Diagnosis: Murder
Season 5
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes25
Release
Original networkCBS
Original releaseSeptember 25, 1997 (1997-09-25) 
May 14, 1998 (1998-05-14)
Season chronology

Diagnosis: Murder's fifth season originally aired Thursdays at 9:00–10:00 pm (EST).[1][2] The season includes the 100th episode of the series.

The season was released on DVD in two parts and as a whole by Visual Entertainment, Inc. When the split season was released, the episode of Obsession Part 2 wasn't included. The scene where Mark meets Rob Petrie at the radio station is absent in the single releases but was included in the complete collection set.

Cast

Episodes

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
861"Murder Blues"Christian I. Nyby IILee Goldberg & William RabkinSeptember 18, 1997 (1997-09-18)13.96[3]

The investigation of a councilman's wife's murder uncovers a possible conspiracy within the police. Guest Stars: Fred Dryer, Kent McCord, and Martin Milner.

Murderer: Councilman Watson (James Darren) and Captain Cynthia Pike (Angie Dickinson)
872"Open and Shut"Christopher HiblerJacquelyn BlainSeptember 25, 1997 (1997-09-25)15.11[4]

A judge's son, David, also a judge, has been having an affair with Allison Porter (Marisa Coughlan), the daughter of a media mogul, since she was 13. On her 18th birthday she announces to David that she is going public, saying "I'm an adult now, and you're not married, so there is no need for secrecy", whereupon he drowns her in the bathtub. Guest Stars: Carol Huston, James Read, and Robert Stack.

Murderer: David McReynolds (Robert Stack)
883"Malibu Fire"Christian I. Nyby IIStory by: Gerry Conway
Teleplay by: Gerry Conway & Wayne Berwick
October 2, 1997 (1997-10-02)13.86[5]

Sloan's house is threatened by a fire spreading through Malibu. Guest Stars: Robert Fuller, Randolph Mantooth, Brian Patrick Clarke, and Richard Gross.

Murderer: Sally Tremont
894"Deadly Games"Christopher HiblerJeff PetersOctober 9, 1997 (1997-10-09)12.86[6]

A wealthy blue blood is stabbed as part of a plot concocted by her chief security guard.

Murderer: Frank Waldeck
905"Slam-Dunk Dead"Vincent McEveetyStory by: Larry Brody
Teleplay by: Larry Brody and Lee Goldberg & William Rabkin
October 16, 1997 (1997-10-16)13.86[7]

Jesse faces being fired and losing his State license because he is blamed for the death of a professional basketball star who took a lethal mixture of medications. Guest Stars: Dan Gilvezan (plays Kent Beaudine), Mark Taylor, Pooh Richardson, Malik Sealy, and Brent Barry.

Murderer: Dwayne (Courtney Gains)
916"Looks Can Kill"Christopher HiblerCraig TepperOctober 23, 1997 (1997-10-23)15.03[8]

A seemingly healthy model, Julia Brush (Signy Coleman), drops dead, and her condition may be related to plastic surgery. The clinic that did her work is investigated.

Murderer: Dr. Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall)
927"Fatal Impact (Part I)"Christian I. Nyby IIDavid Bennett Carren & J. Larry CarrollOctober 30, 1997 (1997-10-30)14.93[9]

Sloan and Amanda participate in the investigation of an airliner's deadly crash. Guest Stars: Harry J. Lennix (plats F.B.I. Agent Ron Wagner), and Steven Anderson.

Murderer: To be revealed in part 2.
938"Fatal Impact (Part II)"Christian I. Nyby IIJacquelyn BlainOctober 30, 1997 (1997-10-30)14.93[9]
Amanda's boyfriend Special Agent Ron Wagner declares he's taking over the investigation of the plane-crash and its hijack and smuggled Russian nuclear fuel rods for the FBI, but soon realizes he couldn't make anything like the necessary progress without the ingenious doctors trio and Steve. They team up for the investigation which becomes desperately urgent as there are indications that the nuclear material is used for bomb likely to be used to cause an LA Apocalypse by surprising, personally vindictive suspect Diane, the spokesperson of the bereaved.
949"Must Kill TV"Christopher HiblerLee Goldberg & William RabkinNovember 6, 1997 (1997-11-06)15.45[10]

A TV executive's death from a second heart attack leads Sloan to uncover the fact that her nitroglycerin tablets had been replaced by sugar pills. Guest stars: Jaleel White, John Aniston, Erik Estrada, Peter Graves (plays himself doing a Pilot of Doctor Danger as Dr. Mark Sloane), Jane Seymour, Fred Willard, Stephen J. Cannell (plays Jackson Burley), Reginald VelJohnson, Doug E. Doug, Tom Gallop (plays Phil Zarkin), and Dr. Joyce Brothers.

