In a nostalgic nod to classic television pairings, CBS’s “Diagnosis Murder” brought back a familiar face to assist Dr. Mark Sloan (Dick Van Dyke) in solving a perplexing case. This particular episode sees Andy Griffith reprising his iconic role as Ben Matlock, the Atlanta attorney known for his shrewd legal mind, stepping into the sunny, yet crime-ridden, landscape of Los Angeles. The premise is simple: old friends helping old friends, but does this formula translate into a compelling television experience, or does it sputter like an engine in need of a serious diagnosis?
The episode kicks off with Dr. Jesse Travis (Charlie Schlatter) finding himself in hot water, slapped with a malpractice suit. Seeking help, he naturally turns to his seasoned friend and medical mentor, Dr. Sloan. Sloan, in a somewhat unexpected move, calls upon his old pal Matlock. Now, while the charm of seeing Griffith back in action is undeniable, the narrative logic takes a bit of a detour. Matlock, a lawyer primarily versed in the intricacies of murder trials, seems an unconventional choice for a medical malpractice case. One can’t help but wonder why, in Sloan’s history of assisting those accused of far graver crimes, Matlock’s expertise hadn’t been previously sought. This initial setup feels a tad forced, like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, or perhaps, expecting a family sedan to perform like a high-performance sports car.
Adding to the narrative speed bumps, the malpractice case seemingly fast-tracks its way to trial with astonishing haste. This element of compressed timelines is a common trope in television, demanding a suspension of disbelief from the audience. However, the plot thickens, or rather, becomes more convoluted, when a doctor who testified against Travis is found dead. Suddenly, Dr. Travis is no longer just fighting a lawsuit; he’s now a prime suspect in a murder investigation.
This is where the “Diagnosis Murder” episode truly leans into its characteristic implausibility. The script becomes a labyrinth of potential suspects, each with a possible motive to silence the deceased doctor. While Andy Griffith’s presence is undoubtedly engaging, injecting his signature folksy wisdom and sharp wit into the proceedings, the storyline itself struggles under the weight of its own complexities. The real mystery isn’t just whodunit, but rather, how to keep track of the ever-expanding cast of characters and their tangled web of reasons for wanting the victim out of the picture. It’s as if the episode throws too many elements into the mix, hoping for a thrilling chase scene, but instead, delivers a somewhat meandering drive.
In conclusion, this “Diagnosis Murder” episode featuring Andy Griffith offers a comforting dose of television nostalgia, banking on the established chemistry between familiar faces. Griffith’s performance is a highlight, injecting life into a script that often feels more muddled than masterful. However, for viewers seeking a tightly plotted, edge-of-your-seat mystery that accelerates like a finely tuned sports car, this episode might feel more like a leisurely Sunday drive – pleasant in moments, but lacking the high-octane thrill of a truly gripping investigation. The charm is there, but the narrative engine could use a bit more horsepower to truly race ahead in the realm of memorable television mysteries.
