Matlock season 2

Matlock
Season 2
No. of episodes	24
Release
Original network	NBC
Original release	September 22, 1987 (1987-09-22) – May 3, 1988 (1988-05-03)
Season chronology
← Previous Season 1 Next → Season 3
List of episodes

The second season of Matlock originally aired in the United States on NBC from September 22, 1987 – May 3, 1988 with a two hour season premiere (split into two parts when aired in syndication).

Cast

Main

• Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock
• Nancy Stafford as Michelle Thomas
• Kari Lizer as Cassie Phillips
• Kene Holliday as Tyler Hudson

Recurring

• Julie Sommars as ADA Julie March

Cast notes

• Nancy Stafford and Kari Lizer joined the cast this season
• Kari Lizer departed at the end of the season
• Kari Lizer was absent for thirteen episodes
• Kene Holliday was absent for four episodes
• Nancy Stafford was absent for two episodes

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Rating/share (households)
24 25	1 2	"The Billionaire"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by : Anne Collins Story by : Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	September 22, 1987 (1987-09-22)	17.0/27 [1]
Albert Gordon (Don Murray), an American business tycoon living in Britain and a wealthy patriarch, is found murdered. American lawyer Michelle Thomas, who works for him, finds his body. One of Albert's two sons, Eric (Greg Evigan), is found guilty of his murder. Albert's daughter, Laura (Michelle Greene), believes in her brother's innocence and sets up a mock trial, hoping it will lead to a retrial. Matlock travels to England to represent Eric. The mock trial is exactly like a real trial in the old Bailey, with the original prosecutor and a judge who came out of retirement. Matlock suffers a setback with the death of Albert's mistress, Fiona Maxwell (Claire Oberman). Matlock asks Tyler to find the person behind Fiona Maxwell's murder. When Robert Harris (Linal Haft) was in a scheme that took advantage of Albert, where Fiona came in, he hired Tyler to crack a safe. At the end of the episode, Matlock asks Michelle to replace his daughter Charlene and become his junior partner, and they and Tyler fly back on the Concorde. Other guest stars: David McCallum as Philip Dudley, Bruce Greenwood as Mitchell Gordon, Alan Downer as Stanley Douglas, Leon Greene as Inspector Liggett, Linal Haft as Robert Harris, Barry Ingham as Butler, Preston Lockwood as Judge Woolsey, John Quayle as Stevenson Davies, Richard Ridings as Nicky, Richard Shaw as Security Guard, Oliver Parker as Man at Butler's School, Guy Standeveen as Sherwood, Guy Sweeney as Heavy and Lindy Whiteford as Maid. Notes: This is the first appearance of Nancy Stafford, who takes the place of Linda Purl in the opening credits. Kari Lizer does not appear in part 2. The episode was filmed in England.
26	3	"Blind Justice"	Christian I. Nyby II	Sam Bernard	September 29, 1987 (1987-09-29)	15.9/25 [2]
When Michelle's old collegemate (Kathleen Lloyd) is accused of killing her volatile husband, Clay (Greg Mullavey), Michelle is more than happy to take the case. Matlock later finds out that the actual killer was Clay's blind friend (David Ogden Stiers), a sculptor who blamed Clay for causing his blindness, but discovers it will take some good luck to prove how a blind man managed to carry off a near-perfect murder. Note: Greg Mullavey guest starred with David Ogden Stiers on one episode of M*A*S*H entitled "Major Ego" season 7.
27	4	"The Husband"	Tony Mordente	Story by : Leigh Vance & Robert Schlitt Teleplay by : Robert Schlitt	October 20, 1987 (1987-10-20)	18.7/28 [3]
Matlock is more than glad to defend Cassie's friend Diane Jonas-Benson (Christopher Norris), because he is intrigued to find out that her husband and the victim, Kevin Benson (Terrence E. McNally), had two other wives: Judy Benson (Sherry Hursey) and Elizabeth Benson (Nancy Franglone). Other guest stars: Julie Sommars as Julie March, Lucille Meredith as Judge Irene Sawyer, Gordon Pinkey as Lt. Mark Herrmann, Natalie Core as Mrs. Berino, H. Richard Greene as Clark Benson Note: Kene Holliday does not appear in this episode.
28	5	"The Power Brokers: Part 1"	Charles S. Dubin	Robert Hamilton	October 27, 1987 (1987-10-27)	17.9/27 [4]
Matlock travels to Washington, D.C. to reluctantly take on the case of Melinda Stuart (Isabella Hofmann), who was accused of killing her source. When Tyler gets dragged before Matlock by FBI Agent Paul Davies (Alan Fudge), he yells at the agent not to ruin his tuxedo (which was already ruined). For Melinda to plead guilty, she would rather be listening to Agent Davies than herself listening to him. Matlock also finds himself having to deal with a tough, egocentric judge (George Gaynes) overseeing the trial. Notable guest stars: Robert Culp, Scott Bakula and Gregory Itzin.
