Follows Madeline Matlock as she rejoins the work force at a prestigious law firm, where she uses her wily tactics to win cases and expose wrong doing.
Alright folks, buckle up, because we're diving into the latest series that no one asked for but we’re getting anyway—“Matlock.” Yes, you heard right. Hollywood, in its never-ending quest to dust off the past and convince us it’s brand new, has resurrected Matlock from the grave, given it a new coat of woke, and decided that what America really needs is Kathy Bates schooling millennials on how to win a court case without texting the jury emojis.
For those of you playing along at home, this Matlock is not your grandma’s Matlock. Nope, it’s a gender-swapped reboot, which means we’ve swapped out Andy Griffith’s folksy charm for Kathy Bates’ no-nonsense, “I’ve-seen-some-things-and-I’ll-use-that-gavel-as-a-weapon” gravitas. Let’s dive into this first episode, shall we?
Plot Snapshot:
In this shiny new version, we follow Madeline Matlock, played by Kathy Bates, who saunters back into the workforce at a swanky law firm like she’s been bench-pressing case files during her retirement. Picture a mashup of “The Devil Wears Prada” meets “Law & Order,” minus any actual fashion sense and with a lot more smirking. Madeline, a crafty legal veteran with a penchant for showing up her younger, smarter-but-still-dumber-than-her colleagues, uses her senior status as both a sword and a shield. She’s out here winning cases and exposing corruption like it’s an Olympic sport and she’s going for gold in the freestyle meddling event.
What I Liked:
Let’s start with the good stuff—because as someone who’s binge-watched far too many shows in the last few years, you’ve got to give credit where it’s due.
First, this reboot actually respects its elders, quite literally. The show nods to the original ‘80s Matlock by reusing the name but flipping the script—Matlock is now a shrewd, elderly woman who everyone underestimates until it’s too late. It’s a clever twist on the old idea that older folks can be invisible, and Bates uses that invisibility cloak like she’s Harry Potter’s grandma, sneaking around the courtroom picking up the pieces that everyone else misses.
The storytelling has this Ocean’s Eleven vibe where the detective work unfolds in real time, with a little “Gotcha!” moment just when you think you’ve figured it all out. It’s like watching a magic trick, except instead of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, Bates is pulling evidence out of thin air while making you feel like the idiot who wasn’t paying attention.
Also, Beau Bridges plays the law firm’s owner with the kind of smug, “I’ve got more secrets than my hair’s got grays” energy that just screams “Rival in the Making.” If this doesn’t end in some courtroom face-off where Bates wipes the floor with him, then what are we even doing here?
And of course, Kathy Bates is a powerhouse. She’s an Oscar winner, a legend, and the perfect mix of sweet and savage. She’s like a pit bull in a floral dress. It’s just nice to see someone who can command a room without having to be 25, Instagram-famous, or wearing a superhero cape.
What I Disliked:
Now, let’s talk about what didn’t quite hit the mark—because if I don’t complain about something, the internet might explode.
First off, there’s a whiff of social justice smuggling that’s so thick, you might mistake it for a Greenpeace fundraiser. The show wants to have its cake, eat it, and then lecture you about the unsustainable farming practices that went into making that cake. It’s the classic TV trick: slip in some “edgy” commentary between courtroom monologues, just subtle enough that your Aunt Karen might not notice but glaringly obvious to anyone who has an ounce of cynicism left.
And oh boy, did they check every diversity box they could find. Don’t get me wrong—representation is important, but this felt like the writers were playing bingo, and every square just said, “Don’t get canceled.” It’s like watching a Benetton ad come to life in legal drama form, with every character introduced as if they’re competing in the “Who’s the most progressive?” Olympics. Spoiler alert: everyone’s tied for first, except for the audience, who lost their way somewhere between the lecture on corporate greed and the PSA on climate change.
Kathy Bates’ Farewell Tour:
Oh, and here’s the kicker: this is Kathy Bates’ final role before she heads off into the sunset of retirement. Yep, that’s right. The Oscar-winning actress, who’s been terrorizing authors in “Misery” and baking weed brownies in “Disjointed,” is hanging up her hat (or, in this case, her robe). So, if this show ends up tanking, at least she’s getting out before they reboot it again with a TikTok star. Bates brings a lifetime of sass, skill, and well-earned side-eye to this role, and it’s a fitting end to a legendary career—even if she’s sharing the stage with a supporting cast that sometimes feels like a 3rd place improv troupe at best.
Final Thoughts:
All in all, the “Matlock” reboot is a mixed bag. It’s like biting into what you think is a delicious chocolate chip cookie, only to find out it’s oatmeal raisin. It’s still tasty, but not what you were craving. Bates carries the show on her formidable shoulders, and there’s enough courtroom cleverness to keep things interesting. But the overcooked social commentary and checklist diversity keep it from being the light, entertaining legal drama you might have hoped for.
Ranking: 6.8/10—Good enough for Bates’ swan song but maybe not the show you’ll be putting on your “Must Watch” list unless you’ve got a thing for watching octogenarians verbally smacking down twenty-somethings. And hey, who doesn’t?
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