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The Best Episodes of Murder One

Every episode of Murder One ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Murder One!

Theodore 'Teddy' Hoffman is a highly-regarded defense attorney in a prestigious Los Angeles law firm. Having successfully defended the wealthy but suspicious Richard Cross in...
Genre:Drama
Network:ABC

Top Episode Ratings Summary

"Chapter Twenty-Three" is the best rated episode of "Murder One". It scored 8.6/10 based on 66 votes. Directed by Michael Fresco and written by Steven Bochco, Charles H. Eglee, William M. Finkelstein, Geoffrey Neigher, it aired on 4/23/1996. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "Chapter Twenty-Two".

  • Chapter Twenty-Three
    8.6/1066 votes
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    #1 - Chapter Twenty-Three

    Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 4/23/1996

    With nothing left to lose, a dying Richard Cross tells Hoffman where to find the tape recorded in Jessica's apartment the night of her murder. In the aftermath of the jury's verdict in the Goldilocks murder case of Neil Avedon, Jessica's killer is unmasked and all loose ends tied up.

    Director: Michael Fresco

    Writer: Steven Bochco, Charles H. Eglee, William M. Finkelstein, Geoffrey Neigher

  • Chapter Twenty-Two
    8.3/1061 votes
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    #2 - Chapter Twenty-Two

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 4/22/1996

    Hoffman races to track down Richard Cross and find the missing video tape even as a terrified Neil Avedon is attacked by a fellow inmate in prison; a possible mob connection surfaces in the case.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Steven Bochco, William M. Finkelstein

  • Chapter One
    8.2/1099 votes
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    #3 - Chapter One

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/20/1995

    A powerful L.A. entrepreneur (Stanley Tucci) is accused of killing his mistress's 15-year-old sister, Jessica Costello, after she is found "naked, tied up, strangled, [with] drugs all over the place" in an apartment he owns. The murder of Jessica Costello becomes front-page news and the hottest new case for the law firm of Hoffman & Associates.

    Director: Charles Haid

    Writer: David Milch, Steven Bochco, Charles H. Eglee

  • Chapter Twenty-One
    8.2/1060 votes
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    #4 - Chapter Twenty-One

    Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 4/22/1996

    Even as the jury reaches a verdict, Hoffman breaks into Jessica's apartment, convinced a hidden camera is located there and that a tape of the murder most likely exists. The jury delivers its verdict in the trial of Neil Avedon. Following the decision, Hoffman and Grasso appear on "Larry King Live" to discuss the case. King appears as himself. 

    Director: Marc Buckland

    Writer: Steven Bochco, Ann Donahue, Charles H. Eglee, William M. Finkelstein

  • Chapter Two
    8.1/1084 votes
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    #5 - Chapter Two

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/26/1995

    Hoffman grows suspicious when Cross appears overly confident at his arraignment on the charge of murder; a surprise witness (Tia Carrere) comes forward with new information. Ted Hoffman goes from defending Richard Cross for the murder of Jessica Costello to defending Neil Avedon (Jason Gedrick) , a hot young Hollywood actor, for the same murder.

    Director: Michael Fresco

    Writer: Charles H. Eglee

  • Chapter Three
    8.1/1081 votes
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    #6 - Chapter Three

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/3/1995

    A personal item belonging to Jessica Costello surfaces that could incriminate members of the Hollywood community; Avedon's substance abuse creates problems for Hoffman, who selects a new attorney for second chair. Lisa defends an investments specialist on trial for mishandling his clients' life savings.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Ann Donahue

  • Chapter Eight
    8.1/1068 votes
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    #7 - Chapter Eight

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/17/1995

    Avedon plans a live television interview; a surprising source brings forth a videotape that further incriminates Avedon; Julie is arrested for DUI. Meanwhile, Appleton convinces a former patient (Charlotte Ross) of Dr. Lester to share her disturbing experiences with Julie.

