The BEST episodes of In the Heat of the Night
Every episode of In the Heat of the Night ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of In the Heat of the Night!
Based on the critically acclaimed novel and film of the same name, this series provides a hopeful, yet honest look at life in the new South. Set in the fictional Sparta, Mississippi, the show is a blend of heartfelt drama and folksy humor, portraying both the professional and personal pursuits of Sparta P.D's officers. Series star Carroll O'Connor, in a role far removed from Archie Bunker, served as executive producer. Using the pen name Matt Harris, O'Connor was also the story editor and wrote many of the episodes.
#1 - Missing
Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/16/1989
Gillespie is kidnapped and Virgil believes that Tom Dugan is involved.
#2 - The Hammer and the Glove
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 12/13/1988
Virgil is delighted when Matthew his former partner from Philidelphia comes to visit.But he soon learns his friend has another purpose for coming to Sparta.Althea is uncomfortable because she and Matthew were romantically involved before she met Virgil and she realizes that he is unwilling to accept the fact that she chose Virgil over him.Meanwhile the F.B.I. enlist Sparta P.D.'s aid in hiding a witness.
#3 - Citizen Trundel (2)
Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/8/1990
Harriet's efforts to bring V.J. Trundel to trial are fruitless.The Chief does not believe they will ever get enough evidence to get an indictment,so he tries another method to bring Trundel to justice.
#4 - Family Reunion
Season 5 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/7/1992
An ex-convict attempts to retrieve his loot from his wife and her new husband in this tongue-in-cheek episode.
#5 - A Step Removed
Season 6 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/10/1993
Parker's stepfather Roy threatens his former employer after an altercation.When the boss is murdered Roy is arrested.
#6 - Sanctuary
Season 5 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/12/1992
A political prisoner who entered the country illegally,seeks sanctuary in a monastary.Gillespie and Tibbs find themselves at odds with Sheriff McComb when they try to help the man.
#7 - The Law on Trial
Season 5 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/19/1992
Gillespie,Tibbs and Father DiMarco must stand trial for harbouring a fugitive and obstructing justice.
#8 - A Small War (1)
Season 6 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/28/1992
Big city crack dealers invade Sparta.Eugene witnesses the drive by shooting of a friend and his offer to help the police identify the shooters leaves Harriet frightened and angry at Bill.
#9 - A Small War (2)
Season 6 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/4/1992
The police wage war against the big city drug dealers who have moved into Sparta.Eugene identifies the men who murdered his friend.And Bubba is teamed with and intrigued by a lady police lieutenant from Jackson.
#10 - Brother's Keeper
Season 6 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/11/1992
Louann's ne'er-do-well brother returns home after being paroled.
#11 - A Frenzied Affair
Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/18/1992
Althea places herself in harms way trying to help one of her students, a disturbed and violent young man; after he is implicated in a murder case.
#12 - Discovery
Season 6 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/18/1992
Althea has trouble dealing with the violent death of a student.Young Megan Fowler quickly finds herself yet another dangerous boyfriend and they are soon wanted by the police.
#13 - Random's Child
Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/25/1992
Lana Gillespie comes to Sparta to claim her inheritance,but is stalked by a mobster who dated her mother.Meanwhile Harriet encourages Bill to talk to his daughter,but Lana doesn't seem to be interested.Officer Randy Goode helps keep the bad guys at bay by playing them a little tune on the guitar.
#14 - An Occupational Hazard
Season 6 - Episode 7 - Aired 12/2/1992
A secretary takes drastic measures to protect herself from sexual harassment.
#15 - Last Rights
Season 6 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/9/1992
Virgil fears for his Aunt Ruda's safety after several killings occur in the hospital where she is being treated.
#16 - When the Music Stopped
Season 6 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/16/1992
Singer Eddie Larran returns to Sparta for a concert,but not everyone is a fan.An angry man insists that Eddie owes him money.And their dispute soon ends in violence.
#17 - Flowers from a Lady
Season 6 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/6/1993
A city councilwoman becomes dangerously obsessed with Bubba.
#18 - Private Sessions
Season 6 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/13/1993
One of Virgil's classmates from law school is arrested following the death of his former girlfriend, but the man insists that her death was the result of her relationship with her psychiatrist.
#19 - Judgment Day
Season 6 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/20/1993
A judge schemes to get rid of his wife after she tries to blackmail him into giving her a divorce and a generous settlement by revealing a secret from his past.
#20 - Falsely Accused
Season 6 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/3/1993
Sweet is the target of false accusations by two corrupt and racist car salesmen.
#21 - Baby for Sale
Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/8/1991
After Bubba's cousin adopts a baby her husband is blackmailed by the child's real parents - they want him to help them steal the payroll where he works.
#23 - Grow Old Along with Me
Season 8 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/16/1995
Ex-cop Tom Harwood's happiness with his new bride is threatened by an old flame who sees an opportunity for blackmail.
#24 - Obsession
Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/22/1991
A flirtatious schoolteacher is stalked by a madman.
#25 - Liar's Poker
Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/29/1991
A game of high stakes poker ends in murder.