The Defenders

Season 4

Recent law school graduate (Robert Reed) joins his father (E.G. Marshall) as the pair tackle challenging legal cases, often involving issues which were highly touchy for the times (abortion, euthanasia, "un-American" activities, movie censorship). In most the freshly minted lawyer has much to learn from his father's extensive legal experience.

Where to Watch Season 4

30 Episodes

The Seven Hundred-Year Old Gang (1)
E1
The Seven Hundred-Year Old Gang (1)The police uncover a bootlegging operation run by elderly David Marcus (Jack Gilford).
The Seven Hundred-Year Old Gang (2)
E2
The Seven Hundred-Year Old Gang (2)The DA, fearing his political future will be ruined if he prosecutes an elderly winemaker, begs Preston for a postponement of the trial.
Hero of the People
E3
Hero of the PeopleLonely Harry Obermayer glories in his sudden fame when he falsely confesses to the murder of a narcotics peddler.
Go-Between
E4
Go-BetweenWhen his son is kidnapped, Presidential candidate Matthew J. Ritter (Arthur Hill) turns to Preston - instead of the police - for help.
Conflict of Interests
E5
Conflict of InterestsRepresenting a British drama critic in a libel suit, the Prestons' ingenuity is taxed by a clever - and very attractive - opposing attorney (Cloris Leachman).
The Man Who . . .
E6
The Man Who . . .Lawrence Preston runs for political office. In the end, of course, he loses. He realizes he lost because he offered no alternative to the other candidate. E. G. Marshall's final speech to the winning candidate said it was a choice between Tweedlee and Tweedledum.
Turning Point
E7
Turning PointHostile silence greets Ken as he investigates a murder for which a young man has already been executed.
A Taste of Ashes
E8
A Taste of AshesPreston defends two men charged with committing murder to save their own lives.
Comeback
E9
ComebackA once-famous actress, Madeline Flanders (Viveca Lindfors) making her comeback is accused of drunken driving and hit and run. Preston, one of her old fans, defends her.
The Siege
E10
The SiegePreston is threatened by gun-wielding Gary Degan (Robert Redford), an escaped convict who insists he's innocent - and that Preston is responsible for his conviction.
Whitewash
E11
WhitewashCharged with extortion, city councilman Juan Espejo (Ricardo Montalban) insists the indictment is a maneuver to discredit Puerto Ricans in public office.
A Voice Loud and Clear
E12
A Voice Loud and ClearOn trial for murder, religious visionary Bethany Windell (Shirley Knight) offers an unusual motive: she killed when ordered to by strange voices.
King of the Hill
E13
King of the HillReal-estate kingpin Mark Vronis's shady past may prove to be his undoing when he's charged with smuggling narcotics.
Whipping Boy
E14
Whipping BoyKen is retained by accused child beater Christine Knox (Madlyn Rhue), a young divorcee who claims her son fell down a flight of stairs.
Eyewitness
E15
EyewitnessExamination of the public's responsibility in law enforcement. Preston defends two teenagers charged with beating an elderly man to death - while 27 witnesses looked on.
The Silent Killers
E16
The Silent KillersThe Prestons' defense of an accused murderer focuses on one question: is circumstantial evidence enough to justify capital punishment?
Death on Wheels
E17
Death on WheelsAn emotionally disturbed man (Leslie Nielsen) seeks the Prestons' aid after he kills a pedestrian in an auto accident. The courtroom plea: temporary insanity.
The Unwritten Law
E18
The Unwritten LawIndicted for murdering his wife's lover, Leo Rolf (David Opatoshu) guarantees Preston that an "unwritten law" assures him acquittal.
The Objector
E19
The ObjectorThe rules governing conscientious objection are examined in this episode. Roger Bailey (Brandon de Wilde) tries to obtain a draft deferment on religious grounds - although he practices no formal religion.
Fires of the Mind
E20
Fires of the MindAfter taking LSD, mentally disturbed Robert Kraft commits suicide while experiencing a hallucinatory reactionâ€”and Dr. Byron Saul (Pleasence), who's been treating Kraft with the drug, is charged with manslaughter.
No-Knock
E21
No-KnockArmed with a no-knock warrant, a plainclothes man enters Willie Drucker's apartment - and is killed by the suspected numbers racketeer.
The Merry-Go-Round Murder
E22
The Merry-Go-Round MurderGoverness Winnie Benedette (Ruth White), overzealous efforts to shield her young charge from his parents' divorce proceedings leads to tragedy.
Nobody Asks What Side You're On . . .
E23
Nobody Asks What Side You're On . . .While the police close in on a molester, columnist Marla Edwards (Lee Grant) flees to her car - where a man hides in the back seat.
Impeachment
E24
ImpeachmentGov. William Defoe's declaration of independence from a corrupt political machine may prove costly: the party bosses are after his resignation - or impeachment.
The Sworn Twelve
E25
The Sworn TwelvePreston tries to secure a new trial for his client when he receives an anonymous letter charging impropriety in the jury room.
A Matter of Law and Disorder
E26
A Matter of Law and DisorderCharged with manslaughter for shooting a teenager, Peter Dowling (Pat Hingle) claims self-defense - but the boy was unarmed.
Youths and Maidens on an Evening Walk
E27
Youths and Maidens on an Evening WalkIn her bumbling efforts to attract the attention of a famous director, stage-struck Bertha Schlock (Joan Darling) assaults a policeman.
The Prosecutor
E28
The ProsecutorCharles Parker (Larry Blyden) has second thoughts about prosecuting a suspected murderer when the Prestons - defense attorneys in the case - offer him a position with their law firm.
The Bum's Rush
E29
The Bum's RushThe Prestons are assigned to defend murder suspect Charlie Barry (Tom Bosley), a vagrant who is apathetically resigned to his fate.
Only a Child
E30
Only a ChildSuing for damages after his son's accidental death, Bill Andrews (Robert Duval) finds that the amount he can collect won't even cover the cost of his wife's psychiatric care.