Critic’s Rating: 5 / 5.0
5
It’s safe to say the only characters in Matlock who will be having a happy holiday are Sarah and Shae. Then again, that last little moment at the end of the episode left a smile on Matty’s face.
As far as holiday episodes go, “Belly of the Beast” hits every single note. Many shows choose themes of pure happiness or tragedy, but this show chose both.
I have to imagine so many Matlock viewers are getting dehydrated from Kathy Bates making them cry, but she is just too damn good. Kathy is bringing HBO-level acting to a broadcast show.
However, as great as the actor is, the character has come to the much-expected fork in the road. The line between Madeline Matlock and Madeline Kingston is starting to blur.
Madeline Kingston Is Slowly But Surely Learning What It Means To Be Matlock
Since the Matlock Season 1 Premiere, I have posed the question about a particular plot point of Matlock: How will Matty keep her good heart while trying to take down an elite law firm?
We always knew she would have to bend her morals a little to do what needed to be done. However, Matlock Season 1 Episode 7 showed that the damage is not one decision but cumulative.
Little by little, each case has stripped away a patch of Matty’s heart. This was most evident during “Sixteen Steps,” when Matty saw how getting justice for her client’s late child didn’t ease the mom’s suffering.
When the bracelet that Matty’s daughter made for her broke while talking fake smack with the pharma bros, it was like hearing a heart shatter.
Then, the shoe crunch from another character stepping on the beads was like a knife twist. Was that the levee breaking? Was that the moment Matty had to make an internal decision about going forward?
At the end of the episode, we saw her follow through with her plan to crack into Senior’s email. So, if she did make a decision, it was to see her plan through.
To be fair, this wasn’t a great case for either side of the suit.
It Was Hard To Tell Who The Bad Guys Were In This Case
This was a tough case to pick a side for. On the one hand, they did Jessie dirty with that drug trial. However, unlike Matlock Season 1 Episode 4, the victim wasn’t as easy to root for.
In “The Rabbit and the Hawk,” the client wanted justice for his late wife and to improve the conditions of the building he lived in for all the residents.
While Jacobson Moore similarly pulled another last-minute loophole, it wasn’t underhanded this time. If anything, I’d say Jessie and her lawyer were the underhanded ones.
Hear me out; I agree entirely that Jessie deserved justice for having her life derailed, but that didn’t justify her sending all of her followers after Jacobson Moore.
How is antagonizing a law firm supposed to lead to true justice? Did they really think bullying an elite law firm would end in their favor? I’m all for seeking change in the justice system, but be smarter.
Poor Jessie will be lucky if she gets ten thousand from Wellbrexa. As I said, this was not a great case. Honestly, the only person with completely clean hands in the end was Julian. Well, clean in regards to the case.
“Clear The Rot”
Sure, as far as the case is concerned, Julian (Jason Ritter) was looking to handle everything by the book. Now, regarding his marriage, there is a bit left to be desired.
So, what is the statute of limitation for having an affair? Julian and Olympia split after it happened, even though Olympia didn’t know about it. Should this be something that bothers her?
Technically, Julian didn’t have to come clean. And while he was motivated to do it to separate his traits from his father’s, Julian still wanted to restart things with Olympia on the right foot.
Those two just got back together after so many episodes of them reconnecting. It just can’t be over before it’s even started again. Besides, Julian already pulled the brownstone off the market.
Seriously, what do you think? Should Olympia let something like this go? It happened before they separated, and Julian is clearly no longer with this woman.
And what constitutes it as an affair? Was it a one-time thing? Purely physical? Or, what is more likely, did Julian find comfort in the arms of another woman?
There’s a lot to unpack with this situation, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that these two crazy kids can work things out.
Has anyone noticed how Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) has become much nicer since she and Julian worked things out? Jacobson Moore will need as much positive energy as possible going forward.
Julian and Olympia aren’t the only couple that has seen better days. If you’re like this TV Fanatic, you’re still not over Billy’s devastating breakup with Claudia.
The Happiest, Saddest, Most Cheerful, And Loneliest Time Of Year
Move over Kathy Bates because David Del Rio is bringing the talent with his amazing skills. Granted, it was a heartbreaking scene, but the actor absolutely killed it.
Don’t think we’re done crying about this, either. You know Matty will have a bucket of wisdom and comfort to impart to the sweetest guy at Jacobson Moore.
I don’t know about you, but I for sure thought Claudia was about to say yes. That one was tough to watch. However, the breakup leaves room for some possible changes in Billy’s personality.
Don’t get me wrong, I love how sweet and sincere Billy is, but I would not be mad if he suddenly had a little edge to him. Hopefully, no characters will suggest that he “get back out there.”
That said, it wasn’t all sadness in “Belly of the Beast.” Sarah and Kira shared their first kiss under the stars during the holidays. In retrospect, it helped balance the episode’s heavier moments.
And best of all, Shae returned in all her intense glory. Since Matlock Season 1 Episode 3, I’ve said that Shae was a big old bag of crazy, but in a fun way, and I was right.
A tough-as-nails and ridiculously talented jury consultant who loves acapella enough to blackmail people into participating? This woman is my spirit animal apart from the singing.
CBS‘s Matlock is expected to take a little break after the next episode, so start mentally preparing yourself. The next installment could send viewers reeling through the New Year.
There will be tears, laughter, and possibly even revenge. Now that Matty is in Senior’s emails, she could be ready to deck the halls with boughs of subpoenas.
How do you feel about Julian’s confession to Olympia?
Do you think Billy will change after losing Claudia?
Please drop a comment below to let me know, and join me again when I review another episode of Matlock!
And keep an eye out for Matlock spoilers posted before each new episode.
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