Matlock Season 1 Episode 9 Review: Friends

As Edwin becomes more nervous about Matty’s objectivity, she continues to buddy up with Olympia. This drives the plot of Matlock Season 1 Episode 9, “Friends,” forcing the trust between the two lawyers to increase even more.

We have reached a point in the narrative where things really need to start going somewhere, or else risk losing the overall point of Matty’s position at Jacobson Moore in the first place. So far, the pacing has been good, but it’s starting to feel like we haven’t gotten anywhere close to the answers we seek. 

After all, another name was added to the suspect board this week, and while Matty wants to remove Olympia, it doesn’t seem completely warranted yet. 

Friendship Only Gets You So Far

While the writers have always struggled to find a reason for Edwin’s presence, Matlock Season 1 Episode 9, “Friends,” gives him the autonomy to call out Matty on her position. No one knows her quite like her husband does, nor does anyone else know the full extent of her plan for Jacobson Moore. 

Therefore, it makes sense that Edwin can see the dangers of becoming friends with one of their suspects. Sure, Matty might trust Olympia because they got drunk together, and lately, Olympia has been sharing details of her marriage and private life.

However, just because Olympia said it doesn’t mean it’s true. She is the one controlling the narrative, and considering this show is centered on the fact that the heads of Jacobson Moore can’t be trusted at face value, that should be questioned.

I want to believe that Olympia is being completely honest and isn’t involved in the Wellbrexa coverup, but considering what we do know, this could all just be smoke screens to stall the reveal even more. Julian is extremely suspicious as well, but we haven’t been given enough time with him to fully realize his overall personality yet.

Edwin isn’t wrong to question Matty about why she doesn’t suspect Olympia anymore. But for Matty to say that she simply trusts Olympia, trusts her friend, is extremely dangerous and could lead to the plan completely falling apart.

The Shae of it All

From the moment she was first introduced on Matlock Season 1 Episode 3, “A Guy Named Greg,” viewers have been right to be suspicious of Shae. After all, she has it out for Matty because she senses that there is something Matty isn’t revealing to her coworkers — ding ding ding — and is determined to find out what it is.

Shae is endearingly referred to as the human lie detector for a reason. She can sniff out half-truths and lies like nobody else. It’s why she’s so indispensable to Jacobson Moore.

The problem now resides in the revelation that she was the person Julian had a fling with while still married to Olympia. It makes things very awkward for Olympia, but viewers are still left questioning even that.

Think about it. When Olympia confronts Shae, telling her she knows what Shae did, Shae looks entirely baffled. It leaves us questioning whether or not she really was the one Julian cheated with.

Sure, it’s likely that she was involved in the Wellbrexa cover-up, which makes her a safe bet for who Julian was involved with. However, there are so many lies circulating around Jacobson Moore that it’s hard to trust anything completely. 

Either way, having Shae around as Matty continues her deception is going to get more messy and complicated. If “Friends” is anything to go on, it is likely that Shae will uncover Matty’s lies sooner than later.

Matty’s Problem

My issue with this show continues to be that Matty has been at the law firm for months now and seems to find some definitive proof for her investigation, only to have some other wrench thrown into the mix not long after. 

It’s one thing to keep things interesting and keep us on our toes, but to constantly reveal information about Wellbrexa only to add more questions gets old very fast. We are halfway through the season, and yet it feels like we’ve made no advancement on her side story.

Becoming friendly with Olympia will have advantages, mostly in terms of getting Matty a spot on the pharmaceuticals team, but it also pushes back part of her plan. As we previously stated, Edwin’s concern for Matty’s objectivity is starting to make sense now more than ever. 

He can see the problem with trusting Olympia before there is solid proof absolving her of any wrong doing. This also slows down the reveals even further, dragging out Matty’s secret mission that much more.

To make matters worse, early on, we at least had Alfie around to give the secrecy a bit of fun and intrigue. In fact, the young boy helped us feel like Matty was making headway.

Now, the writers have completely abandoned him as a plot device, further hurting the flow of the show. We still have room to turn things around, so I hope the writers do.

Stray Thoughts:

• Billy and Sarah continue to be my favorite duo. They are so underappreciated by everyone.
• Unlike previous weeks, the case didn’t really influence the show’s overarching themes, making it easily forgettable.
• I need the writers to better utilize Jason Ritter’s talents. After all, we need to have more of Julian front and center if we ever hope to solve the Wellbrexa issue.

 

What did you think of this episode of Matlock? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Matlock airs Thursdays at 10/9c on CBS.

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