You look at Columbo, and what do you see? A rumpled coat, a man who’s perpetually out of place, scratching his head like he just wandered into the wrong room. He’s unassuming, almost forgettable—a relic in a world of polish and power. But that’s the brilliance of him, isn’t it? You don’t take him seriously, and that’s your first mistake.

Columbo’s not interested in the spotlight. He doesn’t strut, doesn’t preen, doesn’t play the game the way others do. He’s content to let you think you’ve got the upper hand. He’ll fumble with his cigar, lose his train of thought, and ask questions that seem almost laughably naive. And you, full of pride, full of confidence, will indulge him. Because why not? He’s harmless, isn’t he?

But here’s the thing about Columbo—he’s always working. Always watching. That shuffling, distracted demeanor? That’s the mask. He wears it well, doesn’t he? Makes you feel safe, even smug. You think you’re leading the conversation, walking him in circles. But all the while, he’s laying the trap. Every question, every “just one more thing,” is a step closer to your undoing.

Columbo doesn’t care if you underestimate him. In fact, he prefers it. Because while you’re busy underestimating, he’s quietly dismantling your story, pulling at every loose thread until the whole thing unravels. And by the time you realize what’s happening, it’s already too late.

That’s Columbo. A master of the long game. The kind of man who doesn’t just catch you—he makes you realize you caught yourself. And that, my friend, is what makes him unstoppable.