Matlock Season 2, Episode 3, “Tomorrow Is Still Tomorrow,” is an intense outing with wall-to-wall plot developments that have massive implications for the characters. This episode, written by Damani Johnson & Lizzie Perrin and directed by Gina Lamar, introduces new guest stars while saying goodbye to others. “Tomorrow Is Still Tomorrow” is entirely propulsive. It has the energy of a mid-season or season finale, not that of the third episode of Matlock’s season.
Ironically, as its current form is threatened, Jacobson Moore comes alive as much more than a workplace. “Tomorrow Is Still Tomorrow” showcases a world of characters and relationships to explore. The elevated stakes are particularly palpable when those elements have real substance. Alternatively, the weaker points are more apparent as Matlock strengthens otherwise. There’s a chance to make everything even better and count more as the tension diffuses between Matty and Olympia and the characters’ footing is reestablished…for now.
MORE: Everything We Know About Matlock Season 2
Chaos (and a Wolf) at Jacobson Moore
The firm’s executive committee coming into the mix is a great device. It’s a real jackhammer to any stability left for Matty and Olympia. It’s only successful because of Matlock’s consistent progression with that hidden Wellbrexa document over the last season. Consequently, “Tomorrow Is Still Tomorrow” can give that meeting a bigger ripple effect. Of course, it exacerbates everything happening between Matty and Olympia. Interestingly, though, Matlock also examines how the uncertainty of it all affects Sarah.
It’s an entry point to get to know her better, but it falls apart a bit when the episode puts a significant emphasis on the “work family.” There’s not a strong enough foundation there. Both sides of it – Matty & Olympia and Sarah & Billy – are solid and interesting, but there’s no significant familial unit between the four of them. So, it lands more like Matlock trying to convince the audience of something that doesn’t quite exist. The same is true with Billy’s personal life, which continues to develop off-screen. Alternatively, it’s exciting to see Sarah practice law and learn in the courtroom, instead of doing research.
Similarly, there’s a growing difficulty in connecting with Julian beyond his relationship with Olympia. Jason Ritter is excellent when he gets to dig into that character, like that scene in the stairwell in “Another Matlock.” Hopefully, Eva’s (a Jacobson Moore executive and Senior’s ex-wife) arrival opens up the show to more opportunities to explore more about and with Julian. The complexity of Julian and Senior’s father/son dynamic can find a new wrinkle with Eva. That new character unlocks so much potential! Overall, there’s a wish to see the characters beyond Jacobson Moore’s walls, where they are so well-defined.
MORE: Matlock Season 2, Episode 2 Review: ‘Another Matlock’
A Battle Over Leadership and Legacy
For example, Matlock does such a great job with Emmelyn and Matty’s dynamic as Patricia Belcher pops in and out of the show. So, the increasingly unavoidable fact that Emmelyn will need to be collateral damage is effectively brutal. Therefore, the show’s case of the week formula pales in comparison to its serialized arc. Matlock’s commitment to maintaining that aspect of the legal drama is admirable; it beneficially highlights the episodes’ themes. Also, Yvette Nicole Brown is fantastic in this part; it’s great to see her on Matlock. Still, it’ll be interesting to see how long Matlock holds on to the case-of-the-week formula in its current form as its serialized moving parts compound.
Is it possible that removing that element or evolving it into a new form will open Matlock up to expand in other places? Perhaps that’s what the show needs to spend more time with Edwin and Alfie, for instance. That scene in Act 4, where Edwin and Matty talk about control and Ellie’s polar white room, is outstanding. It speaks to Matlock’s range (and that of Kathy Bates!) that a scene like that can believably coexist with one where Matty tastes chicken while blindfolded.
Regardless, “Tomorrow Is Still Tomorrow” builds on Matlock’s history with Emmelyn to give weight to her leaving Jacobson Moore. The context of her exit is a believable catalyst for Matty and Olympia to at least try to work together again. Even now, Eva is an excellent addition to Matty and Olympia’s plan to pin Senior for the missing file. Justina Machado is already so compelling to watch! It’s easy to anticipate that going after Senior could mean entirely changing the power dynamics and culture at Jacobson Moore.
MORE: Matlock Season 2, Episode 1 Review: ‘The Before Times’
—
What did you think of Matlock Season 2, Episode 3, “Tomorrow Is Still Tomorrow?” Let us know in the comments below!
New episodes of Matlock air on Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.
