1986

S3.E1 ∙ The Lemon

Mon, Nov 28, 1988

Don Knotts is introduced as Ben's new neighbor Les Calhoun. Les gets mixed up in a murder with two competing used car salesmen and Ben defends him.

7.6 /10

S3.E2 ∙ The Ambassador: Part 1

Mon, Dec 05, 1988

Matlock travels to New York City to help Alex Winthrop represent a British Ambassador accused of murdering his lover's husband. The ambassador could invoke diplomatic immunity, but would lose his diplomatic career. The trail leads to a mysterious pharmaceutical company, and a murky conspiracy.

7.3 /10

S3.E3 ∙ The Ambassador: Part 2

Mon, Dec 12, 1988

Matlock travels to New York City to help Alex Winthrop represent a British Ambassador accused of murdering his lover's husband. The ambassador could invoke diplomatic immunity, but would lose his diplomatic career. The trail leads to a mysterious pharmaceutical company, and a murky conspiracy.

7.4 /10

S3.E4 ∙ The Mistress

Mon, Dec 19, 1988

Ben Matlock defends a jealous wife who is accused of killing her husband.

7 /10

S3.E5 ∙ The D.J.

Mon, Jan 02, 1989

Ben Matlock very reluctantly defends abrasive talk radio personality Arthur Saxon who has been accused of dispatching his rival Robbie Moore via gunfire.

6.8 /10

S3.E6 ∙ The Captain

Mon, Jan 09, 1989

Ben Matlock is hired to defend young police officer Jerry Reese, who has been framed for murder by Police Captain Edward Hanna, a habitually angry police-force veteran with serious grudge.

7.7 /10

S3.E7 ∙ The Vendetta

Mon, Jan 16, 1989

Michelle, Julie, and Tyler are held at gunpoint by vindictive Ned Billings, who plans to kill Ben to avenge his brother Jim Billings, who died in prison after Ben proved he was guilty in a prior case.

6.6 /10

S3.E8 ∙ The Mayor: Part 1

Mon, Jan 30, 1989

Popular mayor Brian Barelli argues with visitors to his home; the next day he is killed by someone dressed as a well known environmentalist. Ben, Michelle, and Tyler are lured to defend the accused under false pretenses.

7 /10

S3.E9 ∙ The Mayor: Part 2

Mon, Feb 06, 1989

Ben continues his defense of a man wrongfully accused of killing a popular mayor.

7.1 /10

S3.E10 ∙ The Black Widow

Mon, Feb 13, 1989

After seven years in prison for killing his wife Ann, Ken Wilson gets out and finds her working in a real estate office. Anne soon turns up dead and Ken is tried, once again, for killing his wife.

7.5 /10

S3.E11 ∙ The Other Woman

Mon, Feb 20, 1989

Ben defends psychiatrist Lucas Forbes accused of killing Adam Whitley, the cruel abusive husband of his patient Erin Whitley by gunfire.

7.6 /10

S3.E12 ∙ The Starlet

Mon, Feb 27, 1989

Lauren, daughter of Ben's old friend Janet, wins a beauty pageant. The runner-up / sore loser threatens to reveal a secret about Janet unless Lauren drops out. Later the runner-up is found dead and Lauren is arrested. Ben defends her.

7.2 /10

S3.E13 ∙ The Psychic

Mon, Mar 06, 1989

A psychic rushes to Matlock's door and begs him to represent her against a charge of murder. When Matlock asks her to explain, she says she's only had a premonition that a man will be killed, and she will be charged. She also tells Les, Ben's next door neighbor, that he will not live to see the end of her trial. Ben tells her that he doesn't believe in that sort of thing, and says he only takes on "real" cases. However, the next day, one of her fellow psychics at the New Age Faire, is found murdered, and she is arrested. The victim also happens to be her best friend's boyfriend, a serial philanderer. Les urges Ben to represent her, and to believe in psychic phenomena. Ben agrees to the first part, and takes the case. Is the real killer an angry husband, who killed the victim because of an affair? Is it one of the other psychics, who killed the victim over professional jealousy? Matlock must find out before the trial ends for Les's sake, and for the psychic's.

7 /10

S3.E14 ∙ The Thief: Part 1

Mon, Mar 27, 1989

Coin dealer Mike Koskoff finds that his employee Rob Casey has stolen $40K from him. When Casey is shot, Koskoff is charged and hires Ben. Koskoff's private eye Linda Hansfield gives Ben and Tyler unwanted aid, and makes it tough for Ben.

7.3 /10

S3.E15 ∙ The Thief: Part 2

Mon, Apr 03, 1989

While trying to recover from the surprise testimony at the end of Part 1, Matlock discovers the true motivation for Linda's actions. as well as discovering the vital clue that leads to the real killer.

7.3 /10

S3.E16 ∙ The Thoroughbred

Mon, Apr 17, 1989

Ben is hired to defend Tommy Jenks, a special needs young man accused of murdering the adult daughter of thoroughbred racehorse ranch owner Sam Taylor.

7.6 /10

S3.E17 ∙ The Model

Mon, Apr 24, 1989

During the trial of a journalist accused of killing an internationally recognized model, Matlock is accidentally struck by a car and winds up in the hospital. He receives witness depositions and works from his hospital bed to piece together the evidence.

7.1 /10

S3.E18 ∙ The Cult

Mon, May 01, 1989

Bill Austin wants to get son Dennis out of a cult, to whom he's given his trust fund. After Bill threatens cult leader Josh Bradbury, Josh is shot. Bill is accused when Dennis claims Bill fled the scene. Ben thinks Bill is innocent.

7.2 /10

S3.E19 ∙ The Blues Singer

Mon, May 08, 1989

A singer-composer finds an old blues musician living on the streets. He takes the old man to his home over the objections of everyone. Later the singer is found dead. The old man is arrested and Ben who is also a fan decides to defend him.

7.7 /10

S3.E20 ∙ The Priest

Mon, May 15, 1989

Ex-mobster Nathan Carlino is accused of killing a priest. Alex Winthrop wants to handle the case but Carlino wants a seasoned lawyer. Ben gets on board. The murder was not as open and shut as it appeared.

7.3 /10