Fans Are Fuming: Kathy Bates’ ‘Matlock’ Drags On and On!

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In the inaugural episode of the CBS courtroom drama Matlock, viewers were taken aback by an unexpected plot twist as it was unveiled that the character played by Kathy Bates, Madeline Matlock, was none other than Madeline Kingston – a wealthy, retired lawyer who had infiltrated the esteemed New York law firm Jacobson Moore to expose one of its partners for concealing information about Wellbrexa, the drug company she believes contributed to her daughter’s demise.

After the highly-rated pilot episode of Matlock, titled “Matlock”, the series has kept audiences hooked due to the daring and expansive nature of Madeline’s ever-changing network of deceit. In the episode named “Belly of the Beast”, Madeline resorts to a daring move by recording the voice of the firm’s managing partner, Senior, to develop an AI voice simulator. This device was later used to acquire Senior’s email password. So far, Madeline’s risky acts of spying have uncovered intriguing hints, but the conclusive evidence she needs continues to remain out of reach.

Over the span of 15 episodes, Matlock has led Madeline down numerous dead-end paths that have blurred the emotional journey behind her complex mission for vengeance. While Matlock initially captivated audiences with the intriguing mystery surrounding when and how Madeline’s true identity would be revealed, it remains uncertain if viewers will still care by the time Madeline and the firm’s partners ultimately uncover each other’s hidden secrets.

‘Matlock’ Is All Set-up and No Payoff

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I must say that the opening episode of Matlock sets the stage for Madeline’s character as a woman consumed with vengeance, determined to bring down law firm Jacobson Moore for the drug-related demise of her daughter. Initially, she zeroes in on three prime suspects: partners Julian, Olympia, and Senior. Yet, as my investigation unfolds across 15 episodes, the scope has grown so vast and muddled that the initial flame of fury within me has been replaced with bewilderment. It seems increasingly likely that the resolution to this mystery – identifying the culprit among the three partners – will fall flat, given the lack of strong dislike audiences have developed for any of them.

In each Matlock episode, Madeline often embarks on covert searches for what appears to be crucial evidence, only to discover it’s a false lead. Despite narrowly escaping exposure due to sheer perseverance, luck, and assistance from her husband Edwin and tech-whiz grandson Alfie, this recurring game of hide-and-seek has become tiresome over time. This is evident in the episode “A Traitor in Thine Own House,” where Madeline faces antagonist Shae, a pesky and shifty jury consultant who visits Georgia under false pretenses to meet someone from Madeline’s past, who turns out to be Edwin in disguise.

Kathy Bates Can’t Carry ‘Matlock’ Alone

Despite the fact that Matlock remains a platform showcasing Kathy Bates’ versatile acting skills, the intriguing psychological depths portrayed by Bates as Madeline in the pilot episode have been overshadowed. Instead, Madeline is now presented as a conflicted grandmother and wife whose quest for revenge is complicated by her personal attachments to her unsuspecting legal colleagues. Initially, this character was one of the most captivating portrayals on television. However, it has gradually lost its appeal over time.

Initially, Matlock was a legal drama that hid a psychological thriller beneath its surface, focusing on the complex character of Madeline – a mourning mother with a knack for controlling others and appearing to read minds. The relentless pursuit of vengeance by Madeline bears a striking resemblance to Bates’ iconic portrayal of Annie Wilkes in the 1990 thriller, Misery, as both characters hide their deceitful and obsessive tendencies behind a friendly, folksy demeanor. However, unlike the chilling presence of Annie, Madeline no longer instills fear.

‘Matlock’ Has Falling Ratings

The first episode of “Matlock” had the biggest audience for a series premiere on CBS in over five years, pulling in 7.74 million viewers. After that, viewership for the next three episodes ranged from 6.38 to 6.54 million. This strong start led to the show being renewed for a second season after the broadcast of its second episode. However, ratings for “Matlock” started dropping in 2025, with the January 30, 2025, episode, titled “Friends,” managing only 5.78 million viewers – marking a decrease in viewership compared to previous episodes.

Fans are growing frustrated with how slowly the storyline involving Matlock’s character Madeline and her deception at the law firm is progressing. This dissatisfaction reflects a broader feeling that Matlock, once promising, has failed to live up to its initial expectations. Some viewers suspect that the show’s creators might be improvising as they go along, rather than following a well-thought-out plan for Madeline’s character development. Matlock is currently streaming on Paramount+ and will air the final three episodes every Thursday, starting from April 3.

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2025-03-30 23:32