The Best Episodes Written By Steven Bochco

Every TV Episode Written by Steven Bochco Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    undefined Season 1 Episode 14 - Jumpin' Jack Fleishman
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #1 - Jumpin' Jack Fleishman

    S1:E14

    When a woman who was raped refuses to press charges for fear her husband will say she brought it upon herself, Licalsi acts as a decoy in an attempt to trap the prime suspect.

    Director:N/A

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  2. undefined Season 1 Episode 13 - Abandando Abandoned
    8.2/10(4 votes)

    #2 - Abandando Abandoned

    S1:E13

    Donna's joy over Medavoy leaving his wife is short-lived when he has a change of heart.

    Director:N/A

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  3. undefined Season 1 Episode 21 - Guns 'n Rosaries
    8.0/10(4 votes)

    #3 - Guns 'n Rosaries

    S1:E21

    Even as Licalsi confesses to shooting Angelo Marino and his driver, Martinez is forced to shoot an irate man who points a gun at Medavoy while they're stuck in traffic.

    Director:N/A

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  4. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #4 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Doogie passes one test to get his driver's license, but he must pass another when he treats a critically ill boy.

    Director:N/A

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  5. undefined Season 1 Episode 7 - Blueprint for Murder
    7.8/10(41 votes)

    #5 - Blueprint for Murder

    S1:E7

    An architect kills his business partner and deliberately lets Columbo suspect him, leading Columbo to think that he's hidden the body in the foundation of a building under construction. He plans to let Columbo dig up the site and find nothing, knowing that its the perfect place to hide the body since Columbo would never look in the same place twice.

    Director:N/A

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  6. undefined Season 1 Episode 18 - Zeppo Marks Brothers
    7.7/10(3 votes)

    #6 - Zeppo Marks Brothers

    S1:E18

    When a material witness to a drug hit turns up dead, Sipowicz and Kelly's investigation leads them to two brothers who have also planned a hit on Kelly's ex-wife, Laura. Sipowicz must perform uniform-detail in a dress uniform way too small.

    Director:N/A

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  7. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - Murder by the Book
    7.6/10(56 votes)

    #7 - Murder by the Book

    S1:E1

    One member of a mystery-writing-team decides to kill his more talented partner when the better writer decides to go solo.

    Director:N/A

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  8. undefined Season 1 Episode 4 - True Confessions
    7.6/10(5 votes)

    #8 - True Confessions

    S1:E4

    Kelly quits moonlighting as a bodyguard after discovering his millionaire employer is a wife beater. Later Kelly speaks at a tenant meeting explaining the dangers of carrying a gun for protection. Unfortunately, his talk has little impact on the tenant in 4B.

    Director:N/A

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  9. undefined Season 2 Episode 8 - Double Shock
    7.5/10(38 votes)

    #9 - Double Shock

    S2:E8

    A wealthy man is murdered; his twin nephews stand to inherit, but which one committed the crime?

    Director:N/A

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  10. undefined Season 1 Episode 7 - Suck My Alibi
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #10 - Suck My Alibi

    S1:E7

    An important witness is found dead potentially ruining the prosecution's case. Erich Blunt's high-profile attorney attempts to prove his client's innocence.

    Director:N/A

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  11. undefined Season 2 Episode 1 - Étude in Black
    7.3/10(40 votes)

    #11 - Étude in Black

    S2:E1

    The mistress of a conductor becomes a target for murder after threatening to tell all to her lover's wife.

    Director:N/A

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  12. undefined Season 3 Episode 6 - Mind Over Mayhem
    7.2/10(27 votes)

    #12 - Mind Over Mayhem

    S3:E6

    The director of a government institute that employs various scientific geniuses commits a clever murder. But another kind of genius is on the case: Lt. Columbo.

    Director:N/A

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  13. undefined Season 1 Episode 5 - Lady in Waiting
    7.0/10(42 votes)

    #13 - Lady in Waiting

    S1:E5

    A woman shoots her overbearing brother, claiming she thought he was a burglar. Columbo doesn't buy the self-defense claim - he know's it's murder.

    Director:N/A

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  14. undefined Season 9 Episode 5 - Uneasy Lies the Crown
    6.3/10(25 votes)

    #14 - Uneasy Lies the Crown

    S9:E5

    While investigating the death of a popular actor, Columbo must outwit a cunning dentist, who has set up his wife for a murder in order to keep up his image and expensive lifestyle.

    Director:N/A

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  15. undefined Season 1 Episode 2 - The City of Sisterly Love
    4.2/10(6 votes)

    #15 - The City of Sisterly Love

    S1:E2

    Terry English and Hildy Mulligan investigate the death of Erich Blunt's flight attendant, Cindy Strauss. Terry also attempts to deal with the recent death of his wife and the sudden arrival of her sister.

    Director:N/A

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Steven Bochco Ratings Summary

"Jumpin' Jack Fleishman" is the best rated episode written by Steven Bochco. It scored 8.5/10 based on 4 votes. It was directed by N/A. It aired on 1/18/1994 and is rated 0.3 points higher than their second-best episode, "Abandando Abandoned".