Murphy's Law
George Segal is Daedalus Patrick Murphy, an insurance investigator and recovering alcoholic with an ex-wife who won't let him see his daughter and a girlfriend who wants to fix him. He's good at his job, which is uncovering genuine insurance fraud when no one else can. Kimiko Fannuchi (Maggie Han) is his half-Japanese, half-Italian roommate and on-again-off-again girlfriend. She's a professional model, although she figures she cannot become one of the top Asian fashion models until one of the top five gets fat. For now, she's been the model for a power tool company's calendar for three years running. Unofficially, she often helps Murphy solve his cases. Wesley Harden (Josh Mostel) is Murphy's supervisor, who knows that Murphy always "gets results," but the company "doesn't have a memory." Harden has to run interference for Murphy with his bosses, Harriett Tapplinger (Lynne Randall) and Victor Beaudine (Charles Rocket), who would just as soon get rid of Murphy. Murphy's real passion is getting visitation with his daughter, Kathleen Danforth (Sarah Sawatsky), but his ex-wife, Marissa Danforth (Kim Lankford), generally blocks him from seeing her.
- Metascore28
- 1988-1989
- 1 season
- ABC
- Suspense, Drama
- TV-PG
George Segal is Daedalus Patrick Murphy, an insurance investigator and recovering alcoholic with an ex-wife who won't let him see his daughter and a girlfriend who wants to fix him. He's good at his job, which is uncovering genuine insurance fraud when no one else can. Kimiko Fannuchi (Maggie Han) is his half-Japanese, half-Italian roommate and on-again-off-again girlfriend. She's a professional model, although she figures she cannot become one of the top Asian fashion models until one of the top five gets fat. For now, she's been the model for a power tool company's calendar for three years running. Unofficially, she often helps Murphy solve his cases. Wesley Harden (Josh Mostel) is Murphy's supervisor, who knows that Murphy always "gets results," but the company "doesn't have a memory." Harden has to run interference for Murphy with his bosses, Harriett Tapplinger (Lynne Randall) and Victor Beaudine (Charles Rocket), who would just as soon get rid of Murphy. Murphy's real passion is getting visitation with his daughter, Kathleen Danforth (Sarah Sawatsky), but his ex-wife, Marissa Danforth (Kim Lankford), generally blocks him from seeing her.
Season 1 Episode Guide
13 Episodes 1988 - 1989
Episode 1
The Room Above the Indian Grocery
Wed, Nov 2, 1988
Daedelus Patrick (aka, "D.P.", "Murph") Murphy (George Segal), an insurance investigator, has been sober for eight months, but his ex-wife, Marissa (Kim Lankford), still won't let him see his daughter, Kathleen (Sarah Sawatsky), and his roommate and one-time lover Kimiko Fannuchi (Maggie Han) won't take him back onto her futon until he gets "centered". Reluctantly, Murphy takes a case from his boss, Wes Harden (Josh Mostel), involving the death of Cynthia Medford (Karen Austin), an heiress with a $2 million life insurance policy, who died in the presence of her new husband, Derva (Clyde Kusatsu); Andrea (Valerie Mahaffey), Derva's devotee; and Dr. Alden Phillips (Bill Morey), Cynthia's friend and her heir prior to her recent marriage. Murphy must figure out whether her death was natural and, if not, who had the means and motive to kill her.
Episode 2
Where Are My Socks and Other Mysteries of Love
Sat, Dec 3, 1988
A fashion company executive is killed and Murphy must investigate. New company Vice-President Harriett Tapplinger gets on the case of both Murphy and his supervisor Wesley Harden.
Episode 3
If You Can't Win, Shoot for a Tie
Sat, Dec 10, 1988
Victor Beaudine takes on an insurance case involving Murphy's ex-wife, Marissa. Murphy has to find a missing rottweiler and locate a sea captain the company owes a check. If he gets a chance he hopes to see his daughter.
Episode 4
Do Someone a Favor and It Becomes Your Job
Sat, Dec 17, 1988
A brother and sister murder their rich uncle but are seen by a vacuum cleaner salesman. Murphy must prove murder before the killers can eliminate the witness.
Episode 5
Never Play Leapfrog with a Unicorn
Sat, Jan 14, 1989
Murphy's complaints about a disco club get him involved in an FBI investigation. Meanwhile, his attorney (played by Norman Fell) persuades Murphy to serve subpoenas.
Episode 6
Never Try to Teach a Pig to Sing
Sat, Jan 21, 1989
Murphy and Kimi investigate arson involving an international relief organization. It may or may not have been an inside job. Kimi goes undercover to find out. Meanwhile, Murphy gets a promotion.
Episode 7
Two Wrongs Are Only the Beginning
Sat, Jan 28, 1989
Murphy delivers $1 million to the owner of a stolen motorcycle. With a social worker checking on him ahead of potential visitation rights, Murphy thinks an apartment fire gives him cover so he can pretend it wasn't always a mess.
Episode 8
Never Wear Earmuffs in a Bed of Rattlesnakes
Sat, Feb 4, 1989
As Kimi visits Wes at work to ask him to keep Murphy company while she is away on a photo shoot, a disgruntled customer takes everyone in the office hostage. Meanwhile, Murphy has an odd visit from a fellow A.A. member.
Episode 9
Where There's a Will, There's a Won't
Sat, Feb 11, 1989
Mean boss Victor Beaudine has Wes Harden fired, but as Murphy tries to get Wes's job back, the office is taken over by even meaner Morgana DeSade who creates a truly hostile workplace.
Episode 10
When You're Over the Hill, You Pick Up Speed
Sat, Feb 18, 1989
Murphy plays unwilling host to his aunt, a mystery writer; an imperious co-worker dispossessed of everything; and Wes, who's a suspect in a murder.
Episode 11
Experience Is Something You Don't Get Until Just After You Need It
Sat, Mar 11, 1989
Kimi goes undercover to pose as the latest bride of a polygamist, called the Fox, whom Murphy has been after for insurance fraud. Meanwhile, Murphy anxiously awaits a visit from his daughter.
Episode 12
Doing It the Hard Way Is Always Easier
Sat, Mar 18, 1989
Murphy gets a visit from his daughter, Kathleen. Kimi finds out Murphy assumes she will help him. Wes wants Murphy to talk to a witness, but his sense of obligation to his daughter keeps getting in the way.
Episode 13
All's Wrong That Ends Wrong
Sat, Mar 25, 1989
While Marissa is being suspiciously kind to Murphy, a jeweled egg is stolen at a charity gala and Murphy thinks the thief is the daughter of Alex Kovac, a well-known jewel thief.