Olympia and Julian's issues intensify as they each represent opposing sides in a nasty custody case. Matty uses the firm's security system to her advantage.
Matty blames herself for Ellie's death. Sure, she ultimately believes Wellbrexa is responsible for fueling the opioid epidemic. However, Ellie died after Matty and Edwin sued for custody of Alfie. Her death occurred when Alfie was still young. It wasn't a recent development that put the entire narrative immediately into motion. The tragedy still reverberates throughout their lives. The emotions are still raw. The family has a new place to channel them. They were inspired by the theory that crucial evidence was buried. Given the timeline, it may not have ultimately made a difference in saving Ellie's life. She was an addict. She could only ever get sober for a few months. Matty details how heartbreaking it was to watch Alfie suffering after he was born. He was addicted too. He experienced several strokes. The family couldn't do anything to help. Matty took extreme action against her daughter to protect her grandson. She refused to allow the addiction to hurt him again. Alfie was injured after touching a pot. Matty used that to insinuate her daughter was using drugs again. She couldn't be trusted as a mother. Matty offered a path back for her daughter. It would require hard work. Ultimately though, the outcome was determined before the judge even ruled on the case.
All of this hits Matty especially hard because the firm is handling a complicated custody case. Olympia and Julian represent opposing sides of a divorced couple. They are eager to weaponize any information they obtain about the other. Bruno is illegally spying on his ex-wife and son. Paloma openly disparages her ex-husband and bribes her son with gifts. They both want full custody. It's presented as a potential decider in the battle for partner at the firm. Julian believes he needs a win in the courtroom to catch up with Olympia. This case amplifies the competition between them. It gets even more heated because they are also a bickering couple going through a divorce. It has grown incredible contentious. When Olympia brings up the pen, Julian has no idea what she's talking. He doesn't follow through on that point later on when they've had time to cool off. They are both held in contempt by the judge. He needs to exert control over his courtroom. Everyone tests his patience. It's better to reach a deal without forcing his hand. It's intense because it increasingly feels as if no one can win. Paloma grows increasingly desperate. She wants to take Tenoch to see his dying grandfather. She barricades herself in the office to prevent anyone from taking him. This is a pivotal moment in her life. Matty is there to talk her through it.
Matty knows all about the gravity of these moments. She made mistakes in the past with Ellie. Those are her biggest regrets. She blames herself. She decided to take legal action. Edwin went along with it. When Ellie made her pleas, she knew her father would be more reasonable. Matty has always been strong-willed. She made this decision. Everyone else had to go along with it. The same was true when she decided to go undercover at Jacobson Moore. This is what she needed to do. Everyone else had to accept. And yet, it causes stress on Edwin. He's tortured over the secret he carries. He found the email from a friend of Ellie's. It came shortly after her death. That's the only clue Matty and Edwin potentially have to finding Alfie's father. They don't know anything about him. Edwin fears Matty's rage upon discovering he lied to her. That opens and closes this episode. He needed time to process. He wasn't as firm in the decision as Matty was. He knows he can distract her by talking about the mission at the firm. Matty must prove Julian was in the building when the documents were received. She swipes his key card. She has the opportunity to receive that information. She hasn't reached that stage yet. Instead, she's fighting with her husband. She uncovers the truth. She forces him into confessing that he sometimes blames her for Ellie's death too. She went too hard. They lost everything as a result. Nothing they do can ever bring her back.
The emotional motivation has been consistent throughout the season. The deeper Matty goes into the firm, the more complicated emotions she feels. She is risking everything in pursuit of something that may not ultimately provide her any peace. She has presented herself as a friend. Olympia goes to her whenever she's in need. Matty wound her up. When Olympia is free of that influence, she's capable of coming to an understanding with Julian. She doesn't want any more lies between them. They opt for a fresh start. That's encouraging. It's still disruptive to Matty's plans. Again, that is prioritized above all else. She isn't the only character going through self-reflection. Billy wants Sarah to be a co-worker and nothing more. They don't need to be friends. She betrayed his trust. She has to win him over again. It takes more than apologies and gifts. She has to actually mean it. She has to express how rewarding their friendship has been. Plus, one piece of advice from Olympia proves to be transformational. Sarah needs to wait five seconds before speaking sometimes. She loses her control a lot. She uncovers the hidden camera because she had the time to play things differently. She kept a level-head when it was needed most. That provides her with the perspective she needs to mend things with Billy. That relationship is solid once more. They were tested. They will be again now that Sarah's law school nemesis asks Billy out. They can overcome that. It's somewhat of a tangential concern compared to the rest of the narrative. It's not as deeply tied to Matty. However, the details affirm the characters and who they strive to be in this world.
