Thrifty, folksy and cantankerous, Matlock charges a premium for his services but is worth every penny: This renowned attorney, always clothed in his trademark light-gray suit and driving his signature Ford Crown Victoria, has an uncanny knack for finding overlooked clues and exposing murderers in dramatic courtroom scenes.
Is this the best episode?
The peak run. Top 40% of seasons by average rating — consecutive, with an average of 9.70.
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Andy Griffith
Ben Matlock
Daniel Roebuck
Cliff Lewis
Carol Huston
Jerri Stone
All 22 episodes plotted by IMDb rating
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24 episodes • 1986Avg: 3.3
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diary of a Perfect Murder | Mar 3, 1986 | 0.0 |
| 2 | The Judge | Sep 23, 1986 | 8.0 |
| 3 | The Stripper | Sep 30, 1986 | 1.0 |
| 4 | The Affair | Oct 7, 1986 | 0.0 |
| 5 | The Seduction | Oct 14, 1986 | 0.0 |
| 6 | The Don (1) | Oct 28, 1986 | 0.0 |
| 7 | The Don (2) | Nov 4, 1986 | 0.0 |
| 8 | The Sisters | Nov 11, 1986 | 0.0 |
| 9 | The Cop | Nov 18, 1986 | 0.0 |
| 10 | The Angel | Nov 25, 1986 | 0.0 |
| 11 | The Professor | Dec 2, 1986 | 0.0 |
| 12 | Santa Claus | Dec 9, 1986 | 1.0 |
| 13 | The Chef | Jan 6, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 14 | The Author | Jan 13, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 15 | The Rat Pack | Jan 20, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 16 | The Nurse | Feb 3, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 17 | The Convict | Feb 10, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 18 | The Court Martial (1) | Feb 17, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 19 | The Court Martial (2) | Feb 24, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 20 | The Therapist | Mar 3, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 21 | The People vs. Matlock | Mar 24, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 22 | The Photographer | Mar 31, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 23 | The Reporter | May 5, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 24 | The Doctors | May 12, 1987 | 0.0 |
24 episodes • 1987Avg: 8.5
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Billionaire (1) | Sep 22, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 2 | The Billionaire (2) | Sep 22, 1987 | 10.0 |
| 3 | Blind Justice | Sep 29, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 4 | The Annihilator | Oct 13, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 5 | The Husband | Oct 20, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 6 | The Power Brokers (1) | Oct 27, 1987 | 7.0 |
| 7 | The Power Brokers (2) | Nov 3, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 8 | The Network | Dec 1, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 9 | The Best Friend | Dec 8, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 10 | The Country Boy | Dec 15, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 11 | The Gift | Dec 22, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 12 | The Gambler | Dec 29, 1987 | 0.0 |
| 13 | The Body | Jan 5, 1988 | 0.0 |
| 14 | The Reunion | Jan 12, 1988 | 0.0 |
| 15 | The Gigolo | Jan 19, 1988 | 0.0 |
| 16 | The Umpire | Jan 26, 1988 | 0.0 |
| 17 | The Investigation (1) | Feb 2, 1988 | 0.0 |
| 18 | The Investigation (2) | Feb 9, 1988 | 0.0 |
| 19 | The Hucksters | Feb 16, 1988 | 0.0 |
| 20 | The Lovelorn | Feb 23, 1988 | 0.0 |
| 21 | The Genius | Mar 15, 1988 | 0.0 |
| 22 | The Magician | Mar 22, 1988 | 0.0 |
| 23 | The Fisherman | Mar 29, 1988 | 0.0 |
| 24 | The Heiress | May 3, 1988 | 0.0 |
20 episodes • 1988Avg: 4.5Valley of Despair
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Lemon | Nov 29, 1988 | 0.0 |
| 2 | The Ambassador (1) | Dec 6, 1988 | 0.0 |
| 3 | The Ambassador (2) | Dec 13, 1988 | 0.0 |
| 4 | The Mistress | Dec 20, 1988 | 0.0 |
| 5 | The D.J. | Jan 3, 1989 | 2.0 |
| 6 | The Captain | Jan 10, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 7 | The Vendetta | Jan 17, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 8 | The Mayor (1) | Jan 31, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 9 | The Mayor (2) | Feb 7, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 10 | The Black Widow | Feb 14, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 11 | The Other Woman | Feb 21, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 12 | The Starlet | Feb 28, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 13 | The Psychic | Mar 7, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 14 | The Thief (1) | Mar 28, 1989 | 7.0 |
