Matlock

As soon as I saw Kathy Bates was going to star in a reboot of Matlock, I texted my mother asking her if this was something we would be watching together. We live in different states, but occasionally watch shows together. And I thought this would be an excellent choice. I love the idea of an older woman returning to the world of work. Especially a woman in her 70s!

Let me be clear. I am not a fan of legal shows, and while I'm sure at 54 years old before DVRS when we were at times captive audiences of shows we'd rather not watch, I've unintentionally, accidentally watched an episode or two of the original Matlock. But I definitely was not a fan of the show. That being said, I jumped right in--because everything I've watched with Kathy Bates, *Misery*, *Primary Colors*, *Dolores Claiborne*, etc., etc., etc., has been excellent. So I trusted that *Matlock* would be stellar as well-or Kathy Bates would not be involved.

I watched the pilot and loved the whole thing. Since I did not watch the original *Matlock*, I had nothing to compare it to. I have watched law shows and police procedurals that went so fast and were so complicated I got lost. But *Matlock* is easy breezy, and I was right with all of the twists and turns. Thankfully, none of the characters are annoying or extremely unlikable. As other reviewers said, there is a surprise at the end that we can't talk about, but clues were dropped all along.

If I had to compare the show to another show, I'd say it's like *Columbo*. There are times when "Mattie" struggles with the changing times, she has not practiced law in many years, and then there are times when she seems to be bumbling-so the person can walk right into a trap. It's like Mattie said, "Nobody sees us coming..." YASS the super power of the older woman!

This is a charming and interesting take on a legal series. Casting of Kathy Bates and Beau Bridges is classic CBS, and while this doesn't ask much of you, it's a fun and easy watch. Yes, there's a twist at the end, which will give the series some sorely needed depth.

Kathy Bates plays the titular character, Matlock, a post-midlife lawyer who hasn't practiced since 1991. She boldly maneuvers her way into a trial period with a law firm, and set out to make herself useful in order to gain employment. Obviously, everyone doubts her abilities and thinks she's too old, and she seeks to prove them wrong.

Well, I did enjoy the first episode of Matlock. Of course, any material Kathy Bates touches is going to get a lift. I think she had good chemistry with the rest of the cast. Again, maybe thats what you get with an acting legend. And we love Beau Bridges who made a cameo like appearance. What an ACE in the hole CBS has there. Then, along comes Sam Anderson whos talent and charisma brings something special to every character he plays. If the stories and writing can keep up with the talent pool this series has, and the director can give a little guidance to the younger cast, I think CBS is going to have a hit on its hands.

I found episode 1 and stream watched it. It was brilliant. When do we get to see the rest? We need a good series that is suspenseful and entertaining. And this will do it for me.

The storyline so far is end of your seat entertaining. The streetwise Matlock has all the makings of a grandmother that you want to keep an eye over and then she surprises you with her streetwise, years of experience of reading people and knowing how to manipulate a situation to meet her end goal.

I have been waiting for this series since it was announced. Kathy Bates is a brilliant actress and the rest of the cast is not bad either.

My women on the street who loves a good thriller opinion.

Please release the rest of the series.

In my opinion, Kathy Bates's fantastic performance and scenic presence are not enough to catapult this show to the podium among the 'best of the year', as some reviews seem to consider.

The supporting cast simply does not work at all. They are completely lacking in nuances and they turn their roles into cartoonish, thick-stroke annoying characters. (The Asian young lawyer, probably the worst of all).

The plotline gets tangled in a confusing medley between realistic legal cases, poor comedic gags, some red herrings which seem unconvincing and a general light comedy tone sustained by the music, the trivial shallow resolution of tension and some Disney-like performances. This, plus the inclusion of sensitive «serious themes» and dramatic moments (as drug addictions, corporate involvement, loss and bereavement) which deserve and demand a deeper context. So either you feel that it is a comedy turning preachy and loaded, or you feel that issues deserving a serious treatment become trivialized and deprived of substance.

This unstable mix of comedy, suspense, legal and drama, which seems to be in fashion lately in entertainment industry (see Elsbeth, which has also derailed), is simply not my thing. Or, at least, it needs to be done in a better way. Very sorry for Kathy Bates, which is immense and a delight to watch, but she cannot rescue the show on her own and by herself.