I loved this one from the get-go. Montalban plays arrogant and entitled with brio, Mexican culture is respected--especailly well for the time--and the cop buddy scenario is very well played, and you note. I found the ending marvelous--the killer's motivation--threatened pride--nakedly exposed, and painfully before his daughter. It's a mini-Greek tragedy. This ranks with the best Columbos for me because the killer is so admirable in many ways but has one great flaw that leads to his downfall.
I always say that EVERY episode is someone’s favorite! This one never appealed to me overall, but the amazing camaraderie between Columbo and Sanchez stands out. Love that handshake just before the end credits roll.
@@EchoesOfColumbo Yeah, they do have great chemistry together. Actually, this episode differs from most in that it's not the typical war of wits between Columbo and the killer; rather, the killer serves to develop the bromance. Montalban is a tertiary character.
I haven't seen this in so long, I can't comment on what I think, but anytime a writer has two brilliant actors like Falk and Montalban but doesn't give them great material, that's a huge fail. Each of those actors, if given reasonably good material, can make the most of it.
For my money, Sanchez is the best Columbo sidekick. Smart, competent, funny and natural. Not played as bumbling, like Bob Dische or dour like Bruce Kirby. But if you think there's no such thing as a bad Columbo episode, you haven't seen Last Salute. Thanks for the videos. They're very enjoyable.
I was a kid when Columbo premiered. My dad loved it. I have the complete DVDs and the only episodes it pains me to watch from the original run are Last Salute and Dagger of the Mind. I sincerely look forward to your arguments that those are not bad Columbos! Of the later series, a third are unwatchable for me, yet one of my top 5 of all time is Columbo Goes to College. Thanks again for sharing your passion for the show.
@@MISHKINPUSH That’s awesome, I became a fan as a kid because of watching it with my dad as well! Great memories. I remember not being allowed to stay up late enough to see the endings, so often I never knew how Columbo solved the case until years later!
Oh, that kinda sucks! My parents were more lenient. My dad was a short Italian, like Falk, and I think he liked that Columbo always stuck it to the rich guy.
I get what you're saying with with Montoya, but his character is that of a dejected former star who can't do what he once did thanks to his injury. He's lost the will to display most any other emotion other than being bitter. He's so tormented by it that when he's seen unable to do what he once did he's pushed to silence that witness, even if said witness will likely never talk, because his old public image is still there despite it. In that regard the ending makes sense- Columbo exposed his corwardice in a way he can't silence, his image is ruined. He may as well turn himself in. He thrived on what little he had & now it's gone. I don't mind the quieter moments in episodes even if many of them are just there to eat up runtime. Columbo isn't Sgt Voight from Chicago PD. He's not Robocop. He doesn't have to be the action hero out there looking for perps to rough up. He can take the leisure time to think about things.
Absolutely, Montalban plays that character well! I just think it’s a poor choice in terms of building up the usual rapport and tension between Columbo and the killer. It’s mainly the script’s fault. A huge letdown for such an amazing guest star.
I for 1 like this analysis video way more than the telefilm (I still do not get the point of this out-of-country caper, i.e. no clear motive like greed vengeance or jealousy).
I agree with your analysis. I disliked this very much on first watching, but appreciated the positive points you mentioned on repeated viewings. Still a weak episode.
I hate the ending. It makes no sense that Montoya turns himself into the police. How did he know he was caught? How did he know Columbo had caught him? It is nowhere shown that his honour is so important.
It’s a nonsense ending. It “proves” that Montoya probably froze in front of Hector during the previous bull attack… but that in no way proves Montoya would even WANT to kill his old friend, let alone that he DID. It’s crazy that they allowed that ending to stand.
@@EchoesOfColumbo I will say, I really love your take on these videos with finding all the positives. I hope you'll get to Dagger of the Mind someday, because my ultimate Columbo hot take is that I prefer it to By Dawn's Early Light. It has amusing villains, a fun, developing plot, and I love the Superintendent with Columbo. That being said, I'd still rate it as a mediocre episode. But By Dawn is boring, has a dead villain, a super simple mystery, uninteresting settings and barely any development in the plot at all throughout the episode. I have the same thing with Identity Crisis which barely makes sense. Maybe I just have McGoohan problem.
@@larshvolbl9632 Now THAT is a hot take! But I can see your reasoning… My own (which I’ve hinted at here and there) is that I think ‘Any Old Port I A Storm’ is vastly overrated. I’ll get to that someday!
I loved this one from the get-go. Montalban plays arrogant and entitled with brio, Mexican culture is respected--especailly well for the time--and the cop buddy scenario is very well played, and you note. I found the ending marvelous--the killer's motivation--threatened pride--nakedly exposed, and painfully before his daughter. It's a mini-Greek tragedy. This ranks with the best Columbos for me because the killer is so admirable in many ways but has one great flaw that leads to his downfall.
I always say that EVERY episode is someone’s favorite! This one never appealed to me overall, but the amazing camaraderie between Columbo and Sanchez stands out. Love that handshake just before the end credits roll.
