The Best Episodes Written By Steven Bochco

When a woman who was raped refuses to press charges for fear her husband will say she brought it upon herself, Licalsi acts as a decoy in an attempt to trap the prime suspect.

Director: Rick Wallace

Writer: Steven Bochco

Donna's joy over Medavoy leaving his wife is short-lived when he has a change of heart.

Director: Gregory Hoblit

Writer: Steven Bochco

Doogie passes one test to get his driver's license, but he must pass another when he treats a critically ill boy.

Director: Rick Wallace

Writer: Steven Bochco

A patient paralyzed after surgery sues her physician; Benny petitions for custody of a homeless youth; not everyone is supportive of Brackman's courting Veronica.

Director: Elodie Keene

Writer: Steven Bochco

Even as Licalsi confesses to shooting Angelo Marino and his driver, Martinez is forced to shoot an irate man who points a gun at Medavoy while they're stuck in traffic.

Director: Michael M. Robin

Writer: Steven Bochco

An architect kills his business partner and deliberately lets Columbo suspect him, leading Columbo to think that he's hidden the body in the foundation of a building under construction. He plans to let Columbo dig up the site and find nothing, knowing that its the perfect place to hide the body since Columbo would never look in the same place twice.

Director: Peter Falk

Writer: Steven Bochco

When a material witness to a drug hit turns up dead, Sipowicz and Kelly's investigation leads them to two brothers who have also planned a hit on Kelly's ex-wife, Laura. Sipowicz must perform uniform-detail in a dress uniform way too small.

Director: Michael M. Robin

Writer: Steven Bochco

Kelly quits moonlighting as a bodyguard after discovering his millionaire employer is a wife beater. Later Kelly speaks at a tenant meeting explaining the dangers of carrying a gun for protection. Unfortunately, his talk has little impact on the tenant in 4B.

Director: Charles Haid

Writer: Steven Bochco

One member of a mystery-writing-team decides to kill his more talented partner when the better writer decides to go solo.

Director: Steven Spielberg

Writer: Steven Bochco

A wealthy man is murdered; his twin nephews stand to inherit, but which one committed the crime?

Director: Robert Butler

Writer: Steven Bochco

An important witness is found dead potentially ruining the prosecution's case. Erich Blunt's high-profile attorney attempts to prove his client's innocence.

Director: Mike Mayers

Writer: Steven Bochco

The mistress of a conductor becomes a target for murder after threatening to tell all to her lover's wife.

Director: Nicholas Colasanto

Writer: Steven Bochco

Becker begins the day dealing with some irate clients and finds himself at the wrong end of a gun; Melman discovers a dead partner; Kuzak finds a creative way to see that justice is done when he defends an unsavory client accused of rape and assault on a terminally ill woman; Brackman challenges Kelsey about taking on an insurance case; the firm takes on a new associate; a Chaney eulogy takes a shocking turn; Becker opens the eyes of a woman who mistakenly thinks she has a good divorce settlement; Perkins's marital problems become public knowledge; Kuzak encounters a judge who takes traffic violations seriously; Kelsey propositions Markowitz.

Director: Gregory Hoblit

Writer: Steven Bochco

The director of a government institute that employs various scientific geniuses commits a clever murder. But another kind of genius is on the case: Lt. Columbo.

Director: Alf Kjellin

Writer: Steven Bochco

Kathleen's escort owner client, Tabitha Davenport, goes on trial. Teena has evidently told Terry about seeing Kathleen and Ripley kissing in the garage stairwell, so Terry asks Ripley to recuse himself from the case on the grounds of his involvement with Kathleen. Ripley denies the involvement and refuses Terry's request. Kathleen discovers that Davenport's prosecution is politically motivated after Judge Hawes confesses that he and several other highly connected politicians are Davenport's clients. Fortunately for all concerned, Davenport is acquitted. Will and Lisa get stuck in the court house elevator, and Lisa's claustrophobia begins to get the better of her. Hot, sweaty and breaking out in hives, she removes her blouse, despondent that she is putting on such a freak show for Will. In a gesture of solidarity, Will removes his shirt and pants. Unfortunately for the both of them, at that point the elevator lurches, Will falls on top of Lisa, and the doors open, giving everyone in the

Director: Michael Switzer

Writer: Steven Bochco

A woman shoots her overbearing brother, claiming she thought he was a burglar. Columbo doesn't buy the self-defense claim - he know's it's murder.

Director: Norman Lloyd

Writer: Steven Bochco

While investigating the death of a popular actor, Columbo must outwit a cunning dentist, who has set up his wife for a murder in order to keep up his image and expensive lifestyle.

Director: Alan J. Levi

Writer: Steven Bochco

When her partner is hospitalized after a breakdown in court, criminal defense attorney Kathleen Maguire's already bulging caseload doubles. Will Froman, a P.D. who's eager to go into private practice, convinces her to take him on as a partner to save the firm.

Director: Kevin Hooks

Writer: Steven Bochco

Terry English and Hildy Mulligan investigate the death of Erich Blunt's flight attendant, Cindy Strauss. Terry also attempts to deal with the recent death of his wife and the sudden arrival of her sister.

Director: Jesse Bochco

Writer: Steven Bochco