"Can AI Help Us Grieve? Matlock’s Bold New Episode Tackles Tech, Tears, and Troubling Truths!"
Added on April 10, 2026 inFree Entertainment News, Free TV News
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Every procedural has had its fair share of episodes exploring the perils of artificial intelligence, usually resulting in a collective eye-roll from viewers like me. We’ve all seen it: overly dramatized portrayals of AI wreaking havoc, driving characters to a point of no return where they can’t think for themselves. But let me tell ya, Matlock Season 2 Episode 14 does something markedly different! Instead of rehashing these tired tropes, this episode dares to tread the murky waters of a more plausible and insidious use of AI—one that could pose real dangers if users aren’t savvy enough to navigate it. So, could this episode be the light of enlightenment in an otherwise predictable series of AI horror stories? Let’s deep dive into the captivating narrative that unfolds and, who knows, even maybe contemplate what your stars say about your own tech interaction… Are you ready for this celestial ride? Click here to LEARN MORE.
Every procedural has had an episode or two about the dangers of AI, and most of them make me roll my eyes.
Usually, stories about AI use exaggerated versions of chat applications that cause characters to completely lose their ability to think for themselves.
Matlock Season 2 Episode 14 was different. Not only did it avoid the usual tropes, but it also explored a use of AI that could actually be dangerous if users aren’t careful.
The central question that Matlock addressed was whether simulated versions of a person who is no longer alive could provide valid answers about that person’s thoughts and opinions.
While Matlock Season 2 Episode 14 suggested that the technology could do that if no one was manipulating the code, that code-changing twist made the opposite argument.
Within the episode, the only reason the AI version of Tessa gave an inaccurate opinion was that the code had been manipulated.
However, the fact that this was possible pointed to a deeper issue that the story didn’t touch.
Ultimately, there’s no real way to know what Tessa, or anyone else who was AI-generated, would think or feel about events that the real person was not present for.
The AI-generated versions of people were simulations. As Matty pointed out to Alfie, talking to a simulated Ellie is not the same as talking to the real person.
The dangerous thing is that a grieving person can get confused between the simulation of their loved one and that person talking to them from beyond the grave.
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A simulation can be programmed to say what you want to hear, as Darren did. Even if the code doesn’t manipulate it, relying on it to make life decisions strikes me as a bad idea.
The user can shade questions or avoid giving context that might interfere with getting the answers they want.
For this reason, I found it disturbing that Matty asked the AI version of Ellie whether Joe should be in Alfie’s life.
Since Ellie isn’t alive, and didn’t want non-sober Joe in the baby’s life when she was, I have my doubts that the simulation would base its opinion on the current reality rather than the one Ellie knew at the time.
Matty should not rely on this for making such a big decision. She and Edwin should consider Alfie’s attachment to Joe now, what they think Ellie would have wanted, and what they think is best for Alfie, rather than asking a simulation that might or might not rely on an outdated context.
I also fear that Matty could become as addicted to this simulation as Ellie was to drugs when she was alive.
The simulated Ellie looks and sounds like her and will respond in ways that mirror the real Ellie.
That can feel like having her back, which dulls the grief that Matty has been living with for the last 13 years, making it easy for her to over-rely on the simulation or have difficulty not turning it on at times when she needs to concentrate on something else.
Regardless of whether the simulation is healthy or unhealthy for Matty, this AI-related topic is far more fascinating than the usual nonsense.
Law & Order also recently examined AI avatars of the dead, but its version was far more stereotypical about AI, and the more realistic way Matlock Season 2 Episode 14 approached the topic was refreshing.
Do you think Matty should have used Ellie’s AI simulation?
Let us know in the comments! Don’t forget to share this article with your friends.
I usually don’t have any patience for the subterfuge and Wellbrexa nonsense, but Senior’s storyline this time was a bit different.
While the lawyers were arguing about the rights to a company that created AI avatars of dead people, Senior worried that his mind was slipping away while he was still alive.
I’m sure part of this is pure manipulation. Senior probably knows that Julian is onto him and would prefer that his son not dig any further into his activities.
Still, Senior’s fears that his memory issues were worse than he had thought and that he would embarrass himself before the end came were strong emotional beats.
Of course, Julian also had an ulterior motive. He wanted that power of attorney.
However, it’s a sign of how strong the writing was that these two men’s underhandedness didn’t detract from the fact that Senior’s memory loss was incredibly sad and that it might be hard to help him exit this world with his dignity intact.
I wish I could say the same about Sarah’s storyline. While I understand and usually empathize with the desire to rebuild trust, I found my mind wandering during her scenes.
I simply didn’t care whether Olympia trusted her or how hurt Sarah was about it.
What about you, Matlock fanatics?
Whatever your opinions were about Sarah’s storyline, Senior’s memory loss, or the AI controversy, I want to hear them. Drop them in the comments, and don’t forget to share this article with your friends so they can join the conversation.
Vote in our poll below to rank Matlock Season 2 Episode 14.
If you enjoyed this article, check out our coverage of other CBS shows like Watson and Elsbeth.
Matlock airs on CBS on Thursdays at 9/8c and streams on Paramount+ on Fridays.
Matlock Season 2 Episode 14 offered the strongest story yet about the potential dangers of AI. Our review!
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Matlock Season 2 Episode 11 gave us yet another convoluted Juilan plot, but at least Sarah’s story was interesting. Our review!
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