Diagnosis: Murder: Season 5
Season 5 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Diagnosis: Murder Season 4.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 5 Progress Shield
Murder Blues
Sep 18, 1997 · 45 min
Steve becomes embroiled in political intrigue after the murder of a city councilman's wife appears to be part of a larger political strategy. Steve investigates two mayoral candida
Open and Shut
Sep 25, 1997 · 45 min
Mark investigates when a teenage girl is murdered after threatening to reveal her affair with her older lover, a newly appointed state Supreme Court Justice.
Malibu Fire
Oct 2, 1997 · 45 min
A Malibu Hills fire is the backdrop for rising tensions between the residents; a disgraced stockbroker, a naturalist, a worried father, and a land developer. A worried Dr. Sloan de
Deadly Games
Oct 9, 1997 · 45 min
Community General is already under increased security, with a high-profile criminal hospitalized, when an important businesswoman is brought in. Mark suspects her security guard ha
Slam-Dunk Dead
Oct 16, 1997 · 45 min
Jesse's new part-time job as trainer of the pro basketball Mustangs turns deadly when he's accused of murdering a star player.
Looks Can Kill
Oct 23, 1997 · 45 min
Dr. Sloan investigates a plastic surgeon when an actress's death apparently results from an infection contracted during surgery.
Fatal Impact (1)
Oct 30, 1997 · 45 min
Mark and Amanda are assigned to the task force investigating an airplane crash. An adversarial FBI agent and Russian mobsters make their assignment more difficult.
Fatal Impact (2)
Oct 30, 1997 · 45 min
Steve and Ron lead the chase for the stolen nuclear material.
Must Kill TV
Nov 6, 1997 · 45 min
The Sloans run into plenty of industry politics when they investigate the death of television network executive, Rachel Woodrall. Seamy revelations about Woodrall's college sororit
Discards
Nov 13, 1997 · 45 min
Jesse finally reunites with his father. After they narrowly elude an assassin, Jesse begins to realize his father isn't the accountant he's always claimed to be, but rather a spy.
A Mime is a Terrible Thing to Waste
Nov 20, 1997 · 45 min
A dead mime leads to an investigation of a crooked auto dealer. Randy Wolfe, a woman who's apparently an expert at everything, leads the investigation while continually annoying St
Down and Dirty Dead
Dec 11, 1997 · 45 min
A motorcycle stunt driver has a fatal accident while filming an action video. Steve investigates.
Retribution (1)
Jan 8, 1998 · 45 min
When Steve is shot and falls into a coma, Mark does all in his power to find the assailant, even threatening a suspect with bodily harm. Mark finds himself the prime suspect when S
Retribution (2)
Jan 15, 1998 · 45 min
This episode takes place four months after Mark was convicted of murder. Steve is slowly recovering from his wounds and Mark is still rotting in prison. While Mark endures the taun
Drill for Death
Jan 22, 1998 · 45 min
A hospital emergeny preparedness drill turns deadly when an unpopular and ambitious nurse is found dead amid the chaos with an eccentric artist the only witness.
Rain of Terror
Jan 29, 1998 · 45 min
A spat between a girl and her boyfriend leads to an apparent murder, leaving the girl and her mother with a dead body, just as dinner guests Mark and Amanda arrive. Panic sets in,
Baby Boom
Feb 5, 1998 · 45 min
A madman charges into a Lamaze class with a bomb, claiming that a fertility doctor was cheating him. Everything is complicated further when said doctor turns up dead.
Talked to Death
Feb 26, 1998 · 45 min
Ratings seeking stunts by TV talk show hosts Darren & Mary has tragic results.
An Education in Murder
Mar 5, 1998 · 45 min
When a rash of deaths at a high school revolve around one 'helpful' young girl, Dr. Sloan risks his own life to uncover the murderer.
Murder at the Finish Line
Mar 26, 1998 · 45 min
Dr. Sloan investigates to find out who's behind the death of a driver in a speedway crash.
First Do No Harm
Apr 16, 1998 · 45 min
When a young girl is rushed into the hospital in need of immediate treatment, but dies due to a HMO's negligence, Dr. Travis and Community General are sued for negligence. Dr. Sloa
Promises to Keep
Apr 23, 1998 · 45 min
The Matthews family is reunited after years apart. Here, Ryan and Tess Matthews come to LA to help Kate when she's in trouble with a con man.
Food Fight
Apr 30, 1998 · 45 min
Dr. Travis gets involved in the treacherous and deadly trade of catering when he oversees the annual charity banquet.
Obsession (1)
May 7, 1998 · 45 min
Dr. Sloan insists that a man he helped condemn to death for a series of bombings is guilty, even after a post-execution explosion.
Obsession (2)
May 14, 1998 · 45 min
Three months after the execution of Lewis Sweeney, explosions are still rocking the LA area every four days. The unpopular Dr. Sloan continues his efforts to nail Carter Sweeney fo