Trigger warning: Like the episode, this review discusses sexual abuse and harassment.
Matlock may only have three episodes to its name, but it’s only picking up steam as one of TV’s best new shows. Every episode gets better and sharper than the last, making it a bold statement to insist that Matlock Season 1, Episode 3, “A Guy Named Greg,” is a standout of the season. Weeks from now, when this debut season ends, even the most casual viewer will look back at this episode as when Matlock solidifies itself as meaningful, must-watch TV.
Written by Nicki Renna and directed by Brad Silberling, “A Guy Named Greg” features, among other things, 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 Guy Named Greg” is the additional evidence in the show’s iron-clad case favoring procedural shows that don’t lose sight of the characters or serialized arcs. More often than not, procedural shows lean too far in one direction – not Matlock.
Billy Steps Into His Own
“A Guy Named Greg” threads that structural needle best with Billy. The show knows it must progress the case-of-the-week, but it’s also aware that it needs to familiarize itself with the ensemble. Matlock Season 1, Episode 2, “Rome, in a Day,” starts peeling Sarah’s layers back. Still, the episode mainly concerns her motivation rather than uncovering what it stems from or any additional information about her personal life. “A Guy Named Greg” finds a more balanced combination with Billy.
Matlock weaves the procedural with the serialized by having Billy’s family as the key to uncovering vital information for the case. Suddenly, so much about Billy comes into focus in that sequence that introduces his sister, Natalie, and his mother, Grace – both police officers. Billy’s line, “Oh, they know every move I make, whether I tell them or not,” is telling on paper, and David Del Rio’s playful exasperation takes it up a notch. Those quick interactions provide chemistry and history that make Billy bolder.
Billy’s kindness stands out from Matlock Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot,” but “A Guy Named Greg” gives Del Rio much more material to work with, particularly by the end. It’s impactful to see Billy show pride in his education and the hard work that gets him where he is now. Of course, it all must tie back to Matty, so it’s intentional that Matty is the key to helping Billy tamper that imposter syndrome a bit. Billy’s admiration of Matty and vice versa is evident, which makes any potential fallout between the pair a nerve-wracking idea.
Introducing Shae, the Master Lie Detector
Mostly, though, it’s Matty’s nerves that are wracked in “A Guy Named Greg,” thanks to 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 every Shea and Olympia scene endless fun to watch. It’s almost disappointing that Matlock shows its hand by revealing the Gramercy Tavern backstory in this episode.
Seeing that back-and-forth and the tension it causes play out over multiple episodes as Grobglas is set to recur could be more beneficial. However, Matlock makes a strong argument for revealing it now – Olympia sees Shea as a “culture fit” now, insinuating that she likes and trusts Shea more than before. Shea’s more likely to appear at Jacobson Moore, complicating Matty’s job. Shea also feels a bit like an audience-insert character because she watches Matty as closely as viewers, which is exciting.
Olympia Puts Her Family and Work First
Oddly, Olympia’s dynamic with Shea wins out over that with Julian or Elijah during “A Guy Named Greg.” This episode expands on Elijah’s feelings about Olympia and Julian’s newfound “family first” approach. Consequently, it seems more likely that he would be the one to end his nearly entirely off-screen relationship with Olympia out of concern that she has unresolved feelings for her ex-husband. Instead, Matlock opts for Olympia’s priorities – her family and the quality of her work – to be the reason she ends things.
Olympia’s argument is believable and especially relevant after fighting for Alex and future “messy” women, including Olympia’s daughter. (Marshall is fantastic in that sequence; she and Kathy Bates do great work opposite one another.) The break-up doesn’t land with as much emotional resonance as possible because there’s so little supporting evidence for Olympia and Elijah’s relationship before the split. The only sure thing is that the couple spends most of their time wishing for November. It’s evident that Matlock is not done with Olympia and Elijah, so there’s another chance to get their relationship right.
“A Guy Named Greg” considers Olympia’s relationship with her late father more. Marshall plays that moment when a loved one’s loss washes over Olympia with such authenticity. That reaction complicates the reveal that Matty has a precious voicemail from Olympia’s father, featuring the advice Olympia passes on to Matty. It’s a perfect reason for Matty’s emotions to influence her quest for justice potentially. But, like Marshall in that prior scene, Bates visibly pushes Matty’s feelings down to narrow her vision of finding the truth.
Matty Learns One Step at a Time
Much of Matlock involves wondering when Matty is telling the truth or stretching it into a believable lie. “A Guy Named Greg” makes it undisputable that Matlock is interested in believing and supporting women when they come forward about sexual abuse and harassment. This episode approaches the matter with nuance and sensitivity, showing both sides of the (deeply flawed) legal system and addressing biases. The latter comes into sharp focus through Matty’s eyes as she views Alex’s experiences and her own in a new light.
The episode gives Matty the space to unpack her resistance to believing Alex in her workplace sexual harassment suit. Matlock never presents the titular character as a perfect figure. Instead, she makes disappointing comments that she atones for by representing Alex and confronting her generational bias, which leads Matty back to her experience with Greg Owens. “A Guy Named Greg” doesn’t need to be explicit and describe what occurred in the past; the script and Bates’ performance say everything a viewer needs to know.
From Matty wanting to reframe how she and her husband initially perceived the incident to Matty saying that Greg “crossed a line” in her closing statement, Matlock paints an all too familiar picture. Among other effects (like Alex’s panic attacks), Alex and Matty cannot do the work they’re good at because bad men do bad things and maintain too much power. “A Guy Named Greg” ends on the impactful note that the jury believes Alex, Matty believes Alex, and Matty believes Matty in a new way than she did at the start of the episode. Ultimately, it’s never too late to believe survivors and change one’s perspective.
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What did you think of Matlock Season 1, Episode 3, “A Guy Named Greg?” Let us know in the comments below!
New episodes of Matlock air on Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.
