I like rewatching classics of crime TV pretty much whenever, but summer feels like an especially leisurely time for it.
Here are my (and probably everyone else’s) all-time favorites that never fail to deliver that comforting coziness I look for in a fictional murder mystery.
1. Columbo
Peter Falk is absolutely impeccable as Lieutenant Columbo of LAPD, trying to get to the most privileged and entitled murderers who think themselves somewhat untouchable and, mainly, smart. Set in the city of film noirs, Columbo himself is an inverted take on infamous noir detectives. Typical of those characters, he has an old trench coat at all times, which may be perceived as fairly reasonable when you are growing up in a place with pronounced seasons, but Los Angeles boasts 263 sunny days a year on average — so over 70% chance that it won’t rain today. He smokes constantly, also much like the private eyes of noir tradition. His demeanor, however is flipped. He is not the brooding outlaw, but a communicable and amicable presence, deceivingly naive, but ultimately extremely capable. Columbo loses his temper sometimes, especially in the beginning of the series, but later on he finds his footing, and treats his adversaries respectfully, as one would a worthy opponent during a game of chess.
The structure of the series is, of course, inverted as well: the viewers know the killer from the get-go, a “howcatchem” structure (instead of “whodunnit”) that gained recognition with Alfred Hitchcock’s adaptation of Dial M for Murder. But if someone does it now (like, Poker Face, for instance) — it’s immediately christened Columbo-like.
For me, Columbo is a deeply personal series associated with cozy movie nights. I used to watch the show on Friday nights together with my grandparents. Because the show aired quite late, I was allowed to sleep on the couch in the living room, and there was nothing better than falling asleep while the grownups still talked around. Lovely memories!
Five best episodes: Blueprint for Murder (S01E09) about a cunning and snobbish architect is my all-time favorite, also there is something in calling people you hardly know ‘lover’, go Goldie! | Étude in Black (S02E01) about a cheating conductor which I really hated when I saw for the first time, but now — omg, Falk and Cassavetes together are just everything, and also this episode is responsible for my dream of going to a Hollywood Bowl some day | Lady in Waiting (S01E05) about a woman who finally takes control of her own life, but unfortunately, has to commit a crime to do so, with Leslie Nielsen who is not totally behind these changes | Suitable for Framing (S01E06) about an art collector, because I like any art story really | Forgotten Lady (S05E01) about an actress with a private movie room and it is just soul-crushing and excellent. But honestly, there are so many episodes that are fantastic, that this pick is as good as any other.
2. Murder, She Wrote
Jessica Fletcher is a hands-down all-time favorite style icon, there are no two ways about it. And just generally — an icon. Who wouldn’t dream of a successful writing career (following a teaching one, mind you), a charming house in New England, and a self-sufficiency complemented by a sweet companionship of a grumpy doctor? And, I couldn’t emphasize this enough, a killer wardrobe?
And while the mysteries themselves are a bit naive and on the nose, that’s some comforting TV right there.
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Five best episodes: I am not as hardcore fan of this show as with Columbo and others on this list, but still some episodes are etched into my memory, like Murder Takes the Bus (S01E19) that’s a rainy closed-circle mystery | Snow White, Blood Red (S05E04) about gruesome murders in a ski lodge | Crossed Up (S03E13) about a bedridden Jessica Fletcher who still manages to overhear some criminal doings over the phone | The Corpse Flew First Class (S03E12) where a crime is committed on a flight to London, and also can you tell that I heavily prefer closed-circle? It’s just cozier this way! | If It's Thursday, It Must Be Beverly (S04E07) that’s just a funny Cabot Cove episode with some love interest.
3. Poirot
David Suchet became the Poirot for me, even though his portrayal isn’t always in accordance with what’s written in the books, and despite the never ending quest of other actors to present Poirot on screen. He is the one. And the show itself is pretty, witty and rewatched a hundred times. I like them all: the short episodes of early seasons, the full-length movies, the darker, bolder later productions.
I used to dream about a beginners course to architecture based on the beautiful buildings showed in the series and I keep thinking that this idea isn’t so frugal.
Also, whenever I need to decide if something is Art Deco or not, I just try to picture it in Poirot. Works every time!
Five best episodes: Truly impossible to pick, but the most rewatches probably go to The Third Floor Flat (S01E05) a charming one about the neighbors | The Cornish Mystery (S02E04) one of the funnier ones about possible affairs | Wasps' Nest (S03E05) with the most charming Peter Capaldi and a cool twist (also, is the fifth episode of every season the best one?) | Hallowe'en Party (S12E02) which I rewatch at Halloween and Zoë Wanamaker as Ariadne Oliver is just grand! | Let it be Sad Cypress (S09E02) about some very attractive people, but it’s a tough call!
4. Father Brown
A more recent one, with a very nice cast of regulars. Titular character inspired by G.K. Chesterton, but the show doesn’t rely on that too much. The cottagecore here is real though, the English village idyll omnipresent, and it’s like you’ve tumbled upon an English souvenir shop, but in the best way possible. There is quite a bit of spiritual talk, which I didn’t think much of on my first watch and had to even mentally skip it, and which grew on me significantly with rewatches. The mysteries aren’t very elaborate, but the show isn’t too serious about itself either and allows for some introspective fun, both in regards of itself and of the genre. Nice and cozy, and makes me wanna bake — unfortunately not award-winning — scones every single time.
Five best episodes: The Celestial Choir (S08E1) about a special trip to a choir competition | The House of God (S07E07) where Patrick O’Leary is courting Mrs. M | The Red Death (S09E10) the final one where everyone’s together (even Flambeau, in spirit), gotta love it! | The Tower of Lost Souls (S08E10) is an awesome one with all the inspectors | Any Christmas episode, really, for example The Star of Jacob (S05E01) that’s so miraculous and cozy!
And that’s it for now! Thanks for reading and happy watching!