10 Unforgettable ‘Matlock’ Episodes That Will Leave You Speechless!

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Among courtroom procedurals, the classic series “Matlock” remains a cherished favorite by many. This timeless show has garnered loyal fans either from its initial airing in the late ’80s and early ’90s or through repeated broadcasts over the last three decades. With the release of CBS’ 2024 version featuring Kathy Bates, which boasts a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, there has been renewed interest in the original show that provided inspiration for her character’s name.

Based significantly on the 1957 legal drama “Perry Mason” (which was later remade), the original “Matlock” series features Andy Griffith portraying the principal character, Ben Matlock, an Atlanta-based defense attorney known for his cantankerous demeanor, fondness for hot dogs, and remarkable knack for exposing liars on the stand. With a fee of $100,000 (equivalent to around $275,000 in 2025), and an iconic gray Ford Crown Victoria, Matlock is recognized for his frugality and occasionally takes on pro bono cases when suitable circumstances arise.

In this setup, Ben collaborates with his daughter Charlene (Linda Purl), colleagues such as Tyler Hudson (Kene Holliday), and a rotating cast throughout different seasons. By conducting his own investigations, Ben consistently protects the innocent or at least sows doubt, often unmasking true culprits in thrilling courtroom scenes. Dean Hargrove, who also contributed to the 1970s police procedural Columbo, produced Matlock. The series ran for nine seasons from 1986 to 1995, generating a total of 193 episodes. Its longevity and ongoing influence attest to its popularity. Here’s a list of the show’s finest moments: Top Episodes of Matlock

10
The Getaway

Season 9, Episode 9

In “The Getaway,” character Ben takes up a case for an ex-convict, who stands charged for a bank robbery he had previously pulled off. However, the key to proving his client’s innocence lies in the testimony of a 12-year-old boy named Matt Ahern (Adam LaVorgna), who saw the actual perpetrator of the crime. The catch? Matt refuses to testify unless Matlock, our character, agrees to defend Matt’s father, Joe Ahern (Jay Acovone), who is under accusation for murder, in court.

In “The Getaway,” Ben, who usually outsmarts criminals, spectators, and peers, finds himself in an interesting predicament as a young boy becomes instrumental to his case. This time around, Matt has the upper hand because he needs the child’s testimony, and he makes sure to exploit this advantage cleverly. Watching Matlock navigate around the kid is quite amusing.

9
The Foursome

Season 6, Episode 11

In “The Foursome,” Ben takes on the role of Ellis Blake, a rich yet unsympathetic golfer who stands accused of murdering his caddy, who also happens to be his daughter’s fiancé, a man he strongly dislikes. The challenge lies in clearing Blake’s name as the deceased was found with Blake’s gun and $10,000 – money that Blake had given him earlier.

In this turn of events, a fresh Deputy District Attorney, Lauren Richmond (portrayed by Amy Stoch), has arrived, eager to secure her first victory and outsmart the seemingly invincible Ben Matlock in a single move. The combined strength of evidence against Blake and Richmond’s relentless pursuit have made Matlock’s job significantly more challenging than he anticipated. Remarkably, he alleges misconduct on the D.A.’s part, risking his own disbarment. This episode is particularly intense and combative, pushing the boundaries of the show’s drama.

8
The Capital Offense

Season 8, Episode 7

The Last Appeal”

In this gripping tale, our protagonist Ben undertakes the defense of Adam Spangler (Rob Roy Fitzgerald), a man condemned to death for murder. Despite his conviction, Adam maintains his innocence, and there are enough discrepancies in the case that encourage Ben to defend him. As the execution date looms closer, the investigation grows increasingly intense. However, Ben discovers potential evidence indicating that Adam was framed, but proving it before time elapses becomes a daunting task.

The timepiece in this episode creates an additional sense of urgency. Audiences expect Ben to solve mysteries and protect the wrongly accused, but here, we wonder how swiftly he’ll manage it. In a series’ eighth season, discovering fresh angles can be challenging, yet “The Capital Offense” in Matlock manages to do just that.

7
The Confession

Season 9, Episode 7

In this installment, Ben’s old friend and past romantic interest, Prosecutor Julie March (played by Julie Sommars), comes back to town for a legal conference. During her stay, she encounters trouble and seeks assistance. As Julie rekindles her relationship with Ben, she gets a call from an individual who had previously testified in one of her murder trials. In this trial, a burglar was accused of killing a woman in her home. The caller admits that he lied during his court testimony, implying that the person Julie prosecuted and sent to prison is actually innocent. Moved by this revelation, Ben agrees to defend the wrongfully convicted individual at Julie’s request.

The Confession” episode is significant due to Julie’s comeback, a beloved character who departed in Season 6 following Matlock’s network shift from NBC to ABC. The actress decided against continuing with the show, leaving her character’s sudden exit unexplained. In this episode, we finally receive some resolution. Moreover, Ben takes advantage of a rare chance to rectify a past mistake and exonerate an innocent man while assisting a friend.

6
The D.A.

Season 4, Episode 22

In “The D.A.”, Julie March’s storyline takes place earlier in the series. After she manages to convict a man for murdering his wife’s lover, his brother starts harassing her. Soon after, she finds herself the victim of stalking. Ben and his colleague Conrad McMasters (played by Clarence Gilyard) start investigating, only to uncover that the stalker is an unexpected individual—someone they all recognize.

Episodes that revolve around familiar characters tend to be particularly thrilling since the risks are greater and viewers become more emotionally attached to the outcome compared to ordinary cases. Moreover, the eerie factor reaches its peak with Julie’s stalker, giving the episode a somber tone that’s deeper than usual.

