Columbo loves his wife not because she is beautiful (we don't know) or wealthy (she isn't), but because she is his. He loves the hunt not because he hates the killers, but because he pities the victims. This gentle, persistent, and deeply moral approach to human connection is why Columbo remains beloved 50 years later.
In episodes like The Greenhouse Jungle (1972) and A Matter of Honor (1976), Columbo interacts with young, vulnerable women who are pawns in the killers’ games. His relationship with them is paternal and protective. This "romantic storyline" is not about sex; it is about chivalry. He restores their faith in men, even as he sends their lovers or fathers to prison.