[Warning: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for Matlock Season 2 Episode 8, “Call It a Christmas Gift.”]
Hours earlier than the Matlock midseason finale aired on CBS on December 11, creator Jennie Snyder Urman revealed that David Del Rio‘s ultimate episode as Billy Martinez had already aired. Del Rio was fired from the collection in October after CBS investigated a report of an alleged sexual assault. It reportedly concerned his costar, Leah Lewis, who performs Sarah. Del Rio denies the allegations. Snyder Urman mentioned that Billy’s absence could be defined in future episodes. How was it addressed within the midseason finale, Episode 8?
When was David Del Rio’s ultimate episode of Matlock?
Snyder Urman mentioned that Del Rio’s ultimate Matlock was Season 2 Episode 7, which aired on December 4.
“I’m not going to debate particulars, however what I can discuss is when it comes to the present,” Snyder Urman informed Deadline. “The final episode you see him is in 7, and then you definately learn the way Billy’s story ends, which is in a really natural means that has to do with our complete workplace and the way issues are being formed on this merger.”
How did Matlock write out David Del Rio’s Billy?

Michael Yarish/CBS
There was a potential merger looming in Matlock Season 2. In Episode 7, Billy and Sarah mentioned rumors of the merger. Early in Episode 8, Sarah referred to as Billy and left him a voicemail saying she didn’t wish to pry or push, implying that he was abruptly absent from work, but it surely wasn’t clear why. Close to the top of the episode, Billy referred to as Sarah again.
“It was so bizarre not realizing what was taking place with you,” she mentioned on the cellphone.
Viewers solely heard Sarah on the decision, but it surely was revealed that Billy’s pregnant associate, Claudia (Bella Ortiz), had a miscarriage. It appears that evidently Billy goes to take a while to be along with his household, with potential updates on the character to come back in later episodes.
Is Senior lifeless in Matlock?
Elsewhere within the vacation episode, Sarah hoped to speak to Billy about feeling responsible for spying on Julian (Jason Ritter) on the order of Senior (Beau Bridges). A few scenes later, Senior had a stroke and ended up within the hospital in a medically induced coma.
Earlier than his stroke, Senior organized an enormous vacation bonus for Sarah. Julian bought info that helped Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) and Matty’s (Kathy Bates) rising case in opposition to Senior, however they puzzled how they’d be capable to get justice within the Wellbrexa investigation if Senior dies.
Earlier, that they had accessed hundreds of photographs from Senior’s journey to Australia with Debra Palmer (Melanie Lynskey), the journey that’s key to their Wellbrexa investigation. Julian discovered a quantity saved as “Australia” in his dad’s cellphone. He felt responsible for looking out whereas Senior was unconscious. Afterward, Julian spoke to his unconscious father in a shifting scene reflecting on their sophisticated relationship.
“I wish to transfer on from the resentments, so I’m letting go of mine, since you’re my dad,” Julian mentioned by way of tears.

Michael Yarish/CBS
Olympia introduced the Wellbrexa research to Matty and Edwin’s (Sam Anderson) dwelling. They tried to maintain the doc for themselves, however ultimately let Olympia go away with it. The Kingstons warned that if Senior dies, they might return to their plan to carry Julian accountable. Snyder Urman informed Deadline that the Welbrexa research storyline will conclude in Season 2.
The case of the week led to Matty giving an impassioned assertion to a jury, wherein she mentioned there’s all the time a value to telling the reality. It hit laborious for everybody within the room, particularly Olympia and Sarah, and much more so once they misplaced their case. This made Sarah come clear to Olympia about taking photos of Julian’s date e-book. Olympia moved her off her staff in response.
“Belief is necessary, and also you misplaced mine,” she mentioned.
The episode ended with Olympia giving Matty the Wellbrexa research in an indication of belief, saying that Matty deserved justice, even when it meant Julian getting in bother. On the identical time, she hoped Julian would keep secure.
The digital camera panned again to disclose that Julian was outdoors of Olympia’s home. The closing flashbacks revealed that Julian was spying on them the whole episode. Now he is aware of that Olympia and Matty have the Wellbrexa research. Followers should wait till late February for this newest Matlock cliffhanger to be addressed.
Matlock, Returns Thursday, February 26, 9/8c, CBS
Should you or somebody you understand is the sufferer of sexual assault, contact the Rape, Abuse & Incest Nationwide Community‘s Nationwide Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Should you or a liked one is in quick hazard, name 911.