| 15 | The Thief (2) | Apr 4, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 16 | The Thoroughbred | Apr 18, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 17 | The Model | Apr 25, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 18 | The Cult | May 2, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 19 | The Blues Singer | May 9, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 20 | The Priest | May 16, 1989 | 0.0 |
24 episodes • 1989Avg: 1.0Valley of Despair
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hunting Party (1) | Sep 19, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 2 | The Hunting Party (2) | Sep 19, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 3 | The Good Boy | Sep 26, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 4 | The Best Seller | Oct 10, 1989 | 1.0 |
| 5 | The Ex | Oct 17, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 6 | The Clown | Oct 24, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 7 | The Star | Oct 31, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 8 | The Con Man | Nov 7, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 9 | The Prisoner (1) | Nov 14, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 10 | The Prisoner (2) | Nov 21, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 11 | The Fugitive | Nov 28, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 12 | The Buddies | Dec 12, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 13 | The Scrooge | Dec 19, 1989 | 0.0 |
| 14 | The Witness | Jan 2, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 15 | The Student | Jan 9, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 16 | The Talk Show | Jan 16, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 17 | The Victim | Jan 23, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 18 | The Kidnapper | Feb 6, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 19 | The Pro | Feb 13, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 20 | The Informer (1) | Feb 20, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 21 | The Informer (2) | Feb 27, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 22 | The D.A. | Mar 20, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 23 | The Blackmailer | May 1, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 24 | The Cookie Monster | May 8, 1990 | 0.0 |
22 episodes • 1990
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Mother | Sep 18, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Nowhere to Turn (1) | Sep 25, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Nowhere to Turn (2) | Sep 25, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 4 | The Madam | Oct 2, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 5 | The Personal Trainer | Oct 9, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 6 | The Narc | Oct 23, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 7 | The Secret (1) | Oct 30, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 8 | The Secret (2) | Nov 6, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 9 | The Brothers | Nov 13, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 10 | The Cover Girl | Nov 20, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 11 | The Biker | Nov 27, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 12 | The Broker | Dec 4, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 13 | The Fighter | Dec 11, 1990 | 0.0 |
| 14 | The Critic | Jan 8, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 15 | The Parents | Jan 15, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 16 | The Man of The Year | Jan 29, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 17 | The Arsonist | Feb 5, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 18 | The Formula | Feb 12, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 19 | The Trial (1) | Feb 19, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 20 | The Trial (2) | Feb 26, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 21 | The Accident | Mar 26, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 22 | The Celebrity | Apr 30, 1991 | 0.0 |
22 episodes • 1991Avg: 9.0
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Witness Killings (1) | Oct 18, 1991 | 9.0 |
