Matlock Episode 10’s Alfie Twist Sets Up A New Mystery For Season 2

Warning! SPOILERS ahead for Matlock season 1, episode 10, “Crash Helmets On.”

Matlock episode 10, titled “Crash Helmets On,” sets up a new mystery for season 2 surrounding Alfie (Aaron Harris). Madeline’s grandson in Matlock isn’t always a focal point of its story, with Alfie appears only briefly, to ask if he can listen to the latest audio files transmitted by the pen recorder before bed. When Madeline (Kathy Bates) tells him that there is a problem with the pen, he warns her that if anyone investigates, the email address could be traced back to them. This spurs Madeline to take action to ensure Julian is framed for the pen being planted.

Throughout “Crash Helmets On,” Madeline’s investigation of the death of a senior citizen makes her think about her own mortality. She wants to make plans for Alfie if she and Edwin become unable to take care of him. Madeline is concerned about the bullying Alfie complained about in Matlock episode 9, so she’s reluctant to allow relatives who are into sports to take care of Alfie if needed. Thus, Matlock‘s Madeline comes up with a different plan for Alfie’s care if she and Edwin are incapacitated.

Madeline And Edwin Agree To Search For Alfie’s Father

Edwin Isn’t Sure It’s A Good Idea

Edwin initially resists Madeline’s idea about searching for Alfie’s father. He is worried that the man might also be caught up in addiction like Ellie was, which would make him an unsuitable guardian for Alfie. Matlock‘s Edwin fears that they would just be inviting chaos into Alfie’s life by contacting his father, but Madeline thinks that’s a selfish stance. She says that Alfie’s father could “make things harder for us. But what about for Alfie?“

Ultimately, Edwin agrees to think about it before ruling out the idea. Although he has not yet committed to this search, he likely will within the next few episodes. There would be little point in bringing up the search for Alfie’s father if Matlock isn’t going to follow up with a search. Thus, this conversation sets up the new arc about Madeline’s grandson perfectly despite Edwin’s misgivings about this idea.

How Alfie’s Father’s Introduction Becomes Matlock Season 2’s New Overarching Story

There Are Eight Episodes Left In Season 1 To Set Things Up

Technically, the search for Alfie’s father could go on alongside the continued investigation into the Wellbrexa documents scandal. With eight episodes left in Matlock season 1, there is plenty of time to develop this new storyline. However, it’s unlikely that the legal drama will go in that direction. Putting too much emphasis on the search for Alfie’s father now would distract from the main investigation. That investigation is supposed to be wrapped up by the end of the season and therefore must be Matlock‘s top priority. That said, Matlock will probably make small amounts of progress in this storyline.

Alfie’s stories tend to be a small part of each episode, and the search for his father could be similar. For example, each of the next eight episodes could include scenes such as Madeline and Edwin discussing the progress they’ve made, Alfie overhearing that they are looking for his father or discoveries such as a social media page for the man they are looking for. These plot points would keep the search going without wrapping it up too quickly, thus leading into the story about Alfie’s father becoming a significant part of Matlock season 2.

When Might Alfie’s Father Be Introduced In Matlock

It Could Happen During The Season 1 Finale

The best time to introduce Alfie’s father is during the Matlock season 1 finale. The procedural could follow a similar pattern to other mystery shows such as Only Murders In The Building, in which the main mystery is wrapped up in the season finale and a new mystery is introduced right before the credits roll. In Matlock‘s case, introducing Alfie’s father in the final scene of season 1 would create an exciting cliffhanger that would keep audiences talking about the show over the summer hiatus. Additionally, this ending would provide a perfect lead-in to Matlock season 2.

The Matlock writers have already been preparing for the finale, and setting up an arc related to Alfie’s father helps establish the next mystery even before the first one is solved.

Matlock‘s season 1 finale will have a lot of work to do to set up the next season. After the Wellbrexa case is solved, the series will need to establish the consequences of the investigation for Madeline, determine the fate of the characters who work for Jacobson Moore, and set up a new mystery. The Matlock writers have already been preparing for the finale, and setting up an arc related to Alfie’s father helps establish the next mystery even before the first one is solved.

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