In the eighth installment of Matlock's riveting first season, titled "No, No Monsters," the legal drama unfolds in the deceptively innocent setting of a schoolyard, where the line between childhood games and adult betrayals blurs. The episode opens with Madeline, portrayed by Kathy Bates, preparing her son Alfie, played by Aaron Harris, for a mock trial at school. Alfie, however, is more preoccupied with Matlock's mission to infiltrate Senior's computer and retrieve the elusive Wellbrexa attachments.
With Senior, the enigmatic Beau Bridges, away in Europe, Matlock sees an opportunity to breach his digital fortress. However, her plan is thwarted by the ever-vigilant Stuart, Senior's assistant, who stands guard at his desk. Undeterred, Matlock eventually manages to sneak into Senior's office, access his computer, and attempt to print the damning Wellbrexa files. In a twist of fate, the documents are printed elsewhere in the office, and by the time Matlock arrives, Olympia's assistant has already made off with them.
This chase for the papers leads Matlock to miss Alfie's mock trial, a moment that highlights the personal cost of her professional pursuits. Initially, she waits for Olympia's assistant to leave so she can retrieve the Wellbrexa documents. When Olympia, played by Skye P. Marshall, picks up the files, Matlock follows her, culminating in a tense confrontation where Matlock finally gets her hands on the files. However, the contents are not what she expected—a photograph of Senior in Sydney, providing him with an alibi and suggesting that his signature on the evidence was forged by either Julian or Olympia.
Meanwhile, Olympia finds herself in the role of an unlikely ally to Nadira, a nanny wrongfully accused of mistreating a child. Nadira, seeking Olympia's help, is in a desperate situation—fired due to incriminating photos on an online forum, she is unable to find new employment and needs the money to support her children back home. Olympia, seeking revenge on Julian for his past infidelity, enlists Matlock's help in the case, further complicating the already tense dynamics between Matlock, Julian, and Olympia.
As the case unfolds, Olympia and Matlock discover that the photos were a setup by Lacey, another mother from the school, who was having an affair with Tessa's husband, Mark. Lacey, fearing exposure, had Nadira fired to cover her tracks. With the help of Olympia's nanny Rosie and a matchbook from the Hotel Boucher, Olympia pieces together the affair and confronts Lacey, who eventually admits to the scheme. Lacey is forced to give Nadira a settlement that allows her to bring her children to America, a victory for justice and a testament to Olympia's legal prowess.
The episode also delves into the personal dynamics between the characters. Matlock's relationship with Olympia is tested when Olympia learns that Julian had asked Matlock to keep an eye on her. Matlock's failure to disclose this information strains their friendship, but they eventually reconcile, with a heartfelt hug signifying the repair of their bond.
In a final act of subterfuge, Matlock plants a microphone disguised as a pen in Julian's office, allowing her, Alfie, and Edwin to eavesdrop on a conversation between Olympia and Julian. When Olympia confronts Julian about his past infidelity, Matlock pauses the recording to shield her grandson from the adult conversation, a moment that underscores Matlock's protective instincts and the complexities of family dynamics.
"No, No Monsters" is a gripping episode that weaves together themes of deception, loyalty, and the high stakes of personal and professional integrity. It is a testament to the show's ability to balance legal intrigue with character-driven drama, leaving viewers eager for the next chapter in Matlock's compelling story.