Season 1
Episode: S01 Special | Airdate: Mar 3, 1986 (90 min)
In this 90 minutes pilot, a popular Atlanta attorney, Ben Matlock and his daughter Charlene defend TV journalist Steve Emerson who is accused of killing Linda Coolidge, his ex-wife.
Episode: 1x01 | Airdate: Sep 23, 1986
Matlock accepts the pro bono case of Kevin Meredith, a young man accused of murdering his lover, whom Matlock soon realises had a much more powerful lover. In order to capture the real killer, Matlock must throw away a many-years-long friendship with a prominent judge.
Episode: 1x02 | Airdate: Sep 30, 1986
Ben defends an exotic dancer accused of murdering her ex-husband, a man determined to have her declared an unfit mother.
Episode: 1x03 | Airdate: Oct 7, 1986
A socialite retains Matlock to defend her husband's accused killer, a maid who won't help her own defense.
Episode: 1x04 | Airdate: Oct 14, 1986
Ben defends an over-the-hill quarterback with a reputation as a womanizer who is accused of killing his team-owner girlfriend.
Episode: 1x05 | Airdate: Oct 28, 1986
When Nicholas Baron, a well known mobster, is accused of murdering one of his rivals, he asks Ben and Charlene to represent him. Ben initially refuses, but agrees to represent Baron despite threats on his own life. He soon meets the entire family, and realises that despite what Baron has always done for a living, at heart he's a worried father who wants to clear his name.
Episode: 1x06 | Airdate: Nov 4, 1986
Even though they've lost a key witness, Matlock keeps defending Nicholas Baron. Daniel tries to convince Matlock that his father just can't handle any stress due to his heart condition, but Nicholas continues to beg Matlock to clear his name. While Matlock investigates a suspect closer to home than Baron would want, Charlene blows her chance at a relationship with Paul when she can't separate the man from the legend.
Episode: 1x07 | Airdate: Nov 11, 1986
Two sisters with a penchant for murder do away with their rich aunt and frame their uncle, whom Matlock agrees to defend.
Episode: 1x08 | Airdate: Nov 18, 1986
Detective Joe Peters has been accused of taking bribes and murdering a fence, and also suspected in the death of a fellow cop. When it comes right down to it, one of the other cops on the force was more involved than they should have been.
Episode: 1x09 | Airdate: Nov 25, 1986
Matlock reluctantly agrees to hire free-spirited rock star Angel after Charlene reveals she's already taken the job for them. Angel has been accused of killing her manager, and due to an alcohol induced black-out, can't even offer herself an alibi for the night. Matlock gets more and more angry when Angel continues to ignore his suggestions at toning down her life-style, but luckily he's able to get through to her before her attitude gets her convicted of murder.
Episode: 1x10 | Airdate: Dec 2, 1986
Professor Erskine Tate wakes from a drunken stupor behind the wheel of his car. He doesn't know how he got there or what happened. When he's accused of having hit a mailman during his drunken joyride, he goes to a former student, Ben Matlock, for help, and Ben investigates two students and a teaching assistant.
Episode: 1x11 | Airdate: Dec 9, 1986
When a down-on-his luck Santa Claus is accused of killing the landlord who was about to evict not only him but everyone else in the apartment complex, the people in his building take up a collection and come to Matlock to ask him to defend him. They may not like Tom, but none of them believe him guilty of murder. Matlock ignores his own misgivings about a man he can't help but dislike and agrees to defend Tom.
Episode: 1x12 | Airdate: Jan 6, 1987
Michael and Victoria Edwards may be divorced, but unfortunately, she couldn't keep him from being a guest on her show. When Michael dies after testing out the dish they were cooking, Victoria is immediately charged with his murder. Matlock agrees to defend her, and gets some good home cooking in the bargain.
Episode: 1x13 | Airdate: Jan 13, 1987
Mary Ann Newton has written a book (Secret Confessions) that purports to be fiction, but upon a deeper look, it seems to be an expose on the citizens of a small town. When an attempt made on her life gets a local reverend instead, Matlock is called in to defend the suspected killer. As the case goes on, Matlock realises that Ms. Newton may not be the right target for the would-be killer.
Episode: 1x14 | Airdate: Jan 20, 1987
When cookie entrepreneur Adam Gardner's girlfriend is found dead in his hot tub, the case against him looks bleak, especially when an eye witness points the finger at him. After his corporate lawyers advise him to plead guilty, Gardner hires Ben Matlock to defend him, hence Matlock and Tyler travel to Beverly Hills. While Matlock believes in his client's innocence, the more he learns about the victim, the greater the motive his client has, especially once love letters turn up that were exchanged between the victim and Josh Sinclair, Adam's supposed best friend.
