“Matlock” deviates from its usual formula this week, opting to start with a flashback—something that’s always a mixed bag for me. I’ve long suspected that I dislike time-based narrative tricks in TV shows, and this episode only confirmed that.
While there are exceptions, the back-and-forth between time periods often leads to confusing storylines. More often than not, it just doesn’t justify the effort. In this episode, we see a rather disappointing flashback-heavy narrative, and I’m sad to report that “Sixteen Steps” didn’t pass my personal test.
Two Years Ago: Matty’s First Day at Jacobson Moore
The episode begins by taking us two years back, to the first time Matty (Kathy Bates) enters the Jacobson Moore law firm. In a seemingly innocuous moment, Matty runs into Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) in the lobby, causing her to spill coffee all over her white pantsuit.
Olympia, wearing an obviously bad wig, is uncharacteristically rude, telling Matty to watch where she’s going. This encounter, however, turns out to be significant—it’s the moment that sparks Matty’s decision to pursue the Wellbrexa investigation.
This scene also introduces the acronym MWBSP, which stands for “Mom Would Be So Proud,” coined by Matty and her grandson, Alfie (Aaron Harris).
While the acronym itself is heartwarming, the flashback of how it came about doesn’t provide new context or emotional weight to the story. It’s a sweet moment, but it doesn’t add anything fresh to the narrative at this point, as Matty had already explained its meaning earlier in the series.
Back to the Present Day: Matty Faces Her Past and Present Dilemmas
Fast-forward to the present day, where Matty is still grappling with the fallout from Alfie’s accidental creation of her dating profile. Although Alfie assures Matty that he’s deleted everything, Stanley—who had contacted her through the app—tracks her down.
He lives nearby and wants to take her out to lunch. Matty responds, explaining that the profile was a prank orchestrated by Alfie and that she’s still married. She politely declines, but Stanley doesn’t take the hint.
As the situation escalates, Olympia overhears Matty’s panicked conversation with Edwin (Sam Anderson) and becomes suspicious. Matty, forced to lie to cover for her embarrassing situation, spins a story about being harassed by creditors. Olympia buys it, and the two return to preparing for the case at hand.
The Trial: A Deadly Formula and the Strain of Parenthood
The case at the center of this episode involves two grieving mothers, Vanessa (Ayesha Harris) and Anna (Veronica Diaz Carranza), who lost their baby after he ingested tainted formula. They are suing the manufacturer for the fatal mistake.
Olympia offers Matty the option to sit this case out, given that it involves the tragic death of a child. However, Matty is eager for the chance to work closely with Julian (Jason Ritter) on the case, especially since he’s involved in an upcoming pharmaceutical investigation.
Meanwhile, the emotional complexity of the case becomes evident. The mothers’ pain is evident, but there’s an added layer of difficulty: Anna is pregnant again, and the stress of testifying is putting her unborn child at risk. For one of the mothers to testify, it must be Vanessa, as Anna’s health cannot withstand the strain.
Olympia is faced with the challenge of coaxing Vanessa into opening up on the stand about her son’s death, all in the name of securing a hefty payout. This manipulation of pain, though morally questionable, is seen as necessary for the case’s success.
Matty’s Guilt: Struggling with Her Role in the Case
As Olympia works on the case, Matty’s role becomes more complicated. While Matty initially believes that putting Vanessa on the stand is the right decision, she starts to feel guilty as she witnesses the emotional toll it takes on Vanessa.
Matty’s internal conflict grows, and she begins to question whether the ends justify the means. She pushes Olympia to go ahead with Vanessa’s testimony, even though she knows it will be painful for the mother.
At the same time, Matty continues to be confronted by Stanley. He tracks her down yet again, asking for her help to find his missing son, who has gone on a drug binge. Matty, who had already formed a connection with Stanley due to their shared grief over their children, is initially sympathetic.
When Stanley shows Matty a picture of Ellie, it serves as a painful reminder of her own loss. Yet, when Matty tries to help him, she suddenly becomes distant and harsh. She tells him to never contact her again, an unusually callous response from someone who’s typically empathetic. It’s confusing, especially since Matty has been compassionate with similar situations in the past.
