the structure of columbo is so fascinating to me. it's a murder mystery but upside down. they start the show by depicting, in minute detail, exactly what the crime was, who did it, how, and why. and then for an hour and a half, you do not watch columbo solve the case. he did that already. often almost immediately. instead you watch him slowly, carefully, methodically tear down every single excuse, cover, and alibi the killer could possibly have until nothing is left but the truth. it's not about solving the mystery it's about watching this funny little man run circles around people who think they're better than him
war and murder are awful. killing another human being is a horrible thing to do. swords and guns are cool as fuck. these two beliefs exist simultaneously in my mind and do not conflict at all