The Squishy Stuff

If you have yet to see Season 1, Episode 15 of the new Matlock television series, maybe save this article for a later time. This is a lot of words to say, “Warning. Spoiler Alert!”

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Attorney Matty Matlock (Kathy Bates) is working undercover to find out which of the law firm’s partners destroyed evidence in a litigated opioid trial against a drug manufacturer. Matty believes that (1) the acquittal in this case resulted from the destruction of this evidence and (2) the acquittal was the reason that her daughter overdosed on this medication.

A secret whistleblower is in the shadows.

Matty was given a ‘hint’ and now one of three possible culprits has been eliminated. A timeline confirmation will help figure out the true criminal, but “Read’EmAndWeep31’ is reluctant to provide the required information.

As this relationship slowly develops, Matty posts a note to Read’EmAndWeep31.

“Hi again,” Matty types.

“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.”

“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.”

Matty finishes:

“You can't know what they're going through, but you care. And that's why you'll come forward.”

Matty believes she knows the identity of this whistleblowing suspect. She’s arguing her case (a pun just made sense, here) in a way that shows the values (Matty believes) that this informant holds. Matty carefully chooses words that will be instantly recognized by Read’EmAndWeep31.

If Matty is right, this secretive individual is a fan of Barry Manilow. You might have recognized the not-so-subtle references in her text message.

“You know I can't smile without you
I can't smile without you
I can't laugh, and I can't sing
I'm findin' it hard to do anything.” Barry Manilow, “Can’t Smile Without You”

Of course, Matty was right. How could a television script be written in any other way?

Now that the secret is exposed, the takeaways start with what I believe would be typical reactions to the television series.

1. Most of us are rooting for Team Matty. We want the culprits caught and punished for violating courtroom trust in this past win-at-any-cost fraud that exonerated a guilty company’s liability.
2. We cheer for Underdog Matty as she tries to overturn this miscarriage of justice. She has chosen a Goliath-size fight. This 14-year-old case will be defended by a powerful law firm that will employ every possible tactic and loophole (legal or not) to clear the names of their client and the firm itself. And they will, without a doubt, throw copious piles of money at their cause.
3. We can feel in our hearts the devastation created when a parent loses a child. Society often proclaims, “This is wrong. No parent should ever have to bury their child!”
4. We know that Matty is pursuing a worthy endeavor. We are excited that she’s found an ally through this whistleblower. We yearn for the day the truth will be revealed in a court of law. We dream of a unanimous justice-well-served decision.
5. It’s quite possible we’ll feel very emotional when justice prevails in this future courtroom drama.

That stage is now set. But what is it that compels us to become emotionally invested in a whistleblower’s decision to come forward and aid this righteous cause?

Let’s examine ourselves a bit. Have you ever seen videos like the ones mentioned here?

Videos

• Displaying the kindness of one stranger toward another.
• Showing the moment a person hears for the very first time.
• Recording a surprised child when a parent comes home from military service.
• Capturing the gift of song. (I know, I keep pushing this one).

These are moments of shared empathy, compassion, and grace. These are moments of human connection – of humanity itself displayed most vividly. You could say that our reactions to videos like these are evidence of our internal squishy stuff.

These are the times when we reject self-centeredness, self-importance, superiority, pride, and even fear. These are moments when our center, our soul, leaks and becomes generous, affirming, supporting, and loving to those around us. These are moments when we cheer for the underdog because we know how hard life is and that deep down, we truly want what’s best for others.

These are the times we are most willing to do the right thing, even when the cards are stacked against us.

• We reject the delay. We act.
• We don’t take time to complete a pro/con balance sheet. We act.
• We don’t delay hoping someone else will take up the cross – we do
• We hope that our squishy stuff is the answer to someone’s prayer.

So then, let’s finish with a quick review.

Let’s always do the things people cheer for.

Let’s always do the right thing for the right reasons.

Let’s always be the Mouthpiece, the Whistleblower; The Person who cares!

Let’s always be squishy and make a difference in the world.