As I delve deeper into the world of Matty from Matlock, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of admiration and empathy for this character. Her journey is one that resonates deeply with me, as a woman who also grew up in the era of sexual freedom before AIDS changed the landscape. The #MeToo movement has been a powerful reminder of the experiences we shared, and it’s heartening to see Matty grappling with these issues in such an authentic way.
[This story contains spoilers from the Oct. 24 episode of Matlock.]
Discussing sexual harassment in TV shows and movies is now more accepted following the #MeToo movement. However, the classic series Matlock took the discourse a step further with its third episode titled “A Guy Named Greg.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my admiration for Kathy Bates‘ captivating portrayal of Madeline “Matty” Matlock in the popular CBS series. Matty, a witty septuagenarian attorney, carries the same last name as the legendary TV character, adding an intriguing layer to her character. In the recent episode that unfolded on Thursday night, the creative mind of Jennie Snyder Urman and her team didn’t just seek to convince viewers of the accuser’s truth, but skillfully delved into the enduring generational rifts and biases regarding sexual harassment and its impact on women.
In this gripping game of legal chess, I’m about to step up to the plate when Skye Marshall, playing Olympia in Alex’s sexual harassment case, stumbles with the jury. She’s a fresh lawyer at her firm and is going against Jeremy Brooks, a senior colleague. To salvage the situation, the firm’s jury consultant, Shae Banfield, also known as “the Human Lie Detector,” suggests I take over. With my old-timer skills on the line, I find myself in a mock trial room with a simulated jury, prepped by my soon-to-be ex-husband Julian, Elijah, and others. But as Shae grills me with questions, emotions bubble up, and I drop a truth bomb that could potentially change everything.
Shae, with a loud voice, asks Matty, ‘Why aren’t you telling the truth?’ as she approaches his character, persistently softening her questions.
Matty bursts out, ‘I’m just pretending here,’ he admits. ‘In reality, I feel this case wasn’t right for us. In my past experience, we dealt with such remarks silently. If things got tough, we simply steered clear of the person. But here, instead of standing our ground, we find ourselves in a situation like this – not a good idea to get intoxicated at a festive gathering and wind up in a secluded spot with him.’
Behind them, a sharp intake of breath is heard, causing Matty and Olympia to glance over their shoulders. Shae, still facing forward, reveals an injured Alex, whom viewers remember Matty had convinced to wear a less revealing court outfit earlier. Alex then leaves the room. In the following scene, against the backdrop of New York City, Matty apologizes to Olympia. “I’m truly sorry; it’s a generational issue; we just dealt with different things at that time,” she explains. However, Olympia strongly rebukes her, passionately advocating for Alex and expressing her belief that she took the case because of the world she desires for her own daughter.
In preparation for her court case debut, Matty reflects on her past encounter with someone she knew as Jeremy, or more commonly referred to as Greg. This individual overstepped boundaries and made inappropriate advances towards her. She often joked about him with her husband. However, choosing to avoid him was a decision that kept her from legal disputes. Instead, she focused on contracts. Later, addressing the jury, she shares an amusing observation: “It’s quite peculiar,” she says, “What may have appeared insignificant at the time, actually derailed my aspirations, didn’t it?” She shakes her head, emphasizing that while it seemed trivial then, its impact on her dreams was far from minor.
Matty openly acknowledges her personal bias towards Alex, stemming from their shared past as working women during their younger years. She then encourages the jury to reconsider their perspective on Alex’s case, shifting from the traditional question of “why Alex waited so long to report what Jeremy Brooks did” to a more empathetic inquiry of “how desperate must the situation have been for Alex to risk everything and finally speak up about it?
As a gamer, I’d put it like this: “In this episode, I found myself particularly fond, mainly because it manages to tick off multiple boxes all at once. You see, Matty isn’t always infallible, and we aimed to highlight some of her missteps for a gripping narrative. The best part? The way she evolves.
From my perspective as a follower, Urman conveys, “If someone had inquired whether she experienced sexual harassment, she would’ve responded ‘no.’ However, she later recognizes an event from her past. Though she thought she coped with it effectively, she merely sidestepped the issue. Through the account of a younger woman, she comes to understand that this detour had consequences – it altered the trajectory of her life and the kind of law she specialized in. These are the impacts that can’t be measured.
Urman elaborates more on Matty’s emotional journey, stating, “That episode is one of my favorites due to its depth, particularly how it portrays her learning and the intense emotions she experiences as she understands the impact of sexual harassment. At first, it may not be apparent, but later on, it becomes clear. In this instance, it takes 30 to 40 years for the truth to surface, which significantly alters her perspective. Additionally, it enables her now to recognize her fondness for courtroom proceedings and introduces a fresh path for her.
Bates commended the significant “Matty” episode, stating to THR, “I truly enjoy that episode. It’s not just because I get to argue a case in court, something Matty had longed to do for years without realizing it until this opportunity presented itself. Once she recalls this defining moment in her life, we see how this pivotal event steered her away from her aspirations of becoming a litigator.
The topic of sexual harassment resonated deeply with her. “I could relate because I grew up sexually active during the 60s and 70s,” she confides. “Back then, things were different, and it was just before AIDS changed everything about sexual liberation from the 60s,” Bates explains. “During that era, if you chose to visit a man’s hotel room, you knew what the purpose was. So when the #MeToo movement emerged, my initial response was instinctive, shaped by my generational background,” she acknowledges.
Upon witnessing the struggles young women face daily, including sexual harassment in offices as well as hotels, and recognizing its impact on their careers, I believe Matty empathized with this reality – it’s a persistent issue they must confront. This insight mirrors my own, as I too have become more aware of these issues. Therefore, this episode served as a profound exploration for me to grasp the experiences young women endure and understand that they desire freedom to express themselves sexually while not being subjected to harassment.
Urman underscores the impact on individuals that may not always be immediately apparent as they often shield themselves in various ways. Regrettably, I don’t know many women who haven’t experienced this. In our writing sessions, we had open and candid conversations. One of our writers came up with a line that Matty delivers later: The real question isn’t why it takes her so long to speak out, but rather how severe the situation must have been for her to disclose it.
As a fan, I resonate deeply with Urman’s words: “Often, instead of dwelling on it, we adapt and establish boundaries that, unbeknownst to us, influence us profoundly. Why should we exclude someone due to their misconduct? And in what circumstances and positions of power are you consciously or unconsciously stepping back because you have to avoid the bad situations? That’s not something Matty had ever grappled with until this case, and now [she] understands, ‘Wow, it shifted the trajectory of my life.’ And that is not a trivial realization.
As a passionate advocate for change, I acknowledge the ongoing challenges women face when speaking up. It’s not simple, and there are other influencing factors at play. I believe that who gets heard and how they’re perceived often depends on their privileged position because reporting can be costly, risky, and the seriousness of it may vary depending on where you live in this country. It’s inspiring when women are believed, but every day brings calculations like ‘If I speak up, will I lose my job or not be able to support my family?’ or ‘Will I be able to pay my bills?’ These are the complexities we must address to create a safer and more equitable environment for all.
She goes on to express how upsetting it is for her to reflect on that situation. She emphasizes the power of being heard, which is a genuine privilege. That’s why they aim to show numerous examples on the screen, so people can understand that such behavior is not acceptable and recognize that they might be in a similar predicament, feeling understood.
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Matlock releases new episodes Thursdays at 9 p.m. on CBS.
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2024-10-25 17:55