Episode: 1x15 | Airdate: Feb 3, 1987
Kathy Warren was a private nurse working for the St. Johns. One night while she was out, Peter St. John died, and when it was determined to be murder, she was the prime suspect. She hired Matlock to defend her, offering her engagement ring as a fee. After Lacey St. John told A.D.A. Julie March that the ring had been stolen from their home, Matlock realised that something wasn't right in the St. John house, and that someone was lying to him.
Episode: 1x16 | Airdate: Feb 10, 1987
Matlock gets a second chance at justice when a former client, convicted of murder, kills an inmate in self-defense.
Episode: 1x17 | Airdate: Feb 17, 1987
Ben is hired by a friend to defend his son, who is in the army, who's been charged with killing the sadistic lieutenant, whose mistreatment of his men led to the death of his friend. Ben begs Tyler to do undercover in the Army, because Chris's father and Gen. Connors both had to go all the way to the pentagon to get Tyler's & Chris' platoon. In the midst of the hearing, the defendant is gone.
Episode: 1x18 | Airdate: Feb 24, 1987
As the case progresses, Ben discovers that the lieutenant and four other officers may have been involved in some kind of illegal activities. Charlene and Tyler have both been working undercover, getting close to one of those officers, examines him on the stand and he reveals that they have been smuggling drugs. Ben then examines one of the officers and has him reveal to the court the scar that the lieutenant left on him after he killed him. He then reveals that he and the other two officers drew straws on who would kill him cause, an investigation might reveal their activities.
Episode: 1x19 | Airdate: Mar 3, 1987
Matlock is hired to defend a popular actor when he's accused of killing the man who ran the sex-therapy clinic where he was staying, ostensibly for releasing his name to the press. He's got a temporary thorn in his side, though, in the form of Cassie Phillips, a law student he once made an off-hand comment to about looking him up for a job, as a lawyer's assistant, who is taking advantage of him in not doing the job he asked her to do. Tyler told Matlock that Cassie was kidnapped at the clinic, pretending Kimberly Bradshaw was not there.
Episode: 1x20 | Airdate: Mar 24, 1987
While defending union boss Gerald O'Hara, who has been accused of murdering his chief rival for his seat, Matlock is furious when juror number seven comes forward to announce that he was paid off by Matlock to vote a certain way. Luckily for Matlock, Julie knows him well enough to know he would never take a bribe, and she helps him prove that he's innocent, and that his client was railroaded by the same man who tried to bring him down.
Episode: 1x21 | Airdate: Mar 31, 1987
Amy Adler had a juvenile record before becoming a photographer's assistant, who'd been terminated for coming to work late. When the photographer she used to work for is murdered, she begs Matlock to help her out. While pro bono cases aren't usually his style, something about the feisty young woman catches his interest, and he agrees to help her out. Amy is beaten up by a man, causing her best dress to get ruined, when she got supplies from the studio. Tyler rescues her and heard she took the man's picture.
Episode: 1x22 | Airdate: May 5, 1987
When Laurie Palmer is arrested for killing her husband, the reporter covering the case is convinced of her innocence, and goes to Ben Matlock looking for help.
Episode: 1x23 | Airdate: May 12, 1987
Habitually angry Dr Dave Westlake supervises a team of doctors and threatens them with bad performance reviews before being killed. Team member Bruce Jacobs finds the body and they all become suspects.
Season 2
Episode: 2x01 | Airdate: Sep 22, 1987 (120 min)
The son of an American businessman living in London is convicted of his father's murder, prompting his sister to hire Matlock to prove that he was framed.
In London to investigate the murder of a millionaire, Matlock discovers several people who had reasonable motives for committing the crime.
Episode: 2x02 | Airdate: Sep 29, 1987
A blind man kills the man who blinded him and frames the man's girlfriend.
Episode: 2x03 | Airdate: Oct 13, 1987
Ben's assistant Cassie convinces Ben to defend a professional wrestler accused of killing a rival wrestler.
Episode: 2x04 | Airdate: Oct 20, 1987
Matlock agrees to defend a woman called Judy but is shocked when he finds out her husband has two other wives.
Episode: 2x05 | Airdate: Oct 27, 1987
Matlock reluctantly takes the case when Melinda Stuart's source is murdered. The biggest problem is that she's more interested in listening to what FBI Agent Paul Davies has to say than she is in listening to him.
Episode: 2x06 | Airdate: Nov 3, 1987
After Agent Davies offers Melinda an exclusive, she changes her plea to guilty. Matlock tries to talk to her, especially after it's revealed that the person Melinda was talking to was an imposter.
Episode: 2x07 | Airdate: Dec 1, 1987
Network programming chief Paul J. Bartel is murdered, leaving Hollywood baffled as to the identity of the killer. Matlock comes to town to represent the television producer accused of killing him, and finds more than his fair share of suspects. It seems everyone had a motive to kill Paul J. Bartel!
