Warning! Spoilers for Matlock episode 6 ahead.
The Stanley subplot in Matlock season 1, episode 6, “Sixteen Steps,” demonstrates a potentially fatal flaw in Madeline’s revenge plan. Matlock’s premiere twist established that Madeline took the last name Matlock in honor of her favorite TV lawyer so that she can infiltrate Jacobson Moore, the law firm that she believes covered up documents about the opioid crisis that could have prevented her daughter’s death and expose their wrongdoing. She has made steady progress toward her goal, having established a professional and semi-friendly relationship with lead lawyer Olympia and stolen fingerprints she needs to break into a secure room.
In Matlock episode 6, Madeline’s entire plan almost falls apart because of the appearance of Stanley, a man who knows her from her past. Stanley’s son is also addicted to opioids and has disappeared, so when he sees Madeline on a dating app, he reaches out to her for help, nearly blowing her cover when he shows up at Jacobson Moore’s lobby to ask for “Madeline Kingston.” Madeline only narrowly avoids being exposed by approaching Stanley before he can broadcast her true identity and walking him off, and later must lie to Olympia about who Stanley is.
Stanley’s Appearance Shows How Getting Recognized Is A Threat To Madeline’s Plan
She Is Lucky To Avoid Exposure
Although Madeline moved to New York to join Jacobson Moore, she cannot completely escape her past. Any person who knew Madeline before she embarked upon this revenge plan could appear, and sabotage her revenge scheme. They can unexpectedly call her by her real name or mention the true cause of Ellie’s death in front of members of Jacobson Moore’s legal staff. Stanley almost does exactly that, and, luckily, Madeline is in the lobby and able to interrupt before he asks for her by her full name in Matlock episode 6.
Stanley knows Madeline because they share the tragedy of having children who are addicted to opioids, and he seeks her out because he needs to talk to someone who understands what he is going through after his son disappeared and has likely returned to drug use.
Stanley’s appearance also demonstrates that Madeline is bonded to other parents of people with addiction issues, making exposure even more likely. Stanley knows Madeline because they share the tragedy of having children who are addicted to opioids, and he seeks her out because he needs to talk to someone who understands what he is going through after his son disappeared and has likely returned to drug use. Thus, there may be others in the same situation who might recognize and reach out to Madeline in Matlock, especially if Stanley mentions to anyone in a support group that he saw her.
Madeline’s Pharmaceutical Stint Makes Her More Vulnerable To Being Recognized
She May Soon Be In The Public Eye
“Sixteen Steps” ends with the door opening for Matlock‘s Madeline to get her revenge, as she is finally granted permission to work with the pharma team. This brings her far closer to her revenge goal, as she will have access to the case files she needs to prove that someone covered up documents about the opioid crisis. However, the downside of this successful step in her plan is that Madeline will likely be far more in the public eye moving forward in Matlock.
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Madeline’s Final Olympia Line In Matlock Episode 3 Exposes Her Potential Greatest Weakness
Matlock’s Madeline has one potential weakness that is demonstrated in her cryptic final comment after making a discovery during season 1, episode 3.
Pharma cases are big news, and if Madeline is asked to try them or be present in the courtroom, the press might take photos or interview her about how things are going. Increased media exposure makes it more likely that someone from Madeline’s past will recognize her, which could lead to someone revealing her true identity before she can finish collecting the evidence she needs for her revenge plot. This could prove disastrous for her plan, so Matlock‘s Madeline needs to consider this possibility and guard against it as much as possible.
Matlock is a modern reboot of the classic series created for CBS that sees the titular role taken up by Kathy Bates. After years retired from her career, Madeline Matlock rejoins the legal world in a powerful new firm where she uses her seasoned skills to win cases and expose the underlying corruption within the legal system.
- Cast
- Kathy Bates , Jason Ritter , Skye P. Marshall , David Del Rio , Leah Lewis , Aaron Harris , Eme Ikwuakor , Beau Bridges , Sam Anderson , Jordyn Weitz , Henry Allen , Colleen Camp
- Character(s)
- Madeline Matlock , Julián , Olympia , Billy , Sarah , Alfie Kingston , Elijah Walker , Senior Partner , Kathryn Lawrence-Markston , Courtney (Court) Lawrence-Markston
- Seasons
- 1
