Columbo investigates a corporation executive's murder with an exploding cigar box. William Windom, Ida Lupino, Roddy McDowall, Anne Francis and James Gregory guest star.
Working as the new handyman at a retirement home, Jonathan brings a little pep into the dreary lives of its residents. A nurse's brother, Mark Gordon, doesn't trust the newcomer.
Jonathan Garvey is convinced that he has a great crop coming up, but as he is celebrating with his family at the dinner table, a fateful fire burns their entire barn down. With all their plans destroyed, Alice has a plan to help them get back on their feet, but Jonathan's pride threatens their marriage.
After two miscarriages, Beth Novack is thrilled to be experiencing a healthy pregnancy, but when her husband takes a tumble from the roof, she becomes a widow within 24 hours. Devastated that he could not save his patient, Doc Baker decides to leave his practice and pursue a farming career, to the dismay of the townspeople.
The marriage between Almanzo and Laura faces its first stern test when he falls seriously ill with diphtheria and later suffers a crippling stroke. Eliza Jane arrives to help care for her brother, but makes matters worse by babying him.