Episode: 2x08 | Airdate: Dec 8, 1987
A writer is found shot to death while he was writing a tell-all book about Georgia's most prominent political family, the Douglases. James Douglas' ex-wife, Vanessa, is accused of the murder but Matlock agrees to defend her.
Episode: 2x09 | Airdate: Dec 15, 1987
Jimmy Legrand is Matlock's favorite country singer of all time. When he's accused of a hit-and-run, Matlock leaps at the chance to defend him and to house the country legend in his own home, but soon realises that his hero has turned into an alcoholic and a generally unenjoyable person.
Episode: 2x10 | Airdate: Dec 22, 1987
When Matlock takes on the defense of a man accused of murdering his vindictive ex-wife, he also has his hands full baby-sitting the man's daughter.
Episode: 2x11 | Airdate: Dec 29, 1987
Ben defends an Atlanta police lieutenant who is accused of murdering his girlfriend after learning of her true identity.
Episode: 2x12 | Airdate: Jan 5, 1988
Matlock defends a woman accused of killing the exercise instructor she believed was having an affair with her husband.
Episode: 2x13 | Airdate: Jan 12, 1988
Ben must defend an old friend when a former law school classmate, who was the accused's business partner, is murdered.
Episode: 2x14 | Airdate: Jan 19, 1988
Ben defends a dance instructor charged in the murder of a wealthy, jealous matron who cut off his money.
Episode: 2x15 | Airdate: Jan 26, 1988
Matlock defends an insurance salesman who has been accused of killing his boss, who is also a softball umpire, following a bad call during a softball game.
Episode: 2x16 | Airdate: Feb 2, 1988
Matlock discovers that his client, who's accused of killing a mob-hunting congressman, is the son of a major organized-crime figure.
Episode: 2x17 | Airdate: Feb 9, 1988
Ben must prevent a mob war when the crime-boss father of his client discovers the evidence against his son was manufactured.
Episode: 2x18 | Airdate: Feb 16, 1988
Ben must defend an infuriated investor who is accused of murdering the slick owner of a bogus company.
Episode: 2x19 | Airdate: Feb 23, 1988
A man pays an angry visit to the Advice Column writer counselor whom he believes ruined his marriage with the advice she gave to his wife. Matlock encounters a family full of suspects when the advice-to-the-lovelorn columnist is murdered.
Episode: 2x20 | Airdate: Mar 15, 1988
When his genius nephew is accused of murder, Ben's only hope for acquittal lies in his client's ability to outwit a computer.
Episode: 2x21 | Airdate: Mar 22, 1988
Matlock intends to enjoy an evening watching the Amazing Zeigler but the illusionist's contentious relation with his assistant erupts. Her subsequent murder has Matlock defending the magician.
Episode: 2x22 | Airdate: Mar 29, 1988
Ben defends a Vietnamese fisherman accused of killing the man who was terrorizing him and his fellow countrymen.
Episode: 2x23 | Airdate: May 3, 1988
An heiress who's just been released from a mental institution is.accused of murdering the administrator of her trust fund. Matlock's defense is hindered by a visiting lawyer sent down from New York to 'help' him.
Season 3
Episode: 3x01 | Airdate: Nov 29, 1988
Don Knotts is Matlock's new neighbor, Les Calhoun. In this episode, Les returns a malfunctioning used car he just bought and becomes the prime suspect in the murder of the car salesman. Although circumstantial evidence points to a conviction, Matlock sets out to prove his new neighbour was framed.
Episode: 3x02 | Airdate: Dec 6, 1988
A British diplomat accused of killing his married lover's husband refuses to hide behind diplomatic immunity, so a lawyer who's a friend of Matlock's asks him to come to New York City to help in his defense. The big question for Ben is figuring out why the dead man's widow is so eager to say his client is the killer.
Episode: 3x03 | Airdate: Dec 13, 1988
Episode: 3x04 | Airdate: Dec 20, 1988
Ben searches for a witness capable of clearing his client in her unfaithful husband's murder.
Episode: 3x05 | Airdate: Jan 3, 1989
Ben dislikes his client, an obnoxious radio personality accused of killing a rival disc jockey.
Episode: 3x06 | Airdate: Jan 10, 1989
Ben defends a patrolman framed for murder but is upset when the prime suspect appears to be the chief of police, an old friend.
Episode: 3x07 | Airdate: Jan 17, 1989
Ned Billings, the brother of James Billings, a man who had framed a College Professor of Matlock's comes to Matlock's Office, and holds Michelle, Julie and Tyler hostage. His intention is to kill Ben Matlock whom he holds responsible for his brother James's suicide in prison.
Episode: 3x08 | Airdate: Jan 31, 1989
A newspaper reporter summons Matlock to Chicago after the Mayor is assassinated and a notorious activist is accused. The lawyer tries to figure out what the Mayor was arguing about with two acquaintances, a judge and a factory owner, and whether it has any bearing on the case.
