When Olympia was promoted to partner over Julian in the Matlock season 1 finale, we knew that that could change everything in the workplace. Well, it’s clear that Senior is constantly thinking ahead.
Olympia’s promotion is strategic, and it’s clear that this could cause some problems for her moving forward. This could also be why it’s clear she chooses Julian’s side when it comes to the Wellbrexa study. And yes, choosing Julian is going to happen just based on the synopsis for Matlock season 2’s premiere episode.
Senior needs to keep Olympia in line in Matlock
There’s one thing that Senior can do: manipulate. He needs to keep people in line, and the best way to do that is manipulate them. He needs them in a position where he has leverage over them, and now he has that with Olympia.
When Olympia and Julian were married, it was different. Julian was easily manipulated because he wanted to prove that he was a good son to his dad. Olympia, as his wife, would do everything to help with that. Now that they’re divorcing, things are changing within the workplace, especially for Senior.
Once the divorce goes through, Olympia won’t be protected by the laws that prevent spouses from testifying against their husbands. That means Senior can’t be certain that Julian (and in respect, him) will be protected should secrets come out. Plus, with the divorce, there is a chance that a lot of dirty secrets can come out.
So, Senior needed a way to protect himself. What better way than to make Olympia a partner at Jacobson and Moore?
Olympia will be affected by anything affecting Jacobson and Moore
As an associate, Olympia would be able to stay out of dodge and step away from Jacobson and Moore if the law firm came crashing down. There’s a chance of finding work elsewhere, as she wouldn’t be personally implicated in any sort of downfall. That’s not the case in Matlock season 2 now that she’s been made partner.
Suddenly, she has a much bigger stake in the firm. With partnership, there is a financial obligation. There is also a personal stake in the firm, and should something happen, then she could end up losing her reputation and more. So, it’s no wonder that she would end up choosing Julian now that she knows he took the Wellbrexa study.
Senior knew that this would happen. It’s his way to keep Olympia under his thumb, viewing her as a problem for him because she will genuinely want to do the right thing. It shows that he knows his daughter-in-law, but it also shows that he knows how to manipulate. Olympia thinks that she has a great promotion for now, but wait until she realizes what they actually means.
Matlock season 2 premieres on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT before moving to Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.