So far as courtroom procedurals go, the unique Matlock is likely one of the most beloved of all time. It has generations of followers who both watched it because it aired within the late ’80s and early ’90s, or watched it in syndication over the previous three a long time. Following the resounding success of CBS’ 2024 model of Matlock starring Kathy Bates, which has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, many new viewers have taken an curiosity within the basic present that impressed her character’s identify.
Taking a lot of its cues from the 1957 authorized drama Perry Mason (which acquired its personal remake), the unique Matlock stars Andy Griffith because the titular Atlanta-based protection lawyer with a curmudgeonly character, a penchant for warm canines, and an uncanny skill to reveal responsible individuals on the witness stand. Together with his $100,000 payment (over $275,000 in 2025) and iconic grey Ford Crown Victoria, Ben Matlock is understood for his thriftiness and is even prepared to tackle some professional bono circumstances when the circumstances fall for it.
Matlock
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March 3, 1986
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andy griffith
Ben Matlock
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Linda Purl
Charlene Matlock
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Kene Vacation
Tyler Hudson
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Ben works alongside his daughter Charlene (Linda Purl), associates like Tyler Hudson (Kene Holliday), and others who rotate in all through the seasons. Ben manages to defend the harmless — or on the very least create affordable doubt — via his personal investigations and infrequently reveals the true perpetrators in dramatic courtroom style. Created by Dean Hargrove, who additionally labored on the Nineteen Seventies police procedural Columbo, Matlock aired for 9 seasons from 1986 to 1995, with a complete of 193 episodes. Its success is clear not solely as a consequence of its prolonged run, however due to its enduring legacy. These are the most effective episodes of Matlock.
10
The Getaway
Season 9, Episode 9
In “The Getaway,” Ben defends an ex-con who’s accused of robbing a financial institution he had as soon as stolen from previously. Nonetheless, the one method to show his consumer’s innocence is thru the eyewitness testimony of a 12-year-old boy, Matt Ahern (Adam LaVorgna), who noticed the person who actually dedicated the crime. The issue? Matt will not agree to look on the trial except Matlock agrees to characterize his father, Joe Ahern (Jay Acovone), who’s accused of homicide.
Whereas Ben typically runs circles round criminals, witnesses, and his colleagues, “The Getaway” is especially enjoyable as a result of his common ease is disrupted by none aside from a bit of boy. As a result of Ben wants the child’s testimony to win his case, Matt has all of the leverage and he is aware of it — and is aware of the right way to use it to his benefit. It is simply pleasant to observe Matlock take care of the child.
9
The Foursome
Season 6, Episode 11
Ben represents a golfer named Ellis Blake (Mitchell Ryan) in “The Foursome,” a rich and unlikable man who’s accused of killing his blackmailing caddy (who additionally occurs to be his daughter’s fiance, whom he tremendously disapproves of). Proving Blake’s innocence is difficult by the truth that the homicide sufferer was killed with Blake’s gun and was discovered with the $10,000 Blake had supplied him.
To make issues worse, there’s a new Deputy D.A. on the town, Lauren Richmond (Amy Stoch), who is set to win her first case and defeat the seemingly infallible Ben Matlock multi function fell swoop. The overwhelming proof in opposition to Blake and Richmond’s tenacity make Matlock’s job harder than he might have ready for. He even accuses the D.A. of misconduct within the case regardless of the chance that he may get disbarred. It is an particularly feisty and tense episode of the present.
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8
The Capital Offense
Season 8, Episode 7
“The Capital Offense” sees Ben tackle the case of Adam Spangler (Rob Roy Fitzgerald), a person who has been sentenced to demise after being convicted of homicide. He swears to his innocence, and there are sufficient inconsistencies within the case that Ben is prepared to characterize him. The investigation turns into an increasing number of tense because the date of Adam’s execution nears, although Ben does uncover proof to counsel the person was arrange — he and the workforce simply need to show it earlier than time runs out.
The ticking clock on this episode provides an additional layer of rigidity. Viewers are used to Ben fixing circumstances and efficiently defending the harmless, however the query right here is how briskly he can do it. In a present’s eighth season, it may be troublesome to search out new elements to discover, however Matlock achieves it in “The Capital Offense.”
7
The Confession
Season 9, Episode 7
On this episode, Ben’s good friend (and one-time love curiosity), Prosecutor Julie March (Julie Sommars), returns to city for a regulation seminar and finds herself in want of assist. Whereas reconnecting with Ben, Julie receives a cellphone name from somebody who as soon as testified for her in a homicide trial the place a robber was accused of killing a girl whereas burglarizing her house. The person on the cellphone reveals that he lied on the witness stand and the particular person she convicted is harmless. Julie convinces Ben to tackle the case and defend the person that she mistakenly despatched to jail.
“The Confession” is an episode of notice as a result of it marks the return of a preferred character. Julie left the present in Season 6 after Matlock switched networks from NBC to ABC and the actress opted to not proceed. Nonetheless, viewers have been by no means given an excellent rationalization for the character’s abrupt exit, and right here we get a little bit of closure. Ben additionally will get the distinctive alternative to proper a incorrect and free an harmless man whereas serving to out a good friend.
6
The D.A.
Season 4, Episode 22
“The D.A.” is one other episode that revolves round Julie March, although it is a lot earlier within the sequence. After she efficiently convicts a person accused of killing his spouse’s lover, the person’s brother begins threatening her and never lengthy afterward she turns into the goal of stalking. Ben and his affiliate Conrad McMasters (Clarence Gilyard) start investigating and uncover that the stalker is another person solely — and somebody all of them know.
Episodes that target characters that viewers know and love are all the time particularly thrilling as a result of the stakes are increased and the viewers is extra invested within the final result than they might be in a typical run-of-the-mill case. Plus, the creepiness issue is at an all-time excessive with Julie’s stalker, lending the episode a darker really feel than most.