Episode: 3x09 | Airdate: Feb 7, 1989
Matlock's task is complicated when the Mayor's assistant is killed with the reporter's gun. The reporter travels to Texas in pursuit of the real assassin, while Ben tries to unravel a conspiracy involving Judge Franklin, a factory owner and the Mayor's wife.
Episode: 3x10 | Airdate: Feb 14, 1989
Seven years earlier Ken Wilson was sent to prison, convicted of murdering his wife, Ann. After he's released, he runs into his wife in Los Angeles, only now she's going by the name Kelly Manning. When she turns up dead, Ken Wilson is again arrested and charged with her murder. Matlock is determined to prove that someone else killed the woman. Back in Atlanta, Les is thrilled about his new relationship with Bernice, a woman he met at Ray Templin's.
Episode: 3x11 | Airdate: Feb 21, 1989
Ben defends psychiatrist Lucas Forbes accused of killing Adam Whitley, the cruel abusive husband of his crippled patient Erin Whitley by gunfire.
Episode: 3x12 | Airdate: Feb 28, 1989
An old friend comes to Matlock to beg him to prove that her daughter Lauren didn't murder her rival Morgan Girard after a beauty contest.
Episode: 3x13 | Airdate: Mar 7, 1989
Matlock agrees to defend a psychic, Jennifer Holtz, who claims to have seen the murder before it ever took place.
Episode: 3x14 | Airdate: Mar 28, 1989
When a rare coin dealer is charged with murdering a thieving employee, he hires Matlock to defend him. Tyler is less than thrilled when Matlock temporarily hires a female investigator, and has his own suspicions of her motives.
Episode: 3x15 | Airdate: Apr 4, 1989
Matlock and Tyler discover that somebody else has kidnapped Linda's son, which was part of her scheme. Matlock also searches for some hard-to-find coins he need to put together the case.
Episode: 3x16 | Airdate: Apr 18, 1989
When the manager of a thoroughbred farm is murdered, her father begs Matlock to represent the mentally handicapped man accused of the crime.
Episode: 3x17 | Airdate: Apr 25, 1989
Matlock has finally had the breakthrough in the case he was struggling with, but after being hit by a car, he needs to put the case together from scratch. Unfortunately, his nurse isn't too pleased to see him trying to work, and does her best to make sure he gets the rest he needs.
Episode: 3x18 | Airdate: May 2, 1989
A man who attempted to rescue his son from a religious cult is framed for the murder of the cult leader.
Episode: 3x19 | Airdate: May 9, 1989
A singer-composer finds an old blues musician living on the streets. He takes the old man to his home over the objections of everyone. Later the singer is found dead. The old man is arrested and Ben who is also a fan decides to defend him.
Episode: 3x20 | Airdate: May 16, 1989
Ex-mobster Nathan Carlino is accused of killing a priest. Alex Winthrop wants to handle the case but Carlino wants a seasoned lawyer. Ben gets on board. The murder was not as open and shut as it appeared.
Season 4
Episode: 4x01 | Airdate: Sep 19, 1989 (120 min)
A hot-tempered soldier travels to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to learn the truth about the alleged hunting accident that killed his brother. He's soon accused of killing the man he suspected of killing his brother, and Matlock travels to defend him at the request of a Four-Star General. Ben has his hands full keeping his client in check, preventing him from threatening witnesses he believes are lying, and he also finds himself framed for drug possession. Fortunately, a friendly, young deputy sheriff, Conrad McMasters, is on Matlock's side.
Ben's certain that the two dead men, Ryan Bartell and Frank Hamilton, were part of a criminal conspiracy, and with the help of his new friend Conrad, sets out to prove it, after he calmed Matlock down, who was framed to have all the drugs in his car. Once vacationing was over, Matlock hires Conrad to become a full-time private investigator and partner in Atlanta.
Episode: 4x02 | Airdate: Sep 26, 1989
Defending a widow accused of murdering her second husband, Ben suspects her jealous son of the crime.
Episode: 4x03 | Airdate: Oct 10, 1989
The husband of a best-selling author is accused of killing a woman with poison meant for his wife.
Episode: 4x04 | Airdate: Oct 17, 1989
When Ben and Julie go to Baltimore to defend a case, the prosecuting attorney turns out to be Julie's ex-husband.
Episode: 4x05 | Airdate: Oct 24, 1989
Ben defends a circus clown accused of killing his partner; Conrad gets trapped in a tiger's cage.
Episode: 4x06 | Airdate: Oct 31, 1989
Ben defends a director accused of killing an aging actress during her horror-film death scene.
Episode: 4x07 | Airdate: Nov 7, 1989
After he's conned by a group of con men, Brian Davis is accused of murdering one of them. Matlock agrees to take on the case, and while Michelle tries to get close to one of the remaining con artists, Matlock tries to prove that a previous scheme is responsible for the current predicament.
