Matlock
In this legal drama, Andy Griffith plays Ben Matlock, a criminal-defense lawyer based in Atlanta. Matlock typically identifies and confronts the perpetrator in a dramatic courtroom scene. His goal, most often, is to prove reasonable doubt of his client's guilt. Rumor suggests that the character is based on lawyer Bobby Lee Cook, Georgia's colorful "dean of criminal-defense attorneys."
- Metascore36
- 1986-1995
- 9 seasons
- NBC
- Suspense, Drama
- TV-PG
In this legal drama, Andy Griffith plays Ben Matlock, a criminal-defense lawyer based in Atlanta. Matlock typically identifies and confronts the perpetrator in a dramatic courtroom scene. His goal, most often, is to prove reasonable doubt of his client's guilt. Rumor suggests that the character is based on lawyer Bobby Lee Cook, Georgia's colorful "dean of criminal-defense attorneys."
Season 2 Episode Guide
23 Episodes 1987 - 1988
Episode 1
The Billionaire
Tue, Sep 22, 1987 120 mins
An American businessman based in London is killed. His son would be charged, tried, and convicted for the crime. His sister believing in her brother's innocence decides to stage a mock trial hoping that something that they missed will be revealed, and she hires Ben to defend him.
Episode 2
Blind Justice
Tue, Oct 6, 1987 60 mins
A blind man kills the man who blinded him and frames the man's girlfriend.
Episode 3
The Annihilator
Tue, Oct 13, 1987 60 mins
Pro wrestler Victor "The Annihilator" Garrett publicly threatened to annihilate rival "Sailor" Jack Saunders. After their match, Victor is accused of bludgeoning Jack with a blunt instrument, possibly a broken wine bottle.
Episode 4
The Husband
Tue, Oct 20, 1987 60 mins
When a woman learns her husband has another wife, she confronts him even making threats. Later he is found dead. She is arrested and Ben defends her. He learns that the man has more secrets.
Episode 5
The Power Brokers: Part 1
Tue, Oct 27, 1987 91 mins
A reporter in Wahsington is working on a story involving some powerful men. She has a source who wants money before she gives her more information. But when her source turns up dead she's charged with murder. Ben is hired to defend her. He goes to Washington and finds navigating the beltway most difficult.
Episode 6
The Power Brokers: Part 2
Tue, Nov 3, 1987 50 mins
While trying to figure out how to recover from Melinda's surprise at the end of part one, Matlock slowly uncovers a conspiracy among politicians and businessmen over a secret involving oil reserves.
Episode 7
The Gambler
Tue, Nov 10, 1987 50 mins
Ben defends Atlanta police Lieutenant James Manning, who is accused of killing his girlfriend Victoria Rawlings in Las Vegas by strangling her with a bathrobe belt after learning that she was leading a double life.
Episode 8
The Network
Tue, Dec 1, 1987 50 mins
Matlock ventures to LA to defend TV producer Paul Bartel who is accused of murdering network programming chief Greg Titleman.
Episode 9
The Best Friend
Tue, Dec 8, 1987 50 mins
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 10
The Country Boy
Tue, Dec 15, 1987 50 mins
When a country singer who's a drinker makes a spectacle of himself, his wife decides to leave him. Her sister backs the decision, but then is later found victim of a hit and run. The singer is subsequently arrested and accused of the murder, but Ben decides to defend him.
Episode 11
The Gift
Tue, Dec 22, 1987 60 mins
Ben defends Brian Emerson, who is accused of murdering his ex-wife Maggie Crowley after he sneaked into her house to give their daughter Wendy a Christmas gift.
Episode 12
The Body
Tue, Jan 5, 1988 47 mins
Ben and Michelle stay at an exclusive health spa and investigate its employees after their client is accused of killing aerobics instructor Christie Huntley, who had an affair with the client's husband.
Episode 13
The Reunion
Tue, Jan 12, 1988 50 mins
Ben has a reunion with some friends from law school who are partners in a law firm. The senior partner is killed and one of the partners is accused of killing him. Ben offers to defend him and he learns that the victim was not exactly liked by the other partners so he thinks one of them killed him.
Episode 14
The Gigolo
Tue, Jan 19, 1988 50 mins
Ben Matlock defends a handsome, young dance instructor who is accused of killing his married dance studio business partner after she catches him after hours with another woman.
Episode 15
The Umpire
Tue, Jan 26, 1988 50 mins
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 16
The Investigation: Part 1
Tue, Feb 2, 1988 50 mins
One of Ben's clients is the son of a mobster but he has chosen to cut all ties with his father, even change his name and not tell anyone about it. But a politician finds out and subpoenas him to appear before a commission. Later the politician is killed and he is arrested. Eventually his father shows up and tries to fix it but Ben tries to solve legally. Ben crosses paths with a couple of other organizations who may have wanted the man dead also.
Episode 17
The Investigation: Part 2
Tue, Feb 9, 1988 50 mins
Matlock decides to continue with the case even though he was the victim of a violent assault. When Tyler returns to the same bar to enquire the whereabouts of Juanita Martinez (Maria O'Brien) on the night of the murders, he meets with physical resistance and ends up lying on the floor. The Gentry Family almost ended up in the middle of the mob war with the Hernandez family.
Episode 18
The Hucksters
Tue, Feb 16, 1988 60 mins
Unscrupulous Robert Ullman heads a pyramid scheme selling face cream and suddenly dies of monocaine poisoning during an interview. Hal Simpson, a salesman he bilked, is blamed.
Episode 19
The Lovelorn
Tue, Feb 23, 1988 50 mins
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. He picks up a piece of metal artwork and threatens her. When she's found dead, murdered with that same artwork, Ben agrees to defend him. The lawyer discovers that the dead woman's own marriage situation was quite unusual, possibly revealing a different suspect and motive.
Episode 20
The Genius
Tue, Mar 15, 1988 50 mins
When Ben's own genius nephew is accused of murder, he assists his uncle in the defense.
Episode 21
The Magician
Tue, Mar 22, 1988 60 mins
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 22
The Fisherman
Tue, Mar 29, 1988 50 mins
A Vietnamese fisherman has been clashing with another fisherman who's a bigot. When the man is killed the Vietnamese is arrested and Ben defends him. And the D.A. is quite helpful to Ben.
Episode 23
The Heiress
Tue, May 3, 1988 60 mins
Ben and a friend defend a young heiress who is being tried for murdering the trustee of her trust.
