MatIock: Olympia's Character Contradiction Means She Could Still Be Madeline's Biggest Foe

Warning! SPOILERS ahead for Matlock season 1, episode 10, "Crash Helmets On."Matlockseason 1, episode 10, entitled "Crash Helmets On," contradicts Olympia's (Skye P. Marshall) character, suggesting she could still be Madeline's (Kathy Bates) worst enemy. "Crash Helmets On" has Olympia and Madeline working together to defend the owner of a nursing home after a resident is found dead. The two seek proof that the victim died for reasons other than the nursing home's lack of proper oversight so that Olympia can prove she's better than Julian, which follows up on the competition started in Matlock episode 9.

Madeline does everything she can to help prove Olympia's case, including going undercover at the nursing home to find out more information about the victim's last days. Her loyalty to Olympia continues to concern Edwin (Sam Anderson), who believes that Madeline is allowing her affection for Olympia to interfere with her objectivity. Madeline uses one of the last-minute tricks that has made Matlock so successful, leading Olympia to order a forensic accounting of Julian's past activities. However, it is unclear whether Olympia is as innocent as Matlock's Madeline believes.

Olympia's Latest Client Betrays Her Values In Matlock

She's Seeking To Stop A Seemingly Guilty Person From Being Held Accountable

Matlock Olympia shaking someone's hand and smiling

Olympia often presents herself as someone who went into law practice for the right reasons. She fights for justice for marginalized clients, such as people who are wrongfully terminated or otherwise have been discriminated against. Thus, it is surprising that she is willing to take on the case of a man who appears to be guilty of allowing a resident to unnecessarily die while under his care. Given her previous interests, it would have made more sense for Olympia to sue the facility where he died than defend it.

Ultimately, the team discovers that the man's death was an assisted suicide. His girlfriend helped poison him because he no longer wanted to live after breaking his hip. This tragic revelation somewhat justifies Olympia's decision to take the case. However, Olympia's willingness to help this client doesn't appear to stem from the belief that he was being falsely accused. Thus, this new information in Matlockdoesn't completely resolve the contradiction in her character.

Matlock Episode 10's Case Demonstrates How Olympia Could Have Still Hidden The Wellbrexa Documents

If She Is Willing To Betray Her Values Now, She Might Have Done So In The Past

Madeline's dismissal of Olympia as a suspect comes from her belief that Olympia is not the kind of person who would hide documents or otherwise engage in shady behavior. Her thoughts about this come from conversations she has had with Olympia about past cases, as well as Olympia's behavior in the present. Madeline doesn't question why Olympia is taking on a case that seems to contradict her values. However, Matlock's Madeline is trying to manipulate Olympia into demanding forensic accounting so they can get evidence that Julian hid the documents. Thus, it is in her interest to overlook this contradiction.

If Olympia is willing to betray her values to one-up Julian and remain at Jacobson Moore, she is capable of hiding the Wellbrexa documents for a similar reason.

However, Madeline is not looking at the bigger picture. Olympia is someone who hates betrayal and dishonesty, but she does not act like that person in Matlock episode 10. If Olympia is willing to betray her values to one-up Julian and remain at Jacobson Moore, she is capable of hiding the Wellbrexa documents for a similar reason. Thus, Olivia's guilt could be an unpredictable aspect of the Matlock season 1 ending, but Madeline is not seeing her friend clearly enough to realize this.

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