Episode: 4x08 | Airdate: Nov 14, 1989
Matlock goes behind bars to defend a guard accused of murder in a kangaroo court set up by inmates in a riot-torn prison.
Episode: 4x09 | Airdate: Nov 21, 1989
While Matlock finds the weapon inside the prison, Conrad works on the outside to clear the guard and keep Matlock safe.
Episode: 4x10 | Airdate: Nov 28, 1989
Ben has trouble with the defense of a brash, young client framed for the murder of a wealthy relative.
Episode: 4x11 | Airdate: Dec 12, 1989
On his deathbed, an old friend of Ben's begs him to reopen a cold murder case, suspecting that another of their hunting buddies is the killer.
Episode: 4x12 | Airdate: Dec 19, 1989
A crusty old toy store owner is accused of killing his partner, whom he denigrated as too generous and soft-hearted to manage their business.
Episode: 4x13 | Airdate: Jan 2, 1990
Episode: 4x14 | Airdate: Jan 9, 1990
Episode: 4x15 | Airdate: Jan 16, 1990
Episode: 4x16 | Airdate: Jan 23, 1990
Episode: 4x17 | Airdate: Feb 6, 1990
Episode: 4x18 | Airdate: Feb 13, 1990
Episode: 4x19 | Airdate: Feb 20, 1990
Episode: 4x20 | Airdate: Feb 27, 1990
Episode: 4x21 | Airdate: Mar 20, 1990
Julie becomes the target of a witness with psychological problems, leaving Matlock and Conrad to learn who is threatening her, and why.
Episode: 4x22 | Airdate: May 1, 1990
Episode: 4x23 | Airdate: May 8, 1990
Season 5
Episode: 5x01 | Airdate: Sep 18, 1990
Episode: 5x02 | Airdate: Sep 25, 1990 (120 min)
Episode: 5x03 | Airdate: Oct 2, 1990
Episode: 5x04 | Airdate: Oct 9, 1990
Episode: 5x05 | Airdate: Oct 23, 1990
Episode: 5x06 | Airdate: Oct 30, 1990
Episode: 5x07 | Airdate: Nov 6, 1990
Episode: 5x08 | Airdate: Nov 13, 1990
Episode: 5x09 | Airdate: Nov 20, 1990
Episode: 5x10 | Airdate: Nov 27, 1990
A biker who's the bodyguard for an arrogant movie star is accused of killing him.
Episode: 5x11 | Airdate: Dec 4, 1990
A man whom Julie prosecuted for murder is cleared but found dead himself, and she suspects a connection between his 'suicide' and the murder for which he was accused.
Episode: 5x12 | Airdate: Dec 11, 1990
Matlock goes the distance to help a heavyweight boxing champ accused of killing a sports reporter.
Episode: 5x13 | Airdate: Jan 8, 1991
When a critic is found dead, a young playwright is accused and Ben agrees to defend him.
Episode: 5x14 | Airdate: Jan 15, 1991
Matlock defends a couple accused of murdering a new mother who changed her mind about giving up her baby for adoption.
Episode: 5x15 | Airdate: Jan 29, 1991
On his way to a luncheon where he is to be honoured as `Man of the Year,' Ben and his housekeeper have car trouble, are robbed and then arrested.
Episode: 5x16 | Airdate: Feb 5, 1991
Ben defends a man accused of murdering his business partner during a fight about hiring an arsonist to burn down their failing store.
Episode: 5x17 | Airdate: Feb 12, 1991
Ben seeks the truth on behalf of a chemist accused of stealing a hair growth formula and murdering its inventor.
Episode: 5x18 | Airdate: Feb 19, 1991
Newly appointed Special Prosecutor Matlock investigates the murder of an assistant district attorney and finds evidence pointing to members of the legal profession.
Episode: 5x19 | Airdate: Feb 26, 1991
Special Prosecutor Matlock faces a top defense attorney in his prosecution of two judges and a lawyer.
Episode: 5x20 | Airdate: Mar 26, 1991
Matlock defends a man charged with killing an ambulance-chasing lawyer who specialized in personal injury claims against a local water-slide park.
Episode: 5x21 | Airdate: Apr 30, 1991
Ben defends a movie-queen turned cosmetics-mogul accused of murdering her former lover to prevent the publication of some revealing photos.
Season 6
Episode: 6x01 | Airdate: Oct 18, 1991 (120 min)
While back home for the town's bicentennial festivities, Ben is retained to defend a man for two homicides linked to a 15-year-old crime.
Matlock uncovers disturbing evidence in his home town while investigating the murder of a writer who witnessed a homicide 15 years before.
Episode: 6x02 | Airdate: Oct 25, 1991
A serial killer whose eventual target is Ben embarrasses him in court by leaving false clues.