29	6	"The Power Brokers: Part 2"	Charles S. Dubin	Robert Hamilton	November 3, 1987 (1987-11-03)	16.5/25 [5]
Matlock's up the creek when his client, Melinda, makes a confession, and retraces his steps. Tyler searches for Clarissa Irwin (Nancy Dussault) who's staying at the spa in Texas under heavy sedation. Notable guest stars: Robert Culp, Scott Bakula and Gregory Itzin. Note: Kari Lizer does not appear in this episode.
30	7	"The Annihilator"	Christopher Hibler	Story by : Rift Fournier Teleplay by : Anne Collins	November 10, 1987 (1987-11-10)	17.1/26 [6]
Matlock reluctantly agrees, after Cassie begs him, to represent a famous wrestler, Vic "Annihilator" Garrett (Dick Butkus), when he is accused of killing a long-time rival, "Sailor" Jack Saunders (Lee Paul). The case's key witness is a young girl, Donna Clifford (Marta Kober), who was a die-hard fan of the dead wrestler, but whose story might not be completely accurate. Matlock talks Tyler into going into the auditorium, while speaking to the head of the wrestler (Jack Thibeau), about the fight he and Jack had which led to Jack leaving him for another manager, to see how he felt about this after the murder. Understanding it held many wrestlers, Tyler reluctantly went into the auditorium to eavesdrop at Tommy O'Keefe's door, before being blocked by wrestlers, who pick him up (with Tyler being this small); he gets thrown in the wrestling ring, after he kept quiet when asked about Tommy if he was a prime suspect in the murder, who explained to him his whereabouts at the time of the murder.
31	8	"The Network"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by : Phillip Mishkin Story by : Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	December 1, 1987 (1987-12-01)	14.3/22 [7]
Matlock and Michelle both travel to Los Angeles to defend a television executive (Granville Van Dusen) accused of murdering his boss. Guest stars: ALF, Betty White, Jason Bateman, Corbin Bernsen, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Cameron Mitchell as Lane Lockletter, Frank Collison as Unshaven Man, Mark Schneider as D.A. David Clark, John McCahn as Lt. Wallace, Aneta Corsaut as Ida Stillman, Mie Hunt as Judge Judith Nagata Note: Kari Lizer and Kene Holliday do not appear in this episode.
32	9	"The Best Friend"	Tony Mordente	Gerald Sanoff	December 8, 1987 (1987-12-08)	17.5/27 [8]
A biographer named Steven Cassidy (James Mulholland) is found dead, and his subject Vanessa Douglas (Nana Visitor) is charged for his murder; Matlock still takes on the case. Obviously, Matlock finds out his client is guilty of the murder, so he arranges a plan to implicate her best friend, Sarah Pearlman (Katherine Cannon), with the crime, knowing that Vanessa will not let her friend take the blame for something she did. After Tyler, who tried to look up all the files before Lamont (Grant Heslov), which had nothing, Tyler found a Douglas Manuscript file in one of the books and gave it to Lamont to copy and print it out when he burned it.
33	10	"The Country Boy"	Charles S. Dubin	Doc Barnett	December 15, 1987 (1987-12-15)	17.0/25 [9]
Matlock's favorite country singer, Jimmy le Grand (David Carradine), has been accused of a hit-and-run attempt at his estranged wife, Kitty Carroll (Candy Clark), which, instead, killed her sister Luann (Beverly Leech); it is revealed that Kitty was planning to leave him because of his alcohol abuse. Despite the advice of Julie to not take the case, Matlock immediately defends him and, reluctantly, agrees to house the country legend in his place for the duration. However, Matlock soon finds out that Jimmy is a very difficult person to live with, but he also believes that deep down, there is still a good man inside Jimmy. Meanwhile, Matlock suspects that not only was Luann possibly the intended target, but it might've been related to suspicions she had about those in Jimmy's and Kitty's inner circle. Note: Kari Lizer does not appear in this episode.
34	11	"The Gift"	Tony Mordente	Robert Schlitt	December 22, 1987 (1987-12-22)	17.1/29 [10]