Murderer: Harry Fellows (Fred Willard)
9510"Discards"Christian I. Nyby IIJ. Larry Carroll & David Bennett CarrenNovember 13, 1997 (1997-11-13)16.07[11]

Jesse gets involved in a deadly web of international intrigue when he discovers his father is a secret agent. Guest stars: Robert Culp (plays Dane Travis, Jesse's Father), Barbera Bain (played Cinnamon Carter, the same character she played on the Mission Impossible TV Series), Robert Vaughn, Phil Morris, and Patrick Macnee.

Murderer: Jim Kesler
9611"A Mime Is a Terrible Thing to Waste"Christopher HiblerLee Goldberg & William RabkinNovember 20, 1997 (1997-11-20)15.05[12]

In this comedy, Rachel York stars as an attractive in-your-face polymath who finds a murdered mime in her bed. She will do anything to solve that murder, including stealing Steve's badge and calling herself Lieutenant Stevie Sloane. In the end, Mark and Steve agree that "She is really something!" Guest Star: Ken Kercheval.

Murderer: Lois Clair (Kim Lankford)
9712"Down and Dirty Dead"Ron SatlofBarry Van DykeDecember 11, 1997 (1997-12-11)14.87[13]

A motorcross daredevil's crash during the filming of a stunt turns out to be sabotage. Guest Stars: Carey Van Dyke, and Shane Van Dyke.

Murderer Kyle Lewis
9813"Retribution: Part 1"Christian I. Nyby IILee Goldberg & William RabkinJanuary 8, 1998 (1998-01-08)13.89[14]

Sloan blames a crime lord for Steve getting hurt in a shoot-out, only to be accused of slaying the mobster. Guest Stars: Susan Gibney (who plays Tanis Archer), Fred Dryer (plays Police Chief Masters), Dennis Lipscomb, Jack Carter, and Connie Blankenship (who plays A.D.A. Sharon Ellison).

Murderer: To be revealed in part 2.
9914"Retribution: Part 2"Christian I. Nyby IILee Goldberg & William RabkinJanuary 15, 1998 (1998-01-15)15.98[15]

Sloan comes face to face with an old enemy on death row who may have set him up. Guest Stars: Susan Gibney, Fred Dryer, Dennis Lipscomb, James Stephens, Neal McDonough, and Robb Skyler.

Murderer: Malcolm Trainor and Ian Trainor
10015"Drill for Death"Ron SatlofRobin MaddenJanuary 22, 1998 (1998-01-22)15.58[16]

During an emergency drill at the hospital the nursing administrator and an artist patient are murdered. Halfway through the episode a subway tunnel collapses and they have a real emergency on top of the drill. Lots of activity, suspects, stars and subplots. Guest stars: Kim Little[incorrect link] (plays Nurse Susan Hilliard, Jesse's Girlfriend), Sally Kellerman, Elliott Gould, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr, William Christopher, and Christopher Norris.

Murderer: Adele Botsford
10116"Rain of Terror"Christian I. Nyby IICraig TepperJanuary 29, 1998 (1998-01-29)14.42[17]

Sloan and Amanda are dinner guests on a rainy night of murder and intrigue that involves a mother and daughter. Guest Stars: John O'Hurley, Phina Oruche, and Adrienne Barbeau.

Murderer: Amy Sanderson (Ele Keats) and Dana Neal (Andy Shreeman)
10217"Baby Boom"Vincent McEveetyJacquelyn BlainFebruary 5, 1998 (1998-02-05)13.20[18]

A man holds a child-birth class hostage, along with Amanda, claiming that one of the expectant women used his sperm without permission. Guest Star: Sam McMuarray

Murderer: Bob Bare
10318"Talked to Death"Christian I. Nyby IIJoyce BurdittFebruary 26, 1998 (1998-02-26)15.25[19]

A pair of talk-show hosts pull a ratings stunt that ends with one murdering the other.

Murderers: Larry Duggin, Tom Grant & Lucy Caruso

Guest Stars: Phyllis Diller, Army Archerd, Mary Frann, Kathie Lee Gifford, Regis Philbin, Ian Ogilvy, Greg Lauren, and Tod Susman.
10419"An Education in Murder"Frank ThackeryStory by: Jacquelyn Blain and D. O'Brien & Paul Rendle
Teleplay by: Jacquelyn Blain
March 5, 1998 (1998-03-05)14.99[20]

A social butterfly plots multiple deaths at a prep school. Guest Star: Kim Little (Nurse Susan Hilliard)

Murderer: Noelle Andrew
10520"Murder at the Finish Line"Christopher HiblerJ. Larry Carroll & David Bennett CarrenMarch 26, 1998 (1998-03-26)13.76[21]

Sloan investigates a speedway crash that killed a stock-car racer. Guest Stars: Marina Sirtis (voiced Demona in Disney's Gargoyles) and Tommy Kendall as himself

Murderer: Mary Ann Eagin
10621"First Do No Harm"Vincent McEveetyErnest KinoyApril 16, 1998 (1998-04-16)14.62[22]

A young patient dies in the ER due to red-tape delays involving an HMO, leading Sloan to question managed care. Guest Stars: Alan Oppenheimer, Jason Schombing, Richard Fancy (plays Harold Lomax the new Administrator at Community General Hospital), Neil Dickson, Nancy Youngblut (plays Nurse Nancy Rush), and Davenia McFadden (plays Betty Pearson).