Episode: 6x03 | Airdate: Nov 1, 1991
On his way to a dude ranch, Ben is knocked unconscious and dreams of himself as a frontier lawyer, with Conrad as a gun slinging client and Julie as the owner of a boardinghouse.
Episode: 6x04 | Airdate: Nov 8, 1991
Ben's insurance agent is charged with murdering a deceitful marriage counselor after the police learn the adviser was having an affair with the agent's wife.
Episode: 6x05 | Airdate: Nov 15, 1991
In a flashback case involving the young widow of a wealthy older man, Ben recalls the investigative techniques his father taught him.
Episode: 6x06 | Airdate: Nov 29, 1991 (120 min)
Michelle believes Matlock's objectivity is being compromised by the young widow he is defending.
Matlock faces an ethical dilemma while defending two clients, a wealthy widow and a father, accused of murder.
Episode: 6x07 | Airdate: Dec 6, 1991
A grandmother's testimony is vital to Ben's defense of a youth who is charged with murdering his abusive father to protect his mother.
Episode: 6x08 | Airdate: Dec 13, 1991
Defending a game-show host accused of killing his producer, Ben learns others had motives.
Episode: 6x09 | Airdate: Dec 20, 1991
Matlock risks being disbarred when he accuses the deputy district attorney of misconduct in her case against his client.
Episode: 6x10 | Airdate: Jan 17, 1992
Ben finds a photo that may solve a murder while looking for his cousin's philandering husband.
Episode: 6x11 | Airdate: Jan 24, 1992
Ben uses evidence in an altered photo to uncover a murder plot designed to conceal a counterfeiting operation.
Episode: 6x12 | Airdate: Feb 7, 1992 (120 min)
Matlock goes fishing, but his trip is interrupted by a death in a small town, where he ingratiates himself to the locals, angling for a line on the killer.
Matlock closes in on a killer responsible for a murder in the small town where the retiring lawyer took off to go fishing.
Episode: 6x13 | Airdate: Feb 28, 1992
Frugal Ben hires a hitchhiker to paint his home; Michelle and an insurance adjuster pursue an ad producer's murderer.
Episode: 6x14 | Airdate: Mar 6, 1992
Michelle is kidnapped by mobsters who offer her release in exchange for evidence Ben was given prior to a mob lawyer's murder.
Episode: 6x15 | Airdate: Apr 17, 1992
A woman is accused of murdering her estranged boyfriend and her imaginative son creates a comic book with parallels to the crime.
Episode: 6x16 | Airdate: Apr 24, 1992
A TV reporter is framed for his producer's murder, a smoke screen for a real estate scam and fictitious news story.
Episode: 6x17 | Airdate: May 1, 1992
The real murderer winds up being murdered himself, which doesn't help Matlock's client much...not only that, but there's a real estate scam looming in the wings that also affects the case.
Episode: 6x18 | Airdate: May 8, 1992 (120 min)
A judge's investigation of the mayor's assassination triggers a frame-up, but Matlock's daughter aims to shoot down the conspiracy's coverup.
Ben and Leanne link the mayor's assassination to a judge charged with sexual assault.
Season 7
Episode: 7x01 | Airdate: Nov 5, 1992 (120 min)
Matlock and Leanne head to the beach where Leanne reunites with three good friends from college, while Matlock meets someone from his past.
Leanne's reunion with her old friends turns problematic when she starts suspecting one of them of murder. Meanwhile, Billy Lewis is determined to get back at Matlock for breaking his sister's heart years earlier.
Episode: 7x02 | Airdate: Nov 19, 1992 (120 min)
Brian Martell is accused of murdering a playwright 40 years after Brian's father was charged with murdering the playwright's father.
Matlock and his father investigate a 40-year-old murder, apparently duplicated by the accused murderer's son.
Episode: 7x03 | Airdate: Jan 14, 1993
Mike Wilson begs Matlock to help his wife Janice out when she is accused of a crime. Matlock approaches Janice's lawyer, who thinks Matlock is pulling his leg, because Janice is on trial for killing Mike, her husband.
Episode: 7x04 | Airdate: Jan 21, 1993
Matlock talks about his career to a law class at university and the subject of `the perfect murder' comes up. When student Eddie Price disappears, the university officials fear that Matlock's speech may have incited one of the students to commit a perfect crime.
Episode: 7x05 | Airdate: Jan 28, 1993
Matlock defends a producer accused of killing a singer after a recording session by trying to prove that one of the other men at the recording studio is guilty of the murder.
Episode: 7x06 | Airdate: Feb 4, 1993
When Billy Wheeler comes back to town $250,000 richer having won the lottery, he soon falls for contractor Judy Wilson. Unfortunately, when she takes him and every other partner for a ride, Billy is accused of her murder and Matlock has to try and clear his name.
Episode: 7x07 | Airdate: Feb 11, 1993
Matlock is planning a birthday fishing trip with Leanne, but then he is called up for jury duty, which puts a damper on their trip. Despite his convictions that no lawyer would want him on their jury, Matlock ends up in the court room.
