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4.5
Season 8 of In the Heat of the Night is a series of 4 television movies that ended the run of the television series, which aired from 1988 until 1995.On Disc 1 is “A Matter of Justice,” featuring George C. Scott as Judge Walker, whose grandson Todd (Josh Lucas) has been murdering young women in Sparta and using his family name to shield himself from justice. Sheriff Bill Gillespie (Carroll O'Connor) and Sparta Chief of Police Hampton Forbes (Carl Weathers) work the case together to track down the serial killer. [60 minutes]On Disc 2 is “Who Was Geli Bendl?” Sydne Rome portrays Geli, a former resident of Sparta's bottoms, now a successful European entertainer, who comes to Sparta to convince her desperately drug addicted sister Laura (Arienne Battiste) to go to Europe to live with her. Geli requests assistance from her friend police Sgt. Dee Shepard (Dee Shaw). [95 minutes]Disc 3 contains “By Duty Bound.” Unscrupulous wholesale business owner Kerry Madigan (John Calvin) is going to run for Sheriff to replace Bill Gillespie (Carroll O'Connor), who wants to buy a fishing boat and retire to a quieter life, a decision fully appreciated by his wife Harriet DeLong (Denise Nichols). Madigan’s warehouse foreman Frank (Corbin Bernson) helps Madigan steal his own merchandise from supplier shipments, which he resells on the black market. In covering their thievery, the foreman murders two people. Though Sparta’s Chief Forbes (Carl Weathers) solves one murder and is able to arrest the foreman, the second murder remains unsolved and the corrupt Madigan is left free to run for Sheriff. All law enforcement in the county are aware that Madigan is unfit to run for Sheriff and Sheriff Gillespie must decide whether or not to retire. [95 minutes]Disc 4 contains “Grow Old Along With Me.” John Ryan (Bill Cross) marries Pauline Medford (Constance McCashin), leaving unfinished business with his former girlfriend Trina (portrayed by Janette Lee Bradbury, once again appearing as a slobbering drunk). The new Mrs. Ryan is very understanding and sympathetic to her husband's dilemma and dives right in to help, leading to traumatic escalations of the matter. [96 minutes]As an Amazon customer, I feel so lucky to be able to purchase episodes of In the Heat of the Night so many years after it ended, and enjoy this brilliant show again. The episodes in Season 8 contain intense drama with terrific script writing, acting and directing.
