Warning: This article contains SPOILERS forMatlockseason 1.Matlockwas renewed for season 2 after just the first two episodes premiered on CBS, owing to its strong viewership and critical acclaim. Kathy Bates anchorsthe cast ofMatlockas both Madeline Matlock at work and Madeline Kingston at home. TheMatlockseason 1 finaleanswers the major question of who hid the Wellbrexa study: Julian (Jason Ritter) did it at his father’s behest, and Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) is just as innocent as Matty fervently believed.
However,Matlock’s two-part season 1 finalealso leaves plenty of dangling threads that fans will be eager to pick up in season 2. Alfie’s (Aaron D. Harris) father appears unexpectedly at the very end of season 1, which will be another wrench in Matty and Edwin’s (Sam Anderson) marriage. At work,Olympia knows Madeline’s true identity, but Billy (David Del Rio) and Sarah (Leah Lewis) are still completely in the dark. Most importantly, the stakes are higher than ever for Olympia, and her promotion to partner might put her at odds with Matty’s quest for justice.
10How Will Edwin React To Meeting Alfie’s Father?
Edwin Lied To Matty About Losing The Contact Information
Edwin and Matty are likely to have very different reactions to the sudden appearance of Alfie’s biological father at the end of theMatlockseason 1 finale.When they discuss who should get custody of Alfie if something happened to them inMatlockseason 1, episode 10, Edwin is resistant to the idea of reconnecting with Alfie’s father, seeing it as a dangerous opportunity for Alfie to be hurt or disappointed all over again.
It was Alfie himself who reached out to this biological father.
Matty counters that this is a selfish stance, as it might be harder for them, but it could be better for Alfie in the long term. In the end, it was Alfie himself who reached out to his biological father, taking the decision out of their hands in a shocking twist in the finale’s final scene.
9Is Alfie’s Father An Addict?
Alfie’s Father Is Set Up To Be A Major Part Of Season 2
We don’t know much about Alfie’s father (Niko Nicotera) because Matty and Edwin never knew him.He did reach out to Edwin through his university email in the wake of Ellie’s (Marnee Carpenter) death, although Edwin did not tell Matty about it until recently. Matty and Edwin assume he must be an addict (or in recovery) like their daughter was.
Visually, the actor cast in the role plays into certain stereotypes: He appears somewhat hollow and gaunt, with a worn, weathered look that hints at a hard life.I think it is most likely he is an addict in recovery, sober for years,but with Edwin and Matty already at odds over whether she should stay at Jacobson Moore, introducing this stranger into their grandson’s life will not relieve any marital pressures.
8Can Edwin & Madeline’s Marriage Survive Her Decision To Stay?
Matty Has Regrets About Abandoning Her Career Edwin Doesn’t Know About
For most ofMatlockseason 1, Edwin seems like a truly supportive spouse, keeping Matty in check but on board with her undercover assignment.However, in the finale, it’s clear he saw this as a short-term arrangement, not a permanent change. If Matty wants to stay at the firm, it’s going to cause real tension between them.
7Will Madeline Tell The Truth To Sarah & Billy?
Olympia Knows Matty’s Real Identity, But Sarah & Billy Do Not
Sarah, Billy, and Matty built a real sense of camaraderie this season, working seamlessly as a team and trusting one another.That bond will be shattered once they realize Matty has been misrepresenting herself at best, and at worst, outright lying. For Sarah, who prides herself on her research skills, it will feel personally humiliating that she missed something so big.
Sarah’s mentorship under Olympia will also become more complicated, as it will be hard to ignore that Olympia likely knew the truth and chose to withhold it.Matty’s double life will crumble the solid foundation of friendship between Olympia’s three associates built in season 1,which is one of thereasons thatMatlockhas been so successful.
6How Will Simone Retaliate Against Sarah?
Simone Will Blame Sarah For Billy Wanting To Keep Their Relationship Casual
Simone (Andrea Londo), Sarah’s nemesis since law school, is undoubtedly going to seek revenge once Billy tells her he wants to keep things casual. Sarah isn’t paranoid, as Simone has played mind games with her before. Sarah wasn’t actively campaigning against Simone and Billy, but Simone will still blame her for Billy pulling back.
