Matlock (2024) s01e15 Episode Script
Game Face
1
- Previously
- MATTY: The law firm Jacobson Moore hid documents
that could've taken
opioids off the market
ten years earlier.
Think of how many lives
that could've saved.
Including our daughter's.
Darling, I've been trying to reach you.
- Bitsy?
- EDWIN: Your sister's here.
Use it as research.
Remember, Matty Matlock
does not exist without Bitsy.
Can we just clear the
air about what happened?
You mean with my husband?
I've had enough people
hand me their guilt. You can keep yours.
SENIOR: Talk to me about Slamm'd.
I'm not loving how much of
the firm's money you've spent.
Drop in the bucket. This is the
case that's winning me partner.
There was an incident.
Sorority girl named Violet
suffered a heart attack after
someone spiked her drink with
- Slamm'd!
- PARK: That little mistake just killed a girl.
- Violet's dead?
- If it were your child,
wouldn't you want
someone held responsible?
I'm not saying don't blame anybody.
I'm saying blame the
right people. Help us.
Force them to take this
product off the market.
What on the good earth is going on here?
I'm putting together evidence,
and when I have enough,
I send it to The New York Times
and let them take it from there.
EDWIN: The Redditor said,
"One of these three."
MATTY: I can't believe
it's Olympia, my friend.
(TICKING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(SIGHS)
Custard.
Clinically proven.
Well, not clinically,
but believe you me,
custard always makes
everybody feel better.
Well, Matty and Olympia were very close.
The sadness is just going to have
to take time to get through her system.
Oh, I understand sadness. I
was married to Burt, remember?
Well, we'll both have to support her.
Morning!
Everybody ready? Big day.
Wh-what's happening?
Oh, we're reaching out to the Redditor.
- What's a Redditor?
- Not what. Who.
ReadEmAndWeep31.
It's a person who posted
on the Reddit board
about the hidden Wellbrexa documents.
Do they work in the law office?
Don't know. They could be anywhere.
Darling, hold up.
You never reached out before?
Yeah, two years ago.
But they told us to basically,
"Figure it out yourself."
And now we have. Olympia did it.
We know when the documents were
stolen, what day, what time.
But do we know what
was in the documents?
I'm just, I'm just trying to catch up.
Not yet.
But that's what ReadEmAndWeep31
is gonna tell us.
Get her to talk about her feelings.
Can you make that custard first?
(CHUCKLES)
Sweetheart, broken record here,
but are you sure you're feeling okay?
You and Olympia were friends.
I thought Olympia was someone she isn't.
And she definitely thinks
I'm someone I'm not.
Things were getting muddy, that's all.
Glad to have clarity.
So now it's time to finish this.
(SIGHS)
Oh, Matty. The judge ruled in our favor.
(LAUGHS, SIGHS HEAVILY)
Whew, it was a hard-fought
battle, but he said
the Slamm'd class action can
continue without a named plaintiff.
So Tucker taking the
settlement didn't end our case.
Wow. That's terrific news.
Let me drop my bag.
Go, team.
- Okay. (CHUCKLES)
- (CHUCKLES)
There's only one thing that matters,
and that's winning, at all costs.
SARAH: Right, so, I've gone
through our whole class.
I have suggestions on
who we certify next.
We can't certify anybody.
That'll take months.
The firm has spent too much
money on this trial already.
OLYMPIA: Exactly. We
stay the course and finish
without a named plaintiff.
We focus on predatory
marketing, dangerous product.
The jury will see an empty seat.
They'll wonder where Tucker is.
I know, and I have an answer.
- Violet Reed.
- (PHONE VIBRATES)
She died at her sorority
after drinking Slamm'd.
It's perfect.
ELIJAH: Senior wants to talk to me.
- What?
- Yeah.
Sorry, I'm confused.
We can't get Violet in as a plaintiff.
Well, no, not officially.
But her mom, Lydia, can talk about her.
And that way, she becomes
the de facto plaintiff
in the jury's hearts.
I love it.
Exactly. We lean in to Tucker's absence.
"He's lucky he had the chance to settle.
Violet couldn't."
Let them try to beat up a
grieving mom on the stand.
Matty,
will you see if Lydia will testify?
Tell her you'll do the questioning.
Of course. I'm the dead child whisperer.
(STAMMERS)
(CHUCKLES): I'm just kidding, folks.
- Let me call Lydia.
- Thank you.
Billy, update me.
You're meeting with Connecticut PD?
First thing tomorrow morning.
They broke up the party three years ago,
same party that had the cans of Slamm'd
- in the background.
- Perfect.
Look, we only need one
piece of direct evidence
that proves Slamm'd financed
those high school parties.
Uh-oh. What's that face mean?
Senior's pulling me from the case.
He said too many resources
have been spent already.
I'm sorry.
(SIGHS)
- (DOOR CLOSES)
- BITSY: Don't freak out.
Just promise me you're
not gonna freak out.
What's happening? Is it the Redditor?
Did Alfie hear something?
No, but, uh, he may be a
little distracted by his crush.
His what?!
(CHUCKLES): Don't scream.
I need every single detail.
Her name is Molly.
Molly. (LAUGHS)
She's the reason he's taking
the after-school magic class.
- No!
- (LAUGHS) Yes!
And are you ready?
I don't know. Am I?
No, you're not, but get ready.
(LAUGHS): Okay.
Alfie asked me if I would help him make
a cupcake to ask her to the dance,
"as a friend,"
and he also wants my
thoughts on his wardrobe.
- (LAUGHS)
- (GASPS)
Did he actually say
"Wardrobe," yes.
And when he said it, he
- Did he do that
- The serious eyebrows.
(LAUGHS)
He trusts you.
(SIGHS) I'm so glad.
Ellie did, too.
She thought her Aunt
Itsy Bitsy hung the moon.
Now, don't make me cry.
I've got on about a pound of makeup.
- (BOTH LAUGH)
- (PHONE VIBRATING)
(SIGHS) Olympia.
Let me get to my office.
Can you keep my sister occupied?
I have to call Olympia as Matty Matlock,
and the last thing I
need is Bitsy overhearing.
She won't think me imitating
her is funny, believe you me.
No problem.
I will just ask her a
question about anything.
(PHONE VIBRATING)
Oh, God, Olympia, leave me alone.
Damn! Answer, Matty.
(SIGHS)
You okay?
Got a big old vote of no
confidence from your father.
Welcome to my childhood.
Now imagine you're
nine and you asked him
if he liked your diorama.
Uh, I'll come back.
Ah-ah-ah.
(SIGHS)
All right.
Our divorce papers?
- Oh.
- Yeah.
Trying to get in my head
so I lose this class action
and you win the partner race?
Definitely not. I have things
brewing. I want a fair fight.
I thought we could sign them together.
Is that cheesy?
Yes.
Also sweet.
Let's do it. After I win this case.
Can't let emotion in yet.
So, what's brewing?
I found an apartment
that's right next door
to an ice cream shop.
The twins are gonna love it.
- Ooh, oh, wow.
- (LAUGHS)
- I was talking about the partner race.
- Oh, I know.
I said I'd fight you, not help you.
(PHONE VIBRATING)
Matty, finally.
(PHONE CHIMES, VIBRATES)
(GROANS LOUDLY)
Olympia's been texting all morning.
And all night.
I don't know how you
keep smiling to her face.
I got mad at Cindy Shapiro
once at a water aerobics class.
And I tried to ignore it during canasta,
but by the time she
dealt the first card,
I said, "Don't you ever
steal my pool noodle again."
Trust me, I get it.
You do?
Yeah, but I'm almost at
the end of this thing,
and I just have to keep my game face on.
BITSY: I don't know anything
about game faces, but I
do know about biscuits,
and trust me, you hand these
out to the jury, and you'll win.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's a bribe.
You let me know if
the Redditor responds,
and you let me know
if the magician responds.
- (CHUCKLES)
- Now wish me luck in court.
