An Emotional Gotcha Moment Written by Peter Falk | Columbo

In one of the most moving scenes of the series, Lauren Staton (Faye Dunaway) asks Columbo to let Lisa go in exchange for her confession.
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Clip from Season 10, Episode 7 "It's All In the Game" - Two women kill their two-timing lover but have solid alibis; one of the women tries to seduce Columbo to keep him off her trail.
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[@jamesfeldman4234]

This is one of the most unusual Columbo episodes and the gotcha is also unusual. And it's not just because this was the only Columbo script that Peter Falk wrote, although that has a lot to do with its uniqueness. In virtually every Columbo episode, in the final gotcha, Peter Falk and the (guest star) murderer are pretty much on even footing with, perhaps, a little more acting room given to the actor or actress playing Columbo's "adversary." But in this Columbo, Peter Falk wrote the roles so that Faye Dunaway and Claudia Christian take "front stage," while Peter takes more of a supporting role. And both those actresses hit "home runs" in their respective roles. Peter Falk showed here that he was not only a great actor and an excellent writer, but was a class act. He put art ahead of ego and let the two actresses shine brightly here.

[@pamelakilgore7836]

Wow..such insight!

[@123demaio]

amazing on three levels...As you said...Shines yes ...What a very descent person he was...An immense pleasure for those two actresses to be apart of

[@ccbaxter47]

Dunaway would win an Emmy for this performance.

[@chrisoleary9876]

And...they got away. One of the few that did.

[@Astrobrant2]

One would feel obligated to do that when playing with Faye Dunaway.

[@americanitalianisrael4008]

This was one of the best episodes of Columbo. And to have Mrs.Faye Dunaway in it too. Plus finding out Mr. Falk wrote it. Fantastic. Love it.

[@Bridgukule]

One of my favourite ever episodes along with 'any port in a storm'. Genius television

[@heathermarson8920]

One of the best episodes & also, in its way, one of the saddest, RIP Peter Falk one of my TV heroes

[@Johnston212]

Honestly, I think that this is one of my favorites. The fact that she cared enough to put the girl before her own freedom, plus the chemistry and they were both stunning in more than just physical beauty.

[@zovalentine7305]

Rest in powerful peace Peter Falk 🙏 16 September 1927 ~ 23 June 2011⚘

[@onemorething123]

I really liked this episode. There were a few later episodes I wasn't fond of, but this one was unique and really held my attention. The chemistry between Faye Dunaway and Peter Falk was undeniable, and I was left wondering if he really was pretending to have feelings for her. I think she got to him, more than he was willing to admit. It was a really well-written, directed, and acted episode.

[@lisawilliams2013]

I concluded that they were both genuinely taken with one another. Though Columbo tried to dismiss his interest as playing her, he was immediately smitten by Lauren before he even began investigating the matter. Remember when he first saw her, how he closed his raincoat to hide his pajamas, tried to look presentable? He rarely cared about appearances. He sure cared then. By the way, I also don’t remember Columbo destroying evidence like he did with Lisa’s picture, and letting her go before that. He’d developed real feelings for her mother!

[@richardhenry7841]

Faye Dunaway whenever she is in a movie it's worth watching....network anyone

[@onemorething123]

@@lisawilliams2013 Agreed!

[@ronmackinnon9374]

​@@lisawilliams2013 The way he was fishing around talking with Lisa, curious to find out if Lauren had ever mentioned him to her.

[@NFL1976]

@@richardhenry7841 Mommy Dearest? She was too perfect!

[@fredbloggs5902]

"Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown."

[@melodiefrances3898]

THAT was a great movie.

[@johnfinnegan8474]

This was an emotional moment and one of the better episodes of the rebooted Colombo episodes. I have this entire episode on the built-in hard drive of my DVD recorder. Of course the daughter Columbo let go did not actually pull the trigger, she just helped her mother cover the murder up. Columbo showed a similar compassion in another episode where he let the former lady movie musical dancer go because he found out she was suffering from an inoperable brain condition and could not remember committing the murder, and she would be dead in a few months anyway from her disease.

[@RJSRdg]

The later episodes were a continuation series, not a reboot ;-)

[@donaldholderdoc2910]

Oh man! You left out the best part when she tells him it's her daughter! I love this episode. It's also the episode that made Faye Dunaway an EGOT winner. The 'E' being a Primetime Emmy to go along with her Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. This is absolutely my favorite episode.

[@ccbaxter47]

I don't believe Miss Dunaway won a Tony or a Grammy. Sorry.

