As we know a Columbo episode works to a well-established structure. The formula is as follows: (a) someone gets murdered right at the start, (b) the viewer gets to know who commits the murder and how they have actually done it, (c) Columbo then appears on the scene and continually hassles the murderer while mis-directing him (or her) by pretending to be scatter-brained, (d) the murderer tries to outwit Columbo (by covering their tracks) but they never succeed, and, in their desperation, usually botch things up, and finally (e) Columbo nails the murderer.
So I was wondering, if we know all this beforehand, why are we investing 1 hour and 15 minutes in the viewing? What is the reason to watch a Columbo? Why stick with it? You already know the outcome? What is the pay-off? ...
