Matlock Season 1, Episode 5, “Claws,” blends the personal and professional with a case that brings the importance of Matty’s independent investigation into sharper focus. This episode, written by Michelle Leibel and directed by Marie Jamora, challenges the ensemble’s work-life balance as they work on a new class-action case. All the while, “Claws” sinks its nails into Matlock in an entirely new way, redefining relationships and pushing the boundaries for justice.
MORE: Before you keep reading, have you read our review of Matlock Season 1, Episode 4, “The Rabbit and the Hawk?” Here it is!
Matty and Edwin Are on the Case
Undeniably, one of this episode’s best assets is Sam Anderson as Edwin Kingston. Leading into “Claws” with a Matty look-alike is already incredible, but Matlock raises the bar with that misdirect being another misdirect for Edwin. The opening minutes featuring that domino effect create an exciting yet unsteady energy that “Claws” maintains until the screen cuts to black. Matlock will only get more innovative with its twists and turns throughout its run.
Beyond that, it’s rewarding to see Edwin in on the action after his and Matty’s conversation on Matlock Season 1, Episode 4, “The Rabbit and the Hawk.” Refreshingly, the show doesn’t wait for a more opportune time to insert Edwin into the investigation because it knows the best time is the present. The investigation brings Edwin and Matty closer together – their banter about blue pins being for evidence – just when it seems it may push them apart.
Matty taking on the lead role in a case centering around a woman, who lives with the disease of addiction, being manipulated by an abusive prison system makes Edwin’s support all the more meaningful. Edwin’s role with the computer plan, arranging the bulletin board, and meeting Matty where Katya goes helps Matty carry the weight of all of this in a way that Alfie can’t and shouldn’t. All of this makes Edwin’s suggestion of “moderation” for Alfie a successful gut punch.
MORE: Do you want to see even more photos from Matlock Season 1, Episode 5, “Claws?” Check them out in our preview!
Team “You Three” Is Breaking Up
Despite how heavy this episode is, Matlock finds levity in Sarah’s flirtation with Kira from Jacobson Moore’s IT department. Leah Lewis plays Sarah’s awkward energy around her crush with such authenticity that it’s almost cringe-worthy. Of course, Kira’s arrival comes from Matty, who needs (and gets) her fingerprint to get into the server room. Thankfully, “Claws” makes Kira more than a plot device by setting her up as a potential love interest for Sarah.
It’s complicated; Matty uses Sarah to get Kira’s fingerprint while genuinely encouraging Sarah to find a work-life balance. That overlap of fact and fiction (or exaggeration of reality) is bound to come back around on Matty at some point this season or in the series. “Claws” suggests as much when Sarah and Billy confront Matty about her icing them out. Matlock bolsters the stakes for interpersonal fracture, especially with Billy.
If David del Rio plays Billy’s disappointment this well in “Claws,” one can only impatiently wait to see his (and Leah Lewis’s – The CW’s Nancy Drew features such great dramatic work from her) performance when the truth comes out.
MORE: What did you think of Matlock Season 1, Episode 3, “A Guy Named Greg?” Here’s our review!
Matty Changes Olympia’s Approach
Interestingly, Matlock is making the other characters more sympathetic to Matty through her thinly-veiled truths. Billy and Sarah are sympathetic to Matty’s struggles with her grandson falling behind in school, which is only partially true in the context she gives her coworkers. Olympia sympathizes with Matty’s experiences growing up with a mother who had alcoholism. While that is true, Matty refrains from sharing anything about Ellie. No matter, Matty strikes a chord when she reminds Olympia that Katya isn’t “a piece of testimony.”
It’s relevant to remember that Matlock Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot,” catches Olympia after she steps back from representing Big Pharma to center social justice cases. On the heels of her stunning loss to Senior in “The Rabbit and the Hawk,” “Claws” finds Olympia in a vulnerable place within her work — and personal life. She’s looking for a win in a case and within her upcoming move after her separation from Julian. Matlock Season 1, Episode 5, “Claws,” shows Olympia searching for that success and, importantly, the stability it brings her.
This episode uses Olympia’s concerns about her family to give more depth to Olympia and Julian’s dynamic. Skye P. Marshall and Jason Ritter’s chemistry shines when Julian anticipates Olympia’s needs and thoughts. It’s endearing. It suggests what their marriage may have been like while emphasizing their desire to have a “family first” divorce. Professionally, this episode serves as a reminder for Olympia about who she fights for in these social justice cases – the people. She fights for Katya, Tiffany, Lauren, and other women affected by the prison system’s corruption who deserve, at the very least, accountability.
MORE: Go back to the beginning and read our reviews of Matlock Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot,” and Matlock Season 1, Episode 2, “Rome, in a Day.” Here they are!
Matty Creates Change
Meanwhile, Matty seeks justice for Ellie and anyone whose life could have been saved or drastically changed by the Wellbrexa documents going public. Hopefully, she finds it before the series ends. In the meantime, Matty Matlock and Madeline Kingston create meaningful change by reminding people of addicts’ humanity. As in Matlock Season 1, Episode 4, “A Guy Named Greg,” “Claws” approaches a delicate subject matter with consideration and nuance.
Matlock discusses addiction with care from the beginning, but the case in “Claws” requires an even broader discussion of the disease. The show depicts various perspectives towards people living with the disease of addiction through the prison’s defense team, Sonia at Nail Enchantment, and more. “Claws” finds a particularly emotional lens through Alfie and his conversation with his grandmother. Matty taking the time to assure Alfie that Ellie’s relapses aren’t a sign of her dwindling love for her son but a side effect of an illness is essential.
Humanity – Matty bringing food and Narcan to the house – is essential to see on TV because media holds up a mirror to society. Matty telling Katya, “Because you have a disease. It’s a patient beast. Whenever you let down your guard, it pounces,” will, ideally, help at least one viewer be more compassionate towards those who live with addiction. Matty still has a lot of work to do to find justice for Ellie, but it’s a win to know she assists Katya in getting the help she deserves. It’s a win to know Matlock may change someone’s heart and mind for the better.
MORE: Did you know Matlock has already been renewed for Season 2 at CBS? Here’s all the latest!
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What did you think of Matlock Season 1, Episode 5, “Claws?” Let us know in the comments below!
New episodes of Matlock air on Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.