[@wbcjr17106]

@@ccbaxter47 You're right--while the Oscar, Emmy, 3(!) Golden Globes & a BAFTA are certainly NOTHING to sneeze at, she has not won a Grammy or a Tony yet.

[@rowanaforrest9792]

What's the title of this episode, please? It looks fascinating.

[@kenchristie9214]

@@rowanaforrest9792 It's All In The Game is the episode. You can watch it in blu-ray quality on Internet Archive. It's episode 62 and it's the best episode so far. Two great actors and the chemistry is there. Certainly shows why Faye won 3 Oscars. This episode is reminiscent of the classic 40's and 50's film crime noir. P.S. Directed by Peter Falk.

[@rowanaforrest9792]

@@kenchristie9214 Thanks very much! :)

[@supernova3723]

I liked this episode, it appeared that Columbo had a crush on Faye Dunaway's character, but in the end, to me it seemed like it was all a play to catch her...or perhaps it was indeed a crush or fondness, but Columbo always has to get his man... or woman!

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

My own personal take on it was that it was both. He really was enamored of her--but he also used those genuine feelings to strategic effect.

[@markemerson8399]

Peter Falk did a great job with that scene.

[@yankee2666]

Gee, imagine my surprise - a great actor doing a great job. Guess what - birds fly.

[@markemerson8399]

@@yankee2666 You sound like a very dislikeable person.

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

@@yankee2666 Thank you for making the world a better place with your snide remark.

[@lukacunningham342]

I loved the plot twist about the two girls, it was so heartwarming that she decided to take the fall for her accomplice

[@ROCdave5861]

It was Faye Dunaway's character who pulled the trigger...and her accomplice was her daughter--a very powerful/emotional episode indeed!

[@mirix1515]

I would have take for my daughter or my son. Is parent’s instinct….

[@user-ec5bo8tx4n]

From the entire Columbo series, I have saved three episodes to my television recorder. "It's All in the Game" is one of those episodes. 🙂

[@rambo3984]

One of the best episode ever. The daughters reactions were just amazing. I wish Colombo had let them go.

[@marinaurelianafantasy9498]

He let go the daughter.

[@stultuses]

No, justice > Feelings

[@davidmarshall5596]

This was a very very good episode with a lot of emotion packed in..the acting was terrific 👍

[@christopherkraft1327]

Excellent episode & a very touching scene!!! 👍👍

[@DarkNoiseBW]

Holy cow, Claudia Christian? I had no idea she ever appeared in Columbo! :O

[@PhilDrury]

Twice I remember correctly. She looked on Peter Falk as a mentor in the field of acting.

[@mik9007]

One of the greatest scenes, very touching, just superb.

[@AlessioC-ft5zt]

The other one is the episode "Forgotten Lady"😢

[@MrMegatherium]

This was an incredible episode, almost had a tear.

[@WatchingTrainsGoBy-PassingTime]

This made me wonder, so I checked imdb... This is his only writing credit. It's a shame because this is one of my favorite Columbo's and this scene was nicely done.

[@bernhardwall6876]

It was nice to see an older man and an older woman interacting with each other like Peter and Faye did.

[@donaldfitzgerald9322]

This episode is really well done. I enjoyed this thoroughly.

[@mikebasil4832]

It was one of the few Columbo chapters of the 90s to fully recapture and improve on the magic of the original series. Especially thanks to the marvelous chemistry between Peter and Faye. I liked Claudia in this too.

[@artchem1]

Love each and every “ Columbo “ Episode. He was an extraordinary actor and had a presence about him. I’m and off the Screen. The talk shows- still wore his “ Raincoat , Suit, and those tied shoes” Effervescent personality, indeed! :). May you Rest In Peace Mr Falk, as our favourite “ Lieutenant F. Colombo “ ❤️💖🧡🪪👞

[@jonhohensee3258]

I’m and off the Screen???

[@michaelbaughman8524]

@@jonhohensee3258 On and off. Speech to text and didn't proofread, I'd bet. My wife does it constantly, it's fun trying to figure out what she was trying to say sometimes.

[@WintersWar]

dunway is quite a beauty. such class.

[@rfletch62]

Claudia Christian ( pre Babylon 5) gets a chance to show off her acting chops, as she did in "Clean and Sober", with Michael Keaton, and Morgan Freeman.

[@mkassis713]

Good episode !!!!

[@isabellearsenault8934]

This episode is so good !!!

[@patrickjohnson5658]

I remember the younger woman accomplice he lets go here. She played Commander Ivanova in one of my favourite sci-fi shows of the 1990's "Babylon 5". She looks about the same age here too as when she played the Babylon 5 space station station commander.

