Matlock Season 2 Episode 14 Review: Day One

If there is one thing I have always praised Matlock for it is the respect and attention given to addiction and its effect on those around the addict. Matlock Season 2 Episode 14, “Day One,” really dives into that as a two-fold issue: drug and alcohol.

With their case of the week, the team must help a young man, Travis Lee, who is trying to find the truth to who killed his father in a hit and run some years prior. He suspects a notorious DUI laden driver, Michael Hammond, of getting away with the crime.

Then, on the personal side, Matty and Edwin deal with their lingering fears and anxieties about drug addiction when Joey relapses. It’s an interesting intersection that gives light to the strength of their marriage.

Matty’s Addiction and Edwin’s PTSD

Something really interesting introduced during Matlock Season 2 Episode 13, “The Future is Nigh,” is grief centered AI software that allows loved ones to talk to those who have passed on. At the tail end of that episode we get to see Matty break down and use it to have a conversation with Ellie.

However, when it comes to this episode she is now using it so frequently that she feels compelled to lie about it. Both to her family and to Olympia. Thankfully, this case as well as Olympia’s understanding help Matty to move forward and stop using the software.

Before all of that can happen though, we have to see Matty and Edwin butt heads a bit about how to handle the Joey situation. Now that Matty is spending more time speaking with Ellie, she is able to take a calmer, gentler approach.

Meanwhile, we see Edwin acting completely out of character which becomes quickly concerning. Up to this point we’ve seen Edwin take every lie Matty tells and every speedbump Joey being in their lives produces with grace and compassion.

Honestly, watching him flip a switch is extremely satisfying and realistic. It reminds the viewers that while Edwin might be a minor character, he is still just as complex and human as the rest of them. He is also still hurting from the loss of Ellie.

In fact, the scene where Matty comes home and confronts Edwin about his lashing out at Joey is a perfect depiction of how addiction has a lasting effect on everyone involved. Even when the person who struggled has already passed.

It’s refreshing to see these two come together in a big way to support each other during a moment of vulnerability. In recent episodes it has felt like a wedge was being shoved between them, but this moment proves that when the chips are down, Edwin and Matty have each other’s backs.

Which brings me back to Matty, up to this point in the narrative she’s been as strong as an ox with a stubbornness to match. Now, we see her falling into addictive patterns much like her daughter had and showing a softer, more understanding side toward Joey.

While Edwin is finding his Matty side, Matty is finding her Edwin side. Another resounding example of their connection; or soulmate-level bond if you will.

Patrick Lee Learns the Truth Doesn’t Always Set You Free

The most heartbreaking element of this episode has to be in the aftermath of Hammond’s daughter’s confession. Up to this point we’ve seen Lee go through all the stages of grief, most of them during a single deposition meeting.

Now, we see as his anger, hurt, and grief is justified by Scarlett’s tale of being 15, picking up her father because he was too drunk, and being unable to see properly enough to avoid hitting Lee’s father. Only, this truth does very little to make him feel more in control of his life.

Despite everything he’s been through and how highly intelligent he is, Lee still has many things to learn. The most significant of which is that the truth doesn’t stop the pain. 

As he recovers from a panic attack, Matty informs him that to get past his anguish he needs to set his mind to it and just quit his guilt cold turkey. It’s an interesting piece of advice that is centered on her experiences with Ellie and Joey’s addictions, but actually fits for what Lee is experiencing as well.

If we don’t make decisions to move forward from our guilt or our grief, they will eventually eat us up, eliminating the people we truly are. 

One thing that Matlock does frequently is tie the lessons of their personal lives to the case they are working that week. This episode is no different. As Matty gives this advice to Lee we can see in her demeanor that she’s decided to take her own advice to heart.

The Wellbrexa Saga Continues

On the flipside Matlock Season 2 Episode 14, “Day One,” also sees the return of Debra Palmer, played by the extremely talented Melanie Lynskey. So while Matty and Olympia are busy with their case, Julian is doing everything he can to get his hands on Debra’s financials to prove she moved the $350k from Senior to The Wolf.

It’s a comedy of errors the whole episode as Julian has to navigate keeping Shae away, his father from knowing what Julian has discovered, and keeping Debra satisfied so she’ll be cooperative. This is where Jason Ritter’s physical acting really comes into play and steals the show.

Half of the comedic timing of this portion of the episode comes from his playful acting and neurotic body movements. Whether he’s flailing to keep Debra occupied or making faces at her romantic advances, Julian reminds us that he’s the Wellbrexa brigade’s weakest link which brings about outlandish situations.

That said, he proves himself once and for all during this whole elaborate plot. Not only does he juggle his dad’s increasing confusion (which I’m still not sold on it being real), Debra’s weird push and pull that makes you question how aware she really is, and keeping an eye on Shae, but he also manages to successfully enact the retrieval of Debra’s 2010 financials.

Who would’ve guessed that it would be Julian who’d find the smoking gun that connects his father directly to the payoff on the Wellbrexa study scandal? Not me, that’s for sure.

Stray Thoughts

• I appreciate that the show is giving Joey the chance at forgiveness and redemption.
• Shae doing Matty a solid because Matty protected her from the bribery case, never saw that coming either.
• I am really starting to like the dynamic between Hunter and Sarah, more so than the dynamic between Billy and Sarah.
• I need them to find a way to keep Hunter around, his energy is heartwarming.
• Matty got a tattoo! You are never too old to get art on your skin.

 

 

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Matlock airs Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.

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