The original Matlock is a cherished television show that aired for nine seasons from 1986 to 1995. Andy Griffith starred as Ben Matlock, a lawyer who always wins his cases.
Although he might seem a bit grumpy, he always uncovers the real criminal during impressive courtroom scenes.
When news broke in January 2023 that a remake was in the works, some people felt uncertain. Anytime a beloved show gets a remake, there is a chance it might not succeed.
However, when the legendary Kathy Bates agreed to play a gender-flipped Matlock and serve as the executive producer for the new CBS series, many concerns faded away.
Early reviews praised Bates for her strong performance as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a 75-year-old woman returning to work at the Jacobson Moore law firm. The first episode premiered recently, making it clear that this version of Matlock stands strong on its own.
Although there are clever references to the Griffith-led show, like characters discussing the original television series, this Matlock is completely different.
A big twist at the end of the first episode indicates that the show will be very different from what viewers expected.
‘Matlock’ Episode 1 Reveals Matty’s Secrets
Viewers meet Matty as a sweet, grandmotherly character in the beginning scenes. It is clear she is still very smart and a bit manipulative, as she sneaks past security at the law firm where she wants a job.
She manages to negotiate a two-week trial employment at Jacobson Moore after impressing the partners with her skills.
Throughout the episode, Matty shares that she has not practiced law in more than 30 years. After her husband passed away, leaving her with a huge gambling debt, she feels the need to earn money again.
She also tells different people about her life, such as raising her 12-year-old grandson, who does not like her, and her daughter, who died after a long struggle with drug addiction.
Matty uses her charm and friendly personality to gain trust, whether with her new coworkers at the firm or the people involved in her case.
Then, as the episode comes to an end, viewers learn that Matty has been dishonest about almost everything. She gets into a chauffeured car to drive home to a big mansion, showing she is not broke. Before entering her house, she puts on a huge diamond ring.
Inside, she is welcomed by her husband, who is alive, and her lovely grandson, who does not actually hate her.
They excitedly discuss how her first case went, and they reveal that her real name is Madeline Kingston. They chose the name Matlock because it was her daughter’s favorite show.
Madeline last practiced law only 10 years ago. The biggest surprise is that Madeline has a completely different reason for working at the law firm than she said: She thinks one of the three partners at Jacobson Moore is responsible for her daughter’s death.
Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), Julian (Jason Ritter), or Senior (Beau Bridges) hid evidence during an opioid case, and if that evidence had been used, many deaths could have been avoided, including her daughter’s.
Matty is not working at the firm to earn money; her real goal is to find out who is guilty and send them to prison. While Matty did not lie about her daughter’s addiction, that is the one truth she shares because it drives her life.
A New Direction for ‘Matlock’
Matty’s different motivation for returning to work as a lawyer changes what Matlock will be about in future episodes.
There will still be weekly cases for Matty to solve, but there will also be an ongoing story about her quest to figure out which partner is her target and enemy.
This main plot helps the series rise above a typical procedural. Most legal dramas focus only on different cases and courtroom scenes, without an underlying mystery.
This twist also allows the audience to share in Matty’s secret, while none of the other characters know, creating a unique bond between the viewer and Madeline.
The end of the first episode changes how the audience views Matty as a person. She appears as a forgetful, older woman who seems helpless, but in reality, Madeline is clever, calculating, and capable of hiding her true self.
Instead of being an ordinary hero, she becomes a fascinating protagonist who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals and find justice for her daughter’s death.
Matty is someone used to being underestimated, and she takes advantage of how people see older adults.
Bates skillfully shows this shift from kind grandmother to determined lawyer, making Madeline Matlock, also known as Kingston, one of the best characters on network television today.
The twist about who Madeline is may change things for the series, but it also creates an exciting setup for Matlock’s first season.
One thing the new show shares with the original series is that Madeline uses her name to create goodwill for her false persona.
It makes sense that her husband and grandson would pick that name. Griffith’s Matlock is honest and always seeks the truth. Who would not trust someone named after such a hero?
Even if Matty may not be as truthful and naive as she seems, her true mission will surely make for an exciting journey.
The first episode of Matlock is available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. New episodes will start airing on CBS on Thursdays, beginning on October 17.
