Matlock Season 2, Episode 10, “The Greater Good,” explores how compartmentalization only goes so far, while honesty can go much further. This episode, written by Sara Rose Feinberg and directed by Helen Shaver, does a lot of heavy lifting in multiple aspects of the season. Matlock introduces another new character who brings a new energy. That complementary disruption does a lot for the law firm and the characters, particularly Sarah. “The Greater Good” also features one of the biggest, most impactful moments on the show so far.
It comes amid an incredible run of episodes for Jason Ritter as Julian Markston. This episode only continues that progress. So much of Matlock’s first season understandably focuses on Matty and Olympia’s relationship – and to great effect. The emphasis on that friendship is one of the show’s strengths. With “The Greater Good,” Matlock continues to open up to explore even more intricacies among its ensemble. That choice only benefits Season 2 and the show’s longevity, as it has already been renewed for a third season.
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A New Character and a New Energy
Matlock makes Billy’s departure a direct effect of the merger, keeping that serialized arc brewing in the background. Plus, “The Greater Good” cleverly dovetails Sarah’s external assurance about it with Hunter’s introduction. The character’s “therapy dog energy,” per his mom, is instantly jarring to Sarah and charming to Matty. More broadly, Matlock and this episode go to heavy places, so it’s functional to find some levity. Hunter is that for “The Greater Good” – pun intended. His characterization already feels unique from Billy; he’s not replacing him but making his own space on the show and at Jacobson Moore.
He also takes a different approach in his work from Billy and Sarah. The episode reveals that part of that stems from having dysgraphia, but he’s also an excellent people person. Shaver’s direction catches the latter resonate with Matty after she misses (Hunter doesn’t fault her for it because she wouldn’t have known) the previous. That alone is interesting because that point of connection with clients or witnesses often falls on Matty, and Hunter’s arrival could see Matty’s role on Olympia’s team shift. Matlock makes it clear that Matty isn’t the best with change; it’ll be interesting to see how/if that plays out.
For now, Hunter plays as an excellent foil for Sarah. Believably, this character’s spinout about her fracturing work family causes her to reflect on her actual family. It’s exciting that Matlock uses all this turmoil to get to know Sarah better; Leah Lewis handles it all so wonderfully. In turn, “The Greater Good” explores more of Sarah and Julian’s dynamic, making it their own after Sarah’s time with Olympia. It’s such a good detail that he pulls up a chair to listen to her and ask her about her life. Julian and Sarah have gradually closed themselves off this season, so it’s reassuring to see them learna new way forward together.
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Taking Accountability and Second Chances
Matlock’s choice to pick up where the previous episode leaves off is admirable. It creates a natural bookend with a clear arc for Julian and Matty. Both characters have their guards up during “The Greater Good,” and Olympia is between them. She has the time this season to process everything and understand Julian and Matty. Olympia’s scene with Julian and their kids puts all of that together. It also draws back on Olympia’s grief over her father, which is so pivotal to her. Admittedly, some of the dialogue about the natural order lands heavy-handed. Matlock earns it to some degree because Julian is defensive and stubborn.
It’s more realistic that his perspective doesn’t change overnight. “The Greater Good” gradually moves the needle in scenes like that one with his family or the one at the meeting. It’s revelatory to know that Julian, like so many, knows and loves someone who suffers from addiction. All those dominoes falling culminate in that heart-stopping moment when Julian comes face-to-face with Alfie. The Academy may as well start carving Jason Ritter’s name into the Emmy now.
His performance, as the wind is knocked out of Julian, is breathtaking. He expresses the scene as both emotionally overwhelming and a valve release. Julian says that he’s avoided “letting it in,” and that scene beautifully expresses him doing just that. Matty meeting him on the stairs is intentional, incredible blocking that sets up Julian’s involvement in the plan to get answers from Shae. Everything comes together so well that it’s easy to anticipate how Matty, Olympia, and Julian will work together from here – for the greater good.
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