Columbo also was unlike many other crime shows of the time in that it showed the viewer the crime in opening minutes. Through the show, you knew who the murder

Columbo also was unlike many other crime shows of the time in that it showed the viewer the crime in opening minutes. Through the show, you knew who the murderer was, even if you didn't know all the whys or twists. Watching with that knowledge changes the story, as you see how the detective weaves together threads to get to where you know he needs to be by the end of the (somewhat overly drawn out) episodes.