- Mmm!
- (LAUGHS)
BITSY AND EDWIN: Luck in court.
Uh-huh.
Every parent thinks
their child is special.
But Violet, she really was.
Who do you blame for Violet's death?
- Objection.
- Sustained.
- Slamm'd.
- MATTY: Oops.
Um, "sustained" means you don't answer.
I get them mixed up, too.
What's the official
cause of Violet's death?
Poisoning because of their product.
CLARA: Objection, Your
Honor. With all due respect,
her daughter had a rare heart condition.
She's not exactly your average consumer.
JUDGE: Sustained.
Stick within the appropriate
bounds, Counselor.
Understood.
Opposing counsel brought
up Violet's arrythmia,
so I assume I can discuss that.
I don't, I don't want to mess up again.
I appreciate that.
When was Violet diagnosed
with a heart condition?
When she was four.
And did she ever end up
in the emergency room?
Six times.
But the last time was in 2014.
And what changed in 2014?
She turned eight.
And she decided she wasn't
going back to the hospital.
Quite the declaration.
That's who she was.
Determined.
After that (SNIFFLES)
my little girl read every
label, every ingredient.
She took her
health into her own hands.
I'd like to submit into evidence
Violet's medical records.
- (WHISPERING): I don't have the records.
- (WHISPERING): What?
(STAMMERING) We just went
over this this morning.
- Just building a little dramatic tension here.
- (CHUCKLES)
Believe you me,
haven't heard a room this quiet
since I accused my ex-husband
of sleeping with a
hooker on our anniversary.
And then he said,
"Which one?" (CHUCKLES)
(LAUGHTER)
♪
JUDGE: Counselor, do you want
to proceed with your direct?
She does, Your Honor. Right now.
Sorry. Got pulled back
there for a second.
Where were we? Um, yes.
Violet's medical records.
SARAH: A gift.
I know you like binder clips,
the ones with the rubber grips.
Why are you down here, and
what do you want, Ms. Franklin?
I want to take care of
those who take care of me.
Okay. I also want to know
if you've assigned Olympia's old office.
I have.
And?
(SIGHS)
It went to Simone Delgado.
What?
I was strong-armed,
which I don't appreciate.
Policy is policy. I hate rule breakers.
Who strong-armed you?
(CLICKS TONGUE)
The order came from on high.
Senior?
A little less high.
Julian.
But why?
You didn't hear it from me,
but something about his
team needing more space.
(SCOFFS)
Huh.
I'm really sorry.
I can't believe I forgot that report.
Are you sure something isn't
going on with you, Matty?
Oh, it's just a mistake. That's all.
It won't happen again.
So I can count on you?
Of course. Always.
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS, DOORS OPEN)
(SIGHS)
- I need good news.
- Well, that's what I have.
The Connecticut PD responded
to a noise complaint made about
a Slamm'd party that took
place in an abandoned warehouse.
Kids scattered like
ants, but there was a DJ.
They cited him for
playing without a permit.
Tell me you got the DJ's info.
Name, address, height,
weight and star sign.
(CLAPS) Great work, Billy.
Take Sarah and track him down
while I lay out our
predatory marketing defense.
No, we don't market to minors.
OLYMPIA: Would you say
you market to boomers?
We don't discriminate.
Young professionals?
- Same answer.
- Hmm.
Where are the boomers in your ads?
Or the young professionals?
Advertisements are aspirational.
I don't look like the
models from J.Crew,
but I still wear the clothes.
OLYMPIA: Great point.
And you do that because
of subliminal advertising?
Usually, yes.
And can you define
that term for the jury?
Subliminal advertisements
are supposed to slip past
your normal perception
and embed in your subconscious.
Got it.
And the majority of
your promotional events
don't take place at bars.
They take place on
college campuses, correct?
Where three-quarters of
the population is under 21.
That still leaves
one-quarter above 21. Okay.
So let's say you are
marketing your drug
CLARA: Your Honor.
- What is
- Drink. Drink. I'm sorry.
Running on fumes.
That was not a subliminal message.
(LIGHT LAUGHTER)
Let's say you are marketing
your very strong drink
to 21- and 22-year-olds.
They'd have little to no
experience with alcohol, right?
I would assume.
So, your slogan,
"Five times the alcohol,
ten times the fun,"
might be appealing
to these young people?
We hope that our product
is used responsibly,
once you're of legal age.
Let's talk about your
mascot, a cartoon tiger.
I call it a character, not a cartoon.
That's what many people
said about this guy.
Recognize him?
DINH: Joe Camel.
Why was Joe Camel discontinued?
The FTC thought the campaign
was targeting minors.
Ah.
Aw, they could be friends.
Objection. Your Honor
No more questions. Thank you.
(CLEARS THROAT)
Ms. Dinh, let's talk
about this tiger, shall we?
Got some slides of my own.
Do you know what that logo sells?
Yes. Toilet paper.
Would you classify
toilet paper as a product
geared to children only?
Let's hope not.
- (LIGHT LAUGHTER)
- CLARA: Ms. Dinh,
as president for marketing
of Slamm'd parent company Hyperfuel,
how would you respond if I told you
that your advertising was
being called predatory?
I'd say the only thing predatory
going on here is the litigation.
Objection. Speculation.
JUDGE: Sustained.
Sorry. My mistake.
Must be running on fumes.
I'm done.
(SIGHS)
("PERFECT" BY ED
SHEERAN PLAYING FAINTLY)
I found love ♪
(BITSY LAUGHING IN OTHER ROOM)
For me ♪
Darling, just dive right in ♪
BITSY: Okay, now you just make a
uh, a frame with your arms,
kind of, kind of like a box.
I don't think me and Molly will dance.
She mostly just shows me magic tricks.
BITSY: Just in case,
you want to be prepared.
I remember when I was your
age, and I went on a picnic,
and I didn't bring a bathing suit.
(LAUGHS): I didn't know that we
were gonna wind up at the river.
Honey, you're doing real good.
Just look me in the eye, okay?
Well, you know what happened?
You ended up at the river?
BITSY: Close. A creek.
(LAUGHING)
Anyway, now you have something to do
if the magic tricks get old.
It won't. Molly knows like a hundred.
To carry children of our own ♪
I'm taking a girl to the dance.
As a friend. It's not a big deal.
Cool.
Doesn't seem like a big deal.
Against all odds ♪
I know we'll be all
right this time ♪
Bitsy.
Bitsy, what you saw in the courtroom
I thought we had a breakthrough.
I thought that you respected me,
but you just see my life as a joke.
- I don't. I needed
- Stop.
Just stop.
Now, I'm gonna stay here
for the dance, for Alfie.
And then after that,
I will leave you to
whatever your life is.
Or mine, I guess.
EDWIN: Okay, I've got some
good news and some bad news.
Which would you like?
Well, why break the streak I'm on?
- Give me the bad news.
- Okay.
Uh, ReadEmAndWeep31 did
not reply to our message.
And the good news?
They fell for the phishing trap.
They clicked on the evidence
link that we included.
The honeypot?
And guess where their ISP led back to.
Jacobson Moore.
The Redditor still works at the firm.
♪
If the Redditor still
works at Jacobson Moore,
then we need a list of everyone
- who worked there
- 14 years ago.
There were 63 employees.
Edwin.
Although,
there could be one more.
Huh?
Shae.
You think Shae could be the Redditor?
Well, think about it, Edwin.
She consulted with Wellbrexa then.
She hates lies.
If it is her,
maybe I can draw her out
with subliminal advertising.
No one must know we discussed this.
Don't you worry. I will find out.
Dog with a bone.
Hi, Matty.
Dog bones, huh?
Hope that means good
news for Barry Manilow.
His bowel movements
are firm again, finally.
Well, that's the dream
right there, isn't it?
Mm-hmm.
You two planning a bank heist?
No. We might
start a book club.
Okay, fine.
