The hit CBS show Matlock has returned after a long winter break. The latest episode, “Friends,” jumps straight into action and answers a big question from the midseason finale’s cliffhanger.
In that cliffhanger, Matty (Kathy Bates) was secretly listening in on Julian’s (Jason Ritter) office conversations thanks to a bug that she had placed earlier.
Instead of hearing important details about the Wellbrexa case, Matty accidentally listens to a very personal conversation between Julian and Olympia (Skye P. Marshall). In this exchange, Olympia asks Julian directly about an affair he had while they were married. Matty cuts off the recording before Julian responds, leaving viewers eager to know the truth. Episode 9 finally reveals the secret, and it’s sure to shake things up.
Matty and Edwin’s Shocking Discovery
Thanks to her tech-savvy grandson Alfie (Aaron D. Harris), Matty had set up the bug in Julian’s office to notify her whenever the word “Wellbrexa” was mentioned. In Episode 9, Matty gets an alert that the term has been spoken. She and Edwin (Sam Anderson) quickly listen in, expecting to hear something important about the Wellbrexa case.
However, they are caught off guard when the conversation turns personal. Olympia starts by talking about Julian’s late nights at the office, which makes her wonder if he was also having an affair with Shae (Yael Grobglas) during that time. To Matty’s shock, she hears that Julian is indeed having an affair with Shae Banfield, a woman who has been acting as a human lie detector throughout the season.
Matty’s surprise is understandable, as Shae has been a character whom she has had doubts about for some time. Matty and Olympia have become close over the course of the series, and as a result, Matty feels strongly on Olympia’s side.
This is especially true when it comes to Shae, who has not been truthful about her background. Matty is not one to hold back, and she makes a comment that suggests she knows about the affair between Julian and Shae. This sets off a chain reaction, leading to more tension in the office.
Tensions Between Julian, Olympia, and Shae
The discovery of the affair doesn’t just affect Matty; it has a big impact on Olympia and Julian’s relationship. When Olympia learns that Matty knows about the affair, she confronts Julian. Their argument becomes very heated, and it leads to a public confrontation between Olympia and Julian.
During this argument, Julian accuses Olympia of being hypocritical. He points out that she has been secretly involved with Elijah (Eme Ikwaukor) and has kept their relationship hidden from everyone at the office.
Olympia refuses to admit that her relationship with Elijah was anything serious. She tries to downplay it, calling it “nothing.” However, her denial only makes her seem more hypocritical, especially since Julian is now the one being openly blamed.
This situation creates more problems, particularly for Elijah, who has always been understanding of Olympia’s complicated relationship with Julian. Hearing Olympia deny their fling and call it insignificant is a painful blow for Elijah, as it completely blindsides him. The tension between Julian, Olympia, Shae, and Elijah continues to grow, and it only adds to the drama at Jacobson Moore.
Julian and Olympia’s Strained Relationship
Despite the tension in the office, Olympia and Julian still need to work together for the sake of their children. They are forced to appear united in front of their kids for a school interview, but their argument has made it clear that their personal situation is falling apart.
After the case is resolved, Olympia tells Julian that she doesn’t think they can continue working together at the firm anymore for the sake of their children. At first, Julian is understanding, thinking that Olympia is planning to leave Jacobson Moore. However, she surprises him by saying that she isn’t leaving the firm—she wants him to leave.
This revelation is a shock to Julian, as he cannot imagine leaving the firm that his father, Senior (Beau Bridges), manages. Their conversation takes an even more complicated turn when they realize that they are both up for a partner at the end of the year.
This means that only one of them can stay, and the other will have to leave. Julian quickly comes up with a plan: they will present the board with the option to choose one of them for the partner position. Whoever is selected will stay at Jacobson Moore, and the other will be forced to leave.
This creates an even more tense atmosphere at the office. The competition between Olympia and Julian has reached new heights, and it is affecting everyone who works with them. Matty, who is stuck in the middle of their power struggle, continues to work with both of them as they fight for the position of partner.
Although Matty is now ruling Olympia out as the person hiding the Wellbrexa information, she still hasn’t found concrete proof to back up her suspicions. The office environment is growing more charged with each passing day, setting the stage for even more drama to unfold in the upcoming episodes of Matlock.
What’s Next for the Show?
As Episode 9 comes to a close, Matty is still trying to figure out who is responsible for hiding the Wellbrexa case details. While she no longer suspects Olympia, she is still uncertain about the real culprit. The tension in the office continues to rise, and it’s clear that things are about to get even more complicated for everyone involved.
Matty’s role in the office has become even more important as she continues to investigate the case, but her personal connections to the people involved make it even harder for her to remain impartial.
As the episode sets up the next chapter of Matlock, viewers are left wondering what will happen next for Olympia and Julian. Will they be able to work together despite their personal conflicts? Who will be chosen as the partner at the end of the year? And will Matty find out who is behind the Wellbrexa cover-up?
There’s still a lot to be resolved, and with the intense drama unfolding in the office, fans can expect even more twists and turns as the first season of Matlock progresses. The show airs every Thursday at 9 PM on CBS, and episodes are available to stream the following day on Paramount+.
