In the second episode of Matlock, we see Matty (played by Kathy Bates) start her new job as an associate at the law firm Jacobson Moore. At first, everything seems fine, but Matty quickly learns that keeping her job is harder than getting it.
It has been less than a week since she started, and she begins to have stressful dreams about work. On top of that, she feels embarrassed because she got the air dates for the original Matlock series wrong during the premiere.
She only mentioned the years when the show aired on CBS but forgot to include the three additional seasons that ran on ABC.
This mistake was not just a minor error; it was a writing mistake by executive producer Jennie Snyder Urman. She decided to make it a part of the plot in Episode 2.
Despite her worries, Matty takes a few deep breaths to calm herself down. She knows she needs to get back to work. This is good news because the firm has a new case to work on.
Matty and her team must defend a mute young man against a serious murder charge. If they do not succeed, they risk losing the firm’s biggest class action lawsuit. This adds a lot of pressure to Matty and her colleagues.
AI Strikes Again in ‘Matlock’ Episode 2
The young man they are defending is Michael Casey (Brandon Marcel). He is just 18 years old and is the nephew of one of Jacobson Moore’s most valuable clients. Michael works at a local bodega, and he has been accused of killing a former classmate outside the shop.
An eyewitness claims to have seen Michael standing over the girl’s body, which was covered in blood.
Things get even worse when Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), another associate, manages to get only a two-day delay after taking on the case. This means Matty and the team have just 48 hours to come up with a solid defense for Michael.
The first thing they do is speak to the eyewitness. He is a charming elderly man who enjoys watching 60 Minutes on Sundays. This man claims to have 20/20 vision and insists that he clearly saw Michael standing over the victim’s body on the night of the murder.
However, during their conversation, Matty uses the man’s love for 60 Minutes and his routine of eating chicken pot pie to figure out some important details.
She discovers that the victim screamed 22 minutes before anyone called 9-1-1, including the bodega owner and the eyewitness. This leads the team to start thinking that the bodega owner, Jimmy (Victor Cruz), might be hiding something.
As Matty and her team continue their investigation, they track down a group of girls from the victim’s high school. They find out that all the girls, including the victim, referred to Jimmy as CJ, or Creepy Jimmy.
This nickname raises further suspicions about Jimmy and leads Matty’s team to ask the judge for a subpoena. They want to get access to the security footage from the bodega on the night of the murder.
The case takes an unexpected turn when the bodega finally provides the security footage. This video shows Michael stealing a box of condoms that were found near the girl’s body.
The situation looks bad for Michael, but Matty is not ready to give up. She decides to visit the bodega herself to buy the same condoms. However, she quickly realizes that she is too short to reach them on the shelf.
Matty’s determination shines through, and she manages to get the video to support her case. She notes that both she and Michael are the same height. This detail becomes crucial as they use this information to pressure Jimmy’s son, Charlie (Alejandro Akara), into confessing.
Charlie admits that he was the one who stole the condoms because he wanted to hook up with the victim. When the girl tried to run away, Charlie grabbed her, causing her to slip and hit her head. His father, Jimmy, helped him cover up the incident.
Charlie also doctored the video to make it look like Michael was the one who stole the condoms. This way, Charlie could keep his scholarship to MIT. With this confession, Matty and her team successfully prove Michael’s innocence, and Jacobson Moore retains its big client.
Nobody’s Perfect in ‘Matlock’ Episode 2
While the first episode focused on Madeline Kingston’s ability to deceive the lawyers at the firm, Episode 2 shows the toll that lying takes on Matty.
Her stressful dreams keep her on edge, and this is noticeable while they work on the case. When the associates need to take a train to Queens to follow up on a lead, they turn to Matty for help.
Matty lives a life of luxury. She has a chauffeur and a mansion, which means she has little idea how public transportation works in New York City. When asked for the best route, she has to bluff her way through. She claims that she never takes the train.
This could create a major plot hole if Billy (David Del Rio) and Sarah (Leah Lewis) just accept her words at face value. Fortunately, Sarah pushes back on Matty’s story. She points out that it is impossible to live in New York City without taking the train at least once.
This moment shows that the idea of Matty as a manipulative genius falls apart if the people she is lying to are not smart.
To save herself, Matty remembers her breathing techniques and quickly spins a tale about how she was mugged on the subway when she first moved to the city. She adds a weepy tone to her voice, which makes Sarah feel guilty and apologize for her questioning.
While things seem to improve among the associates, tension remains between Matty and Olympia. Matty cannot figure out why Olympia is treating her differently. Olympia does not let Matty join the team during their interviews with the Lopez family at the bodega.
Matty thinks this is because Olympia is still upset with her. However, the truth is revealed when Matty discovers that the security footage is doctored. She offers to go to the bodega to investigate further.
Finally, Olympia explains that she had been keeping Matty away from the bodega not as a punishment but because she thought they might need her for something important during the trial. This shows that Olympia had Matty’s best interests at heart, even if Matty did not see it at first.
The case eventually gets dismissed, and Olympia praises Matty for her hard work in achieving the win. However, Matty does not let Olympia off the hook for how she treated her. Matty confronts her boss about manipulating her instead of allowing her to be involved in the strategy from the start.