Belvin saw an injustice,
and I am trying to get
to the bottom of it.
Well, why can't she do it?
Because she is not dating Simone.
Why won't you use your
depraved sexual connection
sorry, romantic connection
that I am totally rooting for
to find out what Julian is hiding?
Again, I'm not gonna spy on Simone.
Again, you're the only one who can.
It's not like I can stick
my tongue down her throat.
Even though I would.
That's how far I would
go to protect Olympia.
Dear God, please let
me unsee that image.
BILLY: Focus on the DJ.
Think about it this way.
Who are you more loyal
to, Simone or Olympia?
- (DOOR OPENS)
- MAN: Hey, yo, yo!
I'm DJ Flexmaster.
Welcome to Cribs.
(IMITATES AIR HORN BLARING)
(CHUCKLES, STAMMERS)
I'm just kidding. Come on in.
Hey.
So you have no idea who
hired you for the party?
Mm-mm.
Wait, wait, lucky days!
I found the DM.
But, uh, the account's been deleted,
so there's no username anymore.
Yeah. (CLICKS TONGUE)
Venmo came in a few
hours before the gig.
Username VP123. No photo.
Cash came in no problem.
They even sent some hella cool swag.
Told me to give it out.
- Do you have any left?
- Probably.
I don't throw anything out,
because, you know, landfills.
Right.
(RUMMAGING)
Hell yeah!
Jackpot! (LAUGHS)
You guys want some Slamm'd
or a PopSocket, a visor?
You can never have
too many visors, right?
SARAH: I believe you believe that.
Wait, there's a label.
It's too faded to see
the return address.
Yeah, but there's a barcode.
Maybe we can scan it.
The box is untraceable.
BILLY: Couldn't track down
whoever VP123 is either.
Which means still no leads
on who threw the party,
but we did find something else.
SARAH: At first we thought these were
the usual Slamm'd cans, but they're not.
They must be the beta version.
They were testing out
different colors, logos, fonts.
OLYMPIA: Makes sense.
The parties were before
Slamm'd went to market.
Exactly. Which means they had
to come directly from Slamm'd,
which means Slamm'd has to
be connected to the parties.
That's our link.
You did great work. Problem is,
defense will argue he got
the cans from somewhere else.
They could've fallen
off the back of a truck.
It's all circumstantial.
But the DJ was paid.
And we don't know how.
Because they buried it
with creative accounting.
Single-use vendor, an errant payment,
even a charitable donation.
That way, they wouldn't
have to disclose,
which is completely unethical.
They'd do that?
Oh, you wouldn't believe
the shady ways corporations
cover things up.
It makes me so crazy.
Well, these were research and
development parties, right?
So what were they researching?
That's easy to figure out.
Look at what changed on the can.
BILLY: It's a different tiger.
So the mascot.
Also, the warning label has
slightly different wording.
So the language.
Wait. Are there studies that
match those changes in discovery?
Because there is always a study
before a company changes anything,
whether it's a warning
label, a color, a character.
There is one for the warning label,
but there is nothing about the tiger.
They must have hidden it from discovery.
There's a missing document.
MATTY: Shae just said that every time
a company changes anything on a product,
there has to be a study.
So go back through the
Wellbrexa opioid file.
Look for every single dose change,
every single word change
on every warning label.
I'm guessing there's a study missing.
The missing document?
Exactly.
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS, DOORS OPEN)
Great timing!
My team is following a major
development in the Slamm'd case.
Thanks for coming to court, by the way.
Ah, you looked good out there.
Landed a few uppercuts, drew some blood.
I try.
Always.
Which is why Slamm'd made us an offer.
What? I didn't see anything come in.
They came directly to me.
What's the number?
Enough to cover all the money
that you've spent on this case.
Meaning we get nothing? No damages?
Meaning the firm breaks even.
- (SCOFFS)
- Which I'd say is a pretty good deal,
given our circumstances.
And the drink?
Stays on the market.
As is? The judge won't sign off on that.
Oh, he already did.
There's only one signature
left, and it's yours.
There's a 24-hour clock on the offer.
Look, if Slamm'd went behind
my back to negotiate with you,
it's because they're scared.
I just need a little more time.
Being partner isn't just about winning.
It's about doing what's
best for the firm.
Don't make me say "or else," kid. Hmm?
♪
What are you doing?
We heard Senior shut us down.
No, S-Senior communicated an offer.
Which is still good for
another 22 hours and 48 minutes.
Okay. (SIGHS)
Let's go. What's next?
I put Kennedy on the stand.
Even if we don't have proof
Slamm'd threw the parties?
You're not listening.
We've run out of time!
Look, I have to go prepare
for Kennedy's testimony.
If you want to help me,
keep looking for a connection
between Slamm'd and that party.
Okay.
Okay.
Let's get to it. (SIGHS)
(SIMONE CHUCKLES)
Seriously? We are up against the clock,
and you stop your work to get
your ass groped by Beelzebub?
Relax. I did it so I could see
what Olympia was up against.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
And?
And I saw a contract on Simone's desk
for the new client that
JULIAN JUST SIGNED: Optireon.
The AI start-up?
Their retainer alone is
probably more than
Olympia billed all year.
Let's not tell her.
We only have 18 hours left,
and the last thing she needs
is more pressure.
Wow.
That's some real emotional
intelligence right there.
I have a great mentor.
Who doesn't need any more bad news
until we can give her good news.
What was the Venmo handle that sent
DJ Flexmaster his payment?
VP123. Why?
I think I might have some good news.
OLYMPIA: Your Honor,
while combing through the books
of Hyperfuel's charitable arm,
my team found payments to
a vendor called VistaPoint.
The dates of these payments correspond
with several of the underage
parties we've documented.
Here's a police report
and a Venmo receipt
pertaining to a DJ who
worked one of the parties.
He was cited by Connecticut PD,
and as you can see, he was paid
by VP123, VistaPoint's Venmo handle.
JUDGE: So Slamm'd paid VistaPoint.
- VistaPoint threw these parties.
- Exactly.
And they intentionally hid
these from us during discovery.
Whoa. There is nothing that
indicates this was intentional.
It was clearly an innocent mistake.
- Oh, please.
- CLARA: My client turned over
thousands of pages of
research and development.
And missed this?
Your Honor, concealing evidence
is an affront to our justice system.
I urge you to issue
terminating sanctions
and enter a swift and
final judgment in our favor.
(SIGHS)
So did we win on summary judgment?
No. But they're sending over
the additional discovery,
and the judge is going to
order preclusion sanctions,
prohibiting them from
contesting anything related
to the underage parties
when we bring them up.
That's it?
Their attorney said
that it was an oversight.
It wasn't.
No, but it's smart lawyering.
We'd be playing the same strategy
if we were on the other side.
It's dirty pool. I don't play like that.
- You saying that I do?
- I'm saying you turn over everything,
even if you know it's
gonna hurt you. Period.
What they did wasn't smart lawyering.
No, but how she recovered
was smart lawyering.
What is your problem, Matty?
I'm just saying, there's
right and there's wrong.
Go home.
What?
I don't need negativity
around me. Not tonight.
(SCOFFS SOFTLY)
Good night.
(SCOFFS)
Oh, man.
OLYMPIA: Rhonda.
Can I ask you a quick question?
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
Uh, where's Matty?
She went home. (SIGHS) Family issue.
It's just, we might need her.
We don't. Kennedy goes on
the stand in the morning.
I'll be in my office prepping.
Any word on the VistaPoint discovery?
- It just arrived.
- That's why we were hoping Matty was here.
OLYMPIA: Why?
Classic document dump.
They sent over everything
but the kitchen sink.
That could be in here, too.
Okay, we've got 14 hours. Let's go.
(PAPERS RUSTLING)
What are you doing home?
Accidentally hit Olympia
with a pool noodle.
Oh. Uh, come on, Alfie.
- But we have to find the study.
- Oh.
