Ep 3. Agenda for Murder

In the third episode of season 9 of the popular detective show Columbo, titled "Agenda for Murder," Lieutenant Columbo finds himself investigating a wealthy businessman and possible murderer named Paul Galesko. Galesko is the head of a major pharmaceutical company and is known for his ruthless business tactics.

The episode begins with Galesko driving home from a business trip when he is stopped by a police officer for speeding. When the officer approaches the car, Galesko pulls out a gun and shoots the officer, killing him instantly. Galesko then assumes the identity of the dead officer and continues on his way.

Meanwhile, Columbo is called in to investigate the murder of a young woman whose body was found in a nearby park. The victim is identified as one of Galesko's employees, and Columbo quickly realizes that the two cases may be connected.

As the investigation unfolds, Columbo begins to uncover a web of deceit and corruption within Galesko's company. He discovers that Galesko has been conducting illegal drug trials on unsuspecting patients and that the murdered woman was a key witness in a lawsuit against the company.

Despite Galesko's attempts to cover his tracks and frame others for the murders, Columbo eventually pieces together the evidence and confronts Galesko with the truth.

As always, the episode features the trademark Columbo style of investigation, in which the lieutenant appears bumbling and disorganized but gradually reveals his insightful observations and clever deductions to catch the killer. The episode also contains several twists and turns that keep viewers guessing until the very end.

Overall, "Agenda for Murder" is a classic episode of Columbo that highlights the show's strengths: the clever writing, the engaging performances, and the intriguing mystery that keeps viewers invested from beginning to end.