Episode: 7x08 | Airdate: Feb 18, 1993 (120 min)
The nephew of an eccentric millionaire is accused of murdering his uncle after they were seen arguing and Cliff is sent to work in the uncle's zoo to gather information to exonerate him. Meanwhile, Billy persuades Ben to defend him in court after he becomes involved in an investment scheme gone awry.
In the concluding part of the in which Cliff tries to exonerate an eccentric millionaire who has been accused of murdering his uncle. Meanwhile, will Billy's decision to hire Matlock to defend him in court pay off?
Episode: 7x09 | Airdate: Mar 18, 1993
When Leanne chooses to defend her ex-husband in a murder trial, Matlock has strong objections. Despite her father's feelings, Leanne is insistent that her past will not have an effect on the case. After discovering his former son-in-law's possible motives for killing his boss, Matlock's dislike for him grows.
Episode: 7x10 | Airdate: Mar 25, 1993
After Matlock witnesses a robbery at a convenience store, strange mix-ups start happening in his life. Someone is messing with his paperwork, his social calendar and his sanity. So he, Cliff and Conrad start sifting through old cases to see which nemesis holds a grudge.
Episode: 7x11 | Airdate: Apr 1, 1993
Dreams are a powerful thing. After a series of troubling nightmares regarding the murder of a well-known doctor, Matlock begins to wonder if he has special insight. Thanks to the lack of clues surrounding the doctor's death, Matlock turns to his dreams for answers.
Episode: 7x12 | Airdate: Apr 8, 1993
A couple who had the perfect marriage set out to have the perfect divorce, with Matlock representing the husband and Leanne representing the wife. Meanwhile, a con artist sues Matlock for millions after hurting himself on Ben's property.
Episode: 7x13 | Airdate: Apr 29, 1993 (120 min)
Matlock invites a homeless man to share his home. Meanwhile, he investigates the case of a deceased archbishop who became entangled in a plot involving a former football player, his wife, her lover, and the Mafia.
Matlock discovers what part a deceased archbishop played in a plot involving a former football player, his wife, her lover, and the Mafia.
Episode: 7x14 | Airdate: May 6, 1993
Matlock does not believe that a talented young pianist committed suicide, a view that is shared by her father but what really happened?
Season 8
Episode: 8x01 | Airdate: Sep 23, 1993
After an actress in `The Last Cry of the Hounds' is murdered, Matlock agrees to represent the director of a local community play - on the condition that the director does not cut him from the play.
Episode: 8x02 | Airdate: Sep 30, 1993
Matlock, Leanne and Cliff go to North Carolina to attend Billy's sister's funeral. While there, they end up getting involved in a pair of murders connected to two young women.
Episode: 8x03 | Airdate: Oct 7, 1993
Matlock and Leanne are convinced that Carrie and Ashley are guilty of not only extortion but murder as well, but the two girls seem to have perfect alibis.
Episode: 8x04 | Airdate: Oct 14, 1993
Matlock takes Leanne to meet Martha Jordan, the wife of his very first client back in 1962. Cyrus Jordan was the cook at the local diner when he was accused of killing the local sheriff after a disagreement.
Episode: 8x05 | Airdate: Oct 28, 1993
While out of town at a wedding, an ill Matlock sees a man attacking a woman from the window of his hotel. When he learns the next day that the woman was murdered, Matlock is convinced that the man he saw killed the woman.
Episode: 8x06 | Airdate: Nov 4, 1993
Matlock defends a comedian who's accused of murdering a comic who'd insulted him on-stage.
Episode: 8x07 | Airdate: Nov 11, 1993
Matlock continues his five-year-long struggle to save a con artist from the electric chair.
Episode: 8x08 | Airdate: Nov 18, 1993 (120 min)
When Cliff takes a malpractice case, he becomes involved with his client and the plastic surgeon she's later accused of murdering.
Cliff and Matlock realize that their respective cases of medical malpractice and a dead businessman are tied together.
Episode: 8x09 | Airdate: Nov 25, 1993
Matlock defends a lawyer charged with murdering an associate who had accused him of botching a lawsuit involving toxic waste pollution.
Episode: 8x10 | Airdate: Dec 2, 1993
Matlock dreams he is a down on his luck lawyer with a passion for both the drink and the club scene. He takes a case defending a night club owner who is accused of killing the club's saxophone player.
Episode: 8x11 | Airdate: Dec 16, 1993
Leanne falls in love with her client, Gil Stoddard, a handsome philanthropist accused of murdering his partner.
Episode: 8x12 | Airdate: Jan 13, 1994
An attempt to kidnap Leanne goes awry, so the abductors take Billy instead and hold him for ransom.
Episode: 8x13 | Airdate: Jan 20, 1994
Ben sets out to prove the innocence of an FBI agent who is involved in a murder setup and the kidnapping of Ben's friend.