This confrontation feels risky because Matty has been trying so hard to win Olympia’s approval. She wants to get access to an opioid case she is actually investigating. Surprisingly, this confrontation turns out to be part of Olympia’s grand plan.
Just like Sarah challenged Matty earlier, Olympia feels ashamed of how she treated Matty and is encouraged to apologize. She is tasked with taking a plate of fettuccine Alfredo that Matty “accidentally” left at the office to Matty’s apartment in Queens.
For a moment, viewers might worry that Matty will be found out when Olympia arrives, as her car is on the way to Matty’s large house. However, it turns out that the car just carries a pizza for Matty’s husband.
At the Queens apartment, Matty and her tech-savvy grandson Alfie (Aaron D. Harris) set up a camera overhead. They use it to capture Olympia’s passcode as she checks her messages just before knocking on Matty’s door.
This moment once again highlights Matty’s cleverness. It appears that she is always two steps ahead of everyone at the firm, making it exciting for the viewers to watch.
In this episode, we also learn more about Matty as a person. She is not just a brilliant investigator; she is also deeply affected by her daughter’s history with drugs.
The loss of her daughter weighs heavily on Matty. During one point in the case, Matty tries to prepare Michael’s mother for the possibility that her son might be guilty.
The mother snaps back, saying that just because Matty did not pay attention to her addicted daughter does not mean she will ever believe Michael committed murder.
This response serves as a metaphorical slap in the face for Matty and makes her doubt her ability to pull off her investigation successfully.
Despite the challenges, Matty’s grandson Alfie is there to support her. He reminds her that her daughter would be proud of her for working hard, which gives Matty the strength to continue.
We also see that Matty is not simply winging her entire investigation. It requires effort and takes a physical toll on her. It is refreshing to see Matty struggle with some aspects of her job.
This makes her journey more relatable and believable. As she deals with mistakes and learns to recover from them, it becomes easier to believe that she can manipulate her partners into doing exactly what she needs them to do.
While Matty investigates who might have hidden files related to the opioid case, she is not the only one feeling suspicious. An interaction with Senior (Beau Bridges) in the elevator shows that he is aware of Matty’s mistake regarding the air dates in the first episode.
This interaction helps Matty confront her stressful dreams directly. It also reveals that Senior does not completely trust everything she said in the initial partner meeting.
As Matty grows more involved with the firm, the stakes become higher. It seems like it is only a matter of time before someone discovers her secret. Who will be clever enough to catch her in a lie? The tension and uncertainty keep viewers engaged, eagerly waiting to see what happens next.
Conclusion
In Matlock Episode 2, viewers witness the complexities of Matty’s character as she faces the challenges of her new role at the law firm Jacobson Moore. Her journey illustrates the reality many face when starting a new job, especially in a high-pressure environment.
Matty’s initial excitement quickly turns to anxiety as she grapples with the expectations of her position and the stress that comes with defending a client accused of murder. The blend of professional and personal struggles adds depth to her character, making her relatable and human.
The episode also shows themes of deception and trust. Matty’s need to bluff her way through certain situations highlights her vulnerability. Despite her intelligence and experience, she must confront the reality that she cannot always manipulate those around her without consequence.
The tension with her colleague Olympia showcases the delicate balance of teamwork and communication in a legal setting.
Matty’s confrontation with Olympia about the lack of transparency serves as a critical moment, emphasizing the importance of honesty and collaboration in achieving success. It also demonstrates that relationships in the workplace can be complicated and require ongoing effort to maintain.
Moreover, the episode goes into the emotional toll that professional responsibilities can take on an individual. Matty’s strained relationship with her deceased daughter’s memory adds layers to her character. The pain of her past influences her actions and decisions as she strives to prove herself in her new role.
The emotional weight she carries becomes a driving force behind her determination to defend Michael and uncover the truth. This personal connection to the case not only motivates Matty but also serves as a reminder that behind every legal battle is a human story filled with heartache and hope.
The narrative surrounding Michael’s case is compelling as it highlights the flaws in the justice system. The episode raises questions about assumptions and biases that can influence perceptions of guilt. Michael, a mute young man, faces overwhelming odds due to circumstantial evidence and public opinion.
Matty’s dedication to finding the truth underscores the idea that everyone deserves a fair chance, regardless of the circumstances surrounding them.
The case serves as a reminder that legal battles are not just about winning or losing; they involve real lives and real consequences.
As the episode unfolds, Matty’s growth is evident. She learns to lean on her team for support and realizes that collaboration is key to success. Her ability to face the complexities of the case while managing her personal struggles illustrates her resilience and adaptability.
Viewers are left with a sense of hope as Matty continues to evolve as a character, proving that perseverance can lead to success even in the face of adversity.
Matlock Episode 2 successfully blends legal drama with personal growth, showcasing Matty’s journey as she balances the demands of her job and her emotional struggles.
The episode serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities of human relationships, the impact of the past on the present, and the importance of seeking the truth.
As Matty moves forward, viewers are left eager to see how her character will continue to develop, and how she will face future challenges in her pursuit of justice.
The show not only entertains but also encourages reflection on the moral dilemmas faced in the legal profession and the importance of empathy in understanding the stories of others.
Matlock continues to air on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS. Each episode is available to stream the next day on Paramount+.