    Director: Michael Fresco

    Writer: Ann Donahue, Charles Holland, Geoffrey Neigher

  • Chapter Seventeen
    8.1/1062 votes
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    #8 - Chapter Seventeen

    Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 3/12/1996

    Eduardo Portalegre (Nick Corri) is again charged with rape and becomes a suspect in Jessica's murder. Patients of Graham Lester testify that he drugged and raped them while they were in his care. Julie and DA Garfield testify; Annie asks Ted for a divorce. Hoffman uncovers a costly connection between Richard Cross and Dr. Lester's nurse.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Eighteen
    8.1/1059 votes
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    #9 - Chapter Eighteen

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 3/19/1996

    The defense calls witnesses for Avedon, including his mother (Concetta Tomei); Hoffman considers the prosecution's offer to plea bargain; Appleton is reprimanded for her involvement with Richard Cross; Grasso suffers a personal tragedy.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Four
    8.0/1071 votes
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    #10 - Chapter Four

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/12/1995

    Avedon takes a lie-detector test and is released on bail, but Grasso tries to get the bail revoked because of the incriminating sex tape brought in by Melissa. Meanwhile, Hoffman defends a police detective (Joe Spano) accused of using unnecessary force after responding to a domestic dispute call.

    Director: Michael Fresco

    Writer: Geoffrey Neigher

  • Chapter Five
    8.0/1073 votes
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    #11 - Chapter Five

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/19/1995

    Avedon goes to court for his preliminary hearing; Blalock (Kevin Tighe) believes he's found a witness who can discredit Cross's alibi for the night of the murder. Meanwhile, Appleton defends a Jewish youth (Maury Ginsberg) accused of an anti-Semitic hate crime. After a lead in her sister's murder proves deadly, Julie Costello shows up at the law firm to talk to Hoffman, fearing that her own life is now in danger.

    Director: Nancy Savoca

    Writer: Charles Holland

  • Chapter Six
    8.0/1071 votes
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    #12 - Chapter Six

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/3/1995

    Hoffman hires Velacek to investigate David Blalock's murder, and he retains an expert jury consultant (Lorraine Toussaint). Meanwhile, Avedon appears in court to see if his bail will be revoked, and Spivak defends a man (Billy Maddox) accused of a murder committed 17 years before. When Julie overdoses on drugs prescribed by Dr. Lester, Hoffman suspects the doctor has ulterior motives for keeping his female patients so heavily sedated.

    Director: Jim Charleston

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Nine
    8.0/1072 votes
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    #13 - Chapter Nine

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 1/1/1996

    Convinced that Richard Cross is trying to manipulate the outcome of Neil Avedon's murder trail, Hoffman advises Justine to turn down a business opportunity from him.

    Director: Elodie Keene

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Ten
    8.0/1066 votes
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    #14 - Chapter Ten

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 1/9/1996

    Jury selection begins in Avedon's murder trial, and among the potential jurors are an ex-cop, an ex-marine and a feminist. Meanwhile, a stalker (Debra Christofferson) reappears on Avedon's trail and Francesca (Donna Murphy) considers divorcing Richard. Hoffman faces a rumor that he had an affair with Francesca Cross, a rumor he believes was started by Richard Cross.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: William M. Finkelstein, Geoffrey Neigher

  • Chapter Twelve
    8.0/1064 votes
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    #15 - Chapter Twelve

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 1/23/1996

    The "Goldilocks Murder" trial begins with opening statements and the prosecution's first witness (Ted Marcoux), who testifies he heard Avedon threaten Jessica. When a member of his family is abducted, Hoffman suspects someone is trying to send him a message about the Avedon murder case and that Cross is somehow involved.Meanwhile, Appleton's business relationship with Cross is questioned.

    Director: Rick Wallace

    Writer: Charles H. Eglee, William M. Finkelstein

  • Chapter Nineteen
    8.0/1057 votes
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    #16 - Chapter Nineteen

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 4/1/1996

    Richard Cross is called as a witness for the defense. Cross acts strangely on the witness stand, Neil decides to testify in court on his own behalf, and Justine has an unnerving encounter with Cross in his office. Meanwhile, Appleton secretly goes through Cross's private files to obtain information that would aid the defense.