After weeks of building toward the realization that an open relationship does not work for her, we don’t get to see the conversation play out.
Meanwhile, Sarah’s break-up withJacobson Moore’s IT specialist Kira(Piper Curda) was disappointingly handled off-screen.After weeks of building toward the realization that an open relationship does not work for her, we don’t get to see the conversation play out, undercutting Sarah’s hard-earned realization that she deserves someone who wants only her.
5Does Senior Know Anything, And Does That Have To Do With Olympia’s Promotion?
Senior Ties Olympia’s Fate To Jacobson Moore, Potentially Putting Her At Odds With Matty
WhileMatlockhasn’t offered many concrete hints, it’s possible Senior (Beau Bridges) suspects Madeline’s true intentions and Olympia’s complicity. His decision to promote Olympia over his own son Julian could be a strategic move rather than pure recognition of her talent. Senior clearly sees Julian as firmly under his control, so tying Olympia’s fate to Jacobson Moore’s could be his way of neutralizing a threat.
If Olympia helps Matty expose a wrongdoing, she would now be hurting her own career and investment in the firm. This feels very much like a “keep your friends close and enemies closer” tactic, ensuring that any rebellion will come at a personal cost to Olympia.
4What Legal Recourse Would Jacobson Moore Have Again Matty?
Matty Legally Changed Her Surname To Matlock
If Jacobson Moore finds out Madeline Kingston misrepresented herself to get hired, they could pursue serious legal action.While Matty seems confident thather legal name change from Kingston to Matlockshields her, fraud is about intent, not just identity. If the firm can prove she concealed material facts — namely that she joined under false pretenses to gather information against them — they could sue her for fraud, breach of contract, or misrepresentation.
Given the caliber of attorneys at Jacobson Moore, they would likely argue that Matty’s deception caused reputational and financial harm.Even if she technically followed the letter of the law, her actions could expose her to significant civil liability and potential career-ending fallout.
3How Did Julian Pay For The Condo?
There Are Two Possibilities, But The Finale Avoids Confirming Either Way
It’s odd how theMatlockseason 1 finale made such a big deal out of how Julian afforded the condo where he and Olympia are raising their twins, only to never actually clarify the answer.The most likely explanation is that Senior paid Julian off for taking the Wellbrexa file, especially since Julian kept that file hidden in his safe deposit box.However, Olympia is specifically searching for financial records, not case files, and the show deliberately leaves things ambiguous.
The CBS series even floats the possibility that Julian’s mother gave him early access to his trust fund, but portrays her as too flighty to remember.It’s a frustrating loose thread that feels intentionally left open for season 2.
2What Is The Future Of Olympia’s Relationship With Julian?
Olympia Seemed Like She Might Ask Him To Move Back In, Before Discovering The Wellbrexa Document
Olympia and Julian’s relationship has been a bit of a yo-yo throughout the season.Olympia seems on the verge of asking Julian to move back into the condo to co-parent their twins, hinting at a real emotional thaw after their physical reconnection inMatlockseason 1, episode 6. But Matty’s reveal that Julian illegally withheld information from discovery completely shifts Olympia’s view of him. Their trust, once tentatively rebuilding, shatters again.
Their dynamic is further complicated by the triangle of power with Julian’s father, Senior, who has elevated Olympia within Jacobson Moore while casting Julian aside.Olympia’s future is now tied to Senior’s, making her relationship with Julian even more emotionally and politically fraught heading into season 2.
1How Wealthy Are The Kingstons?
Madeline Is Obviously Richer Than Matty Pretends To Be
We still don’t know exactly how wealthy Madeline and Edwin really are.Matty plays the part of being paycheck-to-paycheck at the firm to justify why she’s back at work, but in reality, she only takes the bus for one stop before being picked up by her chauffeur.
Edwin assumed this undercover operation that is the central plot ofMatlockwould be temporary, yet they still bought and beautifully furnished an entire mansion, and in the finale, Edwin discusses how complicated selling it will be. The Kingstons' wealth could become important later, especially if Olympia leaves Jacobson Moore and needs a financial backer, or if Matty finds herself battling Senior and needs deep pockets to fight him in court inMatlockseason 2.