Episode: 8x14 | Airdate: Jan 27, 1994
Sometimes thievery takes some planning. When a professional thief sets his sights on Leanne's antique jewelry collection, he uses the written word to make her fall in love with him. In order to get what he is really after, the master thief must use the secrets found in Leanne's journals.
Episode: 8x15 | Airdate: Feb 3, 1994
Matlock's latest client is a friend from church who has a problem with taking things that don't belong to him. So when a whistle blower who reported him for stealing rare books turns up dead, he turns to Ben, his fellow choir member to help prove his innocence.
Episode: 8x16 | Airdate: Feb 10, 1994
While playing a mystery game at a stately island mansion, Matlock discovers the 'victim' in the game has been murdered in real life. In the matter of one evening, the island hideaway goes from perfect vacation spot to crime scene and Ben is on the case.
Episode: 8x17 | Airdate: Feb 17, 1994
Matlock meets a lawyer who's just like him, but their friendship is hindered because they're on opposite sides of a case.
Episode: 8x18 | Airdate: Mar 3, 1994
When Matlock helps a down-on-his-luck PI find his long-lost daughter, the father and daughter team end up working together to solve the toughest murder case of the father's career, while building a relationship that changes their lives forever.
Episode: 8x19 | Airdate: Apr 28, 1994
Family or not, Matlock regrets agreeing to hold a pre-wedding party for his bride-to-be goddaughter. Fights among the many freeloading guests leave his home in shambles and an old family feud somehow escalates into a murder.
Episode: 8x20 | Airdate: May 19, 1994 (120 min)
A lawyer who is a fan of Matlock's accused of murdering a blackmailing P.I.
A lawyer who idolizes Matlock is accused of murdering a PI.
Season 9
Episode: 9x01 | Airdate: Oct 13, 1994 (120 min)
Matlock defends Ellen Barrett, a reporter who claims to have killed a mobster in self-defense. However, the police are not convinced by her story and neither is Matlock when some things don't add up.
Matlock questions a journalist's motive for confessing to a murder she didn't commit. Thanks to some detective work by Jerri Stone, Matlock can approach the Barrett case from a new angle.
Episode: 9x02 | Airdate: Oct 20, 1994
The prime suspect in the murder of a prominent attorney is an employee who accused him of sexual harassment.
Episode: 9x03 | Airdate: Oct 27, 1994
After a wealthy philanthropist tells Matlock that he is incapable of solving a true murder, he has Matlock's best friend murdered. Now, in order to bring down a diabolical killer, Ben must search for clues that will prove the truth and expose the killer.
Episode: 9x04 | Airdate: Nov 3, 1994
A senatorial candidate is accused of murdering the editor of a tabloid that smeared her.
Episode: 9x05 | Airdate: Nov 10, 1994
After a college basketball coach clashes with a booster over recruiting techniques, he is accused of murder.
Episode: 9x06 | Airdate: Nov 17, 1994
Ben and Jerri pose as video-dating customers to find a murderer who may have used the service.
Episode: 9x07 | Airdate: Dec 1, 1994
Matlock helps a visiting old friend secure a new trial for a convicted murderer she had prosecuted.
Episode: 9x08 | Airdate: Dec 8, 1994
When a popular radio DJ is suspected in the murder of his partner whom he despised, Ben searches for the real killer.
Episode: 9x09 | Airdate: Jan 5, 1995
Matlock has his hands full when it comes to this latest case. The only witness to his client's innocence is a twelve-year-old boy, and he is refusing to tell Ben anything for free. In order to get to the truth, Matlock must also agree to defend the boy's father, who has been charged with murder.
Episode: 9x10 | Airdate: Jan 12, 1995
The town's new assistant district attorney must prosecute her former lover, who has secured Matlock for his defense.
Episode: 9x11 | Airdate: Feb 2, 1995
Episode: 9x12 | Airdate: Feb 9, 1995
After bailing out of a fishing trip because of seasickness, Ben thinks the ensuing explosion that killed a judge friend was intended for him.
Episode: 9x13 | Airdate: Feb 16, 1995
Ben's latest birthday turns sour when his car breaks down and the barbecue he's picked up for his party is stolen. When a Good Samaritan comes to his rescue, Matlock is determined to repay the favour, even if it means facing an attorney who is known to be very tough in the court room.
Episode: 9x14 | Airdate: Apr 27, 1995 (120 min)
Cliff's preparation for an upcoming triathlon is overshadowed by four bank robbers' plans to recover stolen treasure from a hiding place.
Episode: 9x15 | Airdate: May 4, 1995 (120 min)
Cliff's a suspect in the murder of a private detective, with whom he'd had a confrontation while investigating a blackmail plot.
Ben sidelines plans to attend a class reunion when Cliff is accused of murder.