Is Kathy Bates’ ‘Matlock’ Worth Watching?

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  • Madeline’s Elaborate Revenge Plot Continues in ‘Matlock’
  • What Happens to ‘Matlock’ After Madeline Gets Revenge?

As a seasoned TV critic with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that “Matlock” is one of the most captivating shows to grace our screens in recent years. Kathy Bates delivers a tour de force performance as Madeline, a character who embodies the duality of a sweet, doting grandmother and a ruthless corporate spy.

Initially, the popular CBS courtroom drama series Matlock didn’t make a strong debut. In its pilot episode, Matlock presented as a dull and antiquated legal drama on television. Kathy Bates played Madeline Matlock, a 76-year-old retired lawyer who was desperate for work at a prestigious New York law firm, Jacobson Moore, to provide for her orphaned grandchild.

In the final moments of the first episode, the story takes an unexpected turn as it’s unveiled that Madeline Matlock is none other than Madeline Kingston, a wealthy and retired lawyer, who has secretly infiltrated Jacobson Moore to expose their wrongdoings. The revelation unfolds that this firm withheld crucial documents which could have mitigated the opioid crisis, ultimately claiming the life of Madeline’s daughter. Throughout subsequent episodes, we witness Madeline’s mission to discover who among the firm’s partners is responsible for her daughter’s demise.

In the opening episode that drew the biggest crowd for a CBS series premiere in over half a decade, Madeline remarks that as women age, they gain a sort of invisibility that transforms into a hidden strength. By assuming the guise of the charming and seemingly harmless matriarch Madeline Matlock, the true Madeline has shown the ability to subtly manipulate others and even appear to read their thoughts. Over the course of seven episodes, it seems that everyone, including her intended adversaries, has been completely deceived by Madeline. According to her own words, they won’t realize what’s struck them until it’s already too late.

Madeline’s Elaborate Revenge Plot Continues in ‘Matlock’

From its debut episode onwards, the show Matlock, boasting a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, has been unfolding as both a legal drama and a psychological thriller. Although the cases presented in Matlock are somewhat intriguing, it’s Madeline’s relentless pursuit of revenge that drives most of the show’s suspense. By demonstrating her legal skills to her peers, Madeline aims to uncover damning evidence showing the firm’s involvement in her daughter’s drug-related demise.

The audaciousness and complexity of Madeline’s persistent deceit is awe-inspiring. From the very first episode, Madeline has unlawfully obtained access to her superior Olympia’s laptop, phone, and files linked to the suspected opioid crisis cover-up. In the seventh episode, “Belly of the Beast,” Madeline goes as far as covertly recording her senior partner’s voice to develop an AI voice replica which she uses to acquire his email password. Yet, despite these daring acts of spying, the concrete evidence Madeline needs remains frustratingly out of reach.

One captivating feature of the new version of Matlock, which is a gender-swapped adaptation of the original Matlock TV series and stars someone other than Andy Griffith as lawyer Ben Matlock, lies in examining Madeline’s complex psychological makeup. Although it appears that Madeline aims to bring the law firm partner most responsible for perpetuating the opioid crisis that claimed her daughter’s life to justice, Madeline’s disturbing deceit – evident in her unusual affection towards the original Matlock TV series – hints at a potential desire for a much harsher retribution on Madeline’s part.

Kathy Bates Is Never Invisible in ‘Matlock’

Before landing the role as Madeline in Matlock, Kathy Bates had contemplated retirement. Yet, this role proved to be an outstanding demonstration of Bates’ versatility as an actress. Although she gained fame for her Oscar-winning portrayal of the menacing Annie Wilkes in the 1990 thriller film Misery, Bates’ performance in Matlock shares a similarity with her character Annie – both characters exhibit a knack for hiding manipulative and obsessive tendencies beneath a friendly, smiling exterior. However, while Annie skillfully compartmentalizes and justifies her psychotic actions, Madeline grapples with growing feelings of guilt.

In the “Belly of the Beast” episode, the internal struggle within Madeline becomes apparent as she manipulates a legal technicality to secure a win for her law firm. This action gains her favor among partners but also causes her remorse due to its immoral and unethical nature – a behavior she’s been trying to combat. Following a Christmas party at work, where Senior gave Madeline a bottle of wine, an upset Madeline throws it against the wall upon returning home.

Yet, when it appears that Madeline is nearing her limit, her relentless nature surfaces. After shattering a bottle of wine, Madeline delves into Senior’s computer for damaging details, aiming to bring him down. The skillful way Bates manages Madeline’s dual identity as a corporate spy and a seemingly benevolent grandmother has created an intriguing game of cat-and-mouse between Madeline and her law firm peers, making Madeline one of the most captivating characters on television in 2024.

What Happens to ‘Matlock’ After Madeline Gets Revenge?

Having learned that Matlock will return for another season, I find myself pondering the duration Matlock can sustain Madeline’s intricate revenge narrative while keeping audiences hooked. Moreover, I wonder how the series might progress following the revelation of Madeline’s true identity.

While Madeline seems to have outsmarted everyone at Jacobson Moore, the fact that Madeline continues to be stymied in terms of finding the crucial evidence that will implicate the firm in Madeline’s daughter’s death has teased at the possibility that Madeline’s fake identity may not be as much of a secret as she thinks it is. Just as Matlock began with such a shocking twist, it would be a nice surprise if Madeline’s enemies caught her before she destroyed them. Matlock airs on CBS on Thursdays and is streaming on Paramount+.

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2024-12-08 22:31