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 5 Episode Guide
21 Episodes 1990 - 1991
Episode 1
The Mother
Tue, Sep 18, 1990 45 mins
A legal secretary is accused of murdering her boss, who had an affair with her daughter.
Episode 2
Nowhere to Turn
Tue, Sep 25, 1990 100 mins
In Los Angeles, Matlock finds himself on trial, accused of murdering a judge. Even worse, he has no memory of what happened.
Episode 3
The Madam
Tue, Oct 2, 1990 46 mins
Ben finds himself enchanted by his latest client, a notorious madam accused of killing one of her prostitutes.
Episode 4
The Personal Trainer
Tue, Oct 9, 1990 46 mins
A jealous husband is framed for the murder of a personal trainer who was sleeping with his wife (and several other women as well!). Matlock agrees to defend him, even though he is on Matlock's naughty list for screwing up a roof repair job on his house.
Episode 5
The Narc
Tue, Oct 23, 1990 46 mins
During a drug bust, a group of undercover cops steal half of a drug dealer's cache of drugs to sell themselves. One of the cops is later killed. Did one of his partners kill him?
Episode 6
The Secret: Part 1
Tue, Oct 30, 1990
A gambler is framed for the murder of his bookie, but Matlock believes the victim was murdered by his old college buddies, who was also being blackmailed by the victim.
Episode 7
The Secret: Part 2
Tue, Nov 6, 1990
Tyler Mullins is a compulsive gambler and blues singer, who is framed for the murder of his boss, who is also his bookie. His boss's death wipes out his $25,000 gambling debt. This gives him a substantial motive, but Tyler swears to his friend and lawyer Ben Matlock that he didn't do it. Matlock discovers that the victim had been blackmailing three of his college friends, but he can't figure out what he was blackmailing them with. And now the victim's girlfriend Sherry, has decided to take up blackmailing too. One of the three suspects is now trying to kill her too, just as they killed their friend, but which one?
Episode 8
The Brothers
Tue, Nov 13, 1990 45 mins
Matlock has a tough case to defend after a plastic surgeon is accused of killing his business partner.
Episode 9
The Cover Girl
Tue, Nov 20, 1990 45 mins
A photographer is accused of killing an overbearing modeling agency president, who happens to be the boss of Conrad's model girlfriend.
Episode 10
The Biker
Tue, Nov 27, 1990 45 mins
A biker who was hired to provide security for an arrogant movie star hires Ben when he's accused of killing the actor.
Episode 11
The Broker
Tue, Dec 4, 1990 46 mins
Julie is assigned to prosecute a stock broker accused of killing the man who fired him. However, she thinks that he is innocent. Julie is then shocked to find out the man apparently committed suicide, but she is suspicious and thinks that he was murdered and asks Ben and Conrad to help prove his innocence and bring the real killer to justice. However, Julie soon becomes the killer's next target.
Episode 12
The Fighter
Tue, Dec 11, 1990 60 mins
Professional boxer Billy Leon is accused of killing a sports columnist who has unfavorably covered his career, but Matlock suspects one of three others in the murder. Could it be Billy's unfaithful wife whose brief affair became known by the dead guy, a manipulative fight trainer attempting to keep his dishonest dealings secret, or a scheming fight promoter who stands to lose big bucks if certain deals he set up become public knowledge?
Episode 13
The Critic
Tue, Jan 8, 1991 45 mins
Ben acts as technical advisor on a play written by a young friend. When the play is ripped apart by a television critic and the television critic is subsequently found murdered, Ben is called in to defend his friend and find the real murderer.
Episode 14
The Parents
Tue, Jan 15, 1991 60 mins
Prospective adoptive parents are suspected of murdering a surrogate mother who had doubts about giving up her baby.
Episode 15
The Man of the Year
Tue, Jan 29, 1991 46 mins
When Man of the Year Matlock is late to his own luncheon, his friends satisfy the audience with tales of his adventures.
Episode 16
The Arsonist
Tue, Feb 5, 1991 60 mins
Ben defends a man accused of murdering his business partner during a fight about hiring an arsonist to burn down their falling store.
Episode 17
The Formula
Tue, Feb 12, 1991 45 mins
A chemist has developed a miracle hair restorer. He cons a man into swiping the multi-million dollar formula so that he can then sell it out from underneath his employers. Murder ensues and the man finds himself in a "hairy" situation.
Episode 18
The Trial: Part 1
Tue, Feb 19, 1991 60 mins
Matlock is tapped as a special prosecutor in the murder of a crooked prosecutor, who deliberately lost a case against a toy company. Things heat up when he is murdered.
Episode 19
The Trial: Part 2
Tue, Feb 26, 1991 60 mins
Matlock is tapped as a special prosecutor in the murder of a crooked prosecutor.
Episode 20
The Accident
Tue, Mar 26, 1991
Ben defends a man accused of killing an ambulance chasing lawyer who botched his promised big settlement suit.
Episode 22
The Celebrity
Tue, Apr 30, 1991 45 mins
Matlock defends cosmetics queen Catherine Welden who is accused of killing a former live-in lover who was blackmailing her for 4 million dollars.