Matlock defends a Santa accused of murder — Brian Emerson (Bryan Cranston). Brian's ex-wife, Maggie Crowley (Lise Hilboldt), was murdered at 5 minutes past 10:00 PM, while hosting a Christmas party populated by Santa Clauses. Matlock also plays father Christmas to Wendy Crowley (Jandi Swanson), Maggie and Brian's daughter, and spreads some Christmas cheer on a judge who has lost his Christmas spirit. After Tyler was hit in the head, Philip Tracy (Howard George), whose wife left him seven years ago, confesses that he made all those threatening phone calls to Maggie because of what Maggie had done to his wife. He adds that he'd gone to the party that night to have it out with Maggie, and he was so mad, he could have killed Maggie himself, but someone beat him to it, and that he got a good look at the guy who committed the murder. Tyler then brings back Philip's wife Miriam (Judith Baldwin) as a Christmas gift. Her husband asked Miriam why she came back, and Miriam replied that Tyler said Philip still loved her. Philip replied that she left him, and Miriam responded that Philip had sent her away. Finally, Philip tells Miriam he thought she didn't want him anymore. It is soon discovered that Mr. Bono is the culprit who killed Maggie; as he was in a Santa costume when he entered the room while she was on the phone talking to 911, she mistook him for Brian, but Mr. Bono's dog Toto knew better (because, as Mr. Bono explained, Toto never barked at Maggie or Mr. Bono).
35	12	"The Gambler"	Tony Mordente	Robert Hamilton	December 29, 1987 (1987-12-29)	17.5/28 [11]
Matlock defends a friend of his, a police Lieutenant (Bruce Weitz) against a murder charge in Las Vegas. Laura Norwood (Marg Helgenberger), the victim, was killed on the evening of the 19th, between 10:30 and 11:30. She was staying in the Princess Suite on the 6th floor of the Maxim Hotel and Casino, owned by Lewis Devlin (Ken Kercheval). Note: Andy Griffith is the only main cast member to appear in this episode.
36	13	"The Body"	Charles S. Dubin	Gerald Sanoff	January 5, 1988 (1988-01-05)	20.3/29 [12]
Matlock is more than glad to defend Donna Stewart (Penelope Windust), who was accused of killing aerobics instructor Christie Huntley (Michelle Zeitlin), who slept with her husband. Matlock later notices that Christine's death had nothing to do with who she slept with and everything to do with why she slept with them. Note: Kari Lizer does not appear in this episode.
37	14	"The Reunion"	Charles S. Dubin	Maryanne Kasica & Michael Scheff	January 12, 1988 (1988-01-12)	19.4/28 [13]
Matlock attends a law school class reunion with his oldest classmates, Ross, George, and Warren (Richard Roat, Bill Hayes and Fredd Wayne), who run a prestigious law firm together. But the reunion is short-lived when Warren is murdered, George is framed, and Matlock has no choice other than to prove that another classmate is the real killer. He also assigns Michelle and Tyler to follow the people who he suspects of killing Warren. Note: Kari Lizer does not appear in this episode.
38	15	"The Gigolo"	Tony Mordente	Stephen Black & Henry Stern	January 19, 1988 (1988-01-19)	18.3/26 [14]
When one's married lover (Jane Hallaren) gets run over by a car, Matlock defends dance instructor Scott Lazar (Steven Memel) for this murder. Other guest stars: Julie Sommars as Julie March, Roy Fegan as Lt. Snell, Jason Wingreen as Judge Arthur Beaumont, David Froman as Lt. Bob Brooks, Chad Dee Block as Judge Archibald Smith, Sheilia Shaw as Letitia, Penny Fuller as Barbara Raymond, Gerald Prendergast as Dash Harrison, Jane Hallaren as Laura Frazier, William Prince as Garland Frazier Note: Kari Lizer does not appear in this episode.
39	16	"The Umpire"	Harvey S. Laidman	Phil Mishkin	January 26, 1988 (1988-01-26)	18.5/27 [15]
Matlock defends insurance salesman Charlie Bonham (Richard Kline), who is accused of killing his boss Walter Judd (Robert Harper) after a disputed play during a softball game in which Walter was the umpire. Note: Kari Lizer does not appear in this episode.
40	17	"The Investigation: Part 1"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by : Anne Collins Story by : Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	February 2, 1988 (1988-02-02)	18.4/27 [16]
A popular mobster (John Randolph) is about to be exposed. After the politician (Stan Ivar) subpoenaed the mobster's son, Craig Gentry (Shaun Cassidy), the politician is murdered, and Craig is arrested. When that happened, he refused to go to his father and instead chooses to go to Matlock. With the encouragement of Cassie, Tyler enters into the bar. Before he questions Juanita Martinez (Maria O'Brien) about one of the guys who works for the Martinez gang, who shot the building, that day, a bartender (Anthony Torrell) throws Tyler on the ground. As soon as Matlock enters into the bar where Tyler went, he looks for Mickey Morrison (Geoffrey Lewis), and finds him dead before Matlock is hit on the head.
41	18	"The Investigation: Part 2"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by : Anne Collins Story by : Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	February 9, 1988 (1988-02-09)	19.2/28 [17]
