If you’re starting to feel like Matlock is sending mixed messages, you are not alone in that mindset. What began as a clear-cut mission has quickly spiraled into an epic mystery with numerous possible endings.
Since the start of the show, the main mission has been for Matty to figure out who covered up the Welbrexa documents that led to opioids staying on the streets.
If you asked any viewers after the Matlock premiere, they would probably have told you that it was going to be a cut-and-dry season with lots of quirky moments until the truth’s revealed.
That’s not technically wrong, as this show has enough quirk to fill a circus. However, one thing that sets Matlock apart from other broadcast shows is its ability to exceed expectations.
Every time we think a character or even the story is going to zig, the show goes right ahead and zags. Although, no one is going to be mad about a mystery keeping them on their toes.
That said, there are so many possible endings to Matlock Season 1, and TV Fanatic has rounded them down to the best, worst, and weirdest possible finales.
The Best Solution for Madeline Matlock Is If the Right Suspect Were the Most Logical One
Let’s kick things off on a happy note, shall we? Who’s to say Matty doesn’t fulfill her mission with flying colors? That all the sacrifices she has made were all worth it in the end?
The best-case scenario for everyone at Jacobson Moore is if the Welbrexa coverup falls on Senior’s head.
Any fan of Matlock can tell you without hesitation that looks can be deceiving, as Senior’s sweet, old man persona is just that — a persona.
If you’ve read the Matlock reviews, you know Senior is not above manipulating the law to serve his own agenda or purpose.
On Matlock Season 1 Episode 4, he played a pretty dirty trick called “The Texas Two-Step” that saw a client win and lose a case simultaneously. So, yeah, he could definitely be the Welbrexa culprit.
Sure, there is a ton of evidence that Senior was out of the country when the coverup happened, but you know Senior has eyes and ears all over Jacobson Moore.
There’s Stuart, for one, or even Shae, now that we know Senior keeps the jury consultant in his back pocket.
This is to say that if Senior were guilty, it’s possible his position at the firm would transfer to Julian, as it makes the most logical sense.
If Julian were to take over Jacobson Moore, it would be possible for Julian and Olympia to stay there.
Miss Lawrence could win the partner race, and Julian (Jason Ritter) would make partner by default.
Even better, if Matty manages to get the information to the media anonymously, she could keep her cover and stay at Jacobson Moore. It’s a win-win.
Once enough time has passed, Matty can reveal the truth to the firm’s team because if Madeline does stick around, it’ll be because of the friends she’s made along the way.
That said, as wonderful as a happy ending with a neatly tied bow would be, Matlock hasn’t made the splash it has by being predictable.
The show has made a name for itself by delivering some delicious twists, and I don’t see that changing before the season finale.
Even If Matty Does Manage to Track Down the Person Who Hid the Documents, Not Evading Capture Would Have a Monumental Impact on Her and Her Family’s Lives
As with anything in life, there is always a worst-case scenario that goes hand in hand with possible positive outcomes. So, we’d be remiss not to consider all the ways Matty’s plan could go south real fast.
First, we all know it would be absolutely devastating if Olympia turned out to be the Welbrexa culprit. However, weirder things have happened.
Remember when Sarah spent the entirety of Matlock Season 1 Episode 8 being carefree because of her budding romance with Kira at the time? Yeah, that was an anomaly in and of itself.
So, while I don’t think it was Olympia, anything is possible. She very well could have been the kind of person who would have made shady moves to get ahead.
Let’s take a moment and ask ourselves, “With the number of people Olympia has helped, would it have been worth it if she was, in fact, the one who hid the documents?”
I’m not trying to play the devil’s advocate here, but Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) has gone above and beyond to seek justice for her clients. Would all her good deeds balance out one terrible thing?
Even more so, if they find that Olympia tampered with one case, it could result in the re-opening of her other past cases and undo all the good she has done.
As if that weren’t bad enough, if Matty’s plan goes wrong and she’s also found out, Matty could not only be fired but arrested as well.
I don’t know what technical law Matty is breaking or if it’s just one, but I would imagine she and Sam Anderson’s (A Million Little Things) Edwin wouldn’t be so adamant about covering their tracks if what they were doing was legal.
If Matty faces arrest and prison, where does that leave Edwin and Alfie, not to mention Bitsy?
Matty and Edwin took on a monumental task that required the time and attention they didn’t have, and I’m not talking about Madeline’s mission.
Afie’s grandparents made a commitment to love, raise, and protect him after he had already gone through so much loss.
How will that kid cope with watching his grandma get carted off to the clink? The therapy bills alone would bankrupt Edwin.
After everything is said and done, there is still the matter of the media. This much scandal from one law firm would follow Matty, Olympia, Edwin, Alfie, and everyone else involved for the rest of their lives.
And yet, after considering the best and worst possible scenarios, there are still many more to contemplate for this CBS series. However, we at TV Fanatic have pondered a truly absurd possible ending.
Jacobson Moore & Matlock Has a Nice Ring to It, Don’t You Think?
Before we go on this ride together, I would like to preface this part of the article by saying I put a lot of thought into how off-the-rails things could genuinely get while still being believable, and I think I nailed it.
That said, no one should feel the need to worry about my mental health. I am fully aware that what I am about to say is bonkers, but remember that any and all of this could technically happen.
First, the culprit. Who would be the weirdest choice for the Welbrexa coverup? Matlock references one character quite a bit while moving behind the scenes.
As recently as Matlock Season 1 Episode 14, Matty’s own sister, Bitsy, played by the fabulous Julie Hagerty, mentioned their good friend from back home, Cindy Shapiro.
That’s right, the person behind the hidden documents could be none other than Cindy Shapiro.
Considering we know virtually nothing about this character that is constantly mentioned, anything is possible.
You probably think I’m nuts or pulling your leg for even suggesting it, but it is a possibility. We have no idea what Miss Shapiro does, and from all we know, she could have been tied to the Welbrexa case years ago.
Sure, it would come out of left field, and it would take some major connecting of the dots to make it work, but I’m a firm believer that every character should serve a purpose, even ones never seen.
That said, the weirdness hardly ends there. In this scenario, because Matty (Kathy Bates) helped bring Cindy to justice, she’s made a name partner for all of her contributions to the firm.
I know, I know. You’re likely thinking, “That’s quite the leap to go from most recent hire to making partner in a matter of one season.”
Honestly, that’s not that weird, considering the loose rules broadcast TV likes to play with.
How many times have you seen characters that have known each other for three episodes and then are suddenly engaged? I’m looking at you, Fire Country.
Or a character who gets on the organ donor list for a kidney, thinking they will have to struggle for a long time only for their long-lost sibling to show up and be a perfect match.
My point is that if you want logic, television is the last place you should look for it.
Granted, my only experience with law firms comes from shows like Matlock and The Good Fight, but when it comes to storytelling, there are no limits to what a writer can make happen.
Honestly, the possible curveballs Matlock could throw at the story are endless.
The writers could have Shae and Olympia romantically entangled down the road. Can you even imagine what that dynamic would be like?
There’s no way to know which way the show is going to take the season finale, but we at least have some idea of the possibilities.
Who knew this little CBS show would deliver a truly enthralling story that would have us coming back week after week asking for more? Matlock should have won the Golden Globe.
How do you think Matlock Season 1 will end?
What do you think would be the weirdest possible thing to happen on the show?
Please drop a comment below to let me know what you think, and join me again when I bring you more fun questions and opinions about Matlock!
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