Columbo is a friendly, verbose, disheveled-looking police detective who is consistently underestimated by his suspects. Despite his unprepossessing appearance and apparent absentmindedness, he shrewdly solves all of his cases and secures all evidence needed for indictment. His formidable eye for detail and meticulously dedicated approach often become clear to the killer only late in the storyline.
The best episode of "Columbo" season 8 is "Columbo Goes to the Guillotine", rated 6.8/10 from 18 user votes. It was directed by Leo Penn and written by William Read Woodfield. "Columbo Goes to the Guillotine" aired on 2/6/1989 and is rated 0.5 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Murder, Smoke and Shadows".
Lt. Columbo delves into the world of magic, ESP and slight of hand as he investigates the death of a magician, and there appears to be a tie to a prodigal psychic supported by a government founded institute on parapsychology.
Director: Leo Penn
Writer: William Read Woodfield
An egocentric film director resorts to his mastery of special effects to murder a vengeful friend who discovers the director's role in the movie stunt death of the friend's sister years before.
Director: James Frawley
Writer: Richard Alan Simmons
A sex therapist catches her boyfriend with another woman when he thinks she is out of town. She then disguises herself and manages to kill him while in disguise, not realizing that a potential suitor saw her enter the bathroom as a dark-haired woman and exit as a blonde.
Director: James Frawley
Writer: Jerrold L. Ludwig
Frank Brailie runs a private military foundation for wanabe soldiers owned by the wheelchair bound General Padget. The General has become suspicious of Frank as a great deal of money seems to be going to a Special Projects Fund. The General tells a close colleague to investigate Frank and the Special Projects Fund. Instead of reporting his fraudulent findings back to the General, he decides to blackmail Frank for some of the money, Frank agrees and starts to plan his murder.
Director: Sam Wanamaker
Writer: N/A