Matlock set up a very emotional moment between Billy (David Del Rio) and Sarah (Leah Lewis) beforeDel Rio was fired for allegedly sexually assaulting costar Lewis.
During the Thursday, October 23, episode of the hit CBS series, Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) found herself distracted by her ongoing conflict with Matty (Kathy Bates). As a result, Olympia wasn’t the best mentor when Sarah needed her. Olympia tried to blame Sarah for a mistake in a case despite being at fault, which Billy brought up.
“Not true! You have been [fighting] all day,” Billy told Olympia about her absence. “I grew up with four sisters so I know all the types of fighting. Stop gaslighting Sarah.”
Billy and Sarah subsequently had a heart-to-heart about their friendship.
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“Even if they break, we won’t break because of the way you stood up for me with Olympia even though you are so conflict averse,” Sarah gushed to him later in the episode. “The point is, you did it.”
Billy, for his part, realized how his public support for Sarah “meant a lot” to her. The story line is expected to change later in the season now that Del Rio, 38, has exited the series. Shortly before the season 2 premiere in October, news broke that Del Rio was fired following an investigation into sexual assault accusations.
An alleged incident involving Del Rio and Lewis, 28, took place in late September, which was reported by the actress to CBS days later. Del Rio was “fired and escorted off the lot the same day the alleged assault was reported,” according to Deadline. Billy is expected to be written off in the second half of the season.
Del Rio has yet to address his firing, but Lewis broke her silence via social media earlier this month.
“Mom is here, we’re moving forward in love and strength. I’m in good hands,” she wrote via Instagram at the time. “Thank you to everybody for any kind of support and care. Truly, we’re moving forward in strength. Key word, strength. Please, let that be the take away.”
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Del Rio previously spoke to Us in May about the show committing to the paternity twist involving Billy and his ex. “I’m really excited to see how Billy handles the work balance with the personal balance of it all,” he shared before the season 2 premiere.
Lewis also weighed in on what was awaiting Sarah in season 2 during the joint interview.
“I remember reading the finale and hoping at the end that Sarah was going to get away scot free with this wonderful victory. Of course the thing happens with Simone and she might need to take accountability,” Lewis hinted. “To be honest, this is where we really get to see if Sarah can step up to the plate for the thing that she has been begging for, asking for and working so hard for. You want to get treated like a big dog. We’ll start acting like a big dog. I feel like this season we’ll definitely probably get to see her mature a bit more on that aspect. Her professional win is not over yet.”
Matlock airs on CBS Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.
