User:Raintheone/Matt

Matt O'Connor is a fictional character in the Australian Channel Seven drama series Winners & Losers, played by Blair McDonough. Matt made his debut screen appearance in the pilot episode "Covert Aggression in Netball", which was broadcast on 22 March 2011. Matt is one the show's regular male characters and his main storyline focused on his relationship with Bec Gilbert (Zoe Tuckwell-Smith).

Despite a backstory relationship spanning ten years, Matt has reservations about marrying Bec. He is also forced to contend with Bec's disapproving and interfering mother Carolyn Gilbert (Nell Feeney). She eventually succeeds in ruining their engagement. Following their separation the characters attempt to move on. Bec significantly romances family friend Doug Graham (Tom Wren). She eventually reconciles with Matt and they go on to marry. They face further relationship problems when Bec discovers she is pregnant by Doug. Matt tries to stand by his wife despite her carrying another man's child. The storyline provided many drama's in their struggle to cope. But an affair with Tiffany Turner (Michala Banas) eventually leads to the culmination of their relationship. But in the second series finale Matt was killed off. Bec only discovers his infidelity following his death.

Relationship with Bec Gilbert
When viewers were first introduced to Matt he was portrayed as being reluctant to commit to his fiancée of four years, Bec Gilbert (Zoe Tuckwell-Smith). But during the second episode this changed following Bec's lottery win. He uses their wedding fund to purchase a boat. Tuckwell-Smith told a TV Week reporter that Bec is annoyed by Matt's gall but is delighted when he finally sets a date for their wedding and presents her with an expensive ring. She added that Matt's change in attitude leaves Bec feeling emotional.

Matt's initial reluctance to set the date becomes an issue at their engagement party. Bec's disapproving mother Carolyn Gilbert (Nell Feeney) causes problems when she insists that Matt is not good enough for her daughter. Matt's best-friend Callum Gilbert (Mike Smith) is also Bec's brother. But Matt punches him following his theory that Matt did not want to marry Bec because she is too alike with Carolyn. This was the first showing of hostility between Matt and Bec's family that would often be revisited in his storylines. Tuckwell-Smith explained to Carolyn Stewart of TV Week that Bec is hurt by her family's attitude towards Matt. She decides to take control of her wedding and have less people involved planning it. By episode nine titled "One Door Opens", Carolyn's interfering nature poses more threat to his relationship. Matt begins to receive text messages and stays out late. She contemplates that he might have been unfaithful, but decides to trust Matt. Tuckwell-Smith stated "It's really her mum who fuels the cheating suspicions. Her mum has a tendency to look at these things in a very fearful light." But Bec later catches Matt meeting with a mystery woman after claiming to be at work. The actress added that it was an "unexpected" development. Bec struggles through her dress fitting but eventually confides her misplaced suspicions to her friends.

In a culmination of the story-arc Carolyn's actions succeed in ruining their relationship and even threaten Bec's health. Carolyn's mistrust of Matt leads her to make a prenuptial agreement to ensure Matt cannot gain Bec's finances. Bec has no intention of signing it but Matt finds it and leaves Bec. Claire Rigden (TV Week) reported that Matt was looking for an excuse to leave Bec following the breakdown of their engagement. Tuckwell-Smith told Rigden that her weakness is Matt because he is her true love. She added "the turmoil in their relationship becomes too much for her". She then stops eating and sleeping which causes concern for her friends. Despite this Matt stays estranged from his former fiancée.

Love triangle
Matt's decision to leave Bec allowed Winners & Losers the opportunity to create a love triangle storyline. This would later define many of the character's actions during the remainder of his tenure. The next character development implemented saw Matt dating someone new. Tuckwell-Smith explained that "it hits home that he wasn't kidding when he said it was over. It really hurts her that he can move on so quickly after 10 years together." But it also makes her think she needs to move on. Bec then develops an attraction to their friend Doug Graham (Tom Wren). This occurs as a direct result of Bec deciding to redecorate the house to remove Matt's presence which Doug assists her with. Matt becomes jealous when he notices the pair flirting. The actress added that Bec becomes furious and reminds Matt that he ended their relationship and warns him to steer clear of her private affairs forever. Bec and Doug are involved in car accident and she begins to care for him. The writers played the age-old theme of jealousy which prevails when Matt realises that he still loves Bec. He begins to find reasons to visit Bec more often. Tuckwell-Smith assessed that Bec behaves maturely and tries to create a calm atmosphere between herself, Matt and Doug. But during one visit Matt cannot cope with Bec moving on and he confesses that he made a mistake ending their relationship. But Bec reaffirms that she no longer wants him and the actress explained that "the accident has really put things into perspective."

Bec and Doug later publicise their relationship. But Matt surprisingly accepts the news and introduces his new girlfriend. It proved a moment of role-reversal; as Tuckwell-Smith said her own character is left questioning whether she moved on too quickly. She added that Bec's "bubble is burst" over her relationship with Doug because of Matt's reaction. A TV Week writer soon reported that the shift in Bec's feelings would intensify and leave her confused about both Matt and Doug. It then becomes apparent that their relationship is not finished. Matt later visits Bec to sign legal documents to officially divide their assetts. Tuckwell-Smith told Rigden that "while he's there they begin reminicing about their relationship. One thing leads to another - and they share a kiss. This really throws Bec." She added that Bec feels guilty about cheating on Doug, but she cannot deny that her romance with Matt is over.

Reception
Erin Miller from TV Week criticised McDonough's casting as a male lead. She opined that rival show leads such as Don Hany (Offspring) and Sullivan Stapleton (Underbelly) gave "smouldering" presence, whilst McDonough just "fizzled" as Matt.