Matlock backdrop
Drama•Crime

The Worst Episodes of Matlock

Every episode of Matlock ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Matlock!

Binge this in 21h 19m•Peaking at 7.6/10

After achieving success in her younger years, the brilliant septuagenarian Madeline Matlock rejoins the workforce at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases and expose corruption

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons2

All12

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    Matlock Season 2 Episode 1 - The Before Times
    3.8/10(14 votes)

    #1 - The Before Times

    S2:E1

    Matty questions the paternity of the man claiming to be Alfie's father. Also, the team takes on an arson case while Olympia tries to protect Julian's involvement in the Wellbrexa case.

    Director:Gina Lamar
    Writers:Jennie Snyder Urman, Nicki Renna

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Matlock Season 2 Episode 2 - Another Matlock
    3.8/10(14 votes)

    #2 - Another Matlock

    S2:E2

    While the team is tasked with protecting a witness, Matty and Olympia square off over the Wellbrexa document. Also, Matty and Edwin contemplate whether or not to help Alfie's father.

    Director:Tessa Blake
    Writers:Jeffrey Lieber, Michelle Leibel

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Matlock Season 2 Episode 5 - Mousetrap
    4.5/10(10 votes)

    #3 - Mousetrap

    S2:E5

    Matty and Olympia race to protect each other from Julian's suspicions as they also work on the resentencing case of a teenager sentenced as an adult to life.

    Director:Jennifer Lynch
    Writers:Sara Rose Feinberg, Edith D. Rodriguez

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Matlock Season 2 Episode 6 - Harm Reduction
    4.7/10(11 votes)

    #4 - Harm Reduction

    S2:E6

    Matty and Olympia continue to test the boundaries of their friendship while helping a group of nuns. Meanwhile, Olympia and Sarah become roped into secretive activities within the firm.

    Director:Gina Lamar
    Writers:Nicki Renna, Conway Preston

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Matlock Season 2 Episode 3 - Tomorrow Is Still Tomorrow
    4.8/10(12 votes)

    #5 - Tomorrow Is Still Tomorrow

    S2:E3

    Matty and Olympia find out that the executive committee has flown in after learning of a security breach at the firm. Also, the team takes on a case involving competing hot chicken restaurants.

    Director:Gina Lamar
    Writers:Lizzie Perrin, Damani Johnson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Matlock Season 2 Episode 9 - Collateral
    4.8/10(4 votes)

    #6 - Collateral

    S2:E9

    Olympia and Matty each put together their own collateral for Julian, hoping to regain his trust after he makes a shocking discovery. Meanwhile, an injunction case takes a turn when their client is detained by ICE agents, forcing the team to shift gears to keep him with his family and prevent deportation.

    Director:Michele LaBrucherie
    Writers:Sarah Gertrude Shapiro, Conway Preston

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Matlock

    READ
  7. Matlock Season 2 Episode 11 - Tail Lights
    4.8/10(4 votes)

    #7 - Tail Lights

    S2:E11

    The team works tirelessly to prove a landlord's culpability after a building collapse leaves multiple people dead and injured. The case takes a shocking turn after someone close to the team is arrested for misconduct involving the jury.

    Director:Tessa Blake
    Writers:Nicki Renna, Bethany Huang

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Matlock Season 2 Episode 8 - Call It a Christmas Gift
    4.9/10(9 votes)

    #8 - Call It a Christmas Gift

    S2:E8

    With the holidays approaching, the team's secrets start to come to light while they take on a harassment case involving the city's fire department. Meanwhile, Matty and Edwin contemplate meeting Joey's sister.

    Director:Mike Listo
    Writers:Damani Johnson, Katie Wech

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Matlock Season 2 Episode 4 - Piece of My Heart
    5.5/10(15 votes)

    #9 - Piece of My Heart

    S2:E4

    As Olympia and the team take on a wrongful death case, Matty meets with a mysterious woman from Senior's past. Also, Matty reflects on her relationship with her daughter.

    Director:Mike Listo
    Writers:Michelle Leibel, Sarah Gertrude Shapiro

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Matlock Season 2 Episode 7 - Prior Bad Acts
    5.5/10(11 votes)

    #10 - Prior Bad Acts

    S2:E7

    Olympia works to repair her relationship with her family after she takes on a case involving her mother's new husband. Also, Matty and Olympia receive a shocking piece of information.

    Director:Tessa Blake
    Writers:Sheridan Watson, Katie Wech

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Matlock Season 2 Episode 10 - The Greater Good
    5.8/10(5 votes)

    #11 - The Greater Good

    S2:E10

    Matty and Olympia navigate a new trust dynamic with Julian as he accompanies Matty to surveil the ex-wife of a Wellbrexa exec. Meanwhile, Hunter, a member of the firm's floater pool, assists Olympia, Matty and Sarah on a manslaughter case involving a health care worker.

