Matlock Season 1, Episode 10, “Crash Helmets On,” proves that slowing story down gives its acceleration a real payoff – for the characters and show. This episode, written by Lizzie Perrin & Nicki Renna and directed by Jennifer Lynch, finds an all-encompassing momentum in a game of Follow the Money. Matlock disguises it as Follow the Pen, showcasing the benefits of playing the long game with the Wellbrexa serialized arc. “Crash Helmets On” also bolsters the show’s procedural component with worthwhile social commentary and world-building.
MORE: Here’s our review of Matlock Season 1, Episode 9, “Friends.”
Billy Gets a Win
Bringing Autry from Matlock Season 1, Episode 2, “Rome, in a Day,” back encapsulates all of the above. He provides a perspective that Billy and Sarah don’t have with the Tranquil Pines case. Moreover, Autry becomes more than a one-off tertiary character with the dimension this episode gives him. Therefore, Matty’s connection with clients is vital to making her independent investigation’s tangled web and unraveling it. The further this goes, the more people will be impacted by lies – however well-intentioned.
“Crash Helmets On” exemplifies that with how everything unfolds between Matty, Billy, and Sarah. Compared to Matty and Olympia, Matlock has taken a more gradual approach to Billy’s personal and professional development. That steady progression is more realistic than frustrating; the show reflects his confidence building since his heartbreak in “Belly of the Beast.” Billy arguing a case in “Crash Helmets On” lands less like a leap and more like a logical next step. Likewise, it’s the next move for the Wellbrexa story, creating even richer conflict among the core characters.
MORE: Don’t miss our interview with Matlock‘s Aaron Harris, who plays Alfie.
Sarah Takes a Stand
Matlock has time to show if there are any cracks in Billy and Sarah’s partnership after this case. “Crash Helmets On” focuses more on Sarah and Matty’s dynamic, which is more than necessary to earn its shift at the episode’s end. Until now, Sarah is one of the more elusive characters by design. She keeps her cards close to her chest, and Matlock proves her right for doing so. After nine episodes of keeping her distance, Sarah lets Matty into her life by sharing her complex experiences with her grandma, who had dementia. Not privy to Wellbrexa, Sarah’s vulnerability is met with Matty saying it’s not enough compared to Billy.
“Crash Helmets On” features fantastic, often heartbreaking character work that gives Leah Lewis more muscles to stretch with Sarah. From disarming Matty by exposition-dumping details about being adopted to telling Matty that she has made an enemy of Sarah, Lewis excels. The episode’s standout is when Lewis’s Sarah calms Betsy Randle’s Gladys, who also has dementia. Matlock packs exposition about Sarah’s personal life into its dialogue, but this scene lets it play out through action. It’s an impactful scene across the board.
MORE: Here’s our review of Matlock Season 1, Episode 8, “No, No Monsters.”
Olympia Turns the Page
Similarly, Skye P. Marshall continues to shine as Olympia Lawrence. “Crash Helmets On” delivers a scene that may become underrated by the end of the season – or series. As Matlock kicks the race for partner into high gear, Olympia’s confidence wavers. Matty is there to lift her back up and tell her she has more cartilage in her knees. The dialogue in that scene is so good that paraphrasing doesn’t do it justice. It’s also a great juxtaposition of an awareness of time for better (Olympia realizing this is only a leg cramp – in high heels) and worse (Both women reckoning with Matty not being there in 40 years).
That conversation – and her comfort music – is the push Olympia needs to back herself in this competition with Julian. Ideally, Matlock’s future episodes will show more of Julian’s side of this. The race and results will only benefit from a well-rounded coverage of the ins and outs. For now, though, “Crash Helmets On” takes a beat. Matlock uses that breath to reinforce how Olympia wants to win partner and how she wants to navigate the divorce. The latter lends itself to Matty’s Wellbrexa investigation, but the former spells good things for Olympia and Elijah’s dynamics. It’s one of the few weaker spots on Matlock, and “Crash Helmets On” gives them the fresh start they need.
MORE: Here’s our review of Matlock Season 1, Episode 7, “Belly of the Beast.”
Matty Gains Perspective
Meanwhile, this episode’s case inspires Matty to look at the world – and her place in it – a bit differently. This show is no stranger to that; it’s a key component of its overall appeal. Matlock Season 1, Episode 3, “A Guy Named Greg,” helps Matty see her experiences with workplace sexual harassment differently. Matty encourages others to extend compassion to and see the humanity of people who live with addiction in Matlock Season 1, Episode 5, “Claws.” From Matlock Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot,” this show encourages its characters and audience to do anything but overlook older women.
“Crash Helmets On” carries that torch to Tranquil Pines – a care facility filled with multi-faceted older women from the Garden Girls to Lucille Morris. Joanna Cassidy’s performance as the latter is moving. Cassidy’s delivery of “until my arms ached and my heart broke” is devastating. The case, including Walter Higgins’s rapid decline, puts the inevitability of life into a fresh perspective for Matty. That shift – from ice cream to kale, too – pairs nicely with Edwin’s concerns for Matty’s health in Matlock Season 1, Episode 6, “Sixteen Steps.” Matlock uses the two-pen diversion as the big reveal. But “Crash Helmets On” finds an even more successful twist — Who is Alfie’s father?
MORE: Good news! Matlock has already been renewed for Season 2 on CBS.
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What did you think of Matlock Season 1, Episode 10, “Crash Helmets On?” Let us know in the comments below.
New episodes of Matlock air on Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.
