension to savour. The support cast are among the better ones of the later entries of Columbo in my opinion, Stephen Macht impresses with his sliminess, while Peter Falk is brilliant as ever(then again Falk rarely disappointed as Columbo, even when Columbo was not as well written or if the episode wasn't up to standard he always did his best), and Lindsay Crouse is superb in a well-written role, one of the more memorable guest villain performance of the pro-1989 episodes for me. Overall, a great, sexy entry. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Undergoing a personality/dress transformation that would rise the male libido, a sex therapist seeks revenge on her unfaithful lover. As she matches wits with the Peter Falk's wily "Columbo," guest star Lindsay Crouse is brilliant as the murderous doctor. The evocative musical score adds much to the story line and is appropriate seductive.

Crouse's quick change from the straight-laced doctor to the no-holds-barred temptress is worth the viewing alone. Further evidence that we all have a bit of a villainy in us, just lying beneath the surface.

This is one of the best of the television specials featuring Falk in his Emmy-winning role.