Don’t be surprised if Kathy Bates wins the Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama Series.
With “Matlock,†she prompted viewers to mark CBS as home to at least one “must-see†broadcast show.
The series wasn’t just another rewarmed reboot. It took an old Andy Griffith title, turned it on its head and gave it a new spin that kept viewers watching throughout the entire season.
Kathy Bates stars in the new CBS series, "Matlock."Ìý
Key was Bates as Madelyn Matlock, a 70-something attorney who was trying to get a job at one of the most powerful law firms in New York. Her secret was to fly under the radar. She did it to get into the building, then the boardroom, then onto a key case. Most people, she explained, look past her.
That allowed her to use old-fashioned wiles on new-fangled clients. In the series’ opener, she put the tested the skill in a case about police corruption. A little accent here, a little charity there and she was in.
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Bates was so good at duping others you wondered if she’s playing you, too.
Kathy Bates often finds herself in the middle of bickering partners in "Matlock." Here she's between Jason Ritter and Skye P. Marshall.
Thanks to a great script by Jennie Snyder Urman, this “Matlock†made you forget the old one. In the process, she ticked off a list of other classic TV shows. It was a clever trick that diverted while embracing.
At the firm, Matlock was given two newbies to help her research cases and bring home results. David Del Rio (as Billy) was particularly good at playing Matlock’s game. He filled her in on the relationship dynamics and explained why their boss (Skye P. Marshall) was so demanding and driven. She was married to one of the firm’s leaders and didn’t want his nepo-baby edge to hurt her trajectory. The ex (Jason Ritter), however, had his own agenda and, yes, liked Matlock’s charms.
In the opener, we learned plenty about the senior citizen’s past. She shared tidbits like so many butterscotch drops and sweetened plenty of pots.
In subsequent episodes we learned there’s more to the story than meets the law firm.
Marshall and Ritter were seemingly adversaries; Beau Bridges (as Billy’s dad) may have been, too.
The cast of "Matlock," from left, David Del Rio, Skye P. Marshall, Kathy Bates, Leah Lewis and Jason Ritter.Ìý
While the new “Matlock†had a tinge of the previous year’s “So Help Me Todd,†it also boasted an extra layer that made it every bit as intriguing as “Only Murders in the Building.â€
As good as Kat Coiro’s direction was, much of this worked because Bates was so charmingly sly. Better than many of her recent roles, Matty let her bring a lifetime of skills to one character. She delivered and made the series interesting for the whole family. It wasn’t just a CBS standard; it was a CBS game changer.
That extra twist made it even better.
Coming out on DVD this month, it could be the binge you need just before the second season premieres in October … and Bates’ Emmy win in September.
