Friends

The plot twists come fast and frequent on this segment of the series, making the solution to their current case a difficult one to guess, while simultaneously addressing a key issue in Matlock's real quest to solve the mystery of who at the firm was instrumental in the opioids coverup.

The issue is Matlock's growing friendship with her boss Olympia. Matty's husband rightly warns her not to get too close to Olympia because she's one of the prime suspects. Matty doesn't take his advice, but that conundrum is powerfully developed and hangs over our heroine because of the very nature of undercover work that leads to betrayal, even if one's heart is in the right place.

I was glad to see one of my favorite characters, Shea the jury consultant, back in action and given a more prominent role.

Ep 9 ("Friends") delivers a courtroom win that finally reminds us why Matlock works best when the drama is legal, not just personal.

Olympia takes on Sam's wrongful-termination suit, where the delivery truck theft case becomes unexpectedly layered, with multiple twists. The reveal, backed by a key witness, anchors a twist both satisfying and socially relevant.

Kathy Bates grounds the hour with her cool gravitas, while Skye P. Marshall brings fierce compassion and moral clarity to her Olympia. Trust is tested, not just in court but between partners, as Matty ultimately rules Olympia out as a suspect in the WellBrexa cover-up, based on instinct more than proof.

This one's smart, well-structured, and reminds us the show shines brightest when justice is the story.