As the investigation continues, Matlock, who was assaulted, goes on with the case. Gentry (Shaun Cassidy) continues to turn his back on his father (John Randolph), while Tyler returns to the same bar, continues to be thrown on the ground (twice) — especially for asking Juanita Martinez (Maria O'Brien) about her whereabouts on the night of the murders of both Morrison (Geoffrey Lewis) and Congressman Pete McGuiness (Stan Ivar). When the Gentry family nearly gets caught in the middle of the mob war with the Hernandez family, Matlock notices that somebody is pressing the buttons.
42	19	"The Hucksters"	Charles S. Dubin	Teleplay by : Phil Mishkin Story by : Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	February 16, 1988 (1988-02-16)	18.3/27 [18]
At a television station, Matlock and Michelle both need to prove that Hal Simpson (Rob Winniger) didn't kill Robert Ullman (Robert Lesser), a scheming huckster. Note: When this episode aired originally you could call and vote for each of the three suspects, 1. Jane Barnes (Beth Broderick), 2. Don Ridgely (Michael Flynn), 3. Stephen Spector (James A. Watson Jr.). All you had to pay was fifty cents and the suspect with the most calls was the murderer, and the proceeds were donated to charity. Kari Lizer does not appear in this episode.
43	20	"The Lovelorn"	Christopher Hibler	Max Eisenberg	February 23, 1988 (1988-02-23)	19.0/28 [19]
Matlock and Michelle both represent Craig Moore (Jerry Houser) when he is accused of killing relationship advice columnist Marjorie Manners (Natalija Nogulich), whose response led to his wife Anna (Barbara Whinnery) leaving him. Ben discovers that the dead woman's own marriage situation was quite unusual, possibly revealing a different suspect and motive. The true murderer is then unmasked with the help of the used carbon film on an IBM Selectric typewriter. Note: Kene Holliday does not appear in this episode.
44	21	"The Genius"	Frank Thackery	Lincoln Kibbee	March 15, 1988 (1988-03-15)	18.5/28 [20]
Matlock's nephew (Bill Mumy) is charged with the murder of his boss, Vincent Redding (Gerald Hiken) in a high-tech computer firm, and Ben must count on the young man's high IQ to clear his name. Note: This is Kari Lizer's final episode.
45	22	"The Magician"	Christopher Hibler	Gerald Sanoff	March 22, 1988 (1988-03-22)	19.2/30 [21]
Matlock attends a magic show with Julie March one night. Afterwards, Daniel Fontaine (Michael E. Knight), the star of the magic show is framed for the murder of his lover/partner Sandy Farrell (Kim Johnston Ulrich), who was devious as she was beautiful. When the game of pool was over, Tyler questioned Jimmy (Peter Freschette) about his tiny gig with the Magic Castle. His contact with that company, set Tyler up, led both of them in jail, and Tyler is furious because Jimmy said to him it was Arthur Wolff (Michael Halsey) who told him to. Note: Though departed from the cast one episode before this one, Kari Lizer is still featured in the opening credits.
46	23	"The Fisherman"	Harvey S. Laidman	Marvin Kupfer	March 29, 1988 (1988-03-29)	19.0/30 [22]
Matlock defends both the Vietnamese fisherman Ngyuen Tram (Dana Lee) and his own son (Jason Scott Lee) after a prejudiced fisherman, John Sampson (S.A. Griffin), is found murdered on his boat. Together, both the father and son had words. It turns out that there is more than just the fisherman Matlock is defending, as he also becomes a prime target of the racist townspeople. Note: Though departed from the cast two episodes before this one, Kari Lizer is still featured in the opening credits.
47	24	"The Heiress"	Leo Penn	Diana Kopald Marcus	May 3, 1988 (1988-05-03)	16.1/27 [23]
When Allison Tate (Jill Carroll) was just a little girl, she finds the bodies of her parents, who were killed by an intruder. After she reached 21, she searched for Marsha Gold (Melinda O. Fee), and finds her dead in the same manner that her parents were murdered, years before. When she was put back into the Linder Sanitarium, where she resided since the murder of her parents, Bob Rainer (Mason Adams) (her father's former business partner, who was her surrogate uncle) hires Matlock to prove that Allison is not guilty of this murder, who in turn has a quarrel with Warren Kreitzer (Brian Benben), an insurance attorney who was about to head on vacation, but will do whatever he has to protect Allison. Note: Nancy Stafford does not appear in this episode. Though departed from the cast three episodes before this one, Kari Lizer is still featured in the opening credits.

References

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19. "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . March 2, 1988. p. 3D. ProQuest   306042747.
20. "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . March 23, 1988. p. 3D. ProQuest   306010273.
21. "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . March 30, 1988. p. 3D. ProQuest   305993024.
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External links

• Matlock at IMDb