    Director:Helen Shaver
    Writer:Sara Rose Feinberg

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Matlock Season 1 Episode 10 - Crash Helmets On
    6.3/10(12 votes)

    #12 - Crash Helmets On

    S1:E10

    Matty and Sarah pose as grandmother and granddaughter in order to gather information at a senior living facility facing a wrongful death suit.

    Director:Jennifer Lynch
    Writer:Lizzie Perrin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Matlock Season 1 Episode 2 - Rome, in a Day
    6.6/10(17 votes)

    #13 - Rome, in a Day

    S1:E2

    As Matty settles into her new role at Jacobson Moore, Olympia and the aptly nicknamed "Team You Three" take on a lawsuit involving a developmentally delayed teenager whose family claims he's been wrongly accused of murder.

    Director:Kat Coiro
    Writer:Jennie Snyder Urman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Matlock Season 1 Episode 8 - No, No Monsters
    6.7/10(12 votes)

    #14 - No, No Monsters

    S1:E8

    YouThree help Olympia defend a defamed nanny at her children's school. Also, Matty is on a stressful hunt for an important document on the Wellbrexa case.

    Director:Yangzom Brauen
    Writer:Sheridan Watson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Matlock Season 1 Episode 13 - Pregame
    6.7/10(11 votes)

    #15 - Pregame

    S1:E13

    An important class-action lawsuit leads the team to investigate a sorority; Matty brings Alfie with her to Jacobson Moore on Family Day.

    Director:Jude Weng
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Matlock Season 1 Episode 15 - Game Face
    6.7/10(11 votes)

    #16 - Game Face

    S1:E15

    Olympia's partnership dream hangs in the balance as she and her team race against the clock to get a dangerous drink off the market.

    Director:Gina Lamar
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Matlock Season 1 Episode 18 - Tricks of the Trade (1)
    6.7/10(11 votes)

    #17 - Tricks of the Trade (1)

    S1:E18

    When Sarah's client is arrested after his business partner is found murdered, Billy attempts to help her handle the case while Matty and Olympia contend with a pressing confidential matter.

    Director:Kat Coiro
    Writer:Nicki Renna

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Matlock Season 1 Episode 11 - A Traitor in Thine Own House
    6.8/10(12 votes)

    #18 - A Traitor in Thine Own House

    S1:E11

    Tensions rise as Shae work with Olympia's team on a case for a tech startup that's had trade secrets stolen.

    Director:Hannah Michielsen
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Matlock Season 1 Episode 12 - This Is That Moment
    6.8/10(13 votes)

    #19 - This Is That Moment

    S1:E12

    Olympia and Julian's issues intensify as they each represent opposing sides in a nasty custody case. Also, Matty uses the firm's security system to her advantage.

    Director:Kat Coiro
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Matlock Season 1 Episode 14 - Game Day
    6.8/10(11 votes)

    #20 - Game Day

    S1:E14

    Olympia hires an outside party to select jurors rather than using Shae, putting the case at risk.

    Director:Kat Coiro
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Matlock Season 1 Episode 7 - Belly of the Beast
    6.9/10(11 votes)

    #21 - Belly of the Beast

    S1:E7

    Matty works on a case with Julian in which a young woman sues after experiencing severe symptoms from a clinical trial. At the company holiday party, Olympia learns a secret about Julian's past.

    Director:Tessa Blake
    Writer:Hennah Sekander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Matlock Season 1 Episode 6 - Sixteen Steps
    7.0/10(14 votes)

    #22 - Sixteen Steps

    S1:E6

    As Olympia and Julian get a second shot at a case regarding a tragic death due to contaminated baby formula, their past work on the investigation gives glimpses into what led to their divorce.

    Director:Kat Coiro
    Writer:Sara Rose Feinberg

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Matlock Season 1 Episode 17 - I Was That, Too
    7.0/10(11 votes)

    #23 - I Was That, Too

    S1:E17

    A pregnant woman asks for Olympia’s help obtaining a divorce from her husband, whose family is a client of the firm.

    Director:Hanelle M. Culpepper
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Matlock Season 1 Episode 3 - A Guy Named Greg
    7.1/10(16 votes)

    #24 - A Guy Named Greg

    S1:E3

    Matty's rusty trial skills are put to the test during a wrongful termination case by a woman claiming she was sexually harassed by her boss. Also, the firm's jury consultant and master lie detector, Shae, joins the case.

    Director:Brad Silberling
    Writer:Nicki Renna

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Matlock Season 1 Episode 9 - Friends
    7.1/10(14 votes)

    #25 - Friends

    S1:E9

    Matty helps Olympia take on Elijah's cousin's wrongful termination case. Also, Edwin worries that the longer Matty remains at Jacobson Moore, the more she puts herself in danger of being caught.

    Director:Daniel Willis
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"The Before Times" is the worst rated episode of "Matlock". It scored 3.8/10 based on 14 votes. Directed by Gina Lamar and written by Jennie Snyder Urman, Nicki Renna, it aired on 10/12/2025. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Another Matlock".