Pilot

The show goes to great pains to tell you that it has nothing to do with Andy Griffith's Matlock. Makes you wonder why the new show is called Matlock.

The legal drama revolves around a case of wrongful imprisonment, with the plaintiff seeking compensation for his years in prison due to police corruption. Thus, it incorporates most every legal trope known, especially the idea that if you hire a new lawyer the day before a trial is to begin you can assign her to that trial team, and even though the trial is going on she and team members can travel to prisons, New Jersey, etc., to develop new evidence because they are not needed in court, because that's how you conduct trials.

The law firm, supposedly one of New York's best, is run by incompetents who hire someone off the street with no background check. Is her license valid? They don't care. Does she have a bad history? Once again, they don't care. They have this thing these days called Google. You can actually find out stuff. This law firm? Nope. It got to the top in New York by being clueless.

The legal issue that got me is that there was some discussion of not putting the plaintiff on the stand to tell his story (how he felt being locked up for a crime he did not commit) out of fear that his prior criminal record would come to light. Hey, producers/writers: this is a civil case. He's the plaintiff. He's been exonerated. The defense (the State of New York? City of New York? NYPD?) would have taken his deposition. They can introduce a copy of his record. The arresting detective (who testifies) can explain what about his prior record made them think he was the perp. He may not even be able to take the Fifth anymore as he has no fear of prosecution. You don't need to be a lawyer to deal with the holes in the story the writers have set up.

Last, the twist ending added to the end felt like after the show wrapped, someone said, this show needs to head in a different direction. So let's slap on a twist.

Such a joy to see Kathy Bates back on TV. New show had a great punch for an ending and it was wonderful to see Beau Bridges too. Great way to spend early Sunday night. Super good supporting cast Reminded me a little bit of suits. Like the intergenerational attorneys who were bickering and solving. Really interesting good writing definitely a winner. Definitely will watch this life.

Finally new shows are back on and this one was a good one. I never saw the old Matlock and I'm trying to figure out the ending a little bit which I will not give away, but I really like that surprise welcome back Kathy.

I never even saw an episode of the original "Matlock" sure I knew it was a thing but one doesn't (didn't?) watch much TV as young adults back in the day whenever that was.

I've always loved Kathy Bates and knew she had comedic as well as murderous acting chops. Here she can show them all. As a woman "of a certain age" I'm learning to make invisibility work for me too. Just like our new Matlock.

Check it out. The beginning sequence is perfect. Of course Matlock enjoys a white age-based privilege that not all have but that doesn't make the scene any less humorous.

Add in Beau Bridges who was fabulous in the comedy "Black-ish". I have high hopes and have now met the minimum character limit here.

That was the line that Matty utters, as only an Academy Award winning actress could. So believable. And I was genuinely surprised by the ending. I hope it continues with the insider comments and insights. Older women are invisible, even today & this little show played very well. The opening scene that has Matty sneaking into the law firm right under their noses was completely entertaining. I went back to rewatch that scene just to relish the ease of it. Now, i have watched some Matlock, because I am old. It was an entertaining show and Andy Griffith was an established talented actor too. This Matlock is completely different. It has current issues & young actors too. The grandson is very likable. The two young new hirers are very good, believable. I just hope the series can keep it going. So far, it hit the ball out of stadium! Bravo team!

A couple of things I think will help this show last longer than many today. Overall the show is interesting and engauging. Character developing is done well as we go but the direction seems turbulant. Perhaps with the hit/miss directors. It messes up the flow of the characters. It's like they have different personalities different directors. I feel that this retards character establishmen. Kat Coiro got it right in the beginning, so just let her take the lead direction. Please!? Also, on some of the episodes without Kat is that the timing is WAY too "on". Character placement within some scenes and dialog seems a bit too coincidental and contrived. But, I do love the show. Look forward to more. :)