(SIGHS)
I know you felt like a joke.
I made you feel like a joke.
That wasn't my intention.
The truth is,
I chose to be you because
you're more likable
than I am, Bitsy.
It's true.
You always have been.
I thought it was because you
had a different upbringing.
Mom was a drunk when I was a kid.
Had to put on my hard shell.
But you didn't have it easier.
You just took it easier.
You didn't let her turn you
into a grouchy old turtle.
Don't you call my big sister a turtle.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
You're not, you know?
You're just a big old squish
when you let yourself feel things.
I remember taking Ellie to
elementary school in 1987
and met Joyce Webster.
I was 38 years old.
That's how old I was
(VOICE BREAKING): when I
made my last real friend.
Before Olympia.
I mean,
I had work friends.
I had mom friends.
I'm just really gonna miss her.
Yes, you are.
And that's okay.
You know what else I think?
I think you fell in love with
being a lawyer all over again.
And you don't have to give that up.
(SIGHS)
(CHUCKLES)
You don't have to stay.
We still have nine hours.
Not we. Me.
Why do you care so much?
I work for Jacobson Moore.
Lots of money at stake.
And I feel responsible.
If I hadn't done what I did
with your husband
you wouldn't have hired
those terrible jury consultants.
And I just wanted to say I'm so sorry.
Look, I-I knew you guys were unhappy.
And I made the first move.
If that changes anything.
It doesn't.
Julian's a grown-ass man.
But understood and moving forward.
Now keep looking.
♪
SHAE: Everyone?
What'd you find?
That must be it.
SHAE: I was going through R and D
on a kids' sports drink that
Hyperfuel was developing,
and I found a focus group.
Watch this.
BITSY: You think that's
what the missing document is?
It must be.
Because it's the only label change
that doesn't have a study attached.
Wellbrexa came up with
their time-release coating,
and they put on the label:
"Do not crush tablets
or it leads to rapid
release and absorption."
Except we know people did crush it,
addictions climbed, and
there was a spike in sales.
Because it wasn't a warning label.
It was a how-to guide.
How to get more high.
That's what the study must have said.
And that's why they made it disappear.
I-I think
we just figured it out.
BITSY: Well, what's next?
I write a message to the Redditor.
And I know exactly what I'm gonna say.
MATTY: Hi again. (TYPING)
First, I want you to know
that your actions mattered.
Your post on that Reddit
board changed my life.
And I know why you did it.
Why you screamed into the void.
You posted because you
knew right from wrong
and you stand for what's right.
The truth.
The rules.
The hard shell of justice.
But that's not why you're
going to come out of hiding.
You'll come out of hiding
because of what's underneath.
The squishy stuff.
You'll come out of
hiding because you care.
(SOFT KNOCK)
You ready?
Introducing the most stylish teenager
this side of the Mississippi.
MATTY: You'll come out of hiding
for the children who lost their parents.
For the parents who
can't smile without them.
Who can't laugh.
Who are finding it hard to do anything.
Your chariot awaits.
♪
MATTY: You can't know what they're
going through, but you care.
And that's why you'll come forward.
(LAUGHS) I'm going
home with a full heart.
Thanks for helping him.
Actually, it got me and Edwin thinking.
You and Alfie have a
pretty special bond.
And
Well, if anything should
ever happen to me and Edwin,
would you be Alfie's guardian?
Oh!
OLYMPIA: Thanks for coming back.
Ms. Dinh, you testified
that you chose the tiger mascot
on the Slamm'd can by conducting
focus groups of adults in
their 20s through 50s, correct?
Yes.
OLYMPIA: But when it came
to what type of tiger,
you tested them at off-the-books parties
that you failed to turn
over during discovery.
Is that correct?
Yes, but
And those parties apparently
had high schoolers.
- With fake IDs.
- Yes or no.
Yes.
Here is the tiger that you
were testing at those parties.
It looks pretty mean
and scary, doesn't it?
It's a more aggressive tiger, yes.
Yeah, I see.
But this is the tiger
that ended up on the can
by the time Slamm'd made it to market.
Way more friendly.
What changed in the period of
time between these two cans?
It was so many years ago.
I'm sure it was just rounds of
revisions from art department,
internal conversations,
that kind of thing.
No new focus groups?
- Not that I can recall.
- Hmm.
I mean, you have a focus group
for every other marketing decision.
So I find it very, very odd
that there's no focus
group for this one.
There was not a Slamm'd focus group
- before the tiger change, no.
- I agree.
But do you know what my team found
when they were going through
the rest of the discovery
that you failed to turn over?
A different focus group.
That your company sponsored to
test a sports drink for kids.
And this focus group was
made up of 14-year-olds.
Admitting this into evidence.
I'm sorry it's late again. They hid it.
So, how many of you would
like this on your sports drink?
Okay. And this one?
(KIDS MURMURING, CHUCKLING)
Wow.
And when was the date
of this focus group?
In March 2022.
OLYMPIA: After this focus group,
you changed the tiger, didn't you?
Because you were targeting children.
Trying to get them
hooked as young as 14.
Make them customers for life.
SENIOR: 40 million!
- (OLYMPIA LAUGHS)
- Hell of a settlement.
See, I always do what's
best for the firm.
I know you do, even if it
means breaking the rules.
(CHUCKLES) But then
again, you knew that.
Matlock.
- My turn to congratulate her?
- (CHUCKLES)
(SIGHS)
I just wanted to apologize.
You were right. I've been off.
And I-I don't know if
it's the pressure or
well, it might be my age.
I hate to admit it, but
things just hurt more than they used to.
Makes me cranky.
That must be hard.
And believe you me, I get it.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
This case made me cranky, too.
So we're good?
We're great.
(PHONE VIBRATING)
Oh, it's, uh, Julian. I should
I'll leave you to it.
Hello.
So we're really toasting our divorce?
(CHUCKLES) No, we're toasting the fact
that it was amicable and
that it lasted 12 years,
which beats all four of my
father's marriages combined.
And, um, we're toasting our family.
Which continues.
(SOFTLY): Yeah.
Are you okay?
I've just been holding in a lot.
Can finally let it out. (SIGHS)
- Yeah, goodbyes are hard.
- This isn't a goodbye.
This is an, "I'll see you tomorrow
and can you remind Court
to brush his teeth."
(LAUGHS)
(SNIFFLES, CLEARS THROAT)
You're right. Shall we?
(SIGHS)
(PEN WRITING)
(SNIFFLES, CLEARS THROAT)
By the way, congrats on Slamm'd.
- My dad was glowing when he talked about the settlement.
- (CHUCKLES)
Thank you. And now you can wipe
that smug smile off your face.
What?
(MOCKING): "What?" (LAUGHS)
Optireon?
Uh-huh.
How'd you know about that?
I got ears everywhere.
Well, uh, may the best
future partner win.
(LAUGHS)
MATTY: No sign of our Redditor yet.
EDWIN (OVER PHONE): It's only 5:56.
She's still got four minutes.
I hope my message worked.
Edwin.
She's here.
("CAN'T SMILE WITHOUT YOU"
BY BARRY MANILOW PLAYING)
You know I can't
smile without you ♪
BITSY: What's a Redditor?
Not what. Who.
ReadEmAndWeep31.
Just email me a request, per the rules.
I got hives when Barry Manilow was sick.
Your fur baby?
Belvin saw an injustice,
and I am trying to get
to the bottom of it.
To do anything ♪
You see, I feel sad ♪
When you're sad ♪
I feel glad when you're glad ♪
Hi.
It isn't Shae.
But I know who it is.
You'll come out of hiding
for the children who lost their parents.
For the parents who
can't smile without them.
I can't smile without you ♪
Who can't laugh.
I can't laugh ♪
Who are finding it hard to do anything.
I'm finding it hard
to do anything ♪
EDWIN: Putting those Barry
Manilow lyrics in the message
was a stroke of genius.
You can't beat subliminal advertising.
