A Deadly State of Mind

A straightforward episode which initially looks like a case of self defence. Dr Mark Collier (George Hamilton) is an amoral psychiatrist using experimental hypnosis with a long term patient Nadia Donner (Lesley Ann Warren.) His experiments does not seem to be getting the expected results.

Collier is also having an affair with Nadia and her wealthy husband knows about it. In a violent confrontation Collier kills the husband and then tries to make out that he was killed by intruders.

When Columbo gets too close for comfort and Nadia might soon crack under pressure. Collier uses hypnotic suggestion on Nadia so she drops out of the way.

Columbo uses a cunning to trick involving a blind witness to try to get Collier to incriminate himself.

This is a rather serious Columbo episode, less of him goofing about. Also Hamilton who can be a fine actor when the material presents itself gives a finely judged performance. However he clearly is not as clever as he thinks he is making it easier for Columbo to nail him.