Matlock Season 1 Episode 13 Review: Pregame

Much like last week, Matty’s guilt is starting to cause cracks in her performance at Jacobson and Moore. However, on Matlock Season 1 Episode 13, “Pregame,” her cracks are a little less obvious. 

Of course, viewers can hear her flashing back to her conversation with Edwin in her mind all the time, but her colleagues can’t. That’s not to say Olympia doesn’t try. 

These cracks get so bad that Matty is pulling back from her full-steam-ahead attitude, which is turning heads left and right. More surprisingly, this guilt allows her to partake in edibles with Senior, which is extremely dangerous.

For Once the Case Matters

It isn’t often that the case is so memorable it’s right there with the underlying Olympia marriage drama or Matty’s double life drama. However, “Pregame” is all about a young girl realizing her actions are something she will regret for the rest of her life.

There’s an air of regret and guilt throughout this episode, which shows us that Matty is increasingly connecting with each of their clients. Before, when Matty would do the whole grandmotherly advice schtick, it felt like more of an act than anything else. 

That all changed with Matlock Season 1 Episode 12, “This Is That Moment.” Matty’s realness carries over even more for Zoe Santos’ case because now she’s in the aftermath of realizing her actions against Ellie, which is a heavy source of regret.

Matty feels extremely genuine with Zoe on the outside, a headscratcher for Sarah and Billy but a cause for concern in Olympia’s eyes. However, the viewers know Matty is speaking the truth more than ever when she talks about regrets and moving forward by doing good.

Matty has always been a loveable character, but the more she dives into those thoughts she buried long ago, the more we relate to her. She’s still a lovable character but also very real and easily understood.

Olympia’s Battle with ADA Park

One of the other big players during this episode is the opposing council, ADA Park. Olympia usually decimates her opposing council to the point that by the end, they’ve tucked and run. 

Not ADA Park. This man is relentless, and losing to Olympia in court seems to have strengthened his drive and hunger.

He proves this by subtly threatening Olympia with his presence at various times throughout the episode. First, he comes to “scope out her domain” and brings her a bear figurine, signifying that she is the bear he’s going to chew up as his first item of business.

Then, after he loses his way to her, he comes to her office once more to “drop off Zoe’s belongings,” but we can all see the real reason. He’s trying to rattle Olympia’s cage. Luckily, he doesn’t realize our girl is unstoppable.

He might become a problem for her class action suit against the drink company at the center of this week’s case, but that feels extremely exciting regardless.

It’ll be nice to see Olympia sparring with someone other than her ex-husband, Julian.

Stray Thoughts:

• I love the use of Alfie in this episode. The writers still aren’t consistent with him, but a Family Day is the perfect excuse to bring him into Matty’s fake world.
• My heart hurts for Sarah; she wants monogamy, but Kira wants to keep things open. Will our fierce female ever find exactly what she wants?
• Billy sneaking around with Camille even after he knows what she’s done seems a bit out of character for him. I don’t like this pairing.
• I’m still not convinced Senior doesn’t suspect something about Matty
• Olympia stealing the non-denominational bunny head is HILARIOUS.

 

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

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Matlock airs Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.

Follow us on X and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!