The Worst Episodes of Father Dowling Mysteries

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Worst Episode
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   5.8/10(80 votes)

   #1 - The Devil In The Deep Blue Sea Mystery

   S3:E310/4/1990

   When most people look at Harry Deil they see one of the most powerful men in underworld crime. Father Dowling sees something else, something even more sinister: The devil. Now Father Dowling must beat him at his own game in order to save Sister Steve.

   Director:Christopher Hibler

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Christopher Hibler

   Writer:Unknown
2. 

   6.4/10(62 votes)

   #2 - The Woman Scorned Mystery

   S2:E52/1/1990

   Is Father Dowling serving up a stew of lechery, larceny and murder? No, it's the work of his evil twin brother, Blaine, who is trying to lure lonely matrons into a phony investment scheme. Father Dowling is forced to masquerade as the wicked brother in a last-ditch effort to prove his innocence and pin the rap on the woman's real killer.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
3. 

   6.7/10(67 votes)

   #3 - The Exotic Dancer Mystery

   S2:E21/11/1990

   Sister Steve heads undercover as a crooked card dealer at a high stakes poker game. It turns out the game is really nothing more than a ploy to cover up a robbery. Meanwhile, Father Dowling has his work cut out for him. He has to expose the crime, solve the murder of the exotic dancer and rescue Sister Steve before the card sharks find out her true identity.

   Director:Christopher Hibler

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Christopher Hibler

   Writer:Unknown
4. 

   6.7/10(53 votes)

   #4 - The Malibu Mystery

   S3:E204/4/1991

   Father Dowling is on the trail of a runaway teen who is taking a walk on the wild side of L.A.'s night life.

   Director:Christopher Hibler

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Christopher Hibler

   Writer:Unknown
5. 

   6.8/10(58 votes)

   #5 - The Showgirl Mystery

   S3:E410/18/1990

   A showy showgirl of a shady nightclub is surprised to discover that her late husband's estate consists of nothing but debts. Or is she the victim of a scam to deprive her out of a small fortune? The investigation reveals a motley crew of underworld characters as Father Dowling and Sister Steve go hunting for a suspect.

   Director:Christopher Hibler

   Writer:Barbara Esensten

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   Director:Christopher Hibler

   Writer:Barbara Esensten
6. 

   6.9/10(69 votes)

   #6 - The Passionate Painter Mystery

   S2:E134/26/1990

   Suffering for the sake of one's art is one thing, but this temperamental artist's talent might soon be hidden beneath a sad addiction to drugs and alcohol. And that's just the start of his problems. He's just discovered that someone is also trying to kill him.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
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7. 

   7.1/10(75 votes)

   #7 - The Pretty Baby Mystery

   S1:E83/10/1989

   Father Dowling and Sister Steve find themselves in the most unlikely role of parents when an abandoned baby is discovered at the rectory. When they attempt to reunite mother and child they learn that the mother is being chased by violent kidnappers.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
8. 

   7.1/10(57 votes)

   #8 - The Fugitive Priest Mystery

   S3:E111/3/1991

   Trouble is brewing for Father Dowling when his evil twin brother rolls into town. Blaine manages to frame his brother for a bank robbery, while protecting himself with a perfect alibi: He's been arrested for overdue parking tickets. With the help of Sister Steve, Father Dowling masquerades as his troublesome twin in order to track down his underworld associates.

   Director:James Frawley

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:James Frawley

   Writer:Unknown
9. 

   7.1/10(59 votes)

   #9 - The Prodigal Son Mystery

   S3:E141/31/1991

   A blast from the past rocks Father Dowling's world when a man he's never met shows up claiming to be his son. The man disappears before Father Dowling can question him. And then his would-be son is charged with murder.

   Director:James Frawley

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:James Frawley

   Writer:Unknown
10. 

    7.2/10(62 votes)

    #10 - The Blind Man's Bluff Mystery

    S2:E72/15/1990

    Sister Steve has always been a trusting soul. It's part of her job, of course. So it is no surprise when she opens her heart to a blind man who seems to be in need of assistance. But she soon discovers that she has become an unwitting accomplice in a scheme to blackmail a prominent parishioner.

    Director:Russ Mayberry

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Russ Mayberry

    Writer:Unknown
11. 

    7.2/10(66 votes)

    #11 - The Perfect Couple Mystery

    S2:E93/8/1990

    Talk about security clearance. Father Dowling and Sister Steve find themselves smack dab in the middle of a top secret security investigation when one of the parishioners is suspected of stealing confidential documents. The case revolves around a spy who really isn't a spy, a mistress who never was and a cheating husband who didn't. Add to the mix a FBI headquarters that never existed and you've got a case that's about as clear as Irish Stew.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
12. 

    7.2/10(65 votes)

    #12 - The Legacy Mystery

    S2:E124/12/1990

    Father Dowling has always enjoyed fine art, but someone is going overboard in their role as freelance art critic. A mystery thief is methodically stealing the art treasures that once belonged to the wealthy Cabot family. And Father Dowling has an inkling the thief might be the surviving son, Jonathan. The only question is why would a rich businessman take the risk of stealing the paintings when he could easily afford to buy them outright? And Cabot has perfect alibis for each theft. It looks like it's time for some of Father Dowling's old-fashioned digging for clues.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
13. 

