Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for Matlock Episode 10.
One of the best elements ofCBS’sMatlockis the dynamic between veteran Matty (Kathy Bates), and new lawyers Billy (David Del Rio) and Sarah (Leah Lewis). At the beginning of the season,they were given the nickname “YouThree"by their boss Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) as a catchall way to refer to the group when she needs help. Over the course of the season,their relationship has blossomed into something truly special,with the trio balancing competitive tension with moments of hilarious and lighthearted banter, including a great bit about a belt buckle in this week’s episode.
Each of them brings something different to Jacobson Moore: Billy has a softer, more compassionate approach to cases and life, while Sarah is more abrasive but good at what she does. Despite their characters' differences,Del Rio and Lewis have great chemistry and play off Bates exceptionally well, making YouThree such a compelling trio to watch. However, in Episode 10, “Crash Helmets On,“Matty makes a difficult decision with serious implicationsnot just for her and her mission, but for the future of YouThree and whether their dynamic will ever be the same.
YouThree Is Given a Major Opportunity in ‘Matlock’ Episode 10
In Episode 10, “Crash Helmets On”, there are two cases of the week running parallel to each other.Olympia takes on a case representing Tranquil Pines Nursing Home, dealing with the sudden death of a resident at their facility. When discussing the case with YouThree,it’s clear that Sarah and Billy have a different approach to the case. While Billy asks questions, Sarah unapologetically makes it clear that she’s more focusedon Olympia winning the partner spotso she can cover her student loan payments. It’s a stark reminder to Olympia and to Matty of how different these two young lawyers are.
Meanwhile, Autry Tucker (Hal Williams),an elderly man introduced in Episode 2, seeks help from Jacobson Moore to avoid eviction from his apartment. With Olympia unavailable, she asks YouThree to take on the case, giving Matty the power to decide whether Billy or Sarah will have their first solo day in court. After witnessing Sarah’s abrasive interactions with Autry, Matty leans toward Billy, who seems to have a better sensibility for the case. However, a moment she observes between Sarah and a resident at Tranquil Pines leadsMatty to question whether she misjudged Sarah’s approach entirely.
‘Matlock’ Episode 10 Shows a More Vulnerable Side of Sarah
While Matty and Sarah are at Tranquil Pines helping Olympia collect intel from the residents, Matty bluntly tells Sarah that her approach isn’t working. Sarah doesn’t believe she needs to be likable to be the best at her job, while Matty argues that having an emotional connection with her clients is just as important. Their conversation is interrupted when they’re approached by Gladys (played byBoy Meets WorldalumBetsy Randle), who was lucid the day before but is now having an episode, searching for her deceased husband.
Matty freezes, unsure how to handle Gladys,but Sarah unexpectedly steps in, recognizing the signs of dementiaand responding with compassion. Speaking softly, she soothes Gladysby singing a little tuneand guiding her back to her room, leaving Matty stunned by Sarah’s empathy. Afterward, Sarah opens up to Matty about her own experience with dementia and her adopted grandmother. She was an awesome lady who hated it when people questioned if they were related, but sadly, when Sarah came back from college, she didn’t recognize her anymore.
This moment reveals a more vulnerable side of Sarah,while also giving Leah Lewis a moment to shineand showcase her range. While we’ve seen some softer moments from Sarah since she started seeing Kira (Piper Curda), for the most part, she’s been definedby her dry humor, sarcasm, and go-getter attitude.Seeing her more vulnerable side adds depth to her characterand also helps to explain her ambition and tough exterior. This touching moment convinces Matty that Sarah does have the ability to work on Autry’s case and offers her the job. However, a turn of events causes Matty to flip her decision, causing a major ripple effect in YouThree’s dynamic.
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Andy Griffith and Kathy Bates are not cut from the same cloth.
Matty’s Whiplash Decision Will Forever Change YouThree’s Relationship in ‘Matlock’
After promising the Autry case to Sarah,the bugged pen that Matty planted in the Jacobson Moore officeto pick up intel on Julian and Olympia is discovered by Billy. When Matty tries to find the pen in Billy’s desk, he catches her snooping. To cover herself, Matty tells Billy that he’s actually earned the Autry case over Sarah, which is a total shock to him. Billy does a great job handling the case,and he’s certainly an easy character to root for, butseeing the impact it has on Sarah and knowing how it will affect their dynamic is completely heartbreaking. Sarah’s competitive nature and her desire to succeed, even while she clearly likes and cares about Billy, make the moment she learns the case is no longer hers incredibly crushing. The shift in Leah Lewis’s expression in this scene speaks volumes without a single word.
After Billy wins the case, Sarah and Matty have a conversation that reveals a third side of Sarah — one that does not like being betrayed. Sarah begins by asking Matty why she would take the case away from her, which shows the pain and hurt she feels. Matty apologizes, explaining that Billy lives his life with compassion, even if Sarah did, for a moment, show some. While this may feel a little unfair for Matty to say,especially after hearing Sarah’s heartbreaking story, it highlights Sarah’s internal struggle.She’s not someone who easily shows vulnerability,and the fact that she opened up to Matty only to have it used against her later is what fuels her anger, making her future actions very unpredictable.
It would be a significant loss for the showif we lost Sarah and Billy’s playful dynamic, especially as their relationship was growing into a sweet friendship. After Matty’s decision, things have become too personal and there may be too much damage done for YouThree to come back from this. While they’ve certainly had their ups and downs,they truly make a great team when they stick together,and it would be tragic to have lost that. Only time will tell how the fallout from this episode affects not only YouThree but also Matty, who can’t afford another setback in her mission.
Matlockairs Thursdays at 9 PM on CBS. Episodes are available to stream the next day on Paramount+.
