As a seasoned attorney with years of experience under my belt, I can’t help but marvel at the intricate web of lives and cases that unfold at Jacobson-Moore. Each character, like a unique thread in a tapestry, adds depth to the overall story.
The latest episode of Matlock from last week left me feeling rather underwhelmed, although it did include a subtle scene that could turn out to be more significant than it first seemed. I’m specifically referring to the moment when Matty recalls making fun of Ellie’s fancy prom nails and wishing he could rewind time to tell her she looked beautiful. It’s not unusual for parents of addicts to yearn for a do-over on numerous small instances where they were overly critical, preoccupied, or distant from their child’s life, failing to recognize how such moments might have caused pain.
This week’s episode of Matlock has reached a season peak, with Matty’s recollections of Ellie and her motives for posing as an undercover agent at Jacobson-Moore taking on a new level of intensity and necessity. This heightened emotional state is due to a case that serves as a reprise – a second chance to right past wrongs. Previously, Olympia and Julian pursued a lawsuit against First 12 Formula, a company producing infant formula, over a product suspected of causing the death of a child named Dante. However, this case crumbled at the same time that Olympia’s marriage with Julian was deteriorating following the demise of her father. The lawyers have always felt that their tactical decisions during the trial and the discord in their personal lives let down their clients, Anna Sampson (Veronica Diaz Carranza) and Vanessa Sampson (Ayesha Harris). In essence, they’re given a chance to set things right, both professionally and personally.
Regarding the task at hand, the team’s role is quite simple. Lately, the factory’s harsh and uncooperative supervisor, Harold P. Wong (Christopher Cho), has exited the company under mysterious circumstances. The improvements in safety measures on the line since his departure seem to indicate that the defendants were aware they were acting negligently. Essentially, Matty, Billy, and Sarah need only piece together the evidence. With assistance from a compassionate colleague, Teddy (Jernard Burks), they uncover the truth: A chain reaction of equipment malfunctions and leaks, combined with a stingy sick leave policy, placed Teddy on the production line when he shouldn’t have been, handling contaminated items without gloves.
Is that proof convincing enough for the jury? Perhaps not, since First 12’s attorney is skillful at creating doubt by suggesting there were numerous chances for Dante’s mothers to be unhygienic – whether intentionally or not – compared to the factory making a massive error. Consequently, we return to the dilemma that Olympia and Julian are still remorseful about from their previous encounter with this case: The mothers declined to testify at that time, and in order to secure them as clients, Olympia pledged they wouldn’t have to appear in court.
In this instance, their statements might be the key factor in eliminating any remaining doubts among the jurors.
This is what I was talking about up top. Matty’s mixed-up feelings about Ellie — a combination of rage, grief, self-pity, and self-recrimination — may end up having a profound effect on how her mission within Jacobson-Moore plays out. Throughout this episode, we get flashbacks to two years ago, when Olympia and Julian botched Vanessa and Anna’s case and when Matty visited New York and made the decision to take down J-M. We see how a distracted Olympia yelled at Matty during a chance encounter, which Matty interpreted as “a sign” from “the universe” to proceed with her plan. More importantly, we hear Matty’s justification to Edwin for why she has to take on this challenge: “It’s my last chance to parent our child.”
This notion recurs throughout the episode. Remember the dating app guy from last week’s cliffhanger, who recognized Matty as Madeline Kingston? Turns out his name is Stanley (Henry LeBlanc), and the reason he knows her is because his addict son Tommy used to run around with Ellie. He wants Matty’s help in finding Tommy, who has disappeared on a bender again. Although his timing is awkward, Matty makes an earnest attempt at encouraging Stanley, advising him to approach the search like a private investigator, earning the trust of fellow druggies who might point Stanley in the right direction.
She gives similar advice to Vanessa and Anna — not about how to find a lost child, but how to give their all for one. She’s sure that if Dante’s moms don’t do all they can to hold his killers accountable, they’ll “regret not taking this last opportunity to parent their child.” (A familiar phrasing!) She tells this to Olympia, who asks her about Ellie, prompting Matty to tell a story about how her daughter used to insist on playing in the park where the big kids played … until she eventually broke her arm.
The memory of Ellie’s cast plays a significant role in the plot as it prompts Olympia to inquire about Teddy’s broken arm, which influenced his response to a pipe burst on the factory floor. Moreover, this memory serves as a poignant reminder that Ellie was an individual with her own decisions, and those choices ultimately shaped Matty’s life, leaving him with lingering regrets.
Once more: Olympia and Julian are putting a lot on the line by depending solely on Dante’s mothers to be responsible for First 12, instead of themselves, in their case. The situation becomes more complex when Anna (who is pregnant once more and on bed rest) is unable to testify, leaving only Vanessa as an option. She’s frank with the team about her past struggles, revealing that it took her years to avoid sinking into despair and chaos whenever she thought of Dante. Despite this, Vanessa manages to answer Olympia’s questions effectively, earning the jury’s empathy when she recalls Dante’s joy at staying awake because he loved being alive so much, and how she would repeatedly count the 16 steps in his room.
The Jacobson Moore team triumphs once more, as usual. Yet, Matty grapples with a deep personal struggle following the verdict when she observes that Vanessa and Anna appear devoid of victory or validation. If seeking justice for the loss of a child brings no solace to the parents, then why endure all the emotional turmoil? Now questioning whether her efforts on the Jacobson-Moore mission are meaningful, Matty experiences a bout of anxiety. During her recovery, Edwin encourages her once more to prioritize raising Alfie, acknowledge that Ellie’s fate doesn’t sanctify avenging her, and consider it as a righteous act.
Prior to submitting her resignation, however, Julian shares some exciting news with Matty that she’s been eagerly anticipating: He needs her for a major pharmaceutical case. With a subtle, firm smile, Matty agrees to take on the task, expressing that she feels this is exactly where she’s meant to be according to the universe.
From my perspective, she’s yet to give an honest response to the crucial query that lingers in my mind: What’s her reason for being present? I can’t help but wonder if the ‘one final opportunity to nurture our child’ claim is more about her personal growth or the child herself.
Hot Doggin’
Matty employs her senior citizen abilities to enter Harold’s flat, claiming she needs to utilize his bathroom, starting her (incomplete) account with, “After 70, the bladder can suddenly weaken due to changes in the pelvic area…
In one of the flashbacks, Olympia and Teddy converse in the factory’s outdoor smoking area, which is now known as the “crying patio.” A part of their conversation particularly stood out to me: when Olympia refers to her “first-year associates” from before. I wonder where these lawyers are now. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that there aren’t many attorneys working at Jacobson-Moore, even though a contemporary network show might struggle to maintain numerous regular cast members due to budget constraints.
In this upcoming episode, Olympia and Julian will rekindle their relationship secretly, or as they put it, “in hiding.” It’s likely that Matty may have opinions on how this covert reconciliation could play out.
I want to point out that the show Matlock subtly highlights the unique challenges Olympia faces as a successful Black woman in a competitive field, compared to someone like Julian or Matty. For instance, it’s interesting to consider how Olympia might respond when she discovers that her supposed ally is actually wealthy. In the flashbacks, Olympia frequently scolds Julian for his privilege and thoughtlessness, such as accusing him of exploiting her race to win over Vanessa. Their most intriguing dispute revolves around a Pajama Day at their children’s school, with Olympia arguing that Black children dressing casually in a predominantly white classroom might be perceived differently than Julian understands.
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2024-11-15 07:54