In the Heat of the Night
Carroll O'Connor steps into the role of Bill Gillespie, a southern, white sheriff, and Howard Rollins takes on the mantle of Virgil Tibbs, an African American detective, who must put animosity aside to solve crimes in a racially-charged hamlet.
- Metascore42
- 1988-1995
- 8 seasons
- NBC
- Suspense, Drama
- TV-14
Carroll O'Connor steps into the role of Bill Gillespie, a southern, white sheriff, and Howard Rollins takes on the mantle of Virgil Tibbs, an African American detective, who must put animosity aside to solve crimes in a racially-charged hamlet.
Season 8 Episode Guide
4 Episodes 1994 - 1995
Episode 1
A Matter of Justice
Fri, Oct 21, 1994 92 mins
A two-hour episode. Todd Walker abandons the body of Peggy Hatcher, whom he has raped and murdered, in a barn on the property of his grandfather, influential Judge Barton Walker. Lyle Harms, who has dated Peggy earlier, is a suspect because of a previous kidnapping. Todd stalks, kidnaps and finally rapes and kills Chelsea Clark, daughter of Felicia Clark, a dean of students at Sparta College. As the bodies are found, Sheriff Bill Gillespie and Chief Hampton Forbes pursue the serial killer in tandem, following the case to its heartbreaking, tragic conclusion. George C. Scott stars as Judge Walker.
Episode 2
Who Was Geli Bendl?
Fri, Dec 9, 1994 95 mins
Movie star Geli Bendl, born Gilda Burrows, returns to Sparta to rescue her sister Laura from the Bottoms and cocaine pusher Donnie Muir. Donnie is involved with members of a drug ring from Jackson who are suspected in a murder case in Sparta. Geli calls on her friend, Sparta police Sgt. Dee Shepard, for help.
Episode 3
By Duty Bound
Fri, Feb 17, 1995 95 mins
When Gillespie decides on running for the permanent position as county sheriff, his opponent and employee is investigated for allegations of insurance fraud, corruption and murder.
Episode 4
Grow Old Along with Me
Tue, May 16, 1995 96 mins
Two hour episode. Ex-cop John Ryan marries wealthy widow Pauline Medford, with Sheriff Bill Gillespie as best man. Drunken Trina Mallin, one-time girlfriend of Ryan, almost breaks up the ceremony. She tries to extort $50,000 from him to keep quiet about a long ago incident. Trina's present lover and bankrupt lawyer, Tommy Harwood, wants her to leave Sparta with him, but she has other plans. John and Pauline set up Trina as a DUI driver, inadvertently causing a fatal accident. Trina is charged with vehicular manslaughter. Gillespie and Chief Hampton Forbes cooperate in the investigation.