Matty Under Fire: An Unraveling Alliance in CBS’s Matlock
Things get messy in the newest episode of CBS’s Matlock, and it’s not the kind of tension that can be swept under the rug. 'I Was That, Too,' the seventeenth episode, finds legendary defense attorney Madeline “Matty” Matlock, played by Kathy Bates, stuck in the crosshairs—not just of a tricky case, but of her own partner. Viewers who tuned in last week saw secrets begin to bubble up. This episode sees them burst wide open.
It all starts when Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), Matty’s sharp-witted colleague, is approached by a pregnant woman desperate to divorce her husband. Sounds simple, right? Not when the husband’s family is already on the firm’s client list. Suddenly, Olympia’s loyalty and Matty’s integrity are thrust into question. It’s the kind of legal and ethical whirlwind that forces everyone to pick sides, with professional and personal lines blurring fast.
Olympia isn’t one to let anything slip past her. During her investigation into the client’s case, she stumbles onto secrets Matty tried to keep buried—secrets stemming from last week’s gripping cliffhanger. When Olympia connects the dots, she faces Matty in a scene that’s tense enough to make anyone squirm. There’s no courtroom, no judge, just raw confrontation as Olympia demands Matty grab pen and paper and document every single lie she’s told. And Matty, who’s made her career out of calling the shots, is suddenly the one on trial.
A Power Shift and High Stakes for the Season Finale
This moment marks a big power shift. Olympia, usually the thoughtful partner, takes the wheel and leaves Matty dangerously exposed. It’s not just the legal case on the line. Matty’s entire career—and her relationships at the firm—hang in the balance as she scrambles to explain herself. What’s striking is how isolated Matty becomes. Where she once had authority and team backing, she now faces lonely consequences. It’s a classic case of tables turning: the prosecutor becomes the accused.
Showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman leans hard into Matty’s vulnerability, shaking up the typical dynamic fans are used to. Olympia stepping up with confidence and setting strict boundaries highlights the intense fallout of the main character’s dishonesty. It’s not about winning or losing a case, but about survival in a world where every secret has a price.
The episode stops short of offering easy answers. Instead, it sets things up for a two-part season finale called 'Tricks of the Trade,' premiering April 17. The stakes are even higher—Matty’s fate, Olympia’s future at the firm, and the outcome of a contentious divorce all left hanging in suspense. With Kathy Bates and Skye P. Marshall bringing raw emotion to their roles, it’s the kind of episode that keeps you guessing whose side you’ll be on by the end. One thing’s clear: Matlock’s next move will be watched very closely by everyone at the firm—and everyone watching at home.
Write a comment