[@CurlyJones]

I was going through the comments looking for someone to mention B5, that show deserves more recognition

[@ricogoldstar]

The Tobaccoo Lobbyists spent a fortune on this show. 😅😆

[@charliefreemana.k.a.thesou197]

I was watching season 10's episode this morning "it's all in the Game" faye Dunaway and claudia Christian was absolutely amazing!

[@ianbrewer4843]

Great clip

[@artchem1]

Faye Dunaway is absolutely beautiful and a great actress! I most certainly agree with you! :).

[@ianbrewer4843]

@@artchem1 yes she is on both

[@ronmackinnon9374]

​@@artchem1 Pensively, absent-mindedly opening her purse and pulling out a cigarette. Great acting.

[@alegriabenshitrit4646]

Love this episode❤️❤️👍

[@VanlifewithAlan]

My all time favourite episode.

[@aubreyspray2514]

I’ve never seen the later seasons but I’ve seen one through seven cuz I watch it on Amazon prime but I love Columbo sm it’s the best

[@toddwarshawski963]

Always loved Faye Dunaway Great episode

[@Astrobrant2]

What isn't revealed in this scene is that Lisa is Lauren's daughter. That came in the next scene, when Lauren confessed. What is also missing from this clip is that Columbo was falling for Lauren. This was probably the saddest Columbo episode. We end up feeling sorry for Lauren, Lisa, _and_ Columbo. However, I guess Mrs. Columbo caught a break.

[@zetkey9637]

I don't really know if there is still mrs. Columbo. Just like in early episodes you don't know if he is liying about having wife in this episode you don't know about wether she passed away or not. At least that what i was thinking

[@Astrobrant2]

@@zetkey9637 There were some episodes where they made it pretty clear that she did exist. In one of them, Columbo used her car to trick the killers. In another episode Columbo was trying to get rid of a new coat that she had bought for him. If she didn't exist, he never would have bought that coat. Another time, a ship's steward informed Columbo that his wife was waiting for him somewhere else.

[@notforsaletoday1895]

@@Astrobrant2 He also has a conversation with her over the phone, in the one where they fake her death.

[@Astrobrant2]

@@notforsaletoday1895 I remember the episode, but I forgot the phone call. I just watched the ending again. Yep, he was talking to her, and the important thing is that no one else was in the room. That proves it. She's real. Thanks for the reference. That was in the last season. I guess after nine years they felt the need to let the audience know. I'm surprised I forgot that phone call.

[@robertlong4363]

Brilliant

[@robinstevens7651]

Faye was great in The Towering Inferno 1974

[@ronmackinnon9374]

Same year she was great in 'Chinatown.'

[@imraghen789]

I love it

[@davidioanhedges]

Claudia Christian - Ivanova from Babylon 5 Capt Maynard from 9-1-1 Helga Katrina Sinclair from Atlantis: The Lost Empire Aela the Huntress / Legate Rikke / Adrianne Avenicci .... from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and many many others ...

[@chrishoye2949]

outstanding...great acting, excellent acting. Unseen today!!!!

[@ggregd]

🙄

[@donaldholderdoc2910]

Definitely top notch acting. Faye won a Emmy for this episode. Unfortunately it was also her only appearance on Columbo.

[@terrypetersen2970]

Technically the daughter didn't commit the murder. Even so this is the one of two episodes that Columbo let a murderer go free.

[@kenchristie9214]

The daughter was an accomplice.

[@2Scribble]

I wish they hadn't cut the whammy moment - where we find out she was Lauren's daughter...

[@patriciajrs46]

I have never seen the episode that this was in.

[@pressureworks]

O:29 what was the name of the movie ? "I Don't Remember". Great film !! Hope someone uploads the film.

[@michaeljohnson5365]

IF Columbo was in charge of the OJ Simpson trial he would have found him guilty very quickly

[@DJAraRealSalsa]

I'd rather have Columbo in charge of the Bill Clinton, George Bush Senior and Junior as well that of the Obama and Joe Biden cases! ;)

[@pressureworks]

@@DJAraRealSalsa not at all needed for the trump cases, even Detective Drebin would solve them all.

[@pressureworks]

The Detective does not determine so. That's the Court's job.

[@zozzarogeorge6720]

Never been a better detective show, never. Every episode amazing

[@user-oi5hi7nk2g]

мой самый любимый актер Коломбо

[@power2084]

Ivanova !?!?