@@EchoesOfColumbo Yeah, they do have great chemistry together. Actually, this episode differs from most in that it's not the typical war of wits between Columbo and the killer; rather, the killer serves to develop the bromance. Montalban is a tertiary character.
@@nicholasschroeder3678 “A Matter of Bromance” I like that alternate title.
I haven't seen this in so long, I can't comment on what I think, but anytime a writer has two brilliant actors like Falk and Montalban but doesn't give them great material, that's a huge fail. Each of those actors, if given reasonably good material, can make the most of it.
For my money, Sanchez is the best Columbo sidekick. Smart, competent, funny and natural. Not played as bumbling, like Bob Dische or dour like Bruce Kirby.
But if you think there's no such thing as a bad Columbo episode, you haven't seen Last Salute.
Thanks for the videos. They're very enjoyable.
Haha I’ll get around to a deep dive on “Last Salute” one day! And I agree, Sanchez is amazing. He saves this entire episode.
I was a kid when Columbo premiered. My dad loved it. I have the complete DVDs and the only episodes it pains me to watch from the original run are Last Salute and Dagger of the Mind. I sincerely look forward to your arguments that those are not bad Columbos! Of the later series, a third are unwatchable for me, yet one of my top 5 of all time is Columbo Goes to College.
Thanks again for sharing your passion for the show.
@@MISHKINPUSH That’s awesome, I became a fan as a kid because of watching it with my dad as well! Great memories. I remember not being allowed to stay up late enough to see the endings, so often I never knew how Columbo solved the case until years later!
Oh, that kinda sucks! My parents were more lenient. My dad was a short Italian, like Falk, and I think he liked that Columbo always stuck it to the rich guy.
Columbo was the easiest thing to watch. We already knew who did it and we could just sit back and watch Columbo do all the work figuring it out.
I agree, that main “we know who did it” gimmick of Columbo is a huge part of the fun!
I get what you're saying with with Montoya, but his character is that of a dejected former star who can't do what he once did thanks to his injury. He's lost the will to display most any other emotion other than being bitter. He's so tormented by it that when he's seen unable to do what he once did he's pushed to silence that witness, even if said witness will likely never talk, because his old public image is still there despite it. In that regard the ending makes sense- Columbo exposed his corwardice in a way he can't silence, his image is ruined. He may as well turn himself in. He thrived on what little he had & now it's gone.
I don't mind the quieter moments in episodes even if many of them are just there to eat up runtime. Columbo isn't Sgt Voight from Chicago PD. He's not Robocop. He doesn't have to be the action hero out there looking for perps to rough up. He can take the leisure time to think about things.
Absolutely, Montalban plays that character well! I just think it’s a poor choice in terms of building up the usual rapport and tension between Columbo and the killer. It’s mainly the script’s fault. A huge letdown for such an amazing guest star.
I enjoyed the scenes between Columbo and the Mexican detective...
The highlight of the episode for me!
No bad episode of columbo? Last Salute to the Commodore would like a word
I agree
me & ricardo montalban same birthday November 25.
Happy birthday (in 3 days)!
Great!!
Thank you!
For me this is good episode location is south of mexico city not tijuana
I for 1 like this analysis video way more than the telefilm (I still do not get the point of this out-of-country caper, i.e. no clear motive like greed vengeance or jealousy).
You honor me with that comment! Good points aside, this remains one of my least favorite episodes from the 70s.
I agree with your analysis. I disliked this very much on first watching, but appreciated the positive points you mentioned on repeated viewings. Still a weak episode.
Tragically the episode is a real missed opportunity. But glad you liked my little stroll through it!
One of the weakest episodes for me
This one is pretty low on my list, despite its one or two redeeming qualities.
I hate the ending. It makes no sense that Montoya turns himself into the police. How did he know he was caught? How did he know Columbo had caught him? It is nowhere shown that his honour is so important.
It’s a nonsense ending. It “proves” that Montoya probably froze in front of Hector during the previous bull attack… but that in no way proves Montoya would even WANT to kill his old friend, let alone that he DID. It’s crazy that they allowed that ending to stand.
@@EchoesOfColumbo I will say, I really love your take on these videos with finding all the positives. I hope you'll get to Dagger of the Mind someday, because my ultimate Columbo hot take is that I prefer it to By Dawn's Early Light. It has amusing villains, a fun, developing plot, and I love the Superintendent with Columbo. That being said, I'd still rate it as a mediocre episode. But By Dawn is boring, has a dead villain, a super simple mystery, uninteresting settings and barely any development in the plot at all throughout the episode. I have the same thing with Identity Crisis which barely makes sense. Maybe I just have McGoohan problem.
@@larshvolbl9632 Now THAT is a hot take! But I can see your reasoning… My own (which I’ve hinted at here and there) is that I think ‘Any Old Port I A Storm’ is vastly overrated. I’ll get to that someday!
@echoesofcolumbo
When are you coming back to insta? I’m missing our little chats lol
Oh man, I’m off of social media these days! Haha too much for my stress level - but maybe someday!
@@EchoesOfColumbo someday someday m’boy