As a movie buff who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of legal dramas and reboots, I must say that the new “Matlock” revival is a breath of fresh air. Having grown up with Andy Griffith’s iconic portrayal of Matlock, it was initially disconcerting to see Kathy Bates take on the role, but she manages to bring a unique charm to the character while still staying true to its essence.
The pilot episode for CBS’s “Matlock” remake, written by Jennie Snyder Urman from “Jane the Virgin,” was aired ahead of the rest of the season, which starts this week. This early release has allowed viewers to digest a surprising plot twist that serves as the foundation for the series. For those who prefer not to be spoiled, here’s your last chance: Kathy Bates’ character is not actually named Matlock, but rather an alias she adopts to investigate a law firm suspected of concealing the addictive properties of its pharmaceutical client’s opioids. Although retired attorney Madeline Kingston maintains her folksy demeanor and signature gray suit, her undercover work suggests that this new “Matlock” is very different from the original.
In another twist, the world of this story already includes an Andy Griffith-like character. This particular “Matlock” series was a cherished pastime for Madeline’s deceased daughter during her childhood, who sadly fell victim to opioid addiction. Therefore, this revamped version serves as a thoughtful tribute, maintaining some continuity while providing a degree of separation. By addressing the obvious elephant in the room, the new series can preserve the Southern accent and legal intrigue, but make nearly everything else fresh and different.
As a cinephile, I found myself captivated by the ingenious premise of this series. Matty, known as Madeline at work, shares an intriguing observation: as she matures, people tend to underestimate her, assuming she’s just an harmless elderly lady. However, she plans to subvert these expectations masterfully.
As Matty delves into infiltrating the company’s core group, Urman places her among competent coworkers and weekly assignments. In this CBS setting, Matty’s age stands out more than her gender. To contrast, she is paired with ambitious junior associates, Billy (David Del Rio) and Sarah (Leah Lewis). The team works in a single office in an amusing setup reminiscent of “Odd Couple” dynamics, encouraging both intergenerational partnerships and rivalry.
Matty and her team strive for the appreciation of their supervisor, Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), who is a tough-minded partner going through a divorce with Julian (Jason Ritter), the child of Senior (Beau Bridges), a senior partner that adds to the show’s ’70s vibe. Besides being potential suspects in a case, Olympia, Julian, and Senior are also key figures for Matty. As she tries to gain their confidence, she assists Olympia in suing prisons and police departments on behalf of underprivileged individuals. While Julian manages the profitable pharmaceutical department, Olympia is pioneering an unofficial startup venture to demonstrate that social justice can be financially rewarding, a concept that even Matty, despite the firm’s history, appears to accept.
At home, Matty collaborates with her loving spouse Edwin (Sam Anderson) and grandson Alfie (Aaron D. Harris). While the show delves into their shared grief, I found the family dynamics somewhat hazy compared to the thrilling office antics. The Kingston family’s financial background and reasons for targeting this particular firm remain unclear. As the series progresses, I hope the balance between Matty’s two lives becomes less lopsided. Both “Matlock” and its title character are likable and deserving of support.
On October 17th at 9 PM Eastern Time, ‘Matlock’ will debut in its timeslot on both CBS and Paramount+. Subsequent episodes will be aired every Thursday thereafter.
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2024-10-17 17:16