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The Most Crucial Season I mentioned in my review for season one that the best part of watching a Columbo episode is the inter-play between Columbo and the murder suspect at hand. Where season one saw Peter Falk still fleshing out the character of Columbo, season two makes it obvious that show has gelled and finally hit its stride. We see the bumbling yet cunning detective become a little more congenial and a little more disheveled as. But we wouldn't want him any other way. This is by far one of the best seasons of Columbo ever and every episode lives up to this bold claim. Below is a synopsis of all the episodes contained in this season two package with notes regarding production and guest stars: Etude In Black - Originally aired Sep. 17, 1972 John Cassavetes plays a brilliant conductor whose concert pianist lover threatens to blow the lid on their forbidden nookie. Since his wife Janice is played by the very fetching Blythe Danner it's anyone's guess what motivates him to have the affair in the first place. But in any event, Janice's mother just happens to be the chairman of the symphony board and he would stand to lose more than his reputation if the secret got out. Directed by Nick Colasanto - Written by Steven Bochco Note: Be sure to look out for Pat Morita (Mr. Miyagi of Karate Kid fame) playing the part of the house boy. No one knows if this is where he cultivated his amazing skills at waxing on and off though. The Greenhouse Jungle - Originally aired Oct. 15, 1972 Tony Goodland played by Bradford Dillman is in love with a no good, cheatin' kind of woman but his love for her knows no bounds. Tony also happens to be the heir to a quite sizeable trust fund managed by his Uncle Jarvis Goodlands deftly performed by the great Ray Milland. Always the caring Uncle, Jarvis helps his nephew devise a scheme to fake his own kidnapping in hopes of wooing his wife away from her muscle bound boyfriend and back into his arms again. Of course sweet and loyal Uncle Jarvis decides this would be the perfect opportunity to get rid of his nephew and gain control of the money. Everything goes as planned until Lt. Columbo first steps onto the scene. Directed by Boris Sagal - Written by Jonathan Latimer The Most Crucial Game - Originally aired Nov. 5, 1972 Robert Culp turns in another outstanding guest starring role as Paul Hanlon, the general manager of a sports empire which just happens to be owned by a young, clueless playboy who inherited it from his father. Besides the horrible crime of murder, Mr. Hanlon soils the reputation of ice cream men everywhere when he poses as one to shield him from any witnesses while committing the act. As always, Columbo finds the right `time' to nab him in the end. Directed by Jeremy Paul Kagan - Written by John T. Dugan Note: Valerie Harper and Dean Stockwell (who would later appear in Quantum Leap) make memorable guest appearances. Dagger Of The Mind - Originally aired Nov. 26, 1972 Lt. Columbo visits jolly ole' England on a detective exchange program and finds himself in the thick of a murder within the theatrical world from the get go. Richard Basehart and Honor Blackman play a husband and wife eager to regain the spotlight as their careers sink. When the money behind the production of Macbeth they are set to star in finds out he's been tricked into supporting this venture he threatens to pull the plug and ruin them. His days are numbered once he decides to do this and Columbo has to navigate British customs and etiquette to bring them to justice. Directed by Richard Quine - Written by Jackson Gillis Note: Wilfrid Hyde-White turns in a performance almost on par with Peter Falk's. A veteran of British stage and screen, he would later turn up as the butler in The Toy starring Richard Pryor. Requiem For A Falling Star - Originally aired Jan. 21, 1973 Anne Baxter plays fading movie siren Nora Chandler who's getting by on bit parts on television these days. She tries to murder her cheating husband but kills her personal assistant instead. Always blown away by some of the famous people he meets in his line of work, Columbo never the less keeps his star struck eyes on the prize and nabs her for more than just one murder! Directed by Richard Quine - Written by Jackson Gillis A Stitch In Crime - Originally aired Feb. 11, 1973 When sharing the credit for a new drug that fights transplant rejection seems like too much for him, Dr. Barry Mayfield, played by Leonard Nimoy, decides to surgically remove his partner in medicine. Will Greer (who played Grandpa Walton on The Walton's) plays his ill fated colleague and this ends up being one of the more difficult cases for Columbo to crack yet. He even loses his trademark cool at one point highlighting just how crafty Mr. Spock can be. Directed by Hy Averback - Written by Shirl Hendryx Note: Hy Averback directed many classic episodes of the T.V. series M.A.S.H. The Most Dangerous Match - Originally aired March 4, 1973 American Grand Master in Chess Emmet Clayton played by Laurence Harvey is dogged by the assumption that he isn't actually the best since ailing Tomlin Dudek isn't around to challenge him. A match is finally set between the two but a pre-game showdown in which Emmet loses foretells his possible embarrassment on an international stage. Our Grand Master decides to call check mate and get rid of him before this can happen. Directed by Edward M. Abroms - Written by Jackson Gillis Double Shock - Originally aired March 25, 1973 Martin Landau does double duty playing twin brothers afraid that their inheritance will be jeopardized by the impending nuptials of their rich uncle. This is because Uncle Paris's fiancé played by Julie Newmar is a fitness expert whose dedication to exercise is matched only by her ability to waste money in large amounts. Dexter and Norman decide to end this possibility by getting rid of their dear uncle. Directed by Robert Butler - Written by Steven Bochco, Jackson Gillis, Richard Levinson and William Link Note: One of the brothers, Dexter, plays a cooking show host and the scenes of him and Columbo during one of his tapings is one of the most humorous scenes ever filmed in this series. Extras: No extras with this package to speak of except for the inclusion of pre-show promos before each episode which are pretty nifty.