Drama1995–1997ABC

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!

Best episode
S1E23 Chapter Twenty-Three
8.777 votes
Worst episode
S2E9 Chapter Nine, Year Two
7.044 votes
Top season
Season 1
8.0avg
Binge time
1d 6h
41 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons2

All12

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Murder One Season 1 Episode 23 - Chapter Twenty-Three
    8.7/10(77 votes)

    S1:E23

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

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  2. Murder One Season 1 Episode 22 - Chapter Twenty-Two
    8.3/10(70 votes)

    S1:E22

    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:Unknown
    Writers:William M. Finkelstein, Steven Bochco

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  3. Murder One Season 1 Episode 1 - Chapter One
    8.2/10(109 votes)

    S1:E1

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

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  4. Murder One Season 1 Episode 8 - Chapter Eight
    8.2/10(79 votes)

    S1:E8

    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
    Writers:Charles Holland, Geoffrey Neigher, Ann Donahue

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  5. Murder One Season 1 Episode 21 - Chapter Twenty-One
    8.2/10(69 votes)

    S1:E21

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

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  6. Murder One Season 1 Episode 2 - Chapter Two
    8.1/10(95 votes)

    S1:E2

    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

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Murder One

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  7. Murder One Season 1 Episode 3 - Chapter Three
    8.1/10(90 votes)

    S1:E3

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Ann Donahue

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  8. Murder One Season 1 Episode 9 - Chapter Nine
    8.1/10(82 votes)

    S1:E9

    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:Unknown

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  9. Murder One Season 1 Episode 10 - Chapter Ten
    8.1/10(75 votes)

    S1:E10

    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:Unknown
    Writers:William M. Finkelstein, Geoffrey Neigher

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  10. Murder One Season 1 Episode 17 - Chapter Seventeen
    8.1/10(69 votes)

    S1:E17

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Murder One Season 1 Episode 18 - Chapter Eighteen
    8.1/10(68 votes)

    S1:E18

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Murder One Season 1 Episode 19 - Chapter Nineteen
    8.1/10(66 votes)

    S1:E19

    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.

    Directors:Marc Buckland, William M. Finkelstein
    Writers:Charles H. Eglee, William M. Finkelstein

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  13. Murder One Season 1 Episode 5 - Chapter Five
    8.0/10(82 votes)

    S1:E5

    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

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  14. Murder One Season 1 Episode 4 - Chapter Four
    8.0/10(80 votes)

    S1:E4

    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

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  15. Murder One Season 1 Episode 6 - Chapter Six
    8.0/10(80 votes)

    S1:E6

    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:Unknown

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  16. Murder One Season 1 Episode 12 - Chapter Twelve
    8.0/10(73 votes)

    S1:E12

    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
    Writers:Charles H. Eglee, William M. Finkelstein

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  17. Murder One Season 1 Episode 20 - Chapter Twenty
    8.0/10(70 votes)

    S1:E20

    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

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  18. Murder One Season 2 Episode 1 - Chapter One, Year Two
    8.0/10(53 votes)

    S2:E1

    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

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  19. Murder One Season 1 Episode 14 - Chapter Fourteen
    7.9/10(75 votes)

    S1:E14

    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:Unknown

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  20. Murder One Season 1 Episode 16 - Chapter Sixteen
    7.9/10(70 votes)

    S1:E16

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Murder One Season 2 Episode 14 - Chapter Fourteen, Year Two
    7.9/10(47 votes)

    S2:E14

    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

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  22. Murder One Season 1 Episode 15 - Chapter Fifteen
    7.8/10(74 votes)

    S1:E15

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Murder One Season 2 Episode 5 - Chapter Five, Year Two
    7.7/10(47 votes)

    S2:E5

    Wyler learns another of the governor's affairs ended badly for the woman involved, and Latrell is called in for questioning concerning the murder of team owner Sandy Fortas.

    Director:Marc Buckland
    Writer:Geoffrey Neigher

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  24. Murder One Season 2 Episode 18 - Chapter Eighteen, Year Two
    7.7/10(50 votes)

    S2:E18

    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
    Writers:Charles H. Eglee, Geoffrey Neigher

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  25. Murder One Season 2 Episode 2 - Chapter Two, Year Two
    7.7/10(51 votes)

    S2:E2

    Sharon testifies she was pregnant with Governor Van Allan's child, but he made her have an abortion, while Wyler learns the governor's wife was having an affair of her own.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Chapter Twenty-Three" is the best rated episode of Murder One. It scored 8.7/10 from 77 votes. Directed by Michael Fresco and written by Charles H. Eglee, William M. Finkelstein, Geoffrey Neigher, Steven Bochco, it aired on April 23, 1996. This episode scored 0.4 points higher than the second highest rated, "Chapter Twenty-Two".

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