Columbo/YMMV

• Alternate Character Interpretation: Prominent ones include the theory that Columbo's oft-mentioned but never-seen wife doesn't actually exist -- along with a host of other relatives that turn up in his conversations with perps -- and that his "façade" of foolishness really isn't a façade at all.
  • His wife exists -- there's an episode where they're on a cruise together. Another ends with them talking on the phone.
  • Don't forget the one episode which involved the ex-wife of one of Columbo's past arrests trying to murder his wife in revenge.
  • She did have her own TV Series. Though I guess it could have just been a bad holonovel.
    • Word of God is that the character in Mrs. Columbo is the wife of some other guy named Columbo. She certainly doesn't resemble Columbo's description of his wife.
• Complete Monster: While a few Columbo killers were obviously and openly selfish and regarded their victims as more than annoyances, the only criminal to fit this would be Rudy Strasse (who ironically never actually kills anyone) from "No Time To Die". He was completely insane and obsessed with a fashion model, enough to kidnap her on her wedding night, declare the marriage a sham, and immediately spill his intent to force the model into his own marriage, have sex with her and then slit her throat followed by his own suicide. His house was in the middle of nowhere with all windows sealed by glass building blocks painted over, his only opening window wedged and no escape for his hostage. He witnessed his mother's murder and subsequent suicide of his own father as a child, which no doubt led to serious mental trauma. His only goal was to marry a woman and slit her and his own throats in the same manner! He also does many things that are far beyond creepy. It does not help that he is a certified medical student.
  • He may have been pretty bad, but probably doesn't come close to Joe Devlin, his son, the O'Connell family or the rest of the IRA terrorist bunch from The Conspirators. We're talking about a terrorist cell that was operating in the US under the guise of an anti-terror peace group, claiming to raise money to help end the violence, only to use the money they raised to buy guns which they sent to Ireland.
• Fridge Brilliance: He has a glass eye; as he already Doesn't Like Guns, that would make effective shooting in an actual fight much harder.
• Magnificent Bastard: Columbo himself, as well many of the killers (notably the ones portrayed by McGoohan and Cassidy).
• The Problem with Licensed Games: In a rare example predating video games, there was a Columbo board game. The problem was, it really had little to do with the character and the only image of Columbo was a simple drawing showing him from the back, one can assume because they didn't have permission to use Peter Falk's likeness.
• The Scrappy: Detective Sergent Fredric Wilson, the outcome of a long and bitter attempt to foist an eager young sidekick on Falk.
• The Woobie: Numerous murderers are pushed around by Asshole Victims, such as Beth from "Lady in Waiting" who is held down by her dominating brother and mother for her whole life. Once her brother is dead her life turns around and she's suddenly more assertive and in control of her life for once.