I just can't smile without you. ♪
- Previously
- MATTY: The law firm Jacobson Moore hid documents
that could've taken
opioids off the market
ten years earlier.
Think of how many lives
that could've saved.
Including our daughter's.
Darling, I've been trying to reach you.
- Bitsy?
- EDWIN: Your sister's here.
Use it as research.
Remember, Matty Matlock
does not exist without Bitsy.
Can we just clear the
air about what happened?
You mean with my husband?
I've had enough people
hand me their guilt. You can keep yours.
SENIOR: Talk to me about Slamm'd.
I'm not loving how much of
the firm's money you've spent.
Drop in the bucket. This is the
case that's winning me partner.
There was an incident.
Sorority girl named Violet
suffered a heart attack after
someone spiked her drink with
- Slamm'd!
- PARK: That little mistake just killed a girl.
- Violet's dead?
- If it were your child,
wouldn't you want
someone held responsible?
I'm not saying don't blame anybody.
I'm saying blame the
right people. Help us.
Force them to take this
product off the market.
What on the good earth is going on here?
I'm putting together evidence,
and when I have enough,
I send it to The New York Times
and let them take it from there.
EDWIN: The Redditor said,
"One of these three."
MATTY: I can't believe
it's Olympia, my friend.
(TICKING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(SIGHS)
Custard.
Clinically proven.
Well, not clinically,
but believe you me,
custard always makes
everybody feel better.
Well, Matty and Olympia were very close.
The sadness is just going to have
to take time to get through her system.
Oh, I understand sadness. I
was married to Burt, remember?
Well, we'll both have to support her.
Morning!
Everybody ready? Big day.
Wh-what's happening?
Oh, we're reaching out to the Redditor.
- What's a Redditor?
- Not what. Who.
ReadEmAndWeep31.
It's a person who posted
on the Reddit board
about the hidden Wellbrexa documents.
Do they work in the law office?
Don't know. They could be anywhere.
Darling, hold up.
You never reached out before?
Yeah, two years ago.
But they told us to basically,
"Figure it out yourself."
And now we have. Olympia did it.
We know when the documents were
stolen, what day, what time.
But do we know what
was in the documents?
I'm just, I'm just trying to catch up.
Not yet.
But that's what ReadEmAndWeep31
is gonna tell us.
Get her to talk about her feelings.
Can you make that custard first?
(CHUCKLES)
Sweetheart, broken record here,
but are you sure you're feeling okay?
You and Olympia were friends.
I thought Olympia was someone she isn't.
And she definitely thinks
I'm someone I'm not.
Things were getting muddy, that's all.
Glad to have clarity.
So now it's time to finish this.
(SIGHS)
Oh, Matty. The judge ruled in our favor.
(LAUGHS, SIGHS HEAVILY)
Whew, it was a hard-fought
battle, but he said
the Slamm'd class action can
continue without a named plaintiff.
So Tucker taking the
settlement didn't end our case.
Wow. That's terrific news.
Let me drop my bag.
Go, team.
- Okay. (CHUCKLES)
- (CHUCKLES)
There's only one thing that matters,
and that's winning, at all costs.
SARAH: Right, so, I've gone
through our whole class.
I have suggestions on
who we certify next.
We can't certify anybody.
That'll take months.
The firm has spent too much
money on this trial already.
OLYMPIA: Exactly. We
stay the course and finish
without a named plaintiff.
We focus on predatory
marketing, dangerous product.
The jury will see an empty seat.
They'll wonder where Tucker is.
I know, and I have an answer.
- Violet Reed.
- (PHONE VIBRATES)
She died at her sorority
after drinking Slamm'd.
It's perfect.
ELIJAH: Senior wants to talk to me.
- What?
- Yeah.
Sorry, I'm confused.
We can't get Violet in as a plaintiff.
Well, no, not officially.
But her mom, Lydia, can talk about her.
And that way, she becomes
the de facto plaintiff
in the jury's hearts.
I love it.
Exactly. We lean in to Tucker's absence.
"He's lucky he had the chance to settle.
Violet couldn't."
Let them try to beat up a
grieving mom on the stand.
Matty,
will you see if Lydia will testify?
Tell her you'll do the questioning.
Of course. I'm the dead child whisperer.
(STAMMERS)
(CHUCKLES): I'm just kidding, folks.
- Let me call Lydia.
- Thank you.
Billy, update me.
You're meeting with Connecticut PD?
First thing tomorrow morning.
They broke up the party three years ago,
same party that had the cans of Slamm'd
- in the background.
- Perfect.
Look, we only need one
piece of direct evidence
that proves Slamm'd financed
those high school parties.
Uh-oh. What's that face mean?
Senior's pulling me from the case.
He said too many resources
have been spent already.
I'm sorry.
(SIGHS)
- (DOOR CLOSES)
- BITSY: Don't freak out.
Just promise me you're
not gonna freak out.
What's happening? Is it the Redditor?
Did Alfie hear something?
No, but, uh, he may be a
little distracted by his crush.
His what?!
(CHUCKLES): Don't scream.
I need every single detail.
Her name is Molly.
Molly. (LAUGHS)
She's the reason he's taking
the after-school magic class.
- No!
- (LAUGHS) Yes!
And are you ready?
I don't know. Am I?
No, you're not, but get ready.
(LAUGHS): Okay.
Alfie asked me if I would help him make
a cupcake to ask her to the dance,
"as a friend,"
and he also wants my
thoughts on his wardrobe.
- (LAUGHS)
- (GASPS)
Did he actually say
"Wardrobe," yes.
And when he said it, he
- Did he do that
- The serious eyebrows.
(LAUGHS)
He trusts you.
(SIGHS) I'm so glad.
Ellie did, too.
She thought her Aunt
Itsy Bitsy hung the moon.
Now, don't make me cry.
I've got on about a pound of makeup.
- (BOTH LAUGH)
- (PHONE VIBRATING)
(SIGHS) Olympia.
Let me get to my office.
Can you keep my sister occupied?
I have to call Olympia as Matty Matlock,
and the last thing I
need is Bitsy overhearing.
She won't think me imitating
her is funny, believe you me.
No problem.
I will just ask her a
question about anything.
(PHONE VIBRATING)
Oh, God, Olympia, leave me alone.
Damn! Answer, Matty.
(SIGHS)
You okay?
Got a big old vote of no
confidence from your father.
Welcome to my childhood.
Now imagine you're
nine and you asked him
if he liked your diorama.
Uh, I'll come back.
Ah-ah-ah.
(SIGHS)
All right.
Our divorce papers?
- Oh.
- Yeah.
Trying to get in my head
so I lose this class action
and you win the partner race?
Definitely not. I have things
brewing. I want a fair fight.
I thought we could sign them together.
Is that cheesy?
Yes.
Also sweet.
Let's do it. After I win this case.
Can't let emotion in yet.
So, what's brewing?
I found an apartment
that's right next door
to an ice cream shop.
The twins are gonna love it.
- Ooh, oh, wow.
- (LAUGHS)
- I was talking about the partner race.
- Oh, I know.
I said I'd fight you, not help you.
(PHONE VIBRATING)
Matty, finally.
(PHONE CHIMES, VIBRATES)
(GROANS LOUDLY)
Olympia's been texting all morning.
And all night.
I don't know how you
keep smiling to her face.
I got mad at Cindy Shapiro
once at a water aerobics class.
And I tried to ignore it during canasta,
but by the time she
dealt the first card,
I said, "Don't you ever
steal my pool noodle again."
Trust me, I get it.
You do?
Yeah, but I'm almost at
the end of this thing,
and I just have to keep my game face on.
BITSY: I don't know anything
about game faces, but I
do know about biscuits,
and trust me, you hand these
out to the jury, and you'll win.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's a bribe.
You let me know if
the Redditor responds,
and you let me know
if the magician responds.
- (CHUCKLES)
- Now wish me luck in court.