5
The Outcast: Elements 1 & 2
Season 6, Episode 14 & 15
“The Outcast” is certainly one of a number of two-part episodes all through Matlock, which already signifies that it is a extra in-depth story than a common episode. Ben uncharacteristically fumbled certainly one of his circumstances — forgetting his consumer’s identify in court docket — and has determined to retire from regulation. He goes on a spontaneous fishing journey to get some area. Nonetheless, not lengthy after his arrival, a person whom Ben supplied a experience to finally ends up useless in a suspicious accident and he can not help himself however to research.
The stakes get even increased when the locals that Ben is investigating start conspiring in opposition to him, which practically leads to his demise. Later, his loyal affiliate Conrad goes undercover to help and Ben is framed for capturing him. “The Outcast” is particularly thrilling for viewers on a number of ranges: Ben has uncharacteristically failed a consumer, threatened to go away the job everybody is aware of he is meant to do, and is himself accused of against the law he did not commit.
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4
The Dare
Season 9, Episode 4
In an particularly intriguing episode of Matlock, “The Outdoors,” a cocky (and creepy) millionaire named Malcolm Engle, performed by Terry O’Quinn, who would go on to win an Emmy for his function on Misplaced a long time later, calls Ben and dares him that he cannot remedy the proper homicide. Quickly after, Ben’s good friend, Lt. Bob Brooks (David Froman), is killed and it is as much as Matlock to show that Malcolm is accountable. An additional particular visitor star — a grey tabby cat named Mo — is on the heart of Malcolm’s alibi.
On this scenario, not solely should Ben rise to Malcolm’s problem to show that he is nearly as good as he appears to be, however he is additionally making an attempt to get justice for his good friend and take a harmful killer off the streets. The stress is on on this high-stakes recreation of cat and mouse — pun supposed — as Ben is put to the last word take a look at.
3
The Decide
Season 1, Episode 2
In “The Decide,” Ben’s daughter Charlene desires him to tackle a professional bono case of a person accused of killing his girlfriend, Joanne Leigh (Bobbie Eakes), however claims he returned from a bathe to search out her stabbed to demise. Regardless of the proof in opposition to him, together with being discovered holding the homicide weapon, Kevin Meredith (Brian Lane Inexperienced) swears he is being framed. When the presiding choose (who additionally occurs to be Matlock’s buddy) seems, it is revealed to the viewers that he’s the actual assassin. Matlock will get a wierd feeling when Decide Carter Addison tries to get him to go the case off to an up-and-coming protection lawyer “as a favor.” When phrase comes out that the sufferer’s secret older lover favors the identical drink and smoke because the choose, Matlock should show his good friend’s guilt.
Not solely is it a captivating twist to contain the choose on a case within the crime itself, however Ben’s dedication to search out the reality even when it destroys a longheld friendship is a superb illustration of his character and dedication to his job. Following the TV film that kickstarted Matlock, “The Decide” is the very first common episode of the present and units the tone for the remainder of the sequence. Moreover, Decide Addison is performed by the legendary Dick Van Dyke, who later grew to become the oldest ever Emmy winner at age 98. It’s a deal with for viewers who get to observe these two performing juggernauts and real-life associates play off one another in certainly one of their uncommon appearances collectively.
2
The Heist
Season 9, Episode 14
In “The Heist,” Ben and his assistant Jerri Stone (Carol Huston) are invited on a visit with Ben’s affiliate Cliff Lewis (Daniel Roebuck) and his father, Ben’s longtime frenemy, Billy Lewis (Warren Frost). The group rents a seashore home, and whereas Cliff is busy coaching for a triathlon and Billy is busy scoping out a girl, Ben occurs to run into an previous good friend, Ed Wingate (J. Kenneth Campbell). Ed is an FBI agent on an undercover operation, however quickly, one of many folks he’s investigating turns up useless and it is as much as Ben to defend his previous good friend.
The return of an previous character provides “The Heist” a little bit of pep and provides to the themes of friendship and household help that present the backdrop of the episode. Moderately than tying the story up with a bow as Matlock often does on the finish of a case, there’s a little bit of thriller left on the finish of this story, giving it an additional degree of intrigue.
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1
The Kidnapping: Elements 1 & 2
Season 8, Episodes 12/13
In one of the crucial thrilling episodes of Matlock, abductors try to kidnap Ben’s oldest daughter Leanne McIntyre (Brynn Thayer), who joins his workforce in Season 7. The abductors mistakenly seize Billy Lewis as a substitute of Leanne, however are intent on getting a hefty ransom from Ben Matlock. One of many folks despatched to deal with the case is FBI agent Ed Wingate (who reappears in Season 9 in “The Heist,” as beforehand talked about), and nobody appears to be a fan of his ostentatious character.
Whereas Ed is busy making an attempt to rescue Billy, certainly one of his fellow brokers (and rivals) is killed. Ed is about as much as take the autumn, forcing Ben and Leanne to defend him from a homicide cost. Hiding from the police, Ed constantly dons numerous disguises so he can ship proof to Ben with proof that he thinks will clear his identify. As Ben investigates Ed’s case, he additionally finds a hyperlink between Billy’s kidnapping and an FBI agent who kidnapped a bit of boy.
The stakes are at their highest in “The Kidnapping.” Moderately than watching Ben clear up the mess after against the law has been dedicated, audiences witness him use his crafty in an ongoing scenario to assist save well-known characters from hazard. The infighting within the FBI, body jobs, and cover-ups concerned on this multi-layered case carry a brand new degree of pleasure to this expertly crafted two-part episode, incomes it the title of Matlock‘s finest.