A Guy Named Greg

3 episodes in and they have all been quite good. The writing is much better than most modern TV shows and the acting is top notch. I expected as much from Kathy Bates, but the other actors are also quite good and don't seem out of place on screen with her. It is a risk when you put someone really talented on a TV show that everyone around them suddenly will look less talented.

The stories are very good and even thought provoking. The story of Madeline's experience in the workplace years ago really drove home the long term effects that things like that can have.

I did find it somewhat ironic that in an episode about the negative effects of unwanted comments and actions from coworkers and superiors, they had Olympia continue to user her position of power to psychologically toy with her employees.

I'm not sure that having her employees always on edge, always worried about angering her and always wondering what they might have done to displease her, is a great work environment either.

In this setting they write it off as some sort of character building exercise but I'm sure plenty of people in the real world have dreaded seeing people that treat them the way she does, at work and even altered their careers to avoid them.

Yael Grobglas, appearing as an amazing jury consultant (a la Michael Weatherly's character in his series "Bull") guests on "Matlock", almost stealing the center of attention from Kathy Bates in a brief but impactful role. It's not clear if she'll be back, perhaps as a semi-regular, but she definitely helps to propel this third episode into the winner's column.

Case is a he said/she said sexual harassment issue, with the firm representing the lady (expressive Danielle Larracuente) against her boss. Key plot twist has the consultant suggesting that Matlock take over trying the case in court midway through the trial, based on the jury's fondness for her, putting Bates in charge rather than in the background during the all-important courtroom scenes. That's going to be important as the series progresses, following in the footsteps of Andy Griffith dominating the original program. And the backstory that in her earlier career Matlock never actually tried a case in court adds panache to this development, resulting in a very powerful drawing upon her own past experience of being harrassed (concerning the "Greg" in the episode's title) to amplify her closing arguments in the case. Concise writing also manages to advance the relationships of other cast regulars without distracting from the case or Matlock's story.

This one dragged and the fact they thought the black lady could basically lead the episode shows their lack of casting knowledge. She's not a good actress at all and falls off her character a lot. I'd had preferred more Bates time and felt this episode was overall lackluster.

With that said I'm not giving up yet but I don't foresee it improving since it's modern television. Usually once a show starts getting meh it just gets worse and worse in these modern times.

Please Kathy save the rest of the season. Need episodes as good as episode two. Not episodes made just to meet agendas which this clearly was.

Now this is the direction we've been waiting for. A solid 8/10 best episode so far.

Ep 3 steps up with a stronger emotional core, a genuinely twisty case, and *finally* a courtroom scene with some teeth. Bates is magnetic as ever, but the real win here is the shift in tone: less glossy, more layered.

The writing gets sharper, especially in the back-and-forths between Madeline and the opposing counsel. We're also given more insight into her moral compass - less saint, more seasoned strategist -which adds much-needed texture.

Supporting cast members get better footing too, with Skye P. Marshall's Olympia gaining spark, and David Del Rio loosening up into a more believable mentee. The show seems to be finding its stride, balancing the procedural beats with a light thread of character development and subtle humour.

If Ep 1 was a good opening statement, and Ep 2 stumbled slightly, then this one is the rebuttal that reminds you why you showed up. Let's hope this momentum holds.

I love the idea they brought forward a "me too" moment and how it was handled generationally. I actually want to watch this one again. The way the older woman comes to grips with this opportunity to take one 'of them' down. It's script gold!

During the actual Me Too (phenomenon?) women of all generations had so many beliefs about whether it was 'our responsibility to keep the wolves at bay' or if we should have taken action. I know I never even consider that an option. The employment office worked for management. It didn't get the touchy-feely name of Human Resources until the '90's.

I am not as old as Kathy Bates but I am over 60. The snide remarks, leering looks and grab hands were prevalent. I loved her solution, "pants"! For a dose of perspective on clothes in the office...may I suggest you watch 9 To 5?

Bravo to the writers and the actors.