Set off warning: Just like the episode, this assessment discusses sexual abuse and harassment.
Matlock might solely have three episodes to its identify, however it’s solely choosing up steam as certainly one of TV’s finest new exhibits. Each episode will get higher and sharper than the final, making it a daring assertion to insist that Matlock Season 1, Episode 3, “A Man Named Greg,” is a standout of the season. Weeks from now, when this debut season ends, even essentially the most informal viewer will look again at this episode as when Matlock solidifies itself as significant, must-watch TV.
Written by Nicki Renna and directed by Brad Silberling, “A Man Named Greg” options, amongst different issues, a thought-provoking dialogue between generational bias and the potential for generational change. This episode discusses sexual abuse and harassment with care and nuance. “A Man Named Greg” is the extra proof within the present’s iron-clad case favoring procedural exhibits that don’t lose sight of the characters or serialized arcs. Most of the time, procedural exhibits lean too far in a single route – not Matlock.
Billy Steps Into His Personal
“A Man Named Greg” threads that structural needle finest with Billy. The present is aware of it should progress the case-of-the-week, however it’s additionally conscious that it must familiarize itself with the ensemble. Matlock Season 1, Episode 2, “Rome, in a Day,” begins peeling Sarah’s layers again. Nonetheless, the episode primarily issues her motivation reasonably than uncovering what it stems from or any extra details about her private life. “A Man Named Greg” finds a extra balanced mixture with Billy.
Matlock weaves the procedural with the serialized by having Billy’s household as the important thing to uncovering important info for the case. All of the sudden, a lot about Billy comes into focus in that sequence that introduces his sister, Natalie, and his mom, Grace – each law enforcement officials. Billy’s line, “Oh, they know each transfer I make, whether or not I inform them or not,” is telling on paper, and David Del Rio’s playful exasperation takes it up a notch. These fast interactions present chemistry and historical past that make Billy bolder.
Billy’s kindness stands out from Matlock Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot,” however “A Man Named Greg” offers Del Rio rather more materials to work with, notably by the top. It’s impactful to see Billy present pleasure in his training and the onerous work that will get him the place he’s now. In fact, all of it should tie again to Matty, so it’s intentional that Matty is the important thing to serving to Billy tamper that imposter syndrome a bit. Billy’s admiration of Matty and vice versa is obvious, which makes any potential fallout between the pair a nerve-wracking concept.
Introducing Shae, the Grasp Lie Detector
Principally, although, it’s Matty’s nerves which can be wracked in “A Man Named Greg,” because of the introduction of Yael Grobglas as Shea Banfield. Grobglas has a compelling on-screen presence from Shea’s first scene. The banter and chemistry between her and Skye P. Marshall make each Shea and Olympia scene countless enjoyable to look at. It’s nearly disappointing that Matlock exhibits its hand by revealing the Grand Mercy Tavern backstory on this episode.
Seeing that back-and-forth and the strain it causes play out over a number of episodes as Grobglas is about to recur might be extra useful. Nevertheless, Matlock makes a robust argument for revealing it now – Olympia sees Shea as a “tradition match” now, insinuating that she likes and trusts Shea greater than earlier than. Shea’s extra prone to seem at Jacobson Moore, complicating Matty’s job. Shea additionally feels a bit like an audience-insert character as a result of she watches Matty as intently as viewers, which is thrilling.
Olympia Places Her Household and Work First
Oddly, Olympia’s dynamic with Shea wins out over that with Julian or Elijah throughout “A Man Named Greg.” This episode expands on Elijah’s emotions about Olympia and Julian’s newfound “household first” strategy. Consequently, it appears extra doubtless that he could be the one to finish his almost totally off-screen relationship with Olympia out of concern that she has unresolved emotions for her ex-husband. As a substitute, Matlock opts for Olympia’s priorities – her household and the standard of her work – to be the rationale she ends issues.
Olympia’s argument is plausible and particularly related after preventing for Alex and future “messy” girls, together with Olympia’s daughter. (Marshall is incredible in that sequence; she and Kathy Bates do nice work reverse each other.) The break-up doesn’t land with as a lot emotional resonance as doable as a result of there’s so little supporting proof for Olympia and Elijah’s relationship earlier than the break up. The one certain factor is that the couple spends most of their time wishing for November. It’s evident that Matlock isn’t achieved with Olympia and Elijah, so there’s one other probability to get their relationship proper.
“A Man Named Greg” considers Olympia’s relationship along with her late father extra. Marshall performs that second when a cherished one’s loss washes over Olympia with such authenticity. That response complicates the reveal that Matty has a valuable voicemail from Olympia’s father, that includes the recommendation Olympia passes on to Matty. It’s an ideal purpose for Matty’s feelings to affect her quest for justice probably. However, like Marshall in that prior scene, Bates visibly pushes Matty’s emotions all the way down to slim her imaginative and prescient of discovering the reality.
Matty Learns One Step at a Time
A lot of Matlock entails questioning when Matty is telling the reality or stretching it right into a plausible lie. “A Man Named Greg” makes it undisputable that Matlock is taken with believing and supporting girls after they come ahead about sexual abuse and harassment. This episode approaches the matter with nuance and sensitivity, displaying either side of the (deeply flawed) authorized system and addressing biases. The latter comes into sharp focus via Matty’s eyes as she views Alex’s experiences and her personal in a brand new gentle.
The episode offers Matty the area to unpack her resistance to believing Alex in her office sexual harassment go well with. Matlock by no means presents the titular character as an ideal determine. As a substitute, she makes disappointing feedback that she atones for by representing Alex and confronting her generational bias, which leads Matty again to her expertise with Greg Owens. “A Man Named Greg” doesn’t must be express and describe what occurred up to now; the script and Bates’ efficiency say every little thing a viewer must know.
From Matty desirous to reframe how she and her husband initially perceived the incident to Matty saying that Greg “crossed a line” in her closing assertion, Matlock paints an all too acquainted image. Amongst different results (like Alex’s panic assaults), Alex and Matty can’t do the work they’re good at as a result of unhealthy males do unhealthy issues and preserve an excessive amount of energy. “A Man Named Greg” ends on the impactful observe that the jury believes Alex, Matty believes Alex, and Matty believes Matty in a brand new means than she did firstly of the episode. Finally, it’s by no means too late to consider survivors and alter one’s perspective.
In case you or somebody has been sexually assaulted, assist is accessible. You could find RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence group, and its assets right here.
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New episodes of Matlock air on Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.