Matlock Season 1 Episode 16 Review: The Johnson Case

With only three more episodes in the season, Matlock Season 1 Episode 16, “The Johnson Case,” doesn’t hold back. Once again, the case is important to drive the even bigger plot: Matty’s side quest.

That doesn’t mean we should ignore the developments that came forward due to this case. In fact, some would argue that the case needed to happen if we were ever going to push the Matty vs. Jacobson Moore plot just over the hump.

Add to all that drama the side plot of Matty confronting Ms. Belvin indirectly for more information about the timeline for when the files went missing. From start to finish, the episode is packed with emotional highs and lows that we have to break down to better understand where we might end up by the season’s end.

Matty’s Cracks Are Getting Wider

Up until a couple of episodes ago, Matty’s cracks were hard to find and even harder to come by. However, during “The Johnson Case,” Matty is extremely quick to judge Isobel for waiting 21 years before coming forward about her vote during a murder trial.

Anyone with eyes can see Isobel is a woman who is still terrified of being wrong but wants to do what’s right for Eugene. For Matty to immediately jump down her throat is jarring even for us viewers.

Just because we are aware of Matty’s stress doesn’t mean we should ignore her behavior. It’s no surprise that Olympia is secretly starting to have doubts about Matty.

In fact, to the more observant viewers Kathy Bates’ Matty performance has shifted a bit to subtly show these changes. For example, now, when Matty interacts with Ms. Belvin, her smile is extremely big, and her eyes reveal just how forced it is. Too bad Ms. Belvin hasn’t picked up on it yet.

I have always applauded Matty for her ability to present herself as a smart but clueless elderly woman. Up until now, anyone would have been hard-pressed to notice any of her slip-ups.

So much so that we’ve completely forgotten that Olympia is an extremely detail-oriented person who notices everything. But, more on her development later.

Ms. Belvin and the Fire Drill

In an interesting turn of events, Matty and Edwin learn that on the day the documents disappeared, there was a firm-wide fire drill that left the door to the file room open. Meaning their initial conclusions aren’t exactly correct.

While it is a relief to hear that Olympia was in court that day, it’s still disheartening to know what we know now. It means that Matty’s distrust of Olympia is misplaced, but still the question lingers on whether or not this is another red herring.

Matlock has been extremely good at giving us revelations all season long that are often debunked later on by further investigations. Sure, the way we’ve been presented, Olympia shows a tough-as-nails lawyer who also has a heart of gold.

But what if that, too, is all an act, and she’s still part of the coverup plot? After all, Ms. Belvin’s insights only adjusted their timeline and gave credence to why she felt it could only be Senior, Julian, or Olympia.

There is nothing mentioned about any of the three working together for the good of the firm. Something tells me that Isobel’s comment about women, especially women of color, feeling like they can’t stand up to the top man will come back to us.

After all, we know Julian got some shady money from his dad around the time of Wellbrexa. Olympia and Julian were still together at that point, meaning she might’ve known the whole plot without directly being involved.

Hence, her being in court doesn’t necessarily prove that she isn’t part of the plot overall, nor does Senior’s being in Australia. Julian might be the person who took the documents, but my money’s on all three of them being in on it together.

Olympia’s Friendship with Matty

One of the developments, that I’ve loved the most throughout Matlock Season 1 is the burgeoning friendship between Olympia and Matty. Matty might be a master of disguise and manipulation, but we’ve never been given enough evidence to believe Olympia is as well.

Therefore, when she meets Matty at her “apartment” just after Matty gets off the phone with Edwin, we are shocked. Yes, Olympia is observant, but it never felt like Matty’s slip-ups were noticed by her friend and boss. 

However, we now know that Olympia has been suspicious of Matty’s true identity for weeks, ever since the pen recorder. Then, Alfi comes to the office for the Easter celebration and drops his wallet, which contains cards for Westchester County, where they actually live.

Looking back on it, Olympia did layer on thick that she trusted Matty to always be honest with her. At the time, we took it at face value, not believing she had seen any of Matty’s cracks yet.

However, now, we know Olympia has a full case file on Matty with all the evidence she’s collected. Now, that doesn’t mean she knows the whole story, but it does spell trouble for Matty going forward.

I really hope this is something that, once talked about, doesn’t derail Matty’s whole quest, but it very well could. Then again, we are renewed for Season 2, meaning we need Matty to still exist as a lawyer, so who knows?

 

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Matlock airs Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.

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