Belly of the Beast

Ep 7 sidelines the courtroom almost entirely, leaning heavily into personal backstories, office politics, and subplots that feel more like filler than forward motion. While it's fine for a legal drama to explore its characters, Matlock risks drifting too far from its core appeal -smart, gripping cases with stakes you can feel.

Kathy Bates remains the draw, grounding even the most meandering scenes with her calm authority. Skye P. Marshall and Jason Ritter get more screen time here, but the material they're given doesn't match their talent. The pacing is comfortable, maybe too comfortable, and without a compelling case to anchor the hour, the episode feels like a narrative pause.

It's not without charm - there are small, human moments worth noting - but for viewers craving legal fireworks, this one barely sparks. Here's hoping the next episode remembers what the title on the door says.

Writer-producer Hennah Sekander skillfully juggles the case of the week with plenty of character reveals about the "Matlock" ensemble (romantic relationships), making for a potent episode played against the backdrop of holiday cheer. Even Beau Bridges shows up to lord it over everyone as the law firm CEO, with Maddie still hot on his trail regarding involvement in her daughter's death.

Script constantly emphasizes the ageism that Bates faces as Matlock the elderly lawyer (something her predecessor Andy Griffith didn't have to deal with in the original series). She's casually called Grandma many, many times and treated condescendingly. But crafty is her middle name, and despite many twists and turns, we're always confident she will win her first case after being promoted to the firm's Pharma team.

The lawyers are battling with an appealing young music student (nicely played by Dominique Gayle) who suffered during drug trials and is suing the drug company. Her lawyer is played by 24-year-old actress Zamani Wilder, which underscores the vast age difference with opponent Maddie.

When the case, ultimately involving millions of dollars the drug firm stands to lose, turns on a somewhat dirty trick involving the law, Maddie is faced with a crucial decision: should she do whatever it takes to win the case and preserve her upward movement at Beau's law firm (and thereby get closer to avenging her daughter's death) or sympathize with the young student who is suing their client?

This dilemma is a dramatic issue facing all fictional characters working undercover, whether spies or undercover cops, and it adds depth to Matlock's character. Bates' strong acting drives this issue home.