Ep 4. Perversions of Justice

In the Heat of the Night season 4 episode 4, titled "Perversions of Justice", sees Chief Gillespie struggling with his own prejudices as he works to solve a case involving the murder of a transgendered prostitute. The suspect in the case is a prominent local businessman who Gillespie knows personally, and he is torn between his loyalty to his friend and the need to bring justice for the victim.

The episode begins with the discovery of the victim's body in a hotel room. Bubba and Virgil are called to the scene, and it's immediately clear that the woman has been brutally beaten and strangled. After questioning some of the hotel staff, they are led to a potential suspect in the case - a wealthy local businessman named Mike Chastain.

Gillespie is initially hesitant to pursue Chastain as a suspect. He and Chastain have been friends for years, and the chief is worried that he might be biased in his investigation. However, as more evidence begins to pile up against Chastain, Gillespie is forced to confront his own prejudices and put his personal feelings aside.

As the investigation continues, it's revealed that the victim was a transgendered prostitute who had been working to save up enough money to pay for gender reassignment surgery. This revelation sends shockwaves through the town, and many of the locals begin to express their hatred and bigotry towards the transgendered community.

Gillespie, who has always prided himself on being fair and impartial, is forced to confront the ugly side of his community and his own biases. He struggles to balance his duty as a law enforcement officer with his loyalty to his friend, and ultimately must make a difficult decision about how to proceed with the case.

Throughout the episode, we see the various characters grappling with their own prejudices and biases. Bubba, who has always been portrayed as a "good ol' boy" cop, is forced to confront his own beliefs about the transgendered community when he meets with the victim's friends and family. Even Virgil, who has always been portrayed as the most open-minded and liberal character in the series, must come to terms with the complexity of the case and the deep-seated prejudices that exist in their town.

In the end, "Perversions of Justice" is a powerful and thought-provoking episode that tackles issues of prejudice, bigotry, and social justice. It's a reminder that even in small towns, these issues exist and can have devastating consequences for those who are marginalized and oppressed. And in the end, it reminds us that true justice can only be achieved when we are willing to confront our own biases and prejudices, and fight for the equal rights of all people.