Matlock Season 2 Episodes 15 & 16 Review: Who Are You?/Matty Matlock

After 2 full seasons, the Wellbrexa case has finally come to a head on Matlock Season 2 Episodes 15 and 16, “Who Are You?/Matty Matlock.” From the scramble to put the final pieces into place, and Senior’s downfall happening just in time for the merger, this finale truly packs a punch every step of the way.

For fans and casual viewers alike, this finale ensures that we remain excited and tuned in for the next season, which was officially announced earlier this year. The edge of our seats anticipation brought on by whether or not Olympia, Matty, and Julian would be successful is what makes this finale truly stand out.

From the start of “Who Are You?” to the end of “Matty Matlock,” Matlock proves it still has this uncanny ability to surprise us. Even when the doubts and clues are subtly all around.

Kingston and Lawrence or Matlock and Lawrence?

On a lighter note, this finale also gave us the aside conversations about Matty and Olympia’s future’s in the post reveal world. At first, it was decided that both Julian and Matty would come forward with what they knew.

However, during the finale we learn that the DOJ really only needs Julian’s testimony because he was directly involved. And as such, he might be putting his own freedom and protection on the line, but he decides it is all worth it if it means he won’t become his father.

If there is one thing I’ve always admired about Matlock it is the way it creates these moments for character development that are natural and surprising all in one fell swoop. We have Julian who since the beginning has been a person of interest in Matty’s investigation, but slowly has become a better person through her influence.

While Julian’s actions are still something that should see consequences, it is nice to see that both Matty and Olympia are fighting for him to get a deal because they believe he’s not the same person he was back then.

All along he has been someone who has a good heart, it was just shadowed by his desire to please his father. Luckily, being around Matty has made him a softer, kinder person and more deserving of a redemption.

Because of this, Matty and Olympia are spending time discussing an opportunity to branch out into a new firm of their own. Which in and of itself is exciting, considering where we were with them at the start of the season.

The question, until the very end, remains, what will be the second name on the masthead — Kingston or Matlock? Matty reflecting on her life the last few years and then realizing she likes herself better as Matlock vs. Kingston is growth as well. 

While continuing a fake persona is risky, looping in Belvin and Sarah at the end to her true identity is going to make their plan, to rebuild, a safer one. While not lying is ideal, it becomes a lesser lie once Matty confesses to the rest of their inner circle.

And who knows, maybe in the wake of this scandal, the firm won’t want them to go and will instead bend over backwards to find ways to keep them on staff.

Don’t Trust Senior — Or Eva For that Matter

If there is one thing Matlock has taught us it is “don’t trust the narrative.” Every single episode this show ends on a note that always reminds us that the narrative presented isn’t always what is true. 

Since the start, I have said you can’t trust Senior, no matter what he’s doing. All season as he fell more and more into “dementia,” there was an undercurrent of something being off. 

Sure enough, the finale episodes highlight that he’s lying through his teeth about having dementia at all. While Olympia and Julian seem overly surprised by this betrayal, the viewers shouldn’t be. After all, he’s always been a liar and a manipulator.

It always felt a little convenient that he suddenly gets dementia and decides to retire just as the trio are closing in on a case against him. And, honestly, when Debra came back into the picture she seemed to be faking her ignorance. 

To get the reveal that she was, in fact, faking everything is like a pat on the back. When we get a reveal like this, that proves our doubts weren’t misplaced, it makes a show that much more entertaining to tune in for.

Then there is Eva, this woman has been a loose cannon character since her introduction. From the moment she entered the narrative there has been some insecurities about her motives floating around. 

She is Senior’s ex-wife and she’s power hungry. So naturally, trusting her should always been taken with the utmost caution. When Olympia decides to reveal their information to her in the finale I’m sure I wasn’t the only fan screaming at her not to do it.

While her untrustworthy nature is one thing, finding out she’s been part of the rot from the beginning is certainly a tiny bit shocking. After all, when it is revealed that all the acting partners are in on the coverup, she isn’t seen as a threat because she wasn’t one at the time.

However, Matlock reminds us that we shouldn’t give her even an inch because her quest for power will take a whole mile. Sure enough, she tries to encourage Olympia against the DOJ in exchange for a chance at a new world order.

We all know she would’ve never made good on that promise.

What Happens to Sarah and Hunter?

Finally, this season has been marked by the underlying merger that is hanging over the firm. This merger puts quite a few people’s jobs in jeopardy. 

Most notably is Hunter and Sarah. These associates work their tails off to serve both Olympia and Julian, respectively. They deserve to have a bit of job security in the post-merger environment.

It is just disheartening that in the grand scheme of everything happening under the table they get cast aside. Sarah might put on a tough exterior, but this season proves that she just wants to find her place in the world.

Going after knowledge of her birth parents further drives home this desire to belong. She might not admit it readily, but she just wants to know that someone, anyone, puts her first.

On the flipside we have Hunter who is always smiling and presenting himself as easy-breezy. However, in the last few episodes, he has been showing a less secure side of himself. 

All this man wants is to be taken seriously. He might take a different approach to their cases than Sarah or even Matty, but he still manages to eke out some really good defense finds for their clients. 

On top of that, Hunter deserves to be given a permanent spot somewhere at the firm. We’ve been blessed from the start with some great side characters to the core 3, and Hunter proves that these associates are necessary for balance.

Matty, Olympia, and Julian are all intensely focused, frequently diminishing their human characteristics. They need a go-getter and a ball of love and energy at their sides to prove they are just as human as the rest of us.

Here’s hoping that by telling Sarah the truth, Olympia and Matty are planning on keeping her on as an associate. And with her letter of recommendation, Hunter is bound to find a great place to land in the post-merger firm.

Stray Thoughts

• Telling Joey the truth and having him respond in a positive nature is healing. While it might’ve been natural to have him give pushback, I’m glad he didn’t.
• Gina Rodriguez showing up as their connection in the DOJ is a perfect casting choice.
• I never thought I’d say this but, I do hope they give Julian immunity after all.
• Matty choosing to keep Matlock as her identity is honestly not the outcome I thought I wanted, but I’m happy about it now that she’s decided.

 

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Matlock Season 2 is now streaming on Paramount+.

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