Matlock Season 1, Episode 12, “This Is That Moment,” jumps heart-first into boiling-hot intensity as Matty’s past mirrors her present. Olympia is apt to describe the episode’s events as “all emotion, no logic.” This episode, written by David Aguilar & Hennah Sekander and directed by Kat Coiro, is an electric, nearly suffocating blend of Matlock’s procedural and serialized stories. “This Is That Moment” brings figurative and literal wounds to the forefront, impacting the characters’ judgment and the show’s trajectory from here.
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Billy and Sarah Repair Their Friendship
Even though it’s one of the lower-staked developments, Matlock gives Billy and Sarah’s fractured friendship the emotional weight it deserves. One of its only drawbacks is the pacing; the show could have let the rift last a little longer to give Sarah and Billy more narrative independence. Matlock teases that possibility when Billy comments about wanting to be an individual instead of “You Two.” Nevertheless, “This Is That Moment” packs a lot into its runtime, like Sarah genuinely trying to apologize to Billy and Billy being imperfect, too.
When the episode brings Billy and Sarah to their final conversation, their reunion feels earned. Alternatively, Simone’s introduction feels slightly shoehorned into “This Is That Moment.” Her arrival leads to a predictable turn with Billy that comes hot on the heels of Billy and Sarah’s reconciliation. Nonetheless, there is excitement in knowing Sarah and Simone’s competition will escalate while Billy and Simone grow closer. That professional and personal conflict clashing can last if Matlock allows it, and hopefully, it does.
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Olympia and Julian Talk It Out
After all, the show expertly showcases as much with Olympia and Julian, who also come to a new understanding after episodes of escalating tension. However, most of the episodes thus far feature more of Olympia’s perspective about the divorce and the partner’s race. “This Is That Moment” is a nice change of pace with a more balanced approach as Julian gets in the ring. Matlock seamlessly folds those personal fights into the professional one at the center of the episode’s case. It believably presses Olympia and Julian’s nerves.
It also effortlessly brings them closer together. Skype P. Marshall and Jason Ritter are such great scene partners that the history Matlock doesn’t – or hasn’t – show feels present in their scenes. Their characters’ dynamic feels realistic because of the strength of the writing and the caliber of Marshall and Ritter’s performance. That sentiment shines when Olympia and Julian are in the holding cell. Olympia checking in with Julian about how the case brings up his history with Senior is genius. She cuts through the tension to provide an honest insight into Julian. Ritter’s expression is subtle but revealing, illuminating the character.
Regardless, it’s exciting that “This Is That Moment” brings Olympia and Julian back together – on the same page. Now that they choose happiness over being right, the race for partner (and the divorce) will have an entirely different energy. It feels akin to when Matlock pumped the breaks with Olympia and Elijah’s dynamic, giving it more to work with than before.
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Matty Confronts Edwin – and Their Past
“This Is That Moment” also challenges preconceived pacing ideas about the storyline involving Alfie’s father. Given the show’s steadily developing Wellbrexa plot, it seems like Matlock will take its take with the email, letting that secret fester between Edwin and Matty. Instead, this episode provides a three-fold explanation for its quicker pacing – cases involving the well-being of children move faster. That comes across in the case of the week, Edwin, Matty, & Ellie’s custody battle for Alfie, and within the show itself.
Matlock features impactful yet painful flashbacks of that time in Matty, Edwin, Ellie, and Alfie’s lives. They’re the most substantial flashbacks about the titular character’s past thus far, and they give Marnee Carpenter the space to bring Ellie off the page even more. They also reveal the devastating one-two punch of Matty and Edwin getting custody of Alfie the same day that Ellie died. Of course, Kathy Bates’s performance is incredible as Matty processes the similarities between her past and present, but Sam Anderson is excellent, too. Matlock has authentic performances all around that hone in on the gravity of the situation.
All of that crescendoes when Edwin admits to sometimes blaming Matty for Ellie’s death. It’s complicated, sticky, and honest – another consistent character-driven cliffhanger. After all, even when Matlock has Wellbrexa-related cliffhangers that land as plot-related developments, they find a character-driven purpose in Matty’s motivation. Nevertheless, this rift between Matty and Edwin is so effective that it’s easy to overlook Wellbrexa’s progress, even for one episode. Therefore, “This Is That Moment” is a successful turning point for Matlock’s debut season.
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What did you think of Matlock Season 1, Episode 12, “This Is That Moment?” Let us know in the comments below!
New episodes of Matlock air on Wednesdays at 9/8c on CBS.
