Fantasmes

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.

Columbo's episodes are really quite a combination of serious, lightheartedness, good acting, an excellent cast, and drama mixed with comedy. Sex and the Married Detective casts Lindsay Crouse who is an excellent actress and does a superb job in this episode. She plays a sex therapist who discovers and learns of her lover's infidelity. She decides revenge. I found this episode to be much more entertaining than some others and still worth watching again and again. I found the interaction between Columbo and the Crouse to be the most interesting as well. Like most of Columbo episodes, one of the trademarks is to treat the audience and the suspect with intelligence rather than dumbing them down.

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.

Successful sex therapist Dr. Joan Allenby (Lindsay Crouse) spies her boyfriend David Kincaid (Stephen Macht) cheating on her. She murders him with what she assumes to be the perfect plan dressed as the woman in black. Police detective Columbo (Peter Falk) takes it apart piece by piece.

This is the standard howcatchem from Columbo. It is fun to see Lindsay Crouse deteriorating from smug to harried. A lot of Columbo is about seeing the next guest star doing a villain turn and Crouse is always great at making the turn. Stephen Macht is the second star although he only has a limited role. This is good.

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.