When Matlock returned to primetime television, few expected it to feel both comfortingly familiar and surprisingly modern. Yet the reboot—anchored by the formidable presence of Kathy Bates—has managed to do exactly that. And at the center of its evolving moral tensions stands Julian, the polished but increasingly complicated character played by Jason Ritter.
In a recent conversation about Episode 9, Ritter teased that viewers are about to see a side of Julian that is far less charming—and far more troubling—than anything revealed so far. “His unsavory side really comes out,” Ritter said. “And it’s not just one moment. It’s layered.”
That word—layered—may be the key to understanding both the episode and the character.
A Reboot With Teeth
The original Matlock was known for its formula: a charismatic defense attorney, a seemingly unwinnable case, and a dramatic courtroom reversal. The 2024 version keeps the courtroom DNA intact but injects sharper commentary on power, privilege, and ambition in today’s legal landscape.
Kathy Bates’ Madeline “Matty” Matlock is older, underestimated, and razor-sharp. But the reboot isn’t just about her courtroom prowess—it’s about the ecosystem around her. Associates, rivals, corporate pressures, and generational clashes all swirl beneath the surface.
Julian, as played by Ritter, exists squarely in that ecosystem.
He is polished. Educated. Articulate. And until now, just morally ambiguous enough to be intriguing rather than alarming.
Episode 9 changes that.
Julian: The Man Behind the Smile
From the start, Julian has operated as a kind of bridge character. He understands Matty’s brilliance but isn’t always aligned with her ethics. He believes in winning—but he also believes in the optics of winning. And in corporate law, optics can matter as much as truth.
Ritter has carefully calibrated Julian’s persona. In earlier episodes, Julian’s questionable choices could be explained away as pragmatism. He wasn’t unethical—just realistic. He wasn’t manipulative—just strategic.
But Episode 9 strips away the plausible deniability.
According to Ritter, this installment forces Julian into a corner. “He’s been juggling ambition, loyalty, and fear of losing control,” Ritter explained. “At some point, something’s got to give.”
And give it does.
Episode 9: When Control Slips
Without venturing into heavy spoiler territory, Episode 9 centers on a high-stakes case that exposes cracks in the firm’s internal dynamics. Julian finds himself facing consequences—not just professionally, but personally.
The episode reportedly highlights:
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A decision Julian makes that prioritizes power over principle
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A confrontation that reveals long-simmering resentment
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A moment where his carefully curated persona fractures
What makes the turn compelling is that it doesn’t feel sudden. Instead, it feels inevitable.
Ritter describes Julian’s shift as “a release valve finally blowing.” For eight episodes, the character has been operating under intense pressure—balancing expectations from senior partners, competition from peers, and the looming presence of Matty’s unpredictable brilliance.
In Episode 9, the mask slips.
The Psychology of an “Unsavory” Turn
The word “unsavory” suggests more than simple villainy. It implies behavior that leaves a bad taste—actions that feel morally off, even if they’re technically defensible.
That nuance is essential.
Julian is not transformed into a cartoon antagonist. Instead, viewers see the cost of ambition unchecked by introspection. Ritter hints that Julian’s darker instincts stem from insecurity as much as arrogance.
“He doesn’t think he’s the bad guy,” Ritter noted. “In his mind, he’s protecting something—his career, his reputation, maybe even the firm itself.”
That internal justification makes his behavior more unsettling. Because it feels human.
Acting the Fracture
For Ritter, Episode 9 offered a rare opportunity to stretch beyond Julian’s usual composure.
Known for his emotional transparency in projects ranging from Parenthood to darker thrillers, Ritter thrives on characters who operate in moral gray zones. Julian, however, has required restraint.
“Most of the time, Julian is performing,” Ritter said. “He’s managing how he’s perceived.”
Episode 9 peels that performance back.
There are reportedly scenes where Julian’s composure cracks—his voice tightens, his physical stillness gives way to agitation. Ritter plays these moments not as explosive meltdowns but as subtle implosions.
