In the Heat of the Night backdrop
Crime•Drama

The Best Episodes of In the Heat of the Night Season 3

Every episode of In the Heat of the Night Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of In the Heat of the Night Season 3!

Binge this in 22h 0m•Peaking at 9.2/10

In the Heat of the Night is an American television series based on the motion picture and novel of the same name starring Carroll O'Connor as the white police chief William Gillespie, and Howard Rollins

Airs on
NBCCBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons8

All12345678

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 1 - Rape
    9.2/10(154 votes)

    #1 - Rape

    S3:E1

    After being released by his captors, the chief discovers that his abduction is part of a plot to assassinate a visiting civil rights leader.

    Directors:Paul Lynch, Harry Harris
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 2 - Fairest of Them All
    7.8/10(91 votes)

    #2 - Fairest of Them All

    S3:E2

    Virgil struggles to help Althea after she is raped by a fellow teacher.Darnell does not think they can get a conviction because the man's wife has given him an alibi.Virgil tries to control his anger - until the man returns to intimidate Althea.And Gillespie tries to convince the wife to tell the truth.

    Directors:Mario Philip Azzopardi, Paul Lynch
    Writer:Nancy Bond

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 3 - Murder Most Ancient
    8.0/10(92 votes)

    #3 - Murder Most Ancient

    S3:E3

    A beauty contest is marred by blackmail and the ambitious mother of a contestant.

    Directors:Mario Philip Azzopardi, Winrich Kolbe
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 4 - First Girl
    8.6/10(121 votes)

    #4 - First Girl

    S3:E4

    An unhappy wife asks her lover to place a bomb in her abusive husband's truck.

    Directors:Gene Reynolds, Winrich Kolbe
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 5 - Crackdown
    8.6/10(145 votes)

    #5 - Crackdown

    S3:E5

    Sparta P.D. gets it's first black policewoman.

    Director:Gene Reynolds
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 6 - Anniversary
    8.5/10(90 votes)

    #6 - Anniversary

    S3:E6

    Someone is selling crack to teenagers and Sweet tries desperately to save a young addict.

    Director:Harry Harris
    Writer:Nancy Bond

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of In the Heat of the Night

    READ
  7. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 7 - Time of the Stranger
    7.8/10(81 votes)

    #7 - Time of the Stranger

    S3:E7

    After a private investigator searching for a missing child is found dead, the evidence points to a local dance teacher - a neighbor that Parker has become very fond of.

    Director:Ivan Dixon
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 8 - Vengeance
    8.6/10(100 votes)

    #8 - Vengeance

    S3:E8

    An outlaw family seeks revenge against Bubba after he is forced to shoot one of them during a holdup.The chief wants him to stay out of sight until they are arrested - a suggestion that does not set well with Bubba.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 9 - My Name is Hank
    7.7/10(91 votes)

    #9 - My Name is Hank

    S3:E9

    A young refugee claims to be the son of a Sparta cop who died in the war.But quickly becomes a suspect in a murder/robbery after he accepts a ride with the criminals who actually committed the crime.Gillespie looks into his story, while Virgil and the boys track down the shooter.Meanwhile, the young mans presence triggers a surprisingly bitter reaction from Parker, who views him as a painful reminder of the war.

    Director:Harry Harris
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 10 - King's Ransom
    7.0/10(73 votes)

    #10 - King's Ransom

    S3:E10

    The F.B.I. tries to talk an ex-boxer into testifying against a mobster he once worked for, but the fighter sees the situation as an opportunity for blackmail.

    Director:Jeffrey Hayden
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 11 - Epitaph for a Lady
    7.7/10(87 votes)

    #11 - Epitaph for a Lady

    S3:E11

    A long time friend of the Chief makes threats against a doctor he believes is responsible for his wife's death .When the doctor is killed he becomes the prime suspect.But Gillespie doubts his guilt - even after he confesses.

    Director:Vincent McEveety
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 12 - Triangle
    8.0/10(98 votes)

    #12 - Triangle

    S3:E12

    A man murders his wife and her lover after he catches them together,then flees to a remote cabin with his daughter who does not know what he has done.The chief and the boys hope to talk him into surrendering without resorting to violence.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 13 - Hello in There
    8.4/10(112 votes)

    #13 - Hello in There

    S3:E13

    Bubba refuses to believe that a former teamate embezzled funds from the bank where he worked.And sets out to prove that his friend was framed and murdered.Harriet hopes that art therapy can help the man's traumatized son,who becomes a target himself when the killer realizes he witnessed the crime.

    Director:Vincent McEveety
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 14 - December Days
    8.2/10(100 votes)

    #14 - December Days

    S3:E14

    The Sparta police investigate a suspicious death in a nursing home.

    Director:Vincent McEveety
    Writer:Kim Friese

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 15 - A Loss of Innocence
    7.9/10(99 votes)

    #15 - A Loss of Innocence

    S3:E15

    Darnell plans on indicting a teenager for murder after her father is found in the basement and her mother turns up missing.But Gillespie and his men don't believe she is guilty.

    Director:Paul Lynch
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 16 - Bubba's Baby
    8.4/10(102 votes)

    #16 - Bubba's Baby

    S3:E16

    Someone abandons a baby at Bubba's door.

    Director:Jeffrey Hayden
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 17 - Home is Where The Heart Is
    7.6/10(82 votes)

    #17 - Home is Where The Heart Is

    S3:E17

    Maybelle the madam returns to Sparta with her "" nieces "".And sets up shop just out of Gillespie's jurisdiction.Her return is not without controversy and soon one of her most vocal critics is found murdered.

    Director:Leo Penn
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 18 - An Angry Woman
    7.7/10(75 votes)

    #18 - An Angry Woman

    S3:E18

    First the mother,then the father of two young children are murdered.Althea takes responsibility for the children. The killings appear to be related to a shady trucking firm.

    Director:Winrich Kolbe
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 19 - Indiscretions
    8.4/10(91 votes)

    #19 - Indiscretions

    S3:E19

    Althea does not realize that an old friend from Philly is hiding a dark secret, nor does Sweet who has fallen in love with the woman.

    Director:Vince Edwards
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 20 - Night of the Killing
    8.4/10(78 votes)

    #20 - Night of the Killing

    S3:E20

    Racial tensions run high when a white cabbie is murdered in the bottoms.

    Director:Chuck Bowman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 21 - Citizen Trundel (1)
    8.5/10(89 votes)

    #21 - Citizen Trundel (1)

    S3:E21

    Harriet's sister is murdered on the orders of the wealthy white man who fathered her child.

    Director:Leo Penn
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. In the Heat of the Night Season 3 Episode 22 - Citizen Trundel (2)
    8.7/10(103 votes)

    #22 - Citizen Trundel (2)

    S3:E22

    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.

    Director:Harry Harris
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 3 Ratings Summary

"Rape" is the best rated episode of "In the Heat of the Night" season 3. It scored 9.2/10 based on 154 votes. Directed by Paul Lynch, Harry Harris and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/24/1989. This episode is rated 1.4 points higher than the second-best, "Fairest of Them All".