Spoiler alert for Matlock season 1, episode 6, ‘Sixteen Steps’Madeline and Olympia have a secret connection, revealed in Matlock episode 6, which could disrupt Kathy Bates’ character’s grand scheme. Bates stars in the Andy Griffith remake Matlock series, one of the best procedural TV shows of all time. Bates’ series is shaping up to be just as good as the original, with the events of season 1 following the Matlock The series premiere’s revolutionary twist: Madeline Matlock, an ugly retired lawyer, is a disguise for Madeline Kingston. The septuagenarian wears a folksy disguise to hide her identity as she infiltrates the Jacobson Moore law firm.
Madeline plans to find out who hid documents that could have taken dangerous pharmaceutical opioids off the market and put them in prison. At first, Madeline’s secret plan works smoothly, but it becomes more difficult for her to stick to it as time goes on. Madeline’s husband, Edwin (Sam Anderson), encourages his wife to give up in episode 5. Although she hesitantly agrees, the Matlock the story gives the lawyer a deal too sweet to turn down in episode 6. Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) and Julian (Jason Ritter) approach Madeline about working on a pharmaceutical case, but they may be too late.
Madeline and Olympia met two years ago
Madeline and Olympia have a memorable date outside Jacobson Moore
Matlock Season 1 Episode 6, “Sixteen Steps,” reveals the origins of Madeline’s journey to justice. Madeline is shown in New York City with Edwin and Alfie (Aaron D. Harris) on a pilgrimage to the city to celebrate Ellie’s birthday. When examining Jacobson Moore’s New York lobby, Madeline runs straight into Olympia, spilling coffee down the front of Olympia’s all-white suit.. Olympia, frustrated by circumstances at work and home, tells Bates’ character to watch where she is going, citing that she “Not the only damn person on Earth.”
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Olympia is experiencing stress due to a contaminated box of baby formula, which we know Olympia and Julian lost on their first try. Episode 6’s flashbacks clarify that the affair has exacerbated the underlying tension in her marriage, causing Olympia to decide she wants a divorce. Madeline sees the literal falling out with Olympia as a sign to move on with her plan. She had been planning before the events in the flashback since she was in the lobby of 450 5th Street, the skyscraper that houses Jacobson Moore.
Olympia’s white suit could be a reminder of her first date with Madeline
The Sharp set is a memorable outfit
Between flashbacks from two years before and the present, Olympia’s white suit is a constant throughout “Sixteen Steps”. The lawyer wears the suit the day she meets Madeline in the lobby of Jacobson Moore, on the first day of the initial trial. Her hairstyle is longer and curled, contrasting with her current bob cut. Olympia tightens her face, reflecting the stress she is relieving. In the current timeline of episode 6, Olympia rediscovers the costume as she and Julian pack up their belongings after agreeing to sell their brownstone in Matlock episode 5.
Wearing the suit could remind Olympia of the moment she encountered Madeline, raising questions about what Madeline was doing there.
After Olympia and Julian work together to try the baby formula case again and win, Olympia revives her iconic costume. She places it the day after the trial, after rekindling her romance with her husband the night before. Olympia wears the suit to work, telling Julian in the elevator how different it is from last time. Olympia has strong emotions linked to her costume as she wore it during such a memorable time. As such, wearing the suit could remind Olympia of the moment she encountered Madeline, raising questions about what Madeline was doing there.
How Olympia remembering Madeline gets in the way of her Matlock revenge plan
Madeline raises even more questions
Olympia’s costume carries emotional weight in “Sixteen Steps.” If episode 7 picks up where episode 6 left off, Olympia will still wear the costume. If Olympia goes to have coffee in the break room, the smell of the coffee mixed with the feel of the suit could combine the right familiar sensations to trigger the memory. Olympia could see Madeline’s face simultaneously and everything could just click.
Madeline had no business being in the lobby of the Jacobson Moore Building two years earlier, and more confusing behavior would blow holes in Madeline’s cover. Madeline comes dangerously close to blowing her cover when Olympia catches her taking a personal call on the patio crying in Matlock episode 6. Still, the upside is that Madeline didn’t identify as Madeline Kingston the day she encountered Olympia, so Bates’ character can develop a backstory that ties the event to her disguise. Still, the amount of lies Madeline has to tell is starting to mount.