Seven people crowd the small room. After they leave, a mysterious man follows Sonya, while Rodion taunts Razumikhin—a strategic ploy to avoid suspicion.
I loved to see arch Colombo when I was young! I can’t wait to watch this battle of wills unfold. I found this article from the makers of Colombo about creating the character and show. They did, indeed, use Crime and Punishment as inspiration after studying it in college. http://www.columbo-site.freeuk.com/created.htm
Thank you for the article; it's truly insightful. I've recently started watching Columbo from the beginning. Though I was familiar with the show from memes and a handful of random episodes I'd seen years ago (I generally enjoy exploring old series and films), my exposure had been limited to these scattered viewings. Yet, despite this limited exposure, Columbo's character left an immediate and lasting impression on me.
There would be so much to discuss about this chapter! But I’ll just point out the incredible and seamless changes in point of view: we see through the perspectives of Sonya, both mother and daughter, Sonya again, Svidrigailov, and finally, Rodion and Razumikhin. These shifts in perspective are easy to follow, but in the hands of a less skillful writer, they could have been quite confusing!
Hah, that might be an interesting thought. Although it raises new questions for me - are they played well, like a small orchestra? Is Rodion the conductor? And what would they play? Probably Verdi's Requiem.
Yes, it's a very intimate scene. But I've never seen it filmed like that. Maybe it will still appear. We need to remember that 7 people are sitting in a very small room, they are literally breathing on each other, it's about 2 meters by 2 meters.
Why do we think Raskolnikov is so drawn to the poor and desperate? The girl in the street, Marmeladov, now Sonya... genuine pity and desire to help or a sort of vanity, is he maybe playing the hero?
It's worth nothing that I always found Columbo unsettling 😅 it's because his bumbling idiot persona is completely artificial and we have no idea of what he's like in real life, he's always playing a part. He reminds me of one of those fae tricksters they warn you about in ancient legends, a vengeful god in peasant clothes. But the vague mental image of Porfiry Petrovich I had is now forever replaced by Peter Falk so thank you for that!
(on a side note, I recently saw an episode of Columbo with a young Blythe Danner and it's impressive how much she looked like her daughter Gwyneth Paltrow!)
What a coincidence! I watched that orchestra episode of Columbo yesterday. I've recently started watching Columbo from the beginning, playing it as background while I draw. During yesterday's episode, I wondered who the character reminded me of. Now that I've googled the name, I realize you're talking about the same person! 😅 I didn't know she was Gwyneth's mother before this.
As for his choice to "sing the song of Lazarus" and pretend to be poor and miserable, he likely thinks it's the easiest strategy. However, you'll see it's not so simple, as his desire to act heroically constantly breaks through his facade.
You have helped me see the nuances and currents running through the past two chapters. They are so full, there are no superfluous words or sentences. It has left me pondering. Raskolnikov says to Razumkhin, “People are happy who have no need of locks.” But Raskolnikov has a horrible secret locked inside, and he is not happy. Does he even see the irony that statement? Perhaps there is hope in that sentence, maybe his soul is not completely locked into a Faustian bargain and he can be freed to return to his humanity.
Reading about Sonya being followed gave me the creeps. Hitchcock worthy.
And Pulcheria makes me mad with her judgmental attitude. Reminds me of my mother-in-law. Grrrr…
It's fascinating to consider the symbolism of locks, especially since Raskolnikov doesn't secure his own room. Razumikhin, our endearingly naive friend, focused primarily on material concerns—as if echoing the adage "money can't buy happiness." You're spot-on in noting that Raskolnikov has long since retreated into himself; he's been keeping his family in the dark. But surely, someone must hold the key to his inner world, don't you think?
You are correct that Colombo is based on Porfiry Petrovich. I read an article a long time ago called "Socrates in a Raincoat", or something like that, in which the creator of Colombo said that he modeled the character after Petrovich. That article is what made me read this book the first time - I thought that it would be like a Colombo story.
Thank you for the tip, I'll definitely find this article and share it with everyone. It really does feel like Columbo has a similar model for solving cases.
It is online. Took a screenshot but I do not know how to post it here. It is in the TV Guide of June 8, 1974. I googled Socrates in a Raincoat TV Guide.
I loved watching Columbo! And never knew the character was based on Porfiry Petrovich from this book. And this book is just that, we know the perpetrator, we know the crime, we just do not know how the mystery will be solved. This is just as delightful as discovering that the Sherlock Holmes character was based on a character in a short story by Edgar Allan Poe. Indeed, we all stand on the shoulders of the giants in our fields.
