Columbo didn't just walk into a room; he sort of stumbled into it, usually while looking for a pencil or a light for his cigar. By the time we hit the 1990s, the rumpled detective in the beige raincoat was a global institution. But something shifted when the show returned for its later years on ABC. Columbo Season 10 Episode 1, titled Columbo Goes to College, represents that weird, fascinating era where the "New Columbo" had to figure out how to outsmart a generation of kids who grew up with computers and remote-controlled everything. It aired on December 9, 1990, and it remains one of the most debated entries in the Peter Falk canon because it feels so different from the 1970s classics.
Honestly, the setup is pure 90s arrogance. You’ve got these two rich, spoiled brats at a prestigious California university—Justin Rowe and Cooper Redman—who are basically the precursors to every "tech bro" villain we see in movies now. They aren't killing for passion or even just money; they’re doing it because they think they’re the smartest guys in the room. They represent a specific kind of entitlement that makes their eventual downfall at the hands of a man who looks like he sleeps in his car incredibly satisfying.
The High-Tech Ambush: How the Crime Works
The plot of Columbo Goes to College centers on a cheating scandal. Professor D.E. Rusk is about to expel Justin and Cooper for stealing an exam. Instead of taking the "L" and moving on with their privileged lives, they decide to execute a meticulously timed assassination using a remote-controlled gun hidden in a parking garage. It’s flashy. It’s complicated. It’s exactly the kind of over-engineered plan that Columbo loves to pick apart with a single question about a dry-cleaning bill or a piece of string.
What makes this episode stand out in the tenth season is the sheer lack of remorse from the killers. In earlier seasons, you often had a weird, mutual respect between Columbo and the murderer. Think of the legendary chemistry with Jack Cassidy or Robert Culp. Here? These kids are just jerks. They treat Columbo like a joke from the second he appears on campus. They even invite him to "guest lecture" their criminology class, not realizing they are inviting their own executioner to study them under a microscope.
Peter Falk is clearly having a blast here. You can see it in the way he leans into the "feeble old man" persona to bait the students. He plays the bumbling guest speaker perfectly, all while he's actually cataloging every micro-expression and logical slip-up the boys make. It’s a masterclass in psychological warfare hidden behind a layer of "Gee, fellas, I'm just confused."
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The Shadow of the 70s vs. The Reality of the 90s
Fans often argue about whether the "ABC Mystery Movie" era of Columbo holds a candle to the original NBC run. In the 70s, the show was gritty, cinematic, and focused on the elite of old Hollywood or high-society surgeons. By the time we get to Columbo Season 10 Episode 1, the aesthetic has shifted. The lighting is flatter, the music is synthesizers and saxophone, and the gadgets are peak 1990.
The remote-controlled camera and motorized gun platform are central to the mystery. In 1990, this felt like science fiction to some viewers. Today, it looks hilariously dated, but the logic holds up. The killers used the technology to create a "perfect" alibi by being in a room full of people while the trigger was pulled blocks away. But technology is a double-edged sword. As Columbo famously discovers, the very sensors and signals they used to commit the crime left a trail that a low-tech detective could follow if he just looked in the right trash can.
Why the Ending of Columbo Goes to College is a Fan Favorite
Most Columbo episodes end with a "gotcha" moment that is clever but quiet. This one is different. The "gotcha" in Columbo Goes to College is one of the most aggressive and theatrical endings in the series. Columbo doesn't just arrest them; he traps them in a high-stakes sting operation involving a "test" of their own technology.
The moment when the two boys realize they've been played is pure gold. Their smugness evaporates in seconds. It’s a rare moment where Columbo drops the "nice guy" act and shows a bit of steel. He isn't just solving a case; he's teaching a lesson to two kids who thought their fathers' money made them untouchable. That’s the core appeal of the character—he is the underdog who never actually loses.
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Some critics at the time felt the episode was too "TV-movie" in its execution. They weren't entirely wrong. The pacing is a bit slower than Manner of Murder or Any Old Port in a Storm. But if you look at it as a transition piece, it's brilliant. It proved that the character of Columbo could survive the transition into the digital age without losing his soul. He didn't need a computer to find the killer; he just needed to notice that a car was parked slightly crooked.
Real-World Production Notes and Nuance
Interestingly, this episode was directed by E.W. Swackhamer, a veteran who understood the rhythm of television. You’ll notice the use of the "University of California" setting, though much of it was filmed at various locations around Los Angeles to give it that sprawling, academic feel. The guest stars, Stephen Caffrey and Gary Hershberger, played the "prep school villain" trope to the hilt.
One thing most people miss is how the episode mirrors the real-life Menendez brothers' case, which was fresh in the public consciousness around 1990. The theme of wealthy, murderous youth was very much "in the air." While the episode isn't a direct retelling, the vibe of "rich kids killing to protect their lifestyle" definitely resonated with audiences of the time.
Critical Analysis: Is it Top Tier?
If you were to rank all 69 episodes, where does this one land?
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Probably in the top 20. It isn't a "Top 5" masterpiece like Try and Catch Me, but it is easily the best of the later seasons. It avoids some of the cringe-worthy gimmicks that plagued other 90s episodes (like the one where Columbo wears a literal disguise or the one based on an Ed McBain novel that didn't even feel like a Columbo story). This is a classic "inverted detective story" through and through.
The logic of the "how-catches-who" is sound. The clue of the diverted television signal is smart. The way Columbo uses the students' own hubris against them by pretending to be interested in their "theories" about the murder is vintage Falk.
Key Takeaways for New Viewers
If you’re diving into the later years of the series, here is how to get the most out of this specific episode:
- Watch the background. The 1990s set dressing is a time capsule. Look at the "portable" technology they use; it’s a great reminder of how far we’ve come and how Columbo’s methods are actually timeless.
- Pay attention to the guest lecture. The scene where Columbo speaks to the class is more than just filler. It's the moment he identifies his suspects. He watches who reacts to specific details of the crime scene that haven't been made public.
- Look for the "Old Columbo" callbacks. Even though it’s a new era, Falk keeps the mannerisms consistent. The way he fumbles with his coat and mentions "the wife" feels like a warm blanket for long-time fans.
To truly appreciate Columbo Season 10 Episode 1, you have to accept it on its own terms. It’s a bridge between the analog world of the 70s and the increasingly complex world of the 90s. It’s about the clash of generations and the evergreen truth that no matter how much tech you have, human nature—and a little bit of greed—will always be the thing that trips you up.
For your next viewing, compare the "tech" in this episode to the modern forensic shows we have now. You'll see that Columbo's reliance on "the human element" is actually more effective than a dozen CGI lab sequences. After finishing this one, move straight to Columbo Cries Wolf for another look at how the show handled 90s "cool" culture, or go back to the beginning with Prescription: Murder to see just how little the character actually needed to change to stay relevant.