I think P/C were 'supposed' to win these Olympics because they had the superior program in that it was more Olympic-worthy or would be seen as such. I don't think this is fixing per se, but just a perception or preference. Similarly, Zoueva gave V/M the winning free dance at the 2010 Olympics and D/W the winning one in 2014. I think she did that intentionally, understandably wanting each of her top teams to get an OG.
I don't know whether P/C would have scored higher without the costume malfunction - quite possibly - but even so, they were still very much in the running after the SD. The world record breaking monster score given to them in the free signaled that the judges were still envisioning or favoring them for the Gold medal. V/M had to skate with total perfection, commitment and conviction to have a chance, and that is exactly what they did.
Even so, the stars did line up for V/M at this Olympics. Ultimately, I think the skate order in the free contributed to the final outcome. I firmly believe that if P/C had skated last in the penultimate position, they would be the Olympic Champions, no matter how well V/M skated.
I am still in shock that V/M won, TBH, and amazed about the brilliance of how they delivered their ML. I never cared for that program all season and thought that they would look back on it in future and say 'what on earth were we thinking?'
But what a program! Oh my!
ETA: Sorry, I didn't realize that I was posting in a P/C uber thread. I'll delete my post if it offends anyone.