- Mmm!
- (LAUGHS)
BITSY AND EDWIN: Luck in court.
Uh-huh.
Every parent thinks
their child is special.
But Violet, she really was.
Who do you blame for Violet's death?
- Objection.
- Sustained.
- Slamm'd.
- MATTY: Oops.
Um, "sustained" means you don't answer.
I get them mixed up, too.
What's the official
cause of Violet's death?
Poisoning because of their product.
CLARA: Objection, Your
Honor. With all due respect,
her daughter had a rare heart condition.
She's not exactly your average consumer.
JUDGE: Sustained.
Stick within the appropriate
bounds, Counselor.
Understood.
Opposing counsel brought
up Violet's arrythmia,
so I assume I can discuss that.
I don't, I don't want to mess up again.
I appreciate that.
When was Violet diagnosed
with a heart condition?
When she was four.
And did she ever end up
in the emergency room?
Six times.
But the last time was in 2014.
And what changed in 2014?
She turned eight.
And she decided she wasn't
going back to the hospital.
Quite the declaration.
That's who she was.
Determined.
After that (SNIFFLES)
my little girl read every
label, every ingredient.
She took her
health into her own hands.
I'd like to submit into evidence
Violet's medical records.
- (WHISPERING): I don't have the records.
- (WHISPERING): What?
(STAMMERING) We just went
over this this morning.
- Just building a little dramatic tension here.
- (CHUCKLES)
Believe you me,
haven't heard a room this quiet
since I accused my ex-husband
of sleeping with a
hooker on our anniversary.
And then he said,
"Which one?" (CHUCKLES)
(LAUGHTER)
♪
JUDGE: Counselor, do you want
to proceed with your direct?
She does, Your Honor. Right now.
Sorry. Got pulled back
there for a second.
Where were we? Um, yes.
Violet's medical records.
SARAH: A gift.
I know you like binder clips,
the ones with the rubber grips.
Why are you down here, and
what do you want, Ms. Franklin?
I want to take care of
those who take care of me.
Okay. I also want to know
if you've assigned Olympia's old office.
I have.
And?
(SIGHS)
It went to Simone Delgado.
What?
I was strong-armed,
which I don't appreciate.
Policy is policy. I hate rule breakers.
Who strong-armed you?
(CLICKS TONGUE)
The order came from on high.
Senior?
A little less high.
Julian.
But why?
You didn't hear it from me,
but something about his
team needing more space.
(SCOFFS)
Huh.
I'm really sorry.
I can't believe I forgot that report.
Are you sure something isn't
going on with you, Matty?
Oh, it's just a mistake. That's all.
It won't happen again.
So I can count on you?
Of course. Always.
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS, DOORS OPEN)
(SIGHS)
- I need good news.
- Well, that's what I have.
The Connecticut PD responded
to a noise complaint made about
a Slamm'd party that took
place in an abandoned warehouse.
Kids scattered like
ants, but there was a DJ.
They cited him for
playing without a permit.
Tell me you got the DJ's info.
Name, address, height,
weight and star sign.
(CLAPS) Great work, Billy.
Take Sarah and track him down
while I lay out our
predatory marketing defense.
No, we don't market to minors.
OLYMPIA: Would you say
you market to boomers?
We don't discriminate.
Young professionals?
- Same answer.
- Hmm.
Where are the boomers in your ads?
Or the young professionals?
Advertisements are aspirational.
I don't look like the
models from J.Crew,
but I still wear the clothes.
OLYMPIA: Great point.
And you do that because
of subliminal advertising?
Usually, yes.
And can you define
that term for the jury?
Subliminal advertisements
are supposed to slip past
your normal perception
and embed in your subconscious.
Got it.
And the majority of
your promotional events
don't take place at bars.
They take place on
college campuses, correct?
Where three-quarters of
the population is under 21.
That still leaves
one-quarter above 21. Okay.
So let's say you are
marketing your drug
CLARA: Your Honor.
- What is
- Drink. Drink. I'm sorry.
Running on fumes.
That was not a subliminal message.
(LIGHT LAUGHTER)
Let's say you are marketing
your very strong drink
to 21- and 22-year-olds.
They'd have little to no
experience with alcohol, right?
I would assume.
So, your slogan,
"Five times the alcohol,
ten times the fun,"
might be appealing
to these young people?
We hope that our product
is used responsibly,
once you're of legal age.
Let's talk about your
mascot, a cartoon tiger.
I call it a character, not a cartoon.
That's what many people
said about this guy.
Recognize him?
DINH: Joe Camel.
Why was Joe Camel discontinued?
The FTC thought the campaign
was targeting minors.
Ah.
Aw, they could be friends.
Objection. Your Honor
No more questions. Thank you.
(CLEARS THROAT)
Ms. Dinh, let's talk
about this tiger, shall we?
Got some slides of my own.
Do you know what that logo sells?
Yes. Toilet paper.
Would you classify
toilet paper as a product
geared to children only?
Let's hope not.
- (LIGHT LAUGHTER)
- CLARA: Ms. Dinh,
as president for marketing
of Slamm'd parent company Hyperfuel,
how would you respond if I told you
that your advertising was
being called predatory?
I'd say the only thing predatory
going on here is the litigation.
Objection. Speculation.
JUDGE: Sustained.
Sorry. My mistake.
Must be running on fumes.
I'm done.
(SIGHS)
("PERFECT" BY ED
SHEERAN PLAYING FAINTLY)
I found love ♪
(BITSY LAUGHING IN OTHER ROOM)
For me ♪
Darling, just dive right in ♪
BITSY: Okay, now you just make a
uh, a frame with your arms,
kind of, kind of like a box.
I don't think me and Molly will dance.
She mostly just shows me magic tricks.
BITSY: Just in case,
you want to be prepared.
I remember when I was your
age, and I went on a picnic,
and I didn't bring a bathing suit.
(LAUGHS): I didn't know that we
were gonna wind up at the river.
Honey, you're doing real good.
Just look me in the eye, okay?
Well, you know what happened?
You ended up at the river?
BITSY: Close. A creek.
(LAUGHING)
Anyway, now you have something to do
if the magic tricks get old.
It won't. Molly knows like a hundred.
To carry children of our own ♪
I'm taking a girl to the dance.
As a friend. It's not a big deal.
Cool.
Doesn't seem like a big deal.
Against all odds ♪
I know we'll be all
right this time ♪
Bitsy.
Bitsy, what you saw in the courtroom
I thought we had a breakthrough.
I thought that you respected me,
but you just see my life as a joke.
- I don't. I needed
- Stop.
Just stop.
Now, I'm gonna stay here
for the dance, for Alfie.
And then after that,
I will leave you to
whatever your life is.
Or mine, I guess.
EDWIN: Okay, I've got some
good news and some bad news.
Which would you like?
Well, why break the streak I'm on?
- Give me the bad news.
- Okay.
Uh, ReadEmAndWeep31 did
not reply to our message.
And the good news?
They fell for the phishing trap.
They clicked on the evidence
link that we included.
The honeypot?
And guess where their ISP led back to.
Jacobson Moore.
The Redditor still works at the firm.
♪
If the Redditor still
works at Jacobson Moore,
then we need a list of everyone
- who worked there
- 14 years ago.
There were 63 employees.
Edwin.
Although,
there could be one more.
Huh?
Shae.
You think Shae could be the Redditor?
Well, think about it, Edwin.
She consulted with Wellbrexa then.
She hates lies.
If it is her,
maybe I can draw her out
with subliminal advertising.
No one must know we discussed this.
Don't you worry. I will find out.
Dog with a bone.
Hi, Matty.
Dog bones, huh?
Hope that means good
news for Barry Manilow.
His bowel movements
are firm again, finally.
Well, that's the dream
right there, isn't it?
Mm-hmm.
You two planning a bank heist?
No. We might
start a book club.
Okay, fine.
Belvin saw an injustice,
and I am trying to get
to the bottom of it.
