Matty and Olympia look past repairing their trust to learn how to survive with one another in Matlock Season 2, Episode 4, “Piece of My Heart.” This episode, written by Michelle Leibel & Sarah Gertrude Shapiro and directed by Mike Listo, also seamlessly threads the past and present through music. It does so with scripted cues and an excellent edit. The creative pairing coincides with the jolts of grief and memories that Matty experiences. In turn, the case of the week has more resonance than some of the others so far this season. It feels more like Matlock Season 1, Episode 12, “This Is the Moment,” in that sense.
Christine Kellogg-Darrin gives a moving performance as Gloria Russo. So much so, “Piece of My Heart” serves as a reminder that procedural dramas are often vehicles for talents like hers that make that element of the show work. This episode also has a great and (not so) surprising guest appearance by the amazing Melanie Lynskey, who is married to Matlock’s Jason Ritter. Overall, “Piece of My Heart” is the best episode of the season yet.
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Needing More from Jacobson Moore
This episode makes noticeable improvements in the weaker parts of the season by spending more time with other characters. Matlock is well aware that Matty and Olympia are its strongest characters, so it’s exciting to watch the show slowly pivot to giving the other ensemble members even more to do. For example, it’s believable that Sarah wouldn’t entirely grasp the seriousness of having a baby until seeing the sonogram. Leah Lewis plays that moment so well – the reality of it all really washes over her. Unfortuantely, that scene proves how much Matlock misses the mark with those moments for Billy.
It’s so hard to care about his reaction to any of this because all of it happens elsewhere, including Claudia telling him that she’s pregnant and keeping the baby. In “Piece of My Heart,” all of Billy’s pressing phone calls take place off-screen. So, they start to grate, like they do on Sarah, because they never amount to anything. When they finally do, Sarah’s the best part of the scene. So, it’s frustrating to see Matlock dwell on Billy’s storyline when it keeps missing the mark. Meanwhile, this episode finally tees up more for Julian. It’s only a shame that it’s taken four episodes to get here. Nevertheless, his last-minute reveal dials up excitement for his (hopefully larger) role next episode.
As for “Piece of My Heart,” it’s incredible to see Melanie Lynskey take on the anticipated role of Debra Palmer. It’s fun to imagine how Lynskey will appear again because there’s clearly more to Debra’s story. After all, the makeup and karaoke scenes between Lynskey and Kathy Bates (and, later, Skye P. Marshall) are more examples of the show’s range.
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Grief Is Ever-Present and Non-Linear
Moreover, it’s easy to be blown away by Bates’ range in them and the flashbacks with Matty and Ellie, brilliantly portrayed by Marnee Carpenter. The scene with Janis Joplin’s song is a standout for the episode and their mother/daughter dynamic. The shift from Matty only having eyes for Ellie – the joy in that – to only seeing Ellie’s eyes is heartbreaking, specific, and subtle.
To that point, it’s special for Matlock to continue to spend this time with Ellie in these flashbacks and get to know her through these memories. That familiarity for the audience just grants this larger understanding of all the characters and their motivations, as well as emphasizing the cycle that they’re back in with Joey. It’s like grief is always on the sleeve of this show, right next to its heart. Both are on delicate display in the scene where Matty and Olympia discuss therapy – another standpoint. There’s so much to unpack there, from Matty’s relationship with therapy to Olympia’s own relationship with grief.
Throughout the episode, there are also hints of Olympia and Matty’s friendship, like when they joke about Matty’s makeup or Mr. Magic Pants. In that, Matlock also represents a different kind of grief. This show has always and continues to be so thoughtful in its discussions about addiction and grief. “Piece of My Heart” proves that amount of care, intentionally extending well into its second season, is not only refreshing but appreciative.
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What did you think of Matlock Season 2, Episode 4, “Piece of My Heart?” Let us know in the comments below!
New episodes of Matlock air on Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.
