Tricks of the Trade - Part Two

The writers of "Matlock" swung into overdrive for this season finale (Nicki Renna, also currently working on "Grosse Pointe Garden Society" gets the screen credit, but I'd love to see the Writers Room in action discussing this script), chock full of nostalgia, suspense, plot twists and most importantly three cliffhangers leading into next season.

It begins with a flashback montage highlighting key moments for not just Matlock but all the principal cast members over this first year, as Matlock takes down the photos from her Evidence Board on the wall as she prepares to sell her home and have the family move back to the West Coast. With Olympia in charge, the details to wrap up the opioids coverup in the firm and either condemn or exonerate O's husband Julian are finally being revealed, while simultaneously Sarah, previously more of a comic relief character than the other principals, finally is spotlighted conducting her first case in court, a murder trial with solid plot twists and underlying relationships that parallel the ongoing issues between Olympia and Mattie.

Dramatic exchanges between Skye P. Marshall and Kathy Bates are the bedrock that makes this segment exciting, but one has to admire how the other principal cast members are each allowed to shine, too.

And when the curtain falls on Season One, Olympia, Matlock and even Billy are left to face really hard choices for their futures.

The finale stumbles badly out of the gate. The first ten minutes play like an overindulgent tribute reel... closer to a wedding album than a legal drama. It adds nothing and almost drains the momentum before the real story even begins. Thankfully, once past that sag, the episode finds its footing.

The case gains proper weight and tension, balancing courtroom manoeuvres with personal stakes that carry real punch. Kathy Bates delivers a steady, commanding turn, while Skye P. Marshall adds fire and conviction. Leah Lewis also brings nuance in her moments, showing growth since earlier episodes. The back half of the hour builds into a satisfying finish, setting up genuine intrigue for Season 2.

It's not the flawless closer it could have been, but it still lands strong enough to keep viewers invested. Trim the excess, and this would have been a near-perfect finale.