‘Matlock’ Review: Kathy Bates’ CBS Take on the Andy Griffith Favorite Is Slightly Twistier Than You’re Expecting

As a gamer with over three decades of life under my belt, I’ve seen enough twists and turns to know that the new Matlock is not what it seems. Having grown up watching Andy Griffith‘s charming lawyer on TV, I was initially skeptical about this reboot. But, much like how Matty navigates her way through the corporate jungle of Jacobson Moore, I found myself pleasantly surprised by this unexpected turn.

CBS’s highly anticipated new “Matlock,” which received an early sneak peek on Sunday in September instead of its usual October debut, may not be the series you’re anticipating.

Now that I’ve shared this with you, your anticipation towards Matlock might have changed slightly, making it more in line with your current expectations.

I apologize. Please cease reading if this seems too much of a spoiler for the kind of content you’re seeking within a critique of the show Matlock.

As a devoted fan, I’ve found that subtlety is the essence of this fresh series so far. It’s generating buzz predominantly due to Kathy Bates hinting at this potentially being her final acting role (although with CBS procedurals sometimes lasting decades, this goodbye might keep her on our screens until her 80s). However, it’s important to mention that the first episode sets the tone; after that, the show simply unfolds as it is. A word of caution: unveiling the true nature of this new take on Matlock might pique interest from viewers indifferent to a Matlock revival, while potentially turning off ardent fans eagerly awaiting a genuine Matlock reboot.

See what I’m saying?

I’ll make an attempt to express it in a slightly different manner while being cautious about revealing too much: I found myself enjoying Matlock considerably more than anticipated, but by the sixth episode provided for review, my enthusiasm was starting to dwindle.

Bates takes on the role of Madeline Matlock, often referred to as “Matty” or even “Maddy,” as CBS prefers. She’s a widow who comes from the vague Deep South, perhaps Georgia, and finds herself in New York City. Struggling with debt and caring for her grandson, Alfie (played by Aaron D. Harris), she decides to resume her law career after a 30-year hiatus.

Matty lands a short-term position at the distinguished Jacobson Moore, known for its profitable corporate sector. Her mentor, Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), is a junior partner who used to bring in substantial business but has lately shifted her focus towards personal and philanthropic cases. This change doesn’t sit well with her compassionate soon-to-be-ex husband Julian (Jason Ritter), who is also the son of Senior, the firm’s senior partner (Beau Bridges).

Matty, who is slightly older than most new recruits, finds himself met with immediate suspicion from Sarah, Olympia’s more competitive associate (Leah Lewis). On the other hand, he receives immediate warmth from Billy, her less ambitious colleague (David Del Rio). Swiftly demonstrating his value, Matty shows an uncanny knack for getting strangers to talk about the classic TV show Matlock, which holds significance in this world largely as a reference that older people recognize but younger ones do not.

Matty is not a female version of Ben Matlock from Andy Griffith’s series, who was known for his stylish suits, sharp questioning, and clever twists on elderly stereotypes. Instead, she is a 75-year-old woman with an amusing similarity to a fictional character in terms of her ability to subvert typical old age depictions and a shared surname. She points out that women often become invisible at a certain age, which she uses as a secret weapon, apart from her plentiful butterscotch candies and grandmotherly demeanor.

This show, while it has elements reminiscent of the original, might not take you to the full depth of shows like CBS’s The Good Wife. Instead, think of Matlock as a simpler, less politically charged, and generally lighter spin-off of The Good Wife. It’s a fish-out-of-water drama-comedy where the main character, despite being older and less urban than her contemporaries, navigates through modern technology with some confusion. However, she brings unique skills and connections to the table that quickly make her quirks an advantage.

Matlock, inspired by its creator Dean Hargrove, was developed by Jennie Snyder Urman, the creator of Jane the Virgin, who has previous experience in procedural shows but is known for her focus on character development. For several episodes, this is a significant advantage. The main character, Matty, is multi-dimensional and even occasionally humorous. Her role allows her to play psychological games that make it clear why Bates was drawn to the project. As a veteran of Harry’s Law (and yes, an Oscar winner), she delivers powerful lines and experiences a mix of lighthearted and very serious moments as the storyline evolves beyond the traditional case-of-the-week structure.

As a gamer, I find these episodic cases, tailored around Olympia’s semi-altruistic nature, quite engaging. They offer plenty of class action lawsuits that not only seem morally right but also bring in substantial profits for the firm. Occasionally, there’s a case where they push the boundaries, like one where the firm takes on the challenge themselves, discussing firewalls and such. If this were the plot of an FX drama, it might be too thin and predictable. But within the context of a CBS procedural called Matlock, it’s almost, nearly, kinda close to being vaguely topical.

The twist that makes Matlock not the Matlock you’re expecting was what gave me enough interest to keep going. But it didn’t last. By the fourth through sixth chapters, the show was no longer doing some of the basic things I need a good series to do, especially when it comes to character development.

Marshall’s spirited demeanor complements Bates’ down-to-earth appeal quite effectively, however, the recurring pattern of “causing offense, receiving reprimand, justifying actions through right intentions” feels repetitive and worn out. Similarly, Lewis, who is both humorous and skillfully balances on the brink of Type-A stereotypes, continues to go through predictable cycles of “fearing displacement by Matty, discovering that she isn’t being replaced.” At present, both Ritter and Bridges are primarily portraying variations of their well-known inherent goodness, which leaves me questioning their character development.

Many outstanding performances, unsurprisingly, hail from experienced character actors who find prime roles in the age-defying show Matlock, such as the consistently delightful Patricia Belcher and Sam Anderson.

I found Yael Grobglas’s brief appearance on “Jane the Virgin” quite enjoyable as well. She portrays a human lie detector in her role as a jury consultant, and her possible reappearance could potentially lure me back to “Matlock” at some point. While it wasn’t mind-blowing or exceeded my expectations, it was definitely better than I anticipated, serving as a promising foundation for long-term interest.

2024-09-22 16:55

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