I loved to see arch Colombo when I was young! I can’t wait to watch this battle of wills unfold. I found this article from the makers of Colombo about creating the character and show. They did, indeed, use Crime and Punishment as inspiration after studying it in college. http://www.columbo-site.freeuk.com/created.htm
Thank you for the article; it's truly insightful. I've recently started watching Columbo from the beginning. Though I was familiar with the show from memes and a handful of random episodes I'd seen years ago (I generally enjoy exploring old series and films), my exposure had been limited to these scattered viewings. Yet, despite this limited exposure, Columbo's character left an immediate and lasting impression on me.
It’s been ages since I watched it! I may have to join you. :-)
There would be so much to discuss about this chapter! But I’ll just point out the incredible and seamless changes in point of view: we see through the perspectives of Sonya, both mother and daughter, Sonya again, Svidrigailov, and finally, Rodion and Razumikhin. These shifts in perspective are easy to follow, but in the hands of a less skillful writer, they could have been quite confusing!
Exactly. I guess you could compare this to a string septet played on a small stage!
Hah, that might be an interesting thought. Although it raises new questions for me - are they played well, like a small orchestra? Is Rodion the conductor? And what would they play? Probably Verdi's Requiem.
Ha! I’d say more like Schoenberg's Verklärte Nacht, maybe?
I need to listen to this 😅. But yes, they should play something mysterious and unsettling.
Definitely! Try the Pierre Boulez / Ensemble InterContemporain version. Stunning! If you're using Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/schoenberg-suite-op-29-verkl%C3%A4rte-nacht-three-pieces/458881908
Yes, it's a very intimate scene. But I've never seen it filmed like that. Maybe it will still appear. We need to remember that 7 people are sitting in a very small room, they are literally breathing on each other, it's about 2 meters by 2 meters.
Why do we think Raskolnikov is so drawn to the poor and desperate? The girl in the street, Marmeladov, now Sonya... genuine pity and desire to help or a sort of vanity, is he maybe playing the hero?
It's worth nothing that I always found Columbo unsettling 😅 it's because his bumbling idiot persona is completely artificial and we have no idea of what he's like in real life, he's always playing a part. He reminds me of one of those fae tricksters they warn you about in ancient legends, a vengeful god in peasant clothes. But the vague mental image of Porfiry Petrovich I had is now forever replaced by Peter Falk so thank you for that!
(on a side note, I recently saw an episode of Columbo with a young Blythe Danner and it's impressive how much she looked like her daughter Gwyneth Paltrow!)
What a coincidence! I watched that orchestra episode of Columbo yesterday. I've recently started watching Columbo from the beginning, playing it as background while I draw. During yesterday's episode, I wondered who the character reminded me of. Now that I've googled the name, I realize you're talking about the same person! 😅 I didn't know she was Gwyneth's mother before this.
As for his choice to "sing the song of Lazarus" and pretend to be poor and miserable, he likely thinks it's the easiest strategy. However, you'll see it's not so simple, as his desire to act heroically constantly breaks through his facade.
Fun fact: she was actually pregnant with Gwyneth in that episode, you can see the baby bump.
You have helped me see the nuances and currents running through the past two chapters. They are so full, there are no superfluous words or sentences. It has left me pondering. Raskolnikov says to Razumkhin, “People are happy who have no need of locks.” But Raskolnikov has a horrible secret locked inside, and he is not happy. Does he even see the irony that statement? Perhaps there is hope in that sentence, maybe his soul is not completely locked into a Faustian bargain and he can be freed to return to his humanity.
Reading about Sonya being followed gave me the creeps. Hitchcock worthy.
And Pulcheria makes me mad with her judgmental attitude. Reminds me of my mother-in-law. Grrrr…
It's fascinating to consider the symbolism of locks, especially since Raskolnikov doesn't secure his own room. Razumikhin, our endearingly naive friend, focused primarily on material concerns—as if echoing the adage "money can't buy happiness." You're spot-on in noting that Raskolnikov has long since retreated into himself; he's been keeping his family in the dark. But surely, someone must hold the key to his inner world, don't you think?
You are correct that Colombo is based on Porfiry Petrovich. I read an article a long time ago called "Socrates in a Raincoat", or something like that, in which the creator of Colombo said that he modeled the character after Petrovich. That article is what made me read this book the first time - I thought that it would be like a Colombo story.
Thank you for the tip, I'll definitely find this article and share it with everyone. It really does feel like Columbo has a similar model for solving cases.
It is online. Took a screenshot but I do not know how to post it here. It is in the TV Guide of June 8, 1974. I googled Socrates in a Raincoat TV Guide.
It seems there's no way to insert images in the comments. You could write in the community chat. That would be great.
I loved watching Columbo! And never knew the character was based on Porfiry Petrovich from this book. And this book is just that, we know the perpetrator, we know the crime, we just do not know how the mystery will be solved. This is just as delightful as discovering that the Sherlock Holmes character was based on a character in a short story by Edgar Allan Poe. Indeed, we all stand on the shoulders of the giants in our fields.