Matlock Season 2 Episode 6 Review: Harm Reduction

As the team inches ever closer to closure on the Wellbrexa situation, only one thing truly stands in their way, Senior. Which is why Matlock Season 2 Episode 6, “Harm Reduction,” is so intriguing. It adds Eva back into the mix.

When she first arrived during Matlock Season 2 Episode 3, “Tomorrow is Still Tomorrow,” I stated that her formula for drama will keep everyone on their toes. And, my goodness, I have never been more excited to be right in my life.

While she doesn’t really appear much at Jacobson Moore proper, her presence haunts the narrative throughout. Whether they are working on the case she brings them, or trying to turn partners in a potential coup, Matty and Olympia are doing Eva’s work.

The best part is, Senior seems rattled by something, making this potential overthrow so much better.

Julian Continues to Be an Enigma

Sure, most of what Julian says or does is due to his father pulling his strings. However, I stand by what I stated in my review for Matlock Season 2 Episode 5, “Mousetrap.” 

He deserves the chance to feel like he’s a competent lawyer outside of his father’s shadow. Julian has done some really unsavory things, but I will give him some leeway because he lacks the strength to stand up to his father.

Therefore he put himself into hot water because he was pushing to get his father’s approval. It isn’t right, but it also doesn’t mean we should hang him out to dry as a stone-cold villain.

Which is what makes his particular scenes during “Harm Reduction” that much more interesting. There is an air of sadness to everything he’s doing this episode.

Julian just wants to find his place and get his groove back, but his father is still pulling the strings. Julian thinks that he’s turned a corner and gotten Sarah into his circle of confidence and yet she still slips information to Senior like the man asked her to.

There is just so much deception going on around Jacobson Moore its a wonder how anyone trusts anyone.

Eva’s Influence

Eva’s push for a coup by the next quarterly partners meeting, which is in 6 weeks, comes across as two separate things. One, she’s coming across as extremely ambitious and willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. 

And two, it comes across as solving the Wellbrexa problem, but opening Olympia and Matty up to bigger issues. Either way, there isn’t one clear win when it comes to her plan.

I know Olympia and Matty want to believe that by getting Senior out of the way they’ll have an easier time with Wellbrexa access. However, something in my gut tells me Eva won’t be so quick to undermine once she has the power she wants.

In fact, a part of me wonders if she’s not a bigger threat than Senior considering just how personable and manipulative she’s already shown herself to be. Eva shouldn’t be underestimated and I worry that these ladies are already doing just that.

After all, she brings a case to New York’s Jacobson Moore but refuses to stick around because she thinks it’ll raise suspicion. Yet, from Senior’s actions he already knows she’s sniffing around and her lack of presence in the office isn’t doing anything to get him off her trail.

I want to believe this coup will go off perfectly, but something tells me we aren’t out of the woods yet.

Matty and Olympia Reach an Understanding, Maybe.

The tension between our lovable duo continues, which also keeps the pace of this story right where it needs to be. We need them to be in this push and pull of trust a little bit longer because otherwise it wouldn’t feel authentic.

If Olympia were to forgive Matty right away that would feel rushed and not a good test of their bond. However, if the writers force this tension to continue at this level for the rest of the season that isn’t going to work either. 

Therefore, Olympia and Matty taking some space from each other this episode works wonders to get them closer toward a reconciliation. The added pressure for forgiveness from the sisters doesn’t hurt either.

Allowing these two characters to have an emotionally charged conversation while overseeing a young woman getting high is poetic and well written. Not only are their words important, but so is the setting.

Matty is allowing herself grace when it comes to doing some “harm reduction” toward an addict — allowing her to get high instead of preventing it — while opening her heart up to what Olympia has to say about trust. 

All said, these two women have a deep seeded respect for each other that goes beyond their work. Olympia has every right to be mad at Matty for a year, as she puts it, but Matty also deserves a bit of grace considering the circumstances behind her lies.

Either way, we can see the shift in their dynamic as it happens right there in that car. Matty reaching over and placing her hand on Olympia’s shows that the love and care is still there under all the hurt and distrust.

No matter what, their dynamic is what makes this show work. Matlock is certainly going to find a solution to their issues sooner rather than later.

They need to be a united front when they go to take down Senior.

 

 

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Matlock airs Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.

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