Matlock Season 1 Episode 17 Review: I Was That, Too

Matty’s secret is out of the bag on Matlock Season 1 Episode 17, “I Was That, Too.” However, this only serves to further the dynamic between Matty and Olympia.

Sure, anger and distrust run rampant through most of this episode, but it also highlights just how much they mean to each other. After all, we know that we only get hurt by the people who mean the most to us, especially when it comes to trust.

Olympia has every right to have all the feelings she goes through during this episode, but so does Matty.

Matty Still Knows How to Fight Fire with Fire

At first, it might feel like Matty has given up in favor of letting Olympia verbally punch her repeatedly. However, it isn’t long before we see Matty return to her old ways.

Honestly, the frustration I felt watching Matty try to explain things about her daughter only to be told to shut up by Olympia carries me through most of the episode. I don’t want to hate Olympia because she’s a character I’ve come to really enjoy over the course of this season.

However, her anger, while justified, comes off just this side of cruel at times. Sure, Matty didn’t tell the whole story about why she wanted to work for Jacobson Moore and scraped her old life from the internet, but that doesn’t warrant being locked in a room all night.

Nor does it warrant being asked to speak but then consistently told, “Why should I believe you?” It’s as if even Olympia can’t make up her mind on how to handle the situation.

However, the moment Matty realizes Olympia needs her help with a case, she knows exactly how to use it to her advantage. Sarah and Billy finding her is just happenstance, but you can bet Matty is going to use that to manipulate Olympia’s emotions.

Is it ideal, considering the scrutiny she is currently under? No, but Matty is being held against her will. Therefore, she has a counterargument for Olympia’s threat of contacting the police.

Olympia Has A Lot on Her Plate

I can’t entirely dismiss Olympia and her behavior during Matlock Season 1 Episode 17, “I Was That, Too,” because she’s got so much going on, on top of finding out her friend has been lying to her.

Olympia isn’t the type of corporate woman to create and develop friendships on the job, especially not with women. Which is why Matty’s betrayal is ten times more emotional for her.

Seeing both of them break down a bit when admitting that they trusted each other and cared about their friendship is why we have to take a step back and give Olympia grace. She isn’t going about handling the betrayal in the right way, but then again, she’s the type of woman who goes against the grain.

Not only is she dealing with Matty’s betrayal and a stressful partner race, but she’s now faced with the knowledge that her ex-husband probably stole documents and lied to her face about it for years. Both are very hard pills to swallow, especially for someone with limited social connections.

She still needs to be held accountable for the way she locked Matty in a room, forced her to give up her password, and stole her computer and phone. After all, Olympia is not the police all of these actions are a violation of Matty’s rights and her privacy.

That said, I’m not sure I would’ve reacted much differently. Olympia couldn’t let Matty go home, especially if she didn’t trust Matty not to run.

A Path Forward

By the end of the episode and all of its rollercoaster emotions, we can confidently feel that Matty has reached Olympia. They might not be back to the way things were before, but they sure are closer than they were at the start.

Olympia going with Matty to her home and meeting Edwin shows hope that she’s there to hear the couple out about their daughter. You can’t deny that Olympia was moved beyond her anger by reading Ellie’s obituary. 

From the way she swipes away tears and stares at the picture of her children on her desk, it’s clear that Matty has reached Olympia as a mom. Only time will tell us just how much Olympia is willing to see the good in Matty’s messy lies.

Even Matty appears to be more open to full honesty moving forward. Sure, she started the job under false pretenses, but the whole experience has shown her that she can still make a difference in the world. 

While the episode is emotional and somewhat heartbreaking overall, the ending leaves us with hope.

Stray Thoughts:

• Billy and Sarah are the best part of this show. It’s too bad they don’t get more of a focus. Their bond is so fun to watch.
• I’m really glad that Matty never reveals her source though she could have to take some of the heat off her shoulders.
• Amy getting a marriage annulment just as she’s about to have her baby is the type of Hail Mary this show is known for, and it doesn’t disappoint.
• The biggest question I have going into the finale is whether Billy and Sarah will learn the truth, too.

 

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Matlock airs Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.

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