Matlock Episode 6 Just Opened The Doors For Madeline’s Revenge (Albeit In The Worst Possible Timing)

Spoiler Alert for Matlock season 1, episode 6, “Sixteen Steps”

Matlock episode 6, “Sixteen Steps,” opens the doors for Madeline Matlock’s revenge, but the exciting development comes at the worst possible time for Kathy Bates’ character. Madeline Kingston is a retired septuagenarian lawyer who has re-entered the field at the prestigious Jacobson Moore law firm in New York City. Madeline is infiltrating the firm under a fake identity so that she can find who hid documents that could have taken opioids off the market years sooner, saving her daughter, Ellie. Madeline reveals in the premiere that she wants to put whoever is responsible in jail, as is Matlock‘s game-changing twist.

Madeline is closer than ever to achieving her plan after the case in Matlock episode 6, “Sixteen Steps,” which struck an emotional cord. Olympia (Skype P. Marshall) and Julian (Jason Ritter) are retrying a contaminated baby formula case concerning the death of Anna and Vanessa Sampson’s baby boy. The case stressed Julian and Olympia’s already fractured marriage the first time they handled it, prompting them to get a divorce. When they try it again, they win with Madeline’s help. The development allows Olympia and Julian to get back together, and their alliance opens the door to Madeline’s plan.

Matlock’s Episode 6 Case Shows How Getting Delayed Justice Can’t Fix Grief

The Realization Speaks Directly To Madeline

Despite their victory, Matlock proves justice can’t fix grief. Olympia and Julian lost the case the first time because the jury didn’t feel sympathy for the parents. The lack of emotional connection was because neither parent took the stand as a plaintiff, as they feared scrutiny from a cross-examination that would paint them as bad parents. Olympia doesn’t make the same mistake the second time and insists that one of the parents take the stand. Anna agrees, but then she experiences health concerns. Vanessa, the more reserved parent, steps up in her place.

To evoke compelling testimony from Vanessa that will ensure the jury feels sympathy for the parents, Olympia realizes she has to take Vanessa back to a painful time when her son died. While she struggles with whether it’s ethical, Madeline encourages her to push on, aligning with Madeline’s morally questionable revenge plan. Olympia makes Vanessa emotional on the stand, asking about Dante, and the compelling testimony, plus causation, wins the case. However, when Madeline, feeling jovial, congratulates Vanessa on their victory, the plaintiff responds with a cold, angry stare. Vanessa is in a deep state of grief despite their win.

Madeline Finally Gets To Work On Pharmaceuticals With Julian

“Sixteen Steps” Heats Things Up

After righting a significant pain point in their marriage, Olympia and Julian get back together near the end of Matlock episode 6. There is a renewed joy and connection between the couple, which comes to a head when Julian tells Olympia that he doesn’t want to leave their apartment for the evening and should never have left their marriage. The development causes Olympia and Julian to get back together, sealing their reunion with a kiss. While they remain discreet about their relationship, the couple has formed an alliance that directly ties back to Madeline Kingston’s secret revenge plan.

At the end of episode 6, Julian and Olympia ask Madeline if she wants to work on a pharmaceutical case. Throughout “Sixteen Steps,” Madeline delivers vital intel exactly when needed, proving that she’s an invaluable person to have on one’s team. With Julian and Olympia working together again, they decide that Madeline should put her skills to work for him, which probably never would have happened if the couple was still at odds. The shifting dynamics between characters, as in episode 6, is one of the reasons Kathy Bates’ Matlock show is so entertaining.

How Matlock Episode 6’s Case Can Affect Madeline’s Need For Revenge

Episode 6’s Case Is Reflective For All Involved

Matlock episode 6’s case opens the doors for Madeline to move forward with her goal. Madeline’s goal is to work on pharmaceutical cases, so she has been trying to get closer to Julian. As he front, Madeline allegedly wants to work on pharmaceutical cases because that’s where the money is. In reality, she wants to work on pharmaceutical cases to access documents, which could give her the evidence she needs to hold Jacobson Moore accountable.

Still, Matlock episode 6’s case shows Madeline first-hand that getting justice for a loved one who wrongfully died doesn’t alleviate the grief. Madeline thought by holding the manufacturer accountable, Vanessa would feel better. If anything, Vanessa feels worse because she had to relive Dante’s death. However, as Madeline says in the episode, grief comes in waves, and she believes the parents will be glad about it later. She believes that holding companies accountable for negligence is the right thing to do in the long run.

Despite her win, cracks are forming in Madeline’s plan. Her husband, Edwin (Sam Anderson), pleads with her to call it off in the installment, and she almost commits to that before Julian offers the gig on the pharmaceutical case. However, between her husband’s reservations and her own experiences in episode 6, it may get more difficult for the lawyer to continue. Still, working the over-arching Matlock case allows her to grieve Ellie along the way, which she needs.

Matlock is a modern reboot of the classic series created for CBS that sees the titular role taken up by Kathy Bates. After years retired from her career, Madeline Matlock rejoins the legal world in a powerful new firm where she uses her seasoned skills to win cases and expose the underlying corruption within the legal system.

Cast

Kathy Bates , Jason Ritter , Skye P. Marshall , David Del Rio , Leah Lewis , Aaron Harris , Eme Ikwuakor , Beau Bridges , Sam Anderson , Jordyn Weitz , Henry Allen , Colleen Camp

Character(s)

Madeline Matlock , Julián , Olympia , Billy , Sarah , Alfie Kingston , Elijah Walker , Senior Partner , Kathryn Lawrence-Markston , Courtney (Court) Lawrence-Markston

Release Date

September 22, 2024

Seasons

1

Writers

Jennie Snyder Urman

Directors

Kat Coiro

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