| 2 | The Witness Killings (2) | Oct 18, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 3 | The Strangler | Oct 25, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 4 | The Nightmare | Nov 1, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 5 | The Marriage Counselor | Nov 8, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 6 | The Dame | Nov 15, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 7 | The Suspect (1) | Nov 29, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 8 | The Suspect (2) | Nov 29, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 9 | The Defense | Dec 6, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 10 | The Game Show | Dec 13, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 11 | The Foursome | Dec 20, 1991 | 0.0 |
| 12 | The Picture (1) | Jan 17, 1992 | 9.0 |
| 13 | The Picture (2) | Jan 24, 1992 | 0.0 |
| 14 | The Outcast (1) | Feb 7, 1992 | 0.0 |
| 15 | The Outcast (2) | Feb 7, 1992 | 0.0 |
| 16 | The Big Payoff | Feb 28, 1992 | 0.0 |
| 17 | The Abduction | Mar 6, 1992 | 0.0 |
| 18 | Mr. Awesome | Apr 17, 1992 | 0.0 |
| 19 | The Evening News (1) | Apr 24, 1992 | 0.0 |
| 20 | The Evening News (2) | May 1, 1992 | 0.0 |
| 21 | The Assassination (1) | May 8, 1992 | 0.0 |
| 22 | The Assassination (2) | May 8, 1992 | 0.0 |
18 episodes • 1992Avg: 10.0Golden Era
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Vacation | Nov 5, 1992 | 0.0 |
| 2 | The Vacation (2) | Nov 5, 1992 | 0.0 |
| 3 | The Legacy (1) | Nov 19, 1992 | 0.0 |
| 4 | The Legacy (2) | Nov 19, 1992 | 0.0 |
| 5 | The Ghost | Jan 14, 1993 | 0.0 |
| 6 | The Class | Jan 21, 1993 | 0.0 |
| 7 | The Singer | Jan 28, 1993 | 10.0 |
| 8 | The Mark | Feb 4, 1993 | 0.0 |
| 9 | The Juror | Feb 11, 1993 | 0.0 |
| 10 | The Fortune (1) | Feb 18, 1993 | 0.0 |
| 11 | The Fortune (2) | Feb 18, 1993 | 0.0 |
| 12 | The Debt | Mar 18, 1993 | 0.0 |
| 13 | The Revenge | Mar 25, 1993 | 0.0 |
| 14 | The Obsession | Apr 1, 1993 | 0.0 |
| 15 | The Divorce | Apr 8, 1993 | 0.0 |
| 16 | The Final Affair (1) | Apr 29, 1993 | 0.0 |
| 17 | The Final Affair (2) | Apr 29, 1993 | 0.0 |
| 18 | The Competition | May 6, 1993 | 0.0 |
22 episodes • 1993Avg: 9.1Golden Era
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Play | Sep 23, 1993 | 9.0 |
| 2 | The Fatal Seduction (1) | Sep 30, 1993 | 9.0 |
| 3 | The Fatal Seduction (2) | Oct 7, 1993 | 9.0 |
| 4 | The Diner | Oct 14, 1993 | 9.0 |
| 5 | The View | Oct 28, 1993 | 9.0 |
| 6 | The Last Laugh | Nov 4, 1993 | 9.0 |
| 7 | The Capital Offense | Nov 11, 1993 | 10.0 |
| 8 | The Haunted (1) | Nov 18, 1993 | 9.0 |
| 9 | The Haunted (2) | Nov 18, 1993 | 9.0 |
| 10 | The Conspiracy | Nov 25, 1993 | 0.0 |
| 11 | Matlock's Bad, Bad, Bad Dream | Dec 2, 1993 | 0.0 |
| 12 | The Defendant | Dec 16, 1993 | 0.0 |
| 13 | The Kidnapping (1) | Jan 13, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 14 | The Kidnapping (2) | Jan 20, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 15 | The Temptation | Jan 27, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 16 | The Crook | Feb 3, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 17 | The Murder Game | Feb 10, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 18 | Brennen | Feb 17, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 19 | The P.I. | Mar 3, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 20 | The Godfather | Apr 28, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 21 | The Idol (1) | May 19, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 22 | The Idol (2) | May 19, 1994 | 0.0 |
18 episodes • 1994Avg: 10.0Golden Era
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Accused (1) | Oct 13, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 2 | The Accused (2) | Oct 13, 1994 | 10.0 |
| 3 | The Scandal | Oct 20, 1994 | 10.0 |
| 4 | The Dare | Oct 27, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 5 | The Tabloid | Nov 3, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 6 | The Coach | Nov 10, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 7 | The Dating Game | Nov 17, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 8 | The Confession | Dec 1, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 9 | Dead Air | Dec 8, 1994 | 0.0 |
| 10 | The Getaway | Jan 5, 1995 | 0.0 |
| 11 | The Verdict | Jan 12, 1995 | 0.0 |
| 12 | The Deadly Dose | Feb 2, 1995 | 0.0 |
| 13 | The Target | Feb 9, 1995 | 0.0 |
| 14 | The Assault | Feb 16, 1995 | 0.0 |
| 15 | The Heist (1) | Apr 27, 1995 | 0.0 |
| 16 | The Heist (2) | Apr 27, 1995 | 0.0 |
| 17 | The Scam (1) | May 7, 1995 | 0.0 |
| 18 | The Scam (2) | May 7, 1995 | 0.0 |
