Matlock Season 2 Episode 7 Review: Prior Bad Acts

As humans we often fall into a pattern of judging people based on their previous behavior, leaving no room for them to grow or change. That is the premise behind Matlock Season 2 Episode 7, “Prior Bad Acts.”

We have the team arguing a case in court that has personal significance to Olympia, and for which she brings with her some prior biases against her own client. Outside of work, Matty and Edwin are working to establish a connection with Joey for Alfie’s sake.

Both of these examples show how we often let our judgments get in the way of doing what is right. Sometimes these biases are low stakes, but sometimes they can have lasting consequences on the people we are judging.

Olympia’s Strained Relationship with her Mom

Up to this point we have only seen Olympia talk about her father. She was extremely close to him and his death still affects her from time to time. However, her mom showing up in a courtroom during “Prior Bad Acts,” brings their relationship front and center.

Because Olympia didn’t care for Lionel when her mom met him four years prior, she goes into these interactions with a chip already on her shoulder. When she inserts herself into his case, that shows just how much her prejudices are putting a strain on her ability to perform at her strongest.

At one point her and her mom get into an argument because Olympia thought Lionel’s comment about her being overbearing toward her mother was false. Surprisingly, her mom speaks up and tells her that Lionel wasn’t wrong that Olympia has adopted similar traits to her father who didn’t treat her mom very well when he was alive.

Because she automatically judges Lionel as a “walking red flag” and guilty of what he’s being accused, it becomes that much harder for her to build a solid case. She ends up taking on various tactics until she finds one that will squeak out the win for her. 

She doesn’t work as diligently and as focused as she normally would, and it shows. Olympia is distracted and not willing to budge her feelings until after they win the case. 

Despite all this, it is nice to see that toward the end of the episode, Olympia is able to sit down with her mom and talk through their conflict. She extends an olive branch and invites her mom and Lionel to join them for the holidays. 

This shows that Olympia is turning over a new leaf and trying to be a better person, less judgmental, and completely at peace in her relationship with her mom.

Matty Deals with Joey

On the flipside you have Matty dealing with Joey finishing his stint in rehab. It’s good to see her and Edwin trying to build a bridge between them and Joey, but it’s very clear that Matty hasn’t let go of her opinions of him.

She even openly admits that she still just sees him as an addict. It puts a strain on their plans to have a dinner together where Alfie can finally meet him properly.

In fact, Matty is so pushy about her rules for this dinner, that Joey freaks out and cancels. Season 1 Matty wouldn’t have the wherewithal to check herself and her biases like this version of her can.

Matlock has shifted itself into a show that focuses more on the human side of things than the legal. And this episode really shows that with how much Matty allows herself to let go and truly get to know Joey.

So when Joey finally manages to make it to a first meeting with his son he does so without the pressures of a dinner and with his guitar. He shows Alfie that his mom loved music too and that he can hold onto that when he misses her.

It’s a moment that is a long time coming and does wonders for healing the family as a whole. Joey playing and singing Fix You by Coldplay while Alfie sits there enraptured, and Matty and Edwin are looking on with sadness and fondness, is the first time they’ve felt like a connected family in a long time.

It was as if the ghost of Ellie provided the missing link to connect her two worlds together, no matter the amount of hurt. We see that too when Matty is talking to Joey and he gives her insights into the Ellie she didn’t get to know.

Stray Thoughts

• You can tell Eva isn’t going to make Senior’s quest for coup participants easy. We love an unyielding queen.
• Sarah feels so guilty about the pictures. I just want to hug her.
• Pulling Julian into their plot in order to gain access to the NDA is actually genius. Glad they were finally able to get their hands on it.
• I love that they are back to being the fun friends again. I’ve missed their banter.
• The body swapping scene was probably the most fun of the whole episode.

 

 

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Matlock airs Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.

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