[Warning: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for Matlock Season 1 Episode 12, “This Is That Moment.”]
Matlock simply confirmed the heartbreaking circumstances that led to Ellie’s dying. The painful flashbacks had been juxtaposed by a present-day authorized case that hit actually near dwelling for Matty (Kathy Bates), because it concerned a struggling single mom desperately attempting to keep up sole custody of her son. This mom wasn’t a battling drug habit like Ellie, however her story was sturdy sufficient to illicit a robust emotional response from Matty. The episode additionally confirmed Ellie, performed by Marnee Carpenter, in her ultimate days.
A lady named Paloma was embroiled in a bitter divorce along with her merciless, remarried husband who was withholding baby assist regardless of his wealth (wealth that was being saved in secret offshore accounts). Julian (Jason Ritter) joined as the person’s lawyer to sq. up in opposition to Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), with whom he was in his personal tense divorce proceedings. This case escalated right into a custody battle so unhealthy, Paloma barricaded herself in a Jacobson Moore workplace along with her 7-year-old son. In a determined plea to ensure the girl didn’t lose her baby, a tearful Matty confessed on the opposite aspect of the barricaded glass door that she had a second like this she desperately needs she may take again every day.
That second was Matty’s willpower to get sole custody of her and Edwin’s (Sam Anderson) grandson, Alfie (Aaron Harris). Flashbacks confirmed a stern Matty and torn Edwin in court docket reverse their distraught daughter, whom they took to court docket after the 18-month-old Alfie needed to be taken to the emergency room for a extreme burn to his arm. The toddler was burned by a range whereas dwelling with Ellie, whom Matty suspected was excessive on opioids on the time of the accident. In court docket, Ellie claimed that wasn’t true; she and her lawyer mentioned she was three-months sober. However that turned out to be a lie. Matty mentioned on the stand that folks battling drug habit typically work out learn how to go a drug check whereas nonetheless utilizing. Ellie admitted to this exterior of her dad and mom’ home throughout the custody battle, revealing that she had been sober for a month because the accident with Alfie.
Ellie sobbed as she begged her mom to not proceed with the case. Matty didn’t budge, however she promised her daughter that she may have supervised visits with Alfie “each single day.” She even denied taking Alfie’s favourite toy, telling her daughter to carry onto it for the day that she regains sole custody of her son. Ellie was a no-show on the subsequent court docket date, forcing the decide to grant Matty and Edwin sole custody of Alfie. They returned dwelling to the worst information possible: Ellie died of an overdose, her relapse triggered by the misery of her dad and mom taking custody of her solely baby.
Alfie’s father, who has but to be revealed onscreen, emailed Edwin following Ellie’s dying hoping to attach with the household and say his goodbyes. Within the current day, Edwin lied and advised Matty that he not had that electronic mail and subsequently misplaced the daddy’s contact data. The episode ended with a parallel to Ellie’s funeral. Matty requested her husband if he blamed her for Ellie’s dying. On the day of the funeral, he mentioned no. However now, he admitted that he typically does. The episode ended on that cliffhanger.
Subsequent week, we’ll see what occurred after Edwin’s resentment was revealed. Matty, Edwin, and Alfie have at all times blamed Jacobson Moore for Ellie’s dying, because the authorized agency may’ve gotten opioids off the market a decade earlier. And as this episode revealed, they now know precisely what doc was hidden that contained the reality concerning the drug’s addictive nature. Edwin looping Matty in with their sworn adversary is a bombshell that’s positive to strike a heavy blow to their relationship.
Matlock, Thursdays, 9/8c, CBS