Olympia’s Struggle and Matty’s Role in the Trial
After the tense encounter with Stanley, Matty and Olympia have another moment of connection. Olympia, seeing how emotional Matty becomes when talking about her daughter, encourages Matty to use her experience to guide Vanessa through the testimony.
Matty pushes Olympia to convince Vanessa to testify, reasoning that the mothers need this opportunity to “parent their child” one last time, even if it involves pain and manipulation.
The trial takes a turn when Matty uncovers new evidence. She figures out that the contamination in the formula came from a safety officer named Teddy (Jernard Burks), whose cast exposed the formula to toxic substances. Olympia presents this new evidence, and Matty’s encouragement helps Olympia get Vanessa to testify.
Initially, Vanessa is unable to express her grief, but a simple nod from Matty prompts Olympia to ask about the child. As Vanessa finally breaks down on the stand, the jury is moved, and Anna and Vanessa win the case, securing millions of dollars in damages.
While this feels like a major victory, it’s a bittersweet moment for Matty. Olympia is pleased with the outcome, but Matty is left questioning whether it was worth putting Vanessa through such emotional turmoil. She is left feeling conflicted about whether the emotional manipulation of a grieving mother was truly justified by the case’s result.
A Personal Reckoning: Matty’s Panic and Edwin’s Plea
Matty’s guilt over her role in the case and her interaction with Stanley catches up with her. On her way home, she has a panic attack, overwhelmed by the emotional weight of the trial. Edwin, concerned for her well-being, insists that she take time to rest.
He suggests that Matty quit her job at the firm and focus on raising Alfie instead. Edwin believes that their daughter Ellie’s memory should be honored through healing, not by continuing the stressful and emotionally taxing investigation into Wellbrexa.
Matty, torn between her family and her career, goes into work the next day with the intention of quitting. However, before she can make that decision, Olympia and Julian meet her at the elevator with surprising news: they’ve noticed Matty’s hard work, and as a reward, Julian is bringing her onto his new Wellbrexa case.
This new development throws Matty’s plans into disarray, making her question whether she should leave the firm or embrace this new opportunity.
The Unified Front: Matty Faces New Challenges
This new case presents a challenge for Matty, as she realizes that Olympia and Julian have reconciled. The two are now working together as a team, which complicates Matty’s ability to manipulate their relationship for personal gain. In the past, Matty could play them against each other, especially during their divorce.
Now that they are united, it remains to be seen whether Matty can continue her investigation into Wellbrexa without creating the same rifts she once exploited.
As Matty embarks on this new case, she faces a difficult decision: Can she face this new partnership between Olympia and Julian, or will she be forced to confront her own emotional baggage that has been holding her back?
With her purpose reaffirmed by her role in the case, Matty now has to figure out how to balance her professional goals with the emotional toll it continues to take on her.
Conclusion: The Future of Matty’s Investigation
In “Sixteen Steps,” Matlock continues to highlight the emotional and moral challenges faced by its protagonist, Matty. The episode’s focus on the impact of trauma, guilt, and personal sacrifice presents a complex portrayal of Matty’s internal struggles as she juggles the demands of her career with the weight of her past.
The trial at the heart of the episode, while a major victory for Olympia, exposes Matty’s growing discomfort with using others’ pain to further their legal goals.
The emotional toll this case takes on her, combined with her unresolved feelings about Stanley and her own family, forces Matty to confront difficult questions about her motivations and her future.
The episode also highlights the shifting dynamics between Matty, Olympia, and Julian, especially with their reconciled relationship. Matty must now faces her professional life in a new show where her old tactics might not work.
In the end, Matty’s decision to embrace the opportunity with Julian and Olympia represents a turning point. She finds herself at a crossroads, forced to reconcile her professional ambitions with the emotional burdens that continue to define her journey. As Matlock moves forward, the balance between personal healing and professional growth will continue to shape Matty’s path.
