One of the strongest parts of CBS’s Matlock is the connection between Matty (Kathy Bates) and the young lawyers, Billy (David Del Rio) and Sarah (Leah Lewis). At the beginning of the season, their boss Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) gave them the nickname “YouThree.”
She uses it as a quick way to call on them whenever she needs help. Over time, their relationship has grown into something special. They have a competitive edge but also share lighthearted and funny moments. This week’s episode even includes a playful scene about a belt buckle, adding to their charm.
Each member of YouThree brings something different to their workplace, Jacobson Moore. Billy takes a compassionate approach to cases and life, while Sarah is more aggressive but highly skilled. Even though they have different personalities, Del Rio and Lewis work well together and have great chemistry with Kathy Bates.
Their teamwork makes YouThree an exciting group to watch. However, Episode 10, “Crash Helmets On,” changes everything. Matty makes a tough choice that affects her mission, her relationship with Billy and Sarah, and the future of YouThree.
YouThree Gets a Big Chance in Episode 10
In “Crash Helmets On,” two cases take center stage. Olympia represents Tranquil Pines Nursing Home, handling a case about a resident’s sudden death. When she discusses the case with YouThree, it becomes clear that Sarah and Billy see things differently.
Billy focuses on asking thoughtful questions, while Sarah bluntly states that she cares more about Olympia winning the partner position. She hopes this will help her cover her student loan payments. This moment reminds both Olympia and Matty that Sarah and Billy have very different ways of thinking.
At the same time, an elderly man named Autry Tucker (Hal Williams), introduced in Episode 2, asks Jacobson Moore for help. He is about to be evicted from his apartment and needs legal support. Olympia is busy, so she asks YouThree to take the case.
Matty has to choose between Billy and Sarah for their first solo day in court. Sarah’s rough approach with Autry makes Matty lean toward Billy, who seems more suited for the case. However, Matty notices a moment between Sarah and a resident at Tranquil Pines. This makes her wonder if she underestimated Sarah’s ability to handle the case with empathy.
Also Read: ‘Matlock’ Episode 10 Recap: Matty’s Bold Moves on Matlock Could Destroy Everything She Built
Sarah Shows a Softer Side in ‘Matlock’ Episode 10
While Matty and Sarah help Olympia gather information from Tranquil Pines, Matty directly tells Sarah that her approach is not working. Sarah does not believe she needs to be likable to succeed. Matty argues that connecting emotionally with clients is just as important as winning a case.
Before they can continue the conversation, they are interrupted by Gladys (played by Boy Meets World alum Betsy Randle). Gladys, who was fully aware the day before, is now confused and looking for her deceased husband.
Matty hesitates, unsure of how to handle the situation. Sarah, however, steps in with surprising compassion. She immediately recognizes the signs of dementia and speaks softly to Gladys, gently calming her down. She sings a tune and guides Gladys back to her room with care. Matty watches in shock, realizing that Sarah has a side of her she had not seen before.
Later, Sarah opens up about her personal experience with dementia. She tells Matty about her adopted grandmother, who always hated when people asked if they were related. Sarah remembers her as an incredible woman, but when she returned from college, her grandmother no longer recognized her.
This conversation reveals Sarah’s vulnerable side and gives Leah Lewis a chance to show her emotional depth as an actress. While Sarah has shown softer moments in her relationship with Kira (Piper Curda), she has mostly been known for her sharp wit, sarcasm, and determination.
This scene adds complexity to her character, showing why she is so ambitious and why she puts up a tough exterior. Matty sees a new side of Sarah and offers her the Autry case. However, a sudden change in events forces Matty to take back her decision, leading to a major shift in YouThree’s relationship.
Matty’s Last-Minute Choice Changes Everything for YouThree
After telling Sarah she can take the Autry case, Matty faces an unexpected problem. Billy discovers a hidden pen in the Jacobson Moore office. This pen was planted by Matty to gather information on Julian and Olympia. When Matty realizes that Billy has found the pen, she searches through his desk to retrieve it.
Billy catches her, and to cover her actions, Matty suddenly changes her decision. She tells Billy that he has earned the Autry case over Sarah. Billy is completely surprised.
Billy does an excellent job handling the case, and he is an easy character to root for. However, the impact on Sarah is heartbreaking. Sarah is extremely competitive and wants to succeed. Even though she cares about Billy, losing the case deeply upsets her.
When she realizes Matty took it away from her, her reaction is painful to watch. Leah Lewis perfectly captures Sarah’s emotions, showing her heartbreak without saying a word.
After Billy wins the case, Sarah confronts Matty. She asks why Matty would take the case away from her, clearly hurt by the decision. Matty apologizes but explains that Billy naturally treats people with kindness, while Sarah only showed compassion for a brief moment.
This response feels unfair, especially after Sarah opened up about her past. Sarah does not usually let people see her vulnerabilities, and Matty using her emotions against her makes the betrayal even worse. Sarah’s reaction shows that she does not easily forgive, and her next steps remain unpredictable.
The bond between Billy and Sarah has been growing into a wonderful friendship. Their playful banter adds warmth to the show. Losing that connection would be a big loss.
Matty’s decision has made things personal, and it may be difficult for YouThree to recover from this. Even though they have faced challenges before, they have always worked well as a team. It would be sad to see them fall apart.
Matty also has a lot at stake. She cannot afford another setback in her mission. If her choices continue to damage her relationships, she may find herself without the support she needs. The future of YouThree remains uncertain, and the effects of this episode will be felt for a long time.
Matlock airs Thursdays at 9 PM on CBS. New episodes are available to stream the next day on Paramount+.