5
The Outcast: Parts 1 & 2

Season 6, Episode 14 & 15

Title “The Outcast” signifies that it’s a deeper, multi-episode story within the series Matlock. In an unusual turn of events, Ben stumbles in one of his cases by failing to recall his client’s name in court and contemplates retiring from law. To clear his mind, he embarks on an impromptu fishing trip. Yet, his peaceful retreat is cut short when the man he gave a ride to meets an untimely and suspicious death. Despite his intentions to step away from law, Ben finds himself drawn into the investigation.

The situation becomes more intense as the people Ben is investigating start plotting against him, bringing him close to death. Later, his trustworthy partner Conrad infiltrates the group to help, but Ben gets falsely charged for shooting him. “The Outcast” offers a thrilling viewing experience due to several reasons: Ben has made an unusual mistake in serving a client, hinted at leaving a profession he’s known for, and is now wrongfully accused of a crime he didn’t commit.

4
The Dare

Season 9, Episode 4

In an exceptionally captivating episode titled “The Outside” from the series, ‘Matlock’, I found myself drawn into a mystery surrounding a self-assured (and unsettling) millionaire named Malcolm Engle, portrayed by Terry O’Quinn, who would later win an Emmy for his role in ‘Lost’. This fellow dared my friend Ben that he couldn’t solve the riddle of a flawless murder. Not long after, Lt. Bob Brooks (David Froman) met an untimely end, and it was Matlock’s job to prove Malcolm guilty. The peculiar twist? A gray tabby cat named Mo played a crucial role in Malcolm’s alibi.

In this scenario, not only does Ben need to meet Malcolm’s test by demonstrating that he’s truly as capable as people perceive him, but he also aims to seek justice for his friend and apprehend a dangerous fugitive. The stakes are high in this game of cat-and-mouse, where Ben is pushed to his limits.

3
The Judge

Season 1, Episode 2

In the TV show “The Judge,” Ben’s daughter Charlene urges him to handle a free case for a man charged with murdering his girlfriend, Joanne Leigh (Bobbie Eakes). The suspect claims he found her dead after taking a shower. Although there is evidence against him—like being discovered with the murder weapon—Kevin Meredith (Brian Lane Green) maintains his innocence and swears he’s been framed.

As it turns out, Judge Carter Addison, who is Matlock’s friend, is the actual killer. When the judge subtly tries to transfer the case to a rising defense attorney as a favor, Matlock senses something fishy. The revelation that the victim had an older lover who shares the same drink and smoking habits as the judge creates a clue for Matlock to prove his pal’s guilt.

It’s quite intriguing when a judge involved in a case also becomes part of the crime, as portrayed in Ben’s storyline. His unwavering pursuit of truth, even at the cost of a long-standing friendship, truly reflects his character and commitment to his work. In the TV movie that launched Matlock, “The Judge” was the premiere regular episode, establishing the series’ tone. Furthermore, Judge Addison is played by Dick Van Dyke, who went on to be the oldest ever Emmy winner at 98 years old. This offers a delightful experience for viewers as they witness these exceptional actors and real-life friends collaborate in one of their few joint performances.

2
The Heist

Season 9, Episode 14

In “The Heist,” Ben and his associate Jerri Stone, played by Carol Huston, receive an invitation for a trip with Ben’s long-time rival, Cliff Lewis, along with his father, Billy Lewis. They spend time at a beach house, while Cliff prepares for a triathlon and Billy flirts with women. However, during their stay, an old acquaintance of Ben’s, Ed Wingate, appears, who happens to be an undercover FBI agent. A suspicious death occurs involving someone Ed is investigating, leaving it up to Ben to vouch for his friend.

In “The Heist,” the reappearance of an old character infuses new energy and contributes to the underlying themes of camaraderie and familial assistance that serve as the foundation for the episode. Unlike the typical resolution found in a Matlock case, this tale leaves some enigma at its conclusion, lending it an additional layer of allure and suspense.

1
The Kidnapping: Parts 1 & 2

Season 8, Episodes 12/13

In a particularly gripping installment of Matlock, kidnappers aim to snatch Ben Matlock’s eldest daughter, Leanne McIntyre (Brynn Thayer), who becomes part of the team in Season 7. The kidnappers seize Billy Lewis instead of Leanne by mistake, but they still plan on demanding a substantial ransom from Ben Matlock. Among those assigned to work on the case is FBI agent Ed Wingate (who resurfaces in Season 9’s “The Heist,” as previously noted), and his flamboyant demeanor doesn’t seem to endear him to many.

Meanwhile, as Ed is preoccupied with saving Billy, one of his fellow agents (and competitors) gets fatally injured. The situation is manipulated to make it appear that Ed committed murder, leading Ben and Leanne to protect him from these false accusations. On the run from the law, Ed frequently changes his appearance to secretly pass along evidence to Ben, hoping it will prove his innocence. As Ben delves deeper into the case, he simultaneously uncovers a connection between Billy’s abduction and an FBI agent who kidnapped a child, potentially tying both incidents together.

In “The Kidnapping,” the tension reaches its peak as instead of merely observing Ben deal with the aftermath of a crime, we see him employ his cleverness in a continuous predicament to safeguard familiar characters from peril. The internal disputes within the FBI, false accusations, and concealments that are part of this intricate mystery add an extra dose of thrill to this exceptionally well-constructed two-episode arc, making it stand out as the finest in Matlock‘s series.

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2025-01-29 06:33