There are many television shows that have been part of the mystery and suspense television genre, including some of the best-remembered shows of all time. Each had thought-provoking elements and entertained the masses as they tried to solve the conundrum in the episode alongside their favorite television characters.
Here is a look at some of the best-loved classic mystery and suspense TV shows in history.
1. "The Twilight Zone"
Each week, viewers would enter "The Twilight Zone" and try to unravel the mystery that was about to unfold before their eyes. Episodes illustrated social issues, like segregation and materialism, but did it in a way that was surreal to the viewer,
according to IMDb. The characters either chose to stay in their lives, or leave into another dimension, never to be seen again. The show is regarded as mystery, suspense, and science-fiction, but the science-fiction element allowed it to mask taboo issues.
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2. "Perry Mason"
"Perry Mason" is a defense attorney who specializes indefensible cases and, by digging deeply into the facts, he discovers new truths and tricks someone on the stand to
admitting their guilt, TV.com noted. It was thought provoking and led to an ending most didn't see coming. It also paved the way for shows like "Matlock" and "Murder, She Wrote."
3. "Matlock"
"Andy Griffith" played Benjamin Matlock, a lawyer in a similar vein as Perry Mason. Matlock is a defense attorney and most of his cases revolve around murder. He and his team would take on a case and investigate it to see if something was missed, and then bring it to light at the trial winning his case. Unlike Mason, Matlock is gruff, hotheaded with a heart of gold. He came across as the average guy, making him more relatable. It also helped set up crime dramas, like "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and its spin-offs because in each case, he had to focus on the evidence and figure out what wasn't there.
4. "Murder, She Wrote"
The show "Murder, She Wrote" centered on a famed mystery writer and former high school English teacher, Jessica Fletcher. Murder seemed to follow her around wherever she traveled, and she would inevitably wind up investigating the crime and using it as a plot to a novel. What makes this show unique is that it was a mystery and suspense show with a female lead in a male-dominated genre. She set the stage for others to help pioneer the mystery, suspense, and crime genre like "Rizzoli & Isles" where the women solve the crime.
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