Murderer: None.
10722"Promises to Keep"Christian I. Nyby IIDavid Bennett Carren & J. Larry CarrollApril 23, 1998 (1998-04-23)14.95[23]

Security guard Ryan Matthews (Gary Graham) shows up to identify the body of his murdered ex-wife, but it's not her. Little does the hospital know that Matthews is being blackmailed by a con artist who is holding her hostage. When the hospital is scammed and Matthews is the sole suspect, Sloan hatches a plan to expose the con man.

Note: This episode concludes a story that begins on Promised Land in "Total Security".

Guest stars: Troy Evans, Gary Graham, and Christopher John Fields.

Murderer:
10823"Food Fight"Ron SatlofJacquelyn BlainApril 30, 1998 (1998-04-30)13.09[24]

Jesse volunteers to elect the caterer for the annual Benefactor's Ball when a murder is committed. Little does he know just how cutthroat it can get. Guest Stars: Kim Little (plays Nurse Susan Hilliard), Pat Morita, David L. Lander, Leslie Easterbrook, Conrad Janis, Erin Moran, and Donny Most.

Murderer: Emerson Horn
10924"Obsession: Part 1"Christian I. Nyby IILee Goldberg & William RabkinMay 7, 1998 (1998-05-07)13.43[25]

Sloan believes that a serial bomber he helped condemn to death is guilty, even when there's another one after his execution. Guest stars: Harry J. Lennix (plays F.B.I. Agent Ron Wagner), Orson Bean (plays Lewis Sweeney, the son of Reagen Sweeney, and father of Carter and Catlin Sweeney), Arye Gross (plays Carter Sweeney), Stephanie Niznik (plays Catlin Sweeney), and Dennis Boutsikaris (plays D.A. Neil Burnside).

Murderer: To be revealed in part 2.
11025"Obsession: Part 2"Christian I. Nyby IILee Goldberg & William RabkinMay 14, 1998 (1998-05-14)12.03[26]

After being fired from his job, Mark, Jesse, Amanda, and Steve go on an unauthorized investigation into the bombings in L.A. Guest Stars: Harry J. Lennix (plays F.B.I. Agent Ron Wagner), Arye Gross (plays Carter Sweeney), Stephanie Niznik (plays Catlin Sweeney), Jasper Armstrong Marsalis (plays Amanda's child C.J.), and Dennis Boutsikaris (plays D.A. Neil Burnside). Murderer: Carter Sweeney. The first two episodes of the next season, with the same writers, Resurrection Parts I and II, continue these episodes with Carter Sweeney and his sister Catlin. Also, one of the writers, Lee Goldberg has written a book: Diagnosis Murder #8: The Last Word, which is the last book in his series, in which Carter Sweeney appears again, coming up for an appeal.

Murderer: Carter Sweeney and Sharon Ellison, ADA.

References

  1. TV Listings for September 18, 1997
  2. TV Listings for May 14, 1998
  3. "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 15–21)". The Los Angeles Times. September 24, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  4. "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 22–28)". The Los Angeles Times. October 1, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  5. "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 29–Oct. 5)". The Los Angeles Times. October 8, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  6. "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 6–12)". The Los Angeles Times. October 15, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  7. "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 13–19)". The Los Angeles Times. October 22, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  8. "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 20–26)". The Los Angeles Times. October 29, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  9. 1 2 "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 27–Nov. 2)". The Los Angeles Times. November 5, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  10. "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 3-9)". The Los Angeles Times. November 12, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  11. "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 10–16)". The Los Angeles Times. November 19, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  12. "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 17–23)". The Los Angeles Times. November 26, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  13. "National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 8–14)". The Los Angeles Times. December 17, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  14. "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 5–11)". The Los Angeles Times. January 14, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  15. "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 12–18)". The Los Angeles Times. January 21, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  16. "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 19–25)". The Los Angeles Times. January 28, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  17. "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 26–Feb. 1)". The Los Angeles Times. February 4, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  18. "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 2–8)". The Los Angeles Times. February 11, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  19. "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 23–March 1)". The Los Angeles Times. March 4, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  20. "National Nielsen Viewership (March 2–8)". The Los Angeles Times. March 11, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  21. "National Nielsen Viewership (March 23–29)". The Los Angeles Times. April 1, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  22. "National Nielsen Viewership (April 13–19)". The Los Angeles Times. April 22, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  23. "National Nielsen Viewership (April 20–26)". The Los Angeles Times. April 29, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  24. "National Nielsen Viewership (April 27-May 3)". The Los Angeles Times. May 6, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  25. "National Nielsen Viewership (May 4–10)". The Los Angeles Times. May 13, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  26. "National Nielsen Viewership (May 11–17)". The Los Angeles Times. May 20, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2023 via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
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