Well, why can't she do it?
Because she is not dating Simone.
Why won't you use your
depraved sexual connection
sorry, romantic connection
that I am totally rooting for
to find out what Julian is hiding?
Again, I'm not gonna spy on Simone.
Again, you're the only one who can.
It's not like I can stick
my tongue down her throat.
Even though I would.
That's how far I would
go to protect Olympia.
Dear God, please let
me unsee that image.
BILLY: Focus on the DJ.
Think about it this way.
Who are you more loyal
to, Simone or Olympia?
- (DOOR OPENS)
- MAN: Hey, yo, yo!
I'm DJ Flexmaster.
Welcome to Cribs.
(IMITATES AIR HORN BLARING)
(CHUCKLES, STAMMERS)
I'm just kidding. Come on in.
Hey.
So you have no idea who
hired you for the party?
Mm-mm.
Wait, wait, lucky days!
I found the DM.
But, uh, the account's been deleted,
so there's no username anymore.
Yeah. (CLICKS TONGUE)
Venmo came in a few
hours before the gig.
Username VP123. No photo.
Cash came in no problem.
They even sent some hella cool swag.
Told me to give it out.
- Do you have any left?
- Probably.
I don't throw anything out,
because, you know, landfills.
Right.
(RUMMAGING)
Hell yeah!
Jackpot! (LAUGHS)
You guys want some Slamm'd
or a PopSocket, a visor?
You can never have
too many visors, right?
SARAH: I believe you believe that.
Wait, there's a label.
It's too faded to see
the return address.
Yeah, but there's a barcode.
Maybe we can scan it.
The box is untraceable.
BILLY: Couldn't track down
whoever VP123 is either.
Which means still no leads
on who threw the party,
but we did find something else.
SARAH: At first we thought these were
the usual Slamm'd cans, but they're not.
They must be the beta version.
They were testing out
different colors, logos, fonts.
OLYMPIA: Makes sense.
The parties were before
Slamm'd went to market.
Exactly. Which means they had
to come directly from Slamm'd,
which means Slamm'd has to
be connected to the parties.
That's our link.
You did great work. Problem is,
defense will argue he got
the cans from somewhere else.
They could've fallen
off the back of a truck.
It's all circumstantial.
But the DJ was paid.
And we don't know how.
Because they buried it
with creative accounting.
Single-use vendor, an errant payment,
even a charitable donation.
That way, they wouldn't
have to disclose,
which is completely unethical.
They'd do that?
Oh, you wouldn't believe
the shady ways corporations
cover things up.
It makes me so crazy.
Well, these were research and
development parties, right?
So what were they researching?
That's easy to figure out.
Look at what changed on the can.
BILLY: It's a different tiger.
So the mascot.
Also, the warning label has
slightly different wording.
So the language.
Wait. Are there studies that
match those changes in discovery?
Because there is always a study
before a company changes anything,
whether it's a warning
label, a color, a character.
There is one for the warning label,
but there is nothing about the tiger.
They must have hidden it from discovery.
There's a missing document.
MATTY: Shae just said that every time
a company changes anything on a product,
there has to be a study.
So go back through the
Wellbrexa opioid file.
Look for every single dose change,
every single word change
on every warning label.
I'm guessing there's a study missing.
The missing document?
Exactly.
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS, DOORS OPEN)
Great timing!
My team is following a major
development in the Slamm'd case.
Thanks for coming to court, by the way.
Ah, you looked good out there.
Landed a few uppercuts, drew some blood.
I try.
Always.
Which is why Slamm'd made us an offer.
What? I didn't see anything come in.
They came directly to me.
What's the number?
Enough to cover all the money
that you've spent on this case.
Meaning we get nothing? No damages?
Meaning the firm breaks even.
- (SCOFFS)
- Which I'd say is a pretty good deal,
given our circumstances.
And the drink?
Stays on the market.
As is? The judge won't sign off on that.
Oh, he already did.
There's only one signature
left, and it's yours.
There's a 24-hour clock on the offer.
Look, if Slamm'd went behind
my back to negotiate with you,
it's because they're scared.
I just need a little more time.
Being partner isn't just about winning.
It's about doing what's
best for the firm.
Don't make me say "or else," kid. Hmm?
♪
What are you doing?
We heard Senior shut us down.
No, S-Senior communicated an offer.
Which is still good for
another 22 hours and 48 minutes.
Okay. (SIGHS)
Let's go. What's next?
I put Kennedy on the stand.
Even if we don't have proof
Slamm'd threw the parties?
You're not listening.
We've run out of time!
Look, I have to go prepare
for Kennedy's testimony.
If you want to help me,
keep looking for a connection
between Slamm'd and that party.
Okay.
Okay.
Let's get to it. (SIGHS)
(SIMONE CHUCKLES)
Seriously? We are up against the clock,
and you stop your work to get
your ass groped by Beelzebub?
Relax. I did it so I could see
what Olympia was up against.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
And?
And I saw a contract on Simone's desk
for the new client that
JULIAN JUST SIGNED: Optireon.
The AI start-up?
Their retainer alone is
probably more than
Olympia billed all year.
Let's not tell her.
We only have 18 hours left,
and the last thing she needs
is more pressure.
Wow.
That's some real emotional
intelligence right there.
I have a great mentor.
Who doesn't need any more bad news
until we can give her good news.
What was the Venmo handle that sent
DJ Flexmaster his payment?
VP123. Why?
I think I might have some good news.
OLYMPIA: Your Honor,
while combing through the books
of Hyperfuel's charitable arm,
my team found payments to
a vendor called VistaPoint.
The dates of these payments correspond
with several of the underage
parties we've documented.
Here's a police report
and a Venmo receipt
pertaining to a DJ who
worked one of the parties.
He was cited by Connecticut PD,
and as you can see, he was paid
by VP123, VistaPoint's Venmo handle.
JUDGE: So Slamm'd paid VistaPoint.
- VistaPoint threw these parties.
- Exactly.
And they intentionally hid
these from us during discovery.
Whoa. There is nothing that
indicates this was intentional.
It was clearly an innocent mistake.
- Oh, please.
- CLARA: My client turned over
thousands of pages of
research and development.
And missed this?
Your Honor, concealing evidence
is an affront to our justice system.
I urge you to issue
terminating sanctions
and enter a swift and
final judgment in our favor.
(SIGHS)
So did we win on summary judgment?
No. But they're sending over
the additional discovery,
and the judge is going to
order preclusion sanctions,
prohibiting them from
contesting anything related
to the underage parties
when we bring them up.
That's it?
Their attorney said
that it was an oversight.
It wasn't.
No, but it's smart lawyering.
We'd be playing the same strategy
if we were on the other side.
It's dirty pool. I don't play like that.
- You saying that I do?
- I'm saying you turn over everything,
even if you know it's
gonna hurt you. Period.
What they did wasn't smart lawyering.
No, but how she recovered
was smart lawyering.
What is your problem, Matty?
I'm just saying, there's
right and there's wrong.
Go home.
What?
I don't need negativity
around me. Not tonight.
(SCOFFS SOFTLY)
Good night.
(SCOFFS)
Oh, man.
OLYMPIA: Rhonda.
Can I ask you a quick question?
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
Uh, where's Matty?
She went home. (SIGHS) Family issue.
It's just, we might need her.
We don't. Kennedy goes on
the stand in the morning.
I'll be in my office prepping.
Any word on the VistaPoint discovery?
- It just arrived.
- That's why we were hoping Matty was here.
OLYMPIA: Why?
Classic document dump.
They sent over everything
but the kitchen sink.
That could be in here, too.
Okay, we've got 14 hours. Let's go.
(PAPERS RUSTLING)
What are you doing home?
Accidentally hit Olympia
with a pool noodle.
Oh. Uh, come on, Alfie.
- But we have to find the study.
- Oh.
(SIGHS)
I know you felt like a joke.
