Critic’s Rating: 5 / 5.0
5
That was by far the most intense roller coaster of emotions Matlock has ever put audiences through. It was amazing in every possible way.
Awards season may be over, but someone over at the Primetime Emmys better watch this episode and take note. I’m still shaking from those last few seconds.
Before we get to how Matlock is defining peak broadcast TV, we have to give it up to Kathy Bates and the entire cast. The chemistry in “This is That Moment” was unreal.
Every interaction, whether funny or dramatic, was dripping with the kind of skill that comes from a cast of actors who know how to build on each other’s talents to elevate the writing.
If you’re like this TV Fanatic, all you want to talk about is that last moment with Matty and Edwin. Emphasis on “last moment” because there is no going back after that.
It Was the Night the Lights Went Out on Madeline and Edwin Kingston’s Marriage
Anyone who has ever been in marriage counseling knows that there are some things that can’t be taken back. Once you say it, that bell can’t be unrung.
However, this one takes the cake when it comes to sticky situations.
It felt like all the air was sucked out of the room when Edwin admitted that he sometimes blames Matty for Ellie’s death. Maybe that’s why I gasped so hard.
Here’s the thing, though — how many of us sort of secretly agree with him? If you don’t, that’s understandable, but hear me out because this can be argued both ways.
First, Sam Anderson’s (Justified) Edwin can’t help the way he feels about the situation. He lost his only child.
From what it looked like in the flashbacks, he seemed barely on board with the custody battle for Alfie. Plus, Matty was not about to back down from asking him if he blamed her.
What was that poor, sweet man supposed to do? Lie to the love of his life? You may think, “He should have said something a long time ago.”
Honestly, who among us wouldn’t choose to take something like that to the grave if it meant never hurting the person we love just because we can’t change how we feel?
The fact that Edwin said “sometimes” and not “all the time” means that he has at least managed to cope with it most of the time.
As for whether or not Matty (Kathy Bates) is responsible, that’s too complicated of a question to answer.
Anyone who has ever watched a loved one struggle with drugs knows that there is no coddling the person who needs help. It takes the toughest love.
You have to be strong for yourself and them because most addicts don’t know how they’ll make it past 5 pm without their fix.
Hearing about what a child born to opioids goes through during withdrawals was not just heartbreaking — it was shattering to the soul.
It was unbelievable storytelling, and if you managed not to shed a tear, you need to teach a master class on keeping it together.
It was like an atomic bomb was dropped on Matty and Edwin’s marriage. Let’s just hope Olympia and Matty don’t suddenly have divorces in common.
Forget the Kleenex and Get the Mop Because Matlock Left Some Viewers in a Puddle of Tears
As for Jacobson Moore’s baddest and toughest partner at the firm, Miss Lawrence was ready to lay the smackdown on this case.
I think I heard a mic drop when she threw the Swiss bank account discovery on the opposing counsel.
Remember Matlock Season 1 Episode 6, when all the couples were happy and no one was trying to yell each other into oblivion? It feels like a lifetime ago. That’s how good this show is.
For a while now, I wasn’t convinced that Julian could be the culprit behind the Welbrexa case.
However, after seeing how low and dirty he was willing to go just to win against Olympia, I’m on the fence now.
I’m also starting to see why they make better co-parents than partners. At least, in the end, they were able to see the forest for the trees.
The world is not black and white. It’s on a greyscale, and like Olympia’s dad said, “You can be right, or you can be happy.”
I bet that sentiment rang true for many viewers, yours truly included. More importantly, it touched on something with the parents in the custody case.
Matlock is not shy about turning up the drama for the sake of a case, but this one was on another level.
When Paloma barricaded herself inside Olympia’s (Skye P. Marshall) office, I think I actually screamed, “What are you doing?”
The actress who played the mother must have been dehydrated after filming “This is That Moment.” I don’t think there was a single scene where she didn’t cry at least once.
At one point, things got so intense that it seemed like this episode would be part one of a longer and more fleshed-out court case.
You would think by now that I would have learned to stop trying to predict how an episode will go. The writers are just too damn good at their jobs.
There were so many heavy scenes in this episode. For once, Sarah’s Type A personality was welcomed as it helped balance the episode from feeling like a straight soap opera.
At Least One Dynamic Duo on Matlock Came Out This Episode Better Than How They Went into It
Leave it to Sarah to go through an entire growth journey in just 40 minutes.
To be fair, she was a legit psycho in Matlock Season 1 Episode 11. Remember when she stood in the rain staring at Matty on the bus? It still gives me goosebumps.
The writers crammed every possible redeeming quality of Sarah into “This is That Moment,” and it somehow worked.
Granted, Sarah may have too many layers at this point, but I think we can all agree that we are rooting for her.
She seemed so sincere when she rightfully apologized to Matty for her actions. Though, if we’re being honest, Matty was never the apology she had to worry about.
That honor belongs to Billy. And kudos to Mr. Martinez for standing up for himself and finally acknowledging Sarah’s less-than-friendly traits.
Personally, I’m glad he didn’t just roll over when she tried to say she was sorry in the beginning. As most adults know, words mean nothing without actions to back them up.
At the end of the day, none of us wanted to see those two stop being the best of buddies.
Also, as a side note, at least Sarah (Leah Lewis) has one thing going for her: She has absolutely no trouble expressing herself in great detail.
Something Olympia is quickly learning to rein in because Miss Franklin is quite the chatty counsel.
I’d say it’s because she likes the sound of her own voice, but it’s probably because silence makes her uncomfortable. How adorable was she when she scooted her little chair closer to Billy’s?
Of course, there might be a new wedge forming between the two members of “Team You Three.”
A Little Workplace Competition is Healthy, right?
Luckily for Billy, he is as sweet and charismatic as the actor David Del Rio, who plays him. Seriously, I felt like I was talking to the character when I interviewed Mr. Rio.
So, it’s not at all surprising that this new character, Simone, already has the hots for the nicest guy at Jacobson Moore.
However, she is all wrong for Billy. You might think, “Billy should be with an assertive woman.” I would actually agree with that.
However, the trait he doesn’t need in a partner is “vindictive.” It was Simone’s debut, and the series solidified that she is as petty as she is pretty — and she’s gorgeous.
Maybe I’m biased because Sarah has become so funny and likable, but I hate Simone already. That thing with the mints was just plain mean.
Although, it will be insanely entertaining to watch Sarah have a real nemesis. Wait till she finds out Simone has her eyes set on Billy. Her head might actually explode.
This was hands down the best episode of CBS‘s Matlock yet, and we still have a long road ahead of us.
If this was only leading up to the end, can you even imagine how intense the finale will be?
What do you think Alfie’s father is going to be like?
Do you think Edwin’s confession will drive a wedge between him and Matty?
Drop a comment below to let me know what you think, and join me again when I review another episode of Matlock!
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