Since premiering in 2024, Matlock has been a big ratings earner for CBS. This is due in large part to the fact that Kathy Bates helms the show. But it's also because the show offers viewers a refreshing take on a beloved classic.
CBS' Matlock isn't just about the pressures of the courtroom; it's about motherhood, legacy, and friendship. Each week, Bates delivers a masterclass as a grieving mother whose only recourse is to get justice for her daughter. Matlock also explores workplace discrimination and bias, along with high-level corruption.
For instance, season 2 explored the fallout of Julian's involvement with the Wellbrexa case and Matty's unresolved grief over her role in her daughter's death. These moments show why Matlock has resonated so deeply with viewers and continues to be a highly sought-after drama for CBS.
Here of three of the most emotional Matlock episodes from season 2 that left us on the brink of tears.
3. "The Greater Good" (season 2, episode 10)
In "The Greater Good," Julian refused to take accountability for his role in the death of Matty's daughter. While he acknowledged that hiding the documents was wrong, he didn't believe he should be held responsible for Ellie's overdose. That is, until he saw up close what his actions had caused.
It was as if a dam broke when Julian saw Alfie for the first time. All of the repressed guilt, shame, and sadness he had over what he had done came rushing out like a wave. The moment was not only important but also necessary. Julian needed to confront the reality of his decision. When he hid the documents, it was impersonal. Neutral. But the consequences of that decision were very real.
Alfie may not be a direct victim, but he's still a victim. He lost his mom due to Jacobson Moore's intentional negligence, and that's something he has to live with for the rest of his life. Hence Julian's emotional breakdown. He's a father and knows the damage it could do to a child to lose their parent. But that's also what makes the scene so great. Julian's breakdown shows that he's not his father; he still has a conscience.
2. "The Future is Nigh" (season 2, episode 13)
In "The Future is Nigh," Olympia and the team represented a woman in a dispute over an AI software company she created with her deceased sister. The company helped people communicate with an AI rendering of their loved ones who had passed away. While working the case, Matty used the software to talk to an AI version of her daughter Ellie before realizing it wasn't healthy for her.
Many would give up all the money in the world just for the chance to talk to their deceased loved one again. That is what makes this episode so poignant. Matty leaped at the chance to talk to her daughter again, even if it was fake, because she was still grieving. You never truly get over someone's passing; you just find ways to move forward. "The Future is Nigh" is not only about the moral complexity of artificial intelligence; it's about the enduring nature of grief and a mother's love for her child.
1. "Matty Matlock" (season 2, episode 16)
In "Matty Matlock," two seasons worth of investigating came to a head as the team pushed through obstacles to bring Senior to justice for the Wellbrexa case.
As the saying goes, "Pride goes before a fall," and Senior found that out at the end of Matlock's season 2 finale. He thought he'd won but underestimated the determination of a mother scorned. Nothing was going to get in the way of Matty getting justice for her daughter.
But what made things even better was that Matty got to bring Jacobson Moore to justice while also keeping her identity intact. The only people who actually know who she really is can be trusted (at least for the most part). This ensured that we will see more of Matty Matlock kicking butt and taking names in the courtroom for years to come.
Season 2 of Matlock is available for streaming on Paramount+.
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