entertainment / Sunday, 16-Feb-2025

Matlock's New Villain Is A Hypocrite But She Is The Only 1 Who Could Jeopardize Madeline's Revenge

Warning! SPOILERSahead for Matlock season 1, episode 11, "A Traitor In Thine Own House."

Matlockseason 1, episode 11, titled "A Traitor In Thine Own House" introduced a new villain who could interfere with Madeline's (Kathy Bates) revenge plan, but this troublemaker is also a hypocrite. Madeline has spent a lot of time attempting to neutralize Shae, who is closing in on the truth about who she is. Early in the episode, Shae picks up on the tension between Sarah and Madeline and enlists the former as an ally against Bates' character. However, Madeline pulls one of the tricks that has made Matlock so successful in getting Shae off her back.

Madeline plants a false lead about herself to trick Shae into going to Georgia to talk to a supposed colleague, who is Edwin in disguise. This unauthorized trip gives Madeline the leverage she needs to complain to HR, successfully getting Shae to back off. Unfortunately, Sarah may not be done with her anger at Madeline for removing her from a case. Assuming that she will continue to hold a grudge, this could be a twist in the making for the end of the quasi-reboot of Matlock's first season.

Matlock Episode 11 Makes Sarah A Hypocrite

Her Attempt To Save Her Friendship With Billy Makes No Sense

Sarah is determined to get revenge for Madeline replacing her on a case with Billy, yet her friendship with the man who replaced her seems to be of primary importance to her. If her anger is really about the case from Matlock episode 10, Sarah should be furious with Billy for agreeing to take that case rather than refusing it. Yet all her wrath is reserved for Madeline. She is even willing to work with Shae to take Madeline down, yet is devastated when Billy tells her he's finished trying to be her friend.

Of course, Sarah's anti-Madeline crusade implies that Billy wasn't the best person to take the case that he won. Sarah singularly focuses on Madeline in Matlock episode 11 as the cause of all her defeat while trying to preserve a relationship with Billy. This implies that there's more to the matter than meets the eye. Until Sarah's real motive is explained, however, her stance will remain hypocritical since she's blaming one person when there were two involved in the perceived betrayal of her.

Sarah's New Relationship With Olympia Puts Madeline's Plans In Jeopardy

Sarah May Witness Madeline's Manipulations Firsthand

Matlock Sarah crying in Olympia's office
Matlock Sarah crying in Olympia's office

Surprisingly, Sarah makes a power move at the end of Matlock episode 11. When Olympia calls her into her office to tell her to let go of "whatever bizarre beef" she has with Madeline, Sarah deliberately shows her vulnerability, allowing herself to cry about how she's been blaming everyone but herself for being taken off the previous case. Sarah then takes advantage of Olympia's sympathy to ask to become her mentee.

She [Sarah] does not have the guilt about manipulating Olympia that Madeline has, putting her in a better position to influence Olympia.

This puts Sarah in the perfect position to destroy Madeline's plans in Matlock. Sarah will likely witness most of Madeline's future interactions with Olympia, which will allow her to strategically interfere. Additionally, she does not have the guilt about manipulating Olympia that Madeline has, putting her in a better position to influence their boss. Madeline will have to become even more manipulative to outplay Sarah, which could lead to an exciting climax to the Wellbrexa investigation story.

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Your Rating

Matlock
9/10
185
9.5/10
Release Date
September 22, 2024
Network
CBS
Directors
Kat Coiro, Brad Silberling, Gina Lamar, Hanelle M. Culpepper, Jennifer Lynch, Jude Weng, Tessa Blake, Yangzom Brauen, Marie Jamora, Daniel Willis
Writers
Nicki Renna, Jeffrey Lieber, Sara Rose Feinberg

Cast

See All
  • Headshot Of Kathy Bates In The CBS Fall Schedule Celebration At Paramount Studios
    Madeline 'Matty' Matlock
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Skye P. Marshall
    Olympia Lawrence

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