Matlock
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
But who wouldve thought Urman would bring that knack over toMatlock, of all shows?
She shows signs of weakness from the opening scene: A dream sequence (featuring the originalMatlocktheme!)
(Is this Urman publicly upbraiding herself for making that mistake in the pilot?)
The underlying anxiety that inspired that dream shadows Matty throughout the episode.
So this week she reminds herself to control her emotions and avoid sloppy mistakes.
She has a carefully laid-out plan.
But Matty cant control every potential situation that might arise or plan out every possible reaction.
The facade, fleetingly, cracks.
The day ends with Matty crying in her husband Edwins arms.
(Today was really hard, she says, sobbing.)
All of these setbacks are good storytelling choices for a couple of reasons.
For the sake of the long-term viability of this series, Matty shouldnt be invulnerable.
It adds drama if shes at real risk of failing.
(This is a lesson Im hoping theElsbethteam will learn for season two.
When Elsbeth gets everything right all the time, that show can feel undercooked.)
For the sake of this particular episode, the slip-ups lead to a fun payoff.
It seems like another example of Mattys mask slipping, endangering her mission.
to unlock her phone.
Well played, fake Matlocks.
You may have noticed that I havent yet mentioned this episodes case of the week.
The courtroom part of this show remains one of its weakest elements so far.
At least they got justice, Olympia reassures her.
That thought, of course, is what Madeline Kingston is clinging to, hard.
Justice means everything, she replies.
The joke here lands awkwardly.
(Sarah, to a baffled Billy: Some kind of geriatric mating ritual.)
Cant say Ive really been grabbed yet by the Olympia-Julian divorce drama or the Olympia-Elijah secret romance.
I dont count the ABC years, she says.