I made you feel like a joke.
That wasn't my intention.
The truth is,
I chose to be you because
you're more likable
than I am, Bitsy.
It's true.
You always have been.
I thought it was because you
had a different upbringing.
Mom was a drunk when I was a kid.
Had to put on my hard shell.
But you didn't have it easier.
You just took it easier.
You didn't let her turn you
into a grouchy old turtle.
Don't you call my big sister a turtle.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
You're not, you know?
You're just a big old squish
when you let yourself feel things.
I remember taking Ellie to
elementary school in 1987
and met Joyce Webster.
I was 38 years old.
That's how old I was
(VOICE BREAKING): when I
made my last real friend.
Before Olympia.
I mean,
I had work friends.
I had mom friends.
I'm just really gonna miss her.
Yes, you are.
And that's okay.
You know what else I think?
I think you fell in love with
being a lawyer all over again.
And you don't have to give that up.
(SIGHS)
(CHUCKLES)
You don't have to stay.
We still have nine hours.
Not we. Me.
Why do you care so much?
I work for Jacobson Moore.
Lots of money at stake.
And I feel responsible.
If I hadn't done what I did
with your husband
you wouldn't have hired
those terrible jury consultants.
And I just wanted to say I'm so sorry.
Look, I-I knew you guys were unhappy.
And I made the first move.
If that changes anything.
It doesn't.
Julian's a grown-ass man.
But understood and moving forward.
Now keep looking.
♪
SHAE: Everyone?
What'd you find?
That must be it.
SHAE: I was going through R and D
on a kids' sports drink that
Hyperfuel was developing,
and I found a focus group.
Watch this.
BITSY: You think that's
what the missing document is?
It must be.
Because it's the only label change
that doesn't have a study attached.
Wellbrexa came up with
their time-release coating,
and they put on the label:
"Do not crush tablets
or it leads to rapid
release and absorption."
Except we know people did crush it,
addictions climbed, and
there was a spike in sales.
Because it wasn't a warning label.
It was a how-to guide.
How to get more high.
That's what the study must have said.
And that's why they made it disappear.
I-I think
we just figured it out.
BITSY: Well, what's next?
I write a message to the Redditor.
And I know exactly what I'm gonna say.
MATTY: Hi again. (TYPING)
First, I want you to know
that your actions mattered.
Your post on that Reddit
board changed my life.
And I know why you did it.
Why you screamed into the void.
You posted because you
knew right from wrong
and you stand for what's right.
The truth.
The rules.
The hard shell of justice.
But that's not why you're
going to come out of hiding.
You'll come out of hiding
because of what's underneath.
The squishy stuff.
You'll come out of
hiding because you care.
(SOFT KNOCK)
You ready?
Introducing the most stylish teenager
this side of the Mississippi.
MATTY: You'll come out of hiding
for the children who lost their parents.
For the parents who
can't smile without them.
Who can't laugh.
Who are finding it hard to do anything.
Your chariot awaits.
♪
MATTY: You can't know what they're
going through, but you care.
And that's why you'll come forward.
(LAUGHS) I'm going
home with a full heart.
Thanks for helping him.
Actually, it got me and Edwin thinking.
You and Alfie have a
pretty special bond.
And
Well, if anything should
ever happen to me and Edwin,
would you be Alfie's guardian?
Oh!
OLYMPIA: Thanks for coming back.
Ms. Dinh, you testified
that you chose the tiger mascot
on the Slamm'd can by conducting
focus groups of adults in
their 20s through 50s, correct?
Yes.
OLYMPIA: But when it came
to what type of tiger,
you tested them at off-the-books parties
that you failed to turn
over during discovery.
Is that correct?
Yes, but
And those parties apparently
had high schoolers.
- With fake IDs.
- Yes or no.
Yes.
Here is the tiger that you
were testing at those parties.
It looks pretty mean
and scary, doesn't it?
It's a more aggressive tiger, yes.
Yeah, I see.
But this is the tiger
that ended up on the can
by the time Slamm'd made it to market.
Way more friendly.
What changed in the period of
time between these two cans?
It was so many years ago.
I'm sure it was just rounds of
revisions from art department,
internal conversations,
that kind of thing.
No new focus groups?
- Not that I can recall.
- Hmm.
I mean, you have a focus group
for every other marketing decision.
So I find it very, very odd
that there's no focus
group for this one.
There was not a Slamm'd focus group
- before the tiger change, no.
- I agree.
But do you know what my team found
when they were going through
the rest of the discovery
that you failed to turn over?
A different focus group.
That your company sponsored to
test a sports drink for kids.
And this focus group was
made up of 14-year-olds.
Admitting this into evidence.
I'm sorry it's late again. They hid it.
So, how many of you would
like this on your sports drink?
Okay. And this one?
(KIDS MURMURING, CHUCKLING)
Wow.
And when was the date
of this focus group?
In March 2022.
OLYMPIA: After this focus group,
you changed the tiger, didn't you?
Because you were targeting children.
Trying to get them
hooked as young as 14.
Make them customers for life.
SENIOR: 40 million!
- (OLYMPIA LAUGHS)
- Hell of a settlement.
See, I always do what's
best for the firm.
I know you do, even if it
means breaking the rules.
(CHUCKLES) But then
again, you knew that.
Matlock.
- My turn to congratulate her?
- (CHUCKLES)
(SIGHS)
I just wanted to apologize.
You were right. I've been off.
And I-I don't know if
it's the pressure or
well, it might be my age.
I hate to admit it, but
things just hurt more than they used to.
Makes me cranky.
That must be hard.
And believe you me, I get it.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
This case made me cranky, too.
So we're good?
We're great.
(PHONE VIBRATING)
Oh, it's, uh, Julian. I should
I'll leave you to it.
Hello.
So we're really toasting our divorce?
(CHUCKLES) No, we're toasting the fact
that it was amicable and
that it lasted 12 years,
which beats all four of my
father's marriages combined.
And, um, we're toasting our family.
Which continues.
(SOFTLY): Yeah.
Are you okay?
I've just been holding in a lot.
Can finally let it out. (SIGHS)
- Yeah, goodbyes are hard.
- This isn't a goodbye.
This is an, "I'll see you tomorrow
and can you remind Court
to brush his teeth."
(LAUGHS)
(SNIFFLES, CLEARS THROAT)
You're right. Shall we?
(SIGHS)
(PEN WRITING)
(SNIFFLES, CLEARS THROAT)
By the way, congrats on Slamm'd.
- My dad was glowing when he talked about the settlement.
- (CHUCKLES)
Thank you. And now you can wipe
that smug smile off your face.
What?
(MOCKING): "What?" (LAUGHS)
Optireon?
Uh-huh.
How'd you know about that?
I got ears everywhere.
Well, uh, may the best
future partner win.
(LAUGHS)
MATTY: No sign of our Redditor yet.
EDWIN (OVER PHONE): It's only 5:56.
She's still got four minutes.
I hope my message worked.
Edwin.
She's here.
("CAN'T SMILE WITHOUT YOU"
BY BARRY MANILOW PLAYING)
You know I can't
smile without you ♪
BITSY: What's a Redditor?
Not what. Who.
ReadEmAndWeep31.
Just email me a request, per the rules.
I got hives when Barry Manilow was sick.
Your fur baby?
Belvin saw an injustice,
and I am trying to get
to the bottom of it.
To do anything ♪
You see, I feel sad ♪
When you're sad ♪
I feel glad when you're glad ♪
Hi.
It isn't Shae.
But I know who it is.
You'll come out of hiding
for the children who lost their parents.
For the parents who
can't smile without them.
I can't smile without you ♪
Who can't laugh.
I can't laugh ♪
Who are finding it hard to do anything.
I'm finding it hard
to do anything ♪
EDWIN: Putting those Barry
Manilow lyrics in the message
was a stroke of genius.
You can't beat subliminal advertising.
I just can't smile without you. ♪