    Director: William M. Finkelstein, Marc Buckland

    Writer: Charles H. Eglee, William M. Finkelstein

  • Chapter Twenty
    8.0/1061 votes
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    #17 - Chapter Twenty

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 4/8/1996

    Avedon awaits his fate as closing arguments are heard and jury instructions are given. Meanwhile, the prosecution tries to have Judge Bornstein dismissed, due to allegations that she and Hoffman were once romantically linked. As Hoffman and Grasso deliver their closing arguments Justine realizes just how mentally unstable Cross is and finally discovers the cause of his erratic behavior.

    Director: Donna Deitch

    Writer: Geoffrey Neigher

  • Chapter Seven
    7.9/1068 votes
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    #18 - Chapter Seven

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/10/1995

    Hoffman receives information that Avedon may have confessed to killing Jessica Costello; someone is suspected of leaking facts to the press. Meanwhile, Gillespie defends a 12-year-old gang member (DeJuan Guy) accused of murdering a rival at a funeral.

    Director: Donna Deitch

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Sixteen
    7.9/1061 votes
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    #19 - Chapter Sixteen

    Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 3/5/1996

    After Jessica's diary is entered as evidence, Hoffman calls to the stand some of the men Jessica mentioned in her diary, including Gary Blondo and Rusty Arnold. Meanwhile, Julie agrees to testify about her relationship with Richard Cross, but Hoffman is later stunned after she takes the stand and claims she no longer has to answer his questions.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter One, Year Two
    7.9/1044 votes
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    #20 - Chapter One, Year Two

    Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 10/10/1996

    Deputy District Attorney Jimmy Wyler joins Hoffman & Associates, and for his first case he defends Sharon Rooney, who was arrested for murdering the governor of California.

    Director: Michael Fresco

    Writer: Geoffrey Neigher

  • Chapter Fourteen
    7.8/1088 votes
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    #21 - Chapter Fourteen

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 2/13/1996

    A copy of the videotape that may have gotten David Blalock killed surfaces; the woman (Anna Gunn) who appeared to be strangled by Avedon in a sex video testifies. As more evidence comes to light proving Richard Cross lied about his activities the night of Jessica's murder, Hoffman begins experiencing marital problems.

    Director: Randall Zisk

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Fifteen
    7.8/1064 votes
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    #22 - Chapter Fifteen

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 2/20/1996

    The murder trial is halted when two male jurors argue over a woman juror as a love triangle is exposed. Judge Bornstein orders that Dr. Lester's records on Avedon be unsealed, forcing the physician to testify; Dr. Lester testifies that Neil Avedon made a startling confession the night Jessica was murdered. Passion develops between Arnold and Julie Costello.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Eleven
    7.7/1065 votes
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    #23 - Chapter Eleven

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 1/16/1996

    Hoffman tries to get Avedon's charges dropped due to Holly Gerges's confession. Meanwhile, jury selection continues, with a law professor (Steven Gilborn) among those questioned. Hoffman becomes suspicious after Cross asks him to help Roberto Portalegre, an influential associate from Brazil whose son was accused of date rape.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Fourteen, Year Two
    7.7/1039 votes
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    #24 - Chapter Fourteen, Year Two

    Season 2 Episode 14 - Aired 5/25/1997

    Jury selection for the Banks' trial proves difficult as many of the jurors interviewed feel Banks is a hero for killing murderers who received light sentences for their horrific crimes.

    Director: Marc Buckland

    Writer: Geoffrey Neigher

  • Chapter Eighteen, Year Two
    7.7/1041 votes
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    #25 - Chapter Eighteen, Year Two

    Season 2 Episode 18 - Aired 5/29/1997

    Wyler learns murder is often a family affair after a man claims to know who really murdered Tommy Banks and then Mary Beth's killer confesses.

    Director: Marc Buckland

    Writer: Charles H. Eglee, Geoffrey Neigher