As a long-time fan of gripping legal dramas, I found “Sixteen Steps” to be an absolute rollercoaster ride. The episode was brimming with emotional depth and nail-biting courtroom drama that had me on the edge of my seat throughout.
Heads up! I’m about to reveal some spoilers for the sixth episode of Matlock’s first season, titled “Sixteen Steps.” You can catch it now if you have a Paramount+ subscription and are all caught up.
Matlock didn’t shy away from incorporating a heart-wrenching storyline for Matty into its procedural legal cases in the 2024 TV lineup, as demonstrated in “Sixteen Steps.” The character reached a breaking point where she considered abandoning her pursuit of justice following a health crisis, but just when all hope seemed lost, she received the crucial lead she needed. Kathy Bates‘ emotional portrayal wasn’t the only one that tugged at viewers’ heartstrings in this episode; credit is also due to a notable guest star. Episode director and executive producer Kat Coiro discussed “Sixteen Steps” and its key plot twists with TopMob.
In the episode titled “Sixteen Steps,” Matty found herself overwhelmed by the pressures of handling a case involving two mothers seeking justice for their deceased infant son, along with her covert operation aimed at Pharma at Jacobson Moore. This accumulated stress led to a panic attack that she initially thought was a heart attack, until she received reassurance. Edwin, touched by this, encouraged Matty to abandon her undercover work and dedicate herself to raising Alfie as a memorial to their late daughter instead.
Despite not making any headway, she decided to call it quits… but upon hearing from Olympia and Julian the next day that she was being transferred to Pharma, where her skills were sought all along, she no longer felt defeated. Now, she stands a chance at Welbrexa, and she informed the two lawyers about this new opportunity.
I wanted my shot. This must be a sign. I’m right where the universe wants me to be.
Since it was highly unlikely that the main actress of Matlock would leave the show’s core concept, fans didn’t need to fret excessively about Matty actually quitting. However, one might wonder if she was genuinely planning to abandon her pursuit as Edwin requested, considering the significant effort she had already invested. I posed this question to director Kat Coiro, and she responded:
We discussed this question extensively among Kathy, Jennie [Syder Urman, showrunner] and myself, and there was a consensus that her character seems stuck in her current position. By the sixth episode, she hasn’t made any progress towards Pharma, and the cases she’s handling have no connection to Pharma, and they are emotionally draining as well. This is an aspect we deliberated on quite a bit during the pilot, as she anticipated a straightforward path from A to B, then B to C, but it hasn’t played out that way for her character yet.
It’s difficult not to empathize with Matty, who not only suffered a panic attack but also felt stuck during “Sixteen Steps.” This scene resonated deeply with the mothers on the show, and undoubtedly touched many viewers too. As Kat Coiro explained…
I do think she was ready to leave. The idea of thinking that she had a heart attack, and what happens to Alfie if she gets really sick? And with Edwin, Sam Anderson from the pilot has just made all of our hearts melt, because he is such a lovely and warm and kind man, and that is how he portrays Edwin. For her, the idea of ruining Edwin and Alfie’s life and feeling like it’s hopeless and she’s not getting anywhere, I do think she was ready to leave, and then it’s dropped in her lap exactly where she wants to be.
Matty often felt remorse when Alfie prioritized their case over his homework; a health issue made it essential for her to attend to her family who relied on her, rather than pursuing justice for Ellie. The director, who had previously complimented Kaitlin Olson from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” by comparing her to Kathy Bates, explained the difficulties faced by the main character in this episode’s case.
Each installment delves into a fresh aspect of intertwining with people’s stories. In this instance, she focuses on women who have endured the loss of their child, which stirs up deeply personal feelings for her – something she hadn’t anticipated when embarking on this journey. I believe she expected it to be tough and demanding, but not as emotionally draining as it proves to be in this specific episode.
This week’s case revolved around two mothers who had previously employed Jacobson Moore when their newborn son died from tainted baby formula years ago. Unfortunately, Olympia and Julian couldn’t secure a victory for them initially, but they were given another opportunity in “Sixteen Steps.” Tragically, one of the mothers, Vanessa, had to be emotionally pushed to her limit by Olympia to sway the jury’s sympathy in their favor.
Indeed, I found myself moved to express my admiration directly to the director, by stating that “Sixteen Steps” had touched me deeply with its portrayal of a grieving mother. The episode’s narrative, leading up to the poignant testimony, was impactful and resonated not only with me but also with Matty and Olympia. Naturally, it brought tears to my eyes! Kat Coiro commended the guest actress who embodied Vanessa in the testimony scene, expressing her own appreciation for the powerful performance.
She cried all day long, and she was one of those brilliant actresses who cried even when the cameras weren’t on her, just so she could give her scene partners the same feeling as when we had the cameras on her. She really nailed it.
As a devoted fan, I couldn’t help but notice that even when the camera was trained on Skye P. Marshall or any other actors in the scene, the guest was putting in an emotional performance, tearing up for them all. Her dedication seemed almost draining, and Coiro added, “I admire that actress” before going on to praise her further.
In my recollection, there were numerous callbacks necessary to attain the desired depth portrayed on the script, particularly during the emotional courtroom scene where our mother character breaks down. On set, we experimented with various approaches throughout the day, and this flexibility is crucial in directing a show, as having a clear vision is essential because the vision is already outlined on the script. Jennie and Sara Rose Feinberg, the writers of the script, possess a powerful vision, but it’s vital to have alternative options as well. While directing that courtroom scene, we explored various possibilities for when she breaks down and the extent of her hardened exterior.
The emotional breakdown of the mother in court significantly contributed to the victory of the two pregnant women in their case, resulting in a large sum of damages. However, following the exhausting ordeal of the trial, there was little celebration among them. Coiro explored how this event unfolded from Matty and Olympia’s perspectives.
To me, what’s really heartbreaking about her is seeing her broken and then seeing her put on this armor, and then Matty – understanding what it’s like to lose a child – knows that that armor is permeable, and that if Olympia can just get under there, she will be able to show the jury how sympathetic this woman is. But in doing so, it is an emotional manipulation, and there is something about it that feels so awful to Olympia, and so that was really one of the main things in the courtroom. We did it many different ways. Full hard exterior, full broken person. And there was something cathartic about the way it all came together in the edit.
It can be reasonably assumed that Kat Coiro was well-versed in effective storytelling for Matlock, given she had directed three out of the last five episodes prior to “Sixteen Steps.” This particular episode, however, seemed less like a typical mid-season episode and more akin to a season finale due to its abundance of unexpected turns and emotional impact. As the series progresses, the tension escalates even further.
If you’d like to rewatch “Sixteen Steps” (and you might need tissues if you’re like me), you can stream it on Paramount+ following its CBS broadcast. Fresh episodes will air on CBS every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET, preceding Elsbeth. Actors are raving about the combination of Elsbeth and Matlock, both shows looking robust this autumn before the 2025 TV lineup debuts in the new year. Already renewed for a second season, Matlock is off to a strong start!
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-16 02:37