Matlock Season 2, Episode 14, “Day One,” addresses the catbird (for the lack of an elephant) in the room as a new phase of healing begins for Matty and Edwin. This episode, written by Jenny Raftery & Katie Wech and directed by Hanelle Culpepper, has wall-to-wall legal action and revelatory emotional depth. Simultaneously, the case of the week effectively and seamlessly parallels Matlock’s serialized story. Sam Song Li delivers an incredible guest-starring performance as Travis, anchoring the episode.
The transition from Travis’s panic attack to Sarah’s is a prime example of that procedural story as the successful connective tissue. Relatedly, it’s nice to see how “Day One” builds on the good faith between Sarah and Hunter. Their friendship growing through dodgeball feels right for both of them. However, “Day One” does feel a bit like waiting for the other shoe to drop with the season finale imminent. Will the upcoming merger and Sarah’s choice impact Hunter’s job security and cause a rift? That remains to be answered. Regardless, this episode does incredible character work with Matty and Edwin.
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(Good) Chaos at Jacobson Moore
Firstly, folding Edwin directly into the Wellbrexa action at Jacobson Moore is an inspired choice. The bit with him and Julian on the phone is deeply funny and a great way to move the plot. Likewise, it’s delightful to see Jason Ritter and Melanie Lynskey, who are married in real life, finally act opposite one another on Matlock. Their scene work produces that fantastic moment when Debra flirts with Julian, causing him to trip on the stairs. Honestly, that entire sequence of events in Act 4 has such a frantic, kinetic energy that lends itself to “Day One” being the season’s penultimate episode.
It also embodies the stakes of this Wellbrexa storyline coming to a head. Everything is hitting the fan in this episode, making Shae see Edwin and Matty as a perfect act-break cliffhanger. Then, Matlock finds a reasonable representation of Shae’s growth and trust in Matty when she decides not to ask any questions. It’s exciting to see all of these characters in the same place because it creates opportunities like that.
Then, “One Day” follows everything bubbling to the surface for Edwin. Sam Anderson knocks every second of this episode out of the park. Again, Matock impressively moves from Travis’s reaction to Edwin’s, noting that the expression of those emotions stems from PTSD. Anderson’s performance when Edwin accepts that he’s processed his grief but not his trauma is some of the best work an actor has done on this show. It’s a visceral performance that cuts through everything. It’s also such a great scene for Matty and Edwin’s supportive relationship; they see and support each other through thick and thin.
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Matty Finds Something to Hold On To
Meanwhile, “One Day” also sees Matty having to address the guilt she feels about closing that door on Ellie before her death. Personally, I like that Matlock doesn’t make Matty turning to the AI a one-off choice. It makes sense for her to feel the pull from that rendering of Ellie as Matty grapples with her weighty feelings. Relatedly, Marnee Carpenter does an excellent job of making a distinction in her performance of this version of Ellie. There’s a flatness to her voice that’s almost unnerving. Matlock has only shown a few scenes with Ellie across the two seasons, but Carpenter’s work makes the difference noticeable. AI can’t capture what makes Ellie human, not really.
It’s also representative of Matlock that it acknowledges Matty’s concerning and unhealthy dependency on this artificial version of Ellie. It’s one thing for Edwin to share his opinion with Matty, but I like that “Day One” has Olympia check in with Matty, too. Knowing these two characters started as opposing figures who relied on dishonesty, it’s quite moving to see them honestly communicate with the intention of Matty’s healing. It’s a smaller detail, but this episode uses the space at Jacobson Moore. Whether it be their scene on the balcony or the one in the stairwell, “Day One” moves through the firm.
Matlock also gradually transforms a basic catbird into the special something that Ellie always imagined it to be. Of course, Matty shares that it became the code for something special, but “Day One” makes it into a permanent reminder for Matty that is a more realistic reflection of Ellie than the AI can ever be. So, Matty can say goodbye to that version of Ellie, without getting the answers Matty wants, because it’ll never be real. The reality is in letting go and starting again. It’s in carrying Ellie with her every day. It’s in seeing the hope in “Day One.”
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