[@williamewing5509]

I have got a movie DVD of Faye Dunnaway with Jack Nicholson in Chinatown I am dedicating this movie DVD to my old school friends who are both sisters and I hope to see them both again very soon to Chris and Hester from Billyxxx

[@atomicplaygirl66]

This was from 1992 or 93. Dawn Wells (from Gilligan's Island) has a brief appearance in the first 10 minutes but she is not credited. I wonder why that is ..........DW by this time was a well known actress. 🤔

[@master-kq3nw]

this is second time that killer fall love in columbo also in episode rest in peace ms columbo

[@pressureworks]

4:18 red light is on. 4:21 suddenly off.

[@blastum]

Did the foley operator open the door twice on their way out of the interrogation room? Around 4:20

[@ronmackinnon9374]

Don't know what you mean. I only hear one sound of a door opening and another of a door closing.

[@BioGoji-zm5ph]

Wait... was that one lady... was she in Babylon 5?

[@289cobra9]

Yes

[@NFL1976]

In truth, for some reason, I've been a bit anxious lately. When I watch these incredible scenes, it takes me back, when right from wrong was so very clear. Now, everything is not only muddled, but upside down. Our country is passed its peak. No one to blame but ourselves. In the end, it's not outside forces that destroy great civilizations, but those from within that allow it. Rome, Germany under Hitler, Russia- we are no different. Just watch how the common man keeps on electing those who hate the Constitution, and hate the Bill of Rights. In the end it is never for noble reasons (the haters), purely for their own profit.

[@vahrheit9996]

Excellent comment that really describes the horrible state that America in particular and the west in general is going through. May Our Lord and God Jesus Christ Bless us all. In The Name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit The Only One True God as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end Amen 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕💕

[@NFL1976]

@Jill Sweeney Thanks for your feedback Jill. I certainly don't expect everyone to give my comment a thumbs up. Thank God for freedom! Enjoy these Columbo clips while you can, someday soon, it will be pointed out how systemically racist Columbo was, and KZbin will take the clips down. ;)

[@NFL1976]

@Jill Sweeney Thanks again. Me? When I read comments, I try and see where the commenter is coming from, and enjoy various perspectives and tie in's. If something has you so angry, may I suggest you simply ignore. It's not worth it I have found to get so rattled. But to your point, the Left tends to want all dialogue that they disagree with- shut down. In the meantime, my best to you, take great care and Go Columbo!

[@DJAraRealSalsa]

I agree but the common man in your great country is influenced by OUTSIDE forces that have infiltrated the USA. I am talking about the Globalists and the culture of filth that they promote through their left-wing movements of mindless minions anywhere they are allowed to set root. These Globalists have to be weeded out and 'dealt with' (you know who they are) for your unique country to recover and go back to its former glory together with her wonderful Constitution. Regards from Brazil.

[@NFL1976]

@Jill Sweeney I have learned to refrain by being annoyed by such trivial matters, and I'm not trying to be a wise guy with that. Seriously it ain't worth it. Om... I just watched the ending to Uneasy Lies the Crown episode from season 9. What a let down!

[@holypowers]

Couldnt he have had that conversation in an office that has a phone for her?

[@IImitateVince]

This ending didn't seem to make a lot of sense. How could he have charged one woman & let one woman go, since they're both involved in it? 🤔

[@johnathonhaney8291]

Squint real hard and you'll see that this story was based on the end of actress Lana Turner's relationship with gangster Johnny Stompanato.

[@elfbiter]

Hm. Susan Ivanova - or, well, lady who played her :-)

[@master-kq3nw]

nick franco

[@dabass438]

I concluded that Columbo may have been flattered by Faye Dunaway's character's attention, and perhaps had a crush on her, but I don't think he "fell" for her--he knew what she was trying to do; what I don't know is, did Faye Dunaway's character "fall" for Columbo....

[@bernhardwall6876]

I think part of her did. The past where she lashes out at him before the gotcha was so sad, because she sounded legitimately hurt. But I'm sure she was realistic enough to know nothing could come off it.

[@lorett6032]

𝐩яⓞ𝓂𝓞Ş𝐦 😥

[@jonhohensee3258]

This show was no longer good.

[@bonghunezhou5051]

To each his own (one of the numerous 1970s version fans) 📺

[@jonhohensee3258]

@@bonghunezhou5051 It lost too much of its edge. These later ones are lightweight fare like "Matlock" and "Murder She Wrote".

[@craigfuller1532]

Then why are you watching it.

[@robikkupegasus7039]

why are you here?

[@jonhohensee3258]

@@robikkupegasus7039 I didn't see this part before. Can you handle that?