InMatlockseason 1, episode 3, Madeline makes a cryptic comment that demonstrates her biggest potential weakness in the show. The third episode of the Kathy Bates-led legal drama focuses on Madeline’s attempt to investigate Olympia’s files to prove that she was involved in the cover-up of documents related to the opioid crisis. The episode’s story has many of the qualities that havemadeMatlockso successful,including a subplot about Madeline having to try a case for the first time in her career.
Madeline spends most of this episode ofMatlockworking with her 12-year-old grandsonto find out what is on Olympia’s phone and computer, only to be confronted by several unexpected obstacles, including Madeline being expected to be in court so that she cannot sneak a look at Olympia’s phone while the attorney is trying the case. Thanks to another one of her clever plans, however, Madeline is able to steal and access Olympia’s computer. Upon discovering a hidden file, she makes a cryptic comment to Alfie in response to its contents.
Madeline’s Final Matlock Episode 3 Olympia Line Explained
She’s Reminding Herself Not To Get Too Close
Matlockseason 1, episode 3 ended with Madeline and Alfie being surprised to discover that a hidden file on Olympia’s computer was not the smoking gun that they had hoped for. Rather than evidence that Olympia had been involved in a cover-up,the pair discovered a voice message from Olympia’s late father wishing her luck on the bar exam and telling her he was proud of her.This discovery caused Madeline to comment, “We are not friends.”
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Madeline’s comment echoes one Olympia had made when the two did a victory dance together after Madeline’s closing helped them win a case, making it seem as if she is merely reinforcing Olympia’s statement that they are nothing more but business associates. However, the comment has far more significance than that. It was clear that Madeline empathizes with Olympia’s sense of loss after Olympia was unable to retrieve her father’s voicemail from the computer Madeline had swapped for Olympia’s real machine, andshe needs to remind herself to keep her emotional distance.
Madeline’s daughter is dead, as is Olympia’s father, so the two could easily bond over their shared sense of tragedy.
Madeline’s need to remind herself of this is especially poignant, considering the reason she is seeking revenge. Madeline’s daughter is dead, as is Olympia’s father, so the two could easily bond over their shared sense of tragedy. Furthermore, Olympia’s use of the recording to motivate herself is reminiscent of the meaning ofMWBSP inMatlockseason 1, episode 2. However, Madeline has a job to do and, therefore, cannot afford to get caught up in those types of feelings.
Matlock Shows How Madeline’s Empathetic Side Could Result In Her Downfall
She Could Easily Begin To See Her Enemies In A Different Light
Like many people who have suffered a tragic loss,Madeline has an overabundance of empathy for others who are feeling similar pain. Her empathy is on full display during her closing argument in the case she is asked to try; although she initially was skeptical of the client’s claims of sexual harassment, after recalling her own experiences in the workplace, she is able to deliver a powerful closing explaining why justice in this case is so important.
The recording she heard from Olympia’s father makes Olympia seem more like Madeline than Madeline realized.
This type of empathy is useful in the courtroom, but it’s a liability as far as Madeline’s revenge plan goes. The recording she hears from Olympia’s father makes Olympia seem more like Madeline than Madeline realized. If Madeline begins to identify with Olympia’s pain over losing her father, her insecurities when she was taking the bar, and her determination to make her late dad proud of her, it will make it far more difficult for her to continue seeking revenge against her.
Madeline Needs To Keep Her Distance From Her Co-Workers For Her Matlock Revenge Plan To Work
It’s Better For Her Scheme To See Them All As Faceless Enemies Than As Flawed Human Beings
When she first began her revenge scheme, Madeline’s thinking was very black and white.The lawyers whose firm she was hoping to infiltrate were monsters who put profit above human lives, not flawed people who had some redeeming qualitieseven though they also did horribly unethical things that resulted in needless deaths, including the death of Madeline’s daughter. It is vital to Madeline’s plans that she continue to see these lawyers this way.
Matlockincluded Madeline’s cryptic comment in response to hearing the message from Olympia’s father, because Madeline needed to remind herself not to fall into the trap of seeing Olympia as someone who was like her in important ways.
If Madeline gets close enough to her co-workers to see them as equally human to her and her daughter, she’ll feel guilty about carrying out her plans and most likely won’t go through with them. Thus,Matlockincluded Madeline’s cryptic comment in response to hearing the message from Olympia’s father, because Madeline needed to remind herself not to fall into the trap of seeing Olympia as someone who was like her in important ways.
Matlock
Cast
Matlock (2024) follows the return of Madeline Matlock, a brilliant septuagenarian, to a prestigious law firm. Utilizing her unassuming demeanor and astute strategies, she navigates the legal world to win cases and uncover corruption. The series draws inspiration from the classic television series of the same name.