    7.2/10(58 votes)

    #13 - The Monkey Business Mystery

    S3:E183/7/1991

    Father Dowling and Sister Steve go out on a limb when they kidnap a chimp accused of murdering an animal activist. The killer-chimp will be put to sleep unless they can prove it has been framed.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
14. 

    7.2/10(49 votes)

    #14 - The Joyful Noise Mystery

    S3:E225/2/1991

    The local District Attorney's office is home to bullets and ballots as deadly rivals battle for power. One man is already dead and an innocent boy has been charged with murder. Father Dowling tries to expose the real killer before a political rally becomes a blood bath.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
15. 

    7.3/10(77 votes)

    #15 - The Face In The Mirror Mystery

    S1:E73/3/1989

    When the good Father's evil half-brother shows up unexpectedly, Dowling suspects right away that the evil one is up to no good. After thwarting his brother's attempted diamond heist, Dowling finds himself in hot water when he discovers that the police can't tell the two brothers apart.

    Director:Alan Cooke

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Alan Cooke

    Writer:Unknown
16. 

    7.3/10(74 votes)

    #16 - The Solid Gold Headache Mystery

    S2:E113/29/1990

    Sister Steve knows better than to look a gift horse in the mouth, but why would anyone name her as administrator of a six million dollar trust fund? And if you think she is puzzled, the family of the dearly departed are just a tad upset themselves. In fact they are willing to do just about anything to keep Sister Steve away from the fund. And just to show they are serious, they've kidnapped Father Dowling's trusty housekeeper. They've offered to let her go, as soon as someone coughs up mere six million dollars.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
17. 

    7.3/10(57 votes)

    #17 - The Moving Target Mystery

    S3:E152/7/1991

    A hired killer has a change of heart when he discovers that Father Dowling is his intended victim. He warns the priest that someone else is certain to accept the contract. Now it's up to Father Dowling to figure out who, and why, someone is out to get him.

    Director:Robert Scheerer

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Robert Scheerer

    Writer:Unknown
18. 

    7.4/10(69 votes)

    #18 - The Sanctuary Mystery

    S2:E31/18/1990

    Sister, Father and a brother find themselves in a life and death situation when Sister Steve's younger brother, Mark, finds himself in the middle of a street gang battle. Someone ends up dead and Mark is the one charged with murder. He points the finger at the real killer, Police Captain Edward Hayton, and then finds himself leading candidate in the role of next potential victim. Father Dowling throws his hat into the ring and finds a case that involves not only murder, but smugglers trafficking in precious gems.

    Director:Christopher Hibler

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Christopher Hibler

    Writer:Unknown
19. 

    7.4/10(78 votes)

    #19 - The Ghost Of A Chance Mystery

    S2:E62/8/1990

    Father Dowling is more than a little skeptical when a young woman insists that her house is haunted. He agrees to investigate just the same after Sister Steve confesses that she has also seen some of the unexplained ""happenings."" Father Dowling concludes that something is indeed amiss, but is it the work of a person or a spirit?

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
20. 

    7.4/10(62 votes)

    #20 - The Medical Mystery

    S3:E29/27/1990

    The local hospital is the scene of some 'extra' deaths when Father Dowling and Sister Steve uncover a string of mystery murders. Father Prestwick insists on helping out and almost becomes the next victim.

    Director:James Frawley

    Writer:Jeri Taylor

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    Director:James Frawley

    Writer:Jeri Taylor
21. 

    7.4/10(66 votes)

    #21 - The Undercover Nun Mystery

    S3:E611/1/1990

    Sister Steve's return to her Mother's house to celebrate the convent's Silver Jubilee ceremonies should be a time of great joy for everyone. But shortly after arriving the Sister discovers a nun with a gun. Not quite what she expected. And her worst fears are indeed realized when another visiting nun is murdered.

    Director:James Frawley

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:James Frawley

    Writer:Unknown
22. 

    7.4/10(60 votes)

    #22 - The Priest Killer Mystery

    S3:E162/14/1991

    When a rooftop sniper almost kills Father Dowling, Sister Steve goes undercover as a cab driver, hoping the flush out the would-be priest-killer.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
23. 

    7.4/10(55 votes)

    #23 - The Hard Boiled Mystery

    S3:E193/28/1991

    An author who used Dowling and Steve as characters in his murder mystery dies before its completion.

    Director:James Frawley

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:James Frawley

    Writer:Unknown
24. 

    7.5/10(96 votes)

    #24 - What Do You Call A Call Girl Mystery?

    S1:E31/27/1989

    Father Dowling comes to the aid of a man when his fiancée is murdered just as she was about to confess to being a prostitute. A search leads to three powerful clients, none of whom want to be involved in a scandal. And even the police are trying to discourage Father Dowling from continuing his investigation.

    Director:Charles S. Dubin

    Writer:Robert Hamilton

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    Director:Charles S. Dubin

    Writer:Robert Hamilton
25. 

    7.5/10(78 votes)

    #25 - Mafia Priest (1)

    S1:E52/17/1989

    Father Dowling finds himself caught in a bizarre mystery when he attempts to prove a fellow priest innocent of murder. Dowling and Sister Steve get more than they bargained for when they discover the young priest's family is indeed connected--to organized crime!

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown