In the Heat of the Night

Season 4

Bill Gillespie is a police chief in a small town in the American South, and later becomes sheriff of the county. As Bill tries to solve crimes and catch criminals, aided by his capable investigator Virgil Tibbs and police lieutenant Bubba Skinner, he must navigate tricky small-town politics. Racial tensions often run high in the South and this theme is frequently explored. Bill's personal life is often portrayed in this TV drama, as well.

Where to Watch Season 4

22 Episodes

Brotherly Love (1)
E1
Brotherly Love (1)Virgil goes to Philadelphia to investigate a friends death.And Bubba (reluctantly) fills in as Althea's Lamaze coach.
Brotherly Love (2)
E2
Brotherly Love (2)Virgil is framed for murder and Gillespie travels to Philly to help him clear his name.
Lessons Learned
E3
Lessons LearnedGillespie sends Parker to confirm suspicions that a local truck stop is really a front for a prostitution business.When a young prostitute is found dead Gillespie is shocked at her fathers reaction.Parker is dismayed when he recognizes one of the ladies.
Perversions of Justice
E4
Perversions of JusticeA mild mannered school teacher is accused of child molestation.
And Justice For Some
E5
And Justice For SomeGillespie and his officers are outraged when a drug courier who ran down the son of Virgil's next door neighbor makes a deal with the F.B.I. to avoid prosecution.
Hearts of Gold
E6
Hearts of GoldBubba is reunited with his high school sweetheart, but his happiness is short lived after she resorts to murder to silence an attorney who was threatening to stop her from inheriting her late husband's estate.
Quick Fix
E7
Quick FixThe investigation into the death of an abandoned infant leads to a mentally handicapped teenager.
Homecoming
E8
HomecomingA lawyer has personal reasons for trying to gain early release for a man who was sent to prison after an accident he caused while drinking and driving.
A Problem Too Personal
E9
A Problem Too PersonalHarriet and Eugene are devastated after Gene's father is arrested for murder.
A Final Arrangement
E10
A Final ArrangementSweet is heartbroken when an elderly woman who befriended him is murdered in her bookstore.
Family Matters
E11
Family MattersVirgil's dream of a better relationship with his Aunt Ruda and her son is shattered when his cousin takes part in a string of burglaries that result in murder.
Bounty Hunter
E12
Bounty HunterGillespie receives word that a former Spartan is wanted for the murder of a socialite in Houston.But a ruthless bounty hunter, sent by the victim's jealous husband is already in Sparta and sees the man's sister as a means to locate his quarry.
Blessings
E13
BlessingsIn this Christmas episode the officers share memories with a reporter from the Sparta Herald.
Shine on Sparta Moon
E14
Shine on Sparta MoonA bottle of spiked moonshine leads to an accident that claims the life of one teen and blinds another.
Execution of Trust
E15
Execution of TrustA psychiatrist, Dr. Lureen Allcott, has confidential information about a murder for which Ray Garrett is set to be executed in two days. Dr. Allcott is ethically, and perhaps legally, precluded from revealing any details to the authorities, but it appears that Garrett may have been wrongly accused and time is running out.
Child of Promise
E16
Child of PromiseAs the recipient of a full scholarship, Terry Johnson will be the first person in his neighborhood to go to college. Terry is torn between wanting to leave the "Bottoms" and his dope-dealing older brother Derek, and his concern for his younger brother Bobby.
Paper Castles
E17
Paper CastlesVirgil soon regrets telling an old friend that his new business partners are being investigated by the police.
Laid to Waste
E18
Laid to WasteJulie Lofton reports to the Sparta police that she heard a disturbance in her neighbor's apartment, but she can't recognize the man who was there because she is blind. The police find nothing in the apartment to go on. However, Julie says she can positively identify the man's voice, but the district attorney is reluctant to proceed without a dead body.
First Deadly Sin
E19
First Deadly SinTwo plots are interconnected. The first concerns a serial rapist who preys on young, single blond women. The second concerns a teacher who tutors a prospective seminarian in her spare time. In each case the perpetrator is caught, and Chief Gillespie wraps up the episode by revealing what is the first deadly sin.
Just A Country Boy
E20
Just A Country BoyBubba travels to Los Angeles to arrest an arsonist.When the man is murdered to keep him from talking Bubba teams up with a pretty insurance investigator to solve the crime.
No Other Road
E21
No Other RoadA follow-up to A Problem Too Personal (1990). Harriet's ex-husband Vic Glennon is tried for felony murder, although he did not fire his weapon or harm anyone. Harriet must decide how much public support to show for Vic and how to deal with their son Gene.
A Turning
E22
A TurningAlthea thinks Virgil needs a new line of work after seeing the aftermath of a deadly shooting at a roadhouse.Virgil finds himself in danger when they arrest the man who committed the crime.