Matlock: Season 3
Season 3 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 Matlock Season 2.
- 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 3 Progress Shield
The Lemon
Nov 29, 1988
When Matlock's new neighbor, Les 'Ace' Calhoun, is charged with murdering the used car salesman who sold him a lemon, Matlock takes the case to prove that more than one person had
The Ambassador (1)
Dec 6, 1988
Anthony Stewart is charged with murdering Michael Russell, the husband of the woman he was sleeping with. Although Stewart, a visiting British ambassador, has diplomatic immunity,
The Ambassador (2)
Dec 13, 1988
After Anthony Stewart is nearly killed in a hit and run, Matlock realises that the only way to clear him is to find Shelby Russell, the supposed witness whose claim put Stewart in
The Mistress
Dec 20, 1988
Matlock agrees to defend Laura McCord after she's charged with murdering her husband David in a jealous rage. He and Julie soon realise that David's lover is the key in all this, b
The D.J.
Jan 3, 1989
When radio disk jockey Arthur Saxon is accused of murdering rival D.J. Robby Moore, Michelle asks Ben to defend him. Ben agrees because Michelle swears he's the kindest, most gentl
The Captain
Jan 10, 1989
Captain Edward Hanna was once a fine, fine cop. Unfortunately, his actions over the years have netted him with the nickname 'The Mad Hatter'. When police officer Jim Shanley is fou
The Vendetta
Jan 17, 1989
Michelle is taken hostage by Ned Billings, who blames Matlock for his brother (James Billings, The Professor) committing suicide after being convicted of murder, thanks to Ben. Tyl
The Mayor (1)
Jan 31, 1989
When Chris Reardon, a man determined to bring the sixties back into the late eighties, is charged with murdering mayor Brian Barelli, reporter Paul O'Neill brings Matlock to Chicag
The Mayor (2)
Feb 7, 1989
Paul O'Neill heads to Texas to get his hands on Eddie Lomax, whom he believes to be the real killer. Matlock realises that a land scam is behind everything, and enlists an unlikely
The Black Widow
Feb 14, 1989
Seven years earlier Ken Wilson was sent to prison, convicted of murdering his wife, Ann. After he's released, he runs into his wife in Los Angeles, only now she's going by the name
The Other Woman
Feb 21, 1989
Matlock agrees to defend psychiatrist Lucas Forbes when he's arrested for killing Adam Whitley, the husband of one of his patients whom Lucas was reportedly having an affair with,
The Starlet
Feb 28, 1989
An old friend comes to Matlock to beg him to prove that her daughter Lauren didn't murder her rival Morgan Girard after a beauty contest.
The Psychic
Mar 7, 1989
Matlock agrees to defend a psychic, Jennifer Holtz, who claims to have seen the murder before it ever took place.
The Thief (1)
Mar 28, 1989
When a rare coin dealer is charged with murdering a thieving employee, he hires Matlock to defend him. Tyler is less than thrilled when Matlock temporarily hires a female investiga
The Thief (2)
Apr 4, 1989
Matlock and Tyler realise that part of Linda's deception is routed in the recent kidnapping of her son. While Tyler helps her locate the child, Matlock finds the rare coin he needs
The Thoroughbred
Apr 18, 1989
When the manager of a thoroughbred farm is murdered, her father begs Matlock to represent the mentally handicapped man accused of the crime.
The Model
Apr 25, 1989
Matlock has finally had the breakthrough in the case he was struggling with, but after being hit by a car, he needs to put the case together from scratch. Unfortunately, his nurse
The Cult
May 2, 1989
When William Austin comes to Atlanta from Chicago and heads to the cult that has ensnared his son Dennis, Dennis tells him to leave him alone, the cult is his home now, and that he
The Blues Singer
May 9, 1989
When legendary blues singer Eddie Haynes is charged with murder, Matlock agrees to defend a man he once idolized. Haynes swears that the young rock star he's accused of killing was
The Priest
May 16, 1989
After a local mobster is accused of murdering a priest, Alex Winthrop goes to Matlock for help with the case because he knows that he can't do it on his own. It doesn't take long b