There are some episodes of Columbo that just stick with you, aren't there? They’re the ones where you can almost feel Lieutenant Columbo’s rumpled presence in the room, that quiet, persistent hum of his intellect unraveling a carefully constructed lie. "Lady in Waiting," from the show's very first season, is one of those gems. It aired way back in December 1971, and even now, it holds up remarkably well.
What makes this particular episode so compelling, even among a sea of fantastic Columbo stories? Well, for starters, it’s penned by Steven Bochco, a name that would go on to define groundbreaking television with shows like Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue. And it’s directed by Norman Lloyd, a man who, interestingly, had learned a thing or two about suspense from none other than Alfred Hitchcock himself. You can feel that directorial polish, that careful framing and pacing that builds the tension without ever feeling forced.
The premise itself is a bit of a twist on the usual formula. We, the audience, know who the killer is almost immediately. Beth Chadwick, played with a subtle intensity by Susan Clark, feels utterly suffocated by her overbearing brother. In a moment of desperate, cold-blooded action, she kills him, staging it to look like a burglary gone wrong. The clever part? She confesses her deed early on, framing it as an unfortunate accident. But as we all know, Columbo’s definition of “accident” is a lot more… scrutinizing.
What’s particularly fascinating about "Lady in Waiting" is how it plays with our sympathies. Bochco crafts Beth Chadwick as a character we can initially understand, even empathize with. She’s a mousy introvert, crushed under the weight of her domineering sibling and a rather formidable mother, portrayed by the always-excellent Jessie Royce Landis. When her mother delivers a sharp slap to her face, it’s hard not to feel a pang of sympathy for Beth, even after knowing what she’s done. The episode does a masterful job of slowly turning that sympathy around, though. As Beth begins to enjoy the fruits of her crime, taking over the family business and becoming increasingly imperious, we start to see the darker side of her newfound freedom. It’s a smart narrative choice, ensuring that while we might understand her initial motive, we ultimately want to see Columbo succeed.
And then there’s Leslie Nielsen. Yes, that Leslie Nielsen, long before his comedic turns. Here, he plays Beth’s boyfriend, Peter Hamilton, in a surprisingly serious role. While he’s a key part of the plot, some reviews suggest he doesn’t quite land the emotional weight needed to fully carry the audience’s shifting affections. It’s a minor quibble in an otherwise absorbing episode, but it highlights how crucial every element is in a Columbo story.
Ultimately, "Lady in Waiting" isn't just about a clever murder and a brilliant detective. It's about the subtle shifts in character, the exploration of motive, and the way a seemingly simple crime can reveal so much about the people involved. It’s a testament to the show’s enduring power that an episode from its very first season can still spark such thoughtful discussion and appreciation.