It’s a choice that aligns with the show’s tone. Matlock isn’t interested in melodrama; it’s interested in quiet power shifts.
The Ripple Effect on Matty
Any shift in Julian’s character inevitably affects his dynamic with Matty.
Kathy Bates’ portrayal of Matty is grounded in patience and razor-sharp observation. She sees more than she says. That makes Julian’s unraveling particularly dangerous.
If Matty senses that Julian is prioritizing ego over justice, it could permanently alter their relationship.
What makes their dynamic so compelling is the tension between generational values. Matty’s experience has taught her that integrity is the only currency that lasts. Julian, raised in a faster, more image-driven professional era, operates differently.
Episode 9 may mark the moment those philosophies collide.
Corporate Law and Moral Compromise
Part of what gives Julian’s darker turn weight is the setting. Corporate law isn’t just about right and wrong—it’s about leverage, settlement strategy, and protecting powerful interests.
The reboot of Matlock leans into that reality. Cases aren’t always clean. Clients aren’t always sympathetic. Winning sometimes means choosing the lesser evil.
Julian embodies that gray space.
Episode 9 reportedly forces him to decide how far he’s willing to go. And when he crosses a line, it’s not a dramatic leap—it’s a calculated step.
That calculation is what unsettles.
A Turning Point for the Season
In many serialized dramas, Episode 9 sits at a crucial juncture—far enough into the season to build tension, close enough to the finale to accelerate it.
Ritter’s comments suggest that Julian’s unsavory turn is not a one-off twist but a pivot point.
“It changes how people see him,” he said. “And once that changes, you can’t really go back.”
The consequences may unfold across the remaining episodes. Trust, once fractured, is difficult to restore—especially in a competitive legal environment.
Audience Reaction: Sympathy or Scorn?
One of the most intriguing questions is how viewers will respond.
So far, Julian has inspired mixed reactions. Some see him as ambitious but understandable. Others suspect he’s been waiting to reveal a more self-serving core.
Episode 9 could polarize the audience further.
Ritter seems prepared for that. “I don’t need people to like Julian,” he said. “I just want them to understand him.”
That distinction speaks volumes.
Understanding a character doesn’t mean endorsing their choices. But it does mean recognizing their humanity.
The Evolution of the Legal Antihero
Television has long embraced morally complex lawyers—from courtroom idealists to ethically flexible strategists. What sets Julian apart is that he doesn’t position himself as a rebel.
He sees himself as the system.
That self-perception makes his moral compromise more chilling. He isn’t fighting corruption; he’s rationalizing it.
In a landscape shaped by prestige dramas and antiheroes, Julian feels timely. Ambition, brand management, and strategic empathy are hallmarks of modern professional life. Episode 9 simply pushes those traits to their logical extreme.
What Comes Next?
Ritter has remained tight-lipped about the season’s endgame. But his hints suggest that Julian’s actions in Episode 9 will reverberate.
Will he double down, leaning fully into ruthless ambition?
Will he experience genuine remorse?
Or will Matty outmaneuver him entirely?
Given the intelligence of the writing so far, the answer is unlikely to be simple.
A Showcase for Jason Ritter
For Ritter, Episode 9 represents more than a plot twist—it’s a showcase.
Over the years, he has built a reputation for emotionally nuanced performances. Whether playing vulnerable sons, conflicted partners, or morally uncertain professionals, he brings empathy to flawed men.
Julian may be his most controlled character yet. And that control makes the fracture more powerful.
If the early buzz is any indication, Episode 9 could mark a turning point not only for the character but for the show’s broader arc.
Final Verdict: The Cost of Ambition
In teasing Julian’s “unsavory side,” Jason Ritter isn’t promising shock value for its own sake. Instead, he’s pointing to something more unsettling: the quiet erosion of principle under pressure.
Matlock has always been about justice—but justice is rarely pure. It’s negotiated, contested, and occasionally compromised.
Episode 9 reminds viewers that the courtroom isn’t the only battleground. Sometimes, the real trial happens within.
And Julian?
He may be discovering that the verdict isn’t always in his favor.
