Matlock

In my opinion, Kathy Bates's fantastic performance and scenic presence are not enough to catapult this show to the podium among the 'best of the year', as some reviews seem to consider.

The supporting cast simply does not work at all. They are completely lacking in nuances and they turn their roles into cartoonish, thick-stroke annoying characters. (The Asian young lawyer, probably the worst of all).

The plotline gets tangled in a confusing medley between realistic legal cases, poor comedic gags, some red herrings which seem unconvincing and a general light comedy tone sustained by the music, the trivial shallow resolution of tension and some Disney-like performances. This, plus the inclusion of sensitive «serious themes» and dramatic moments (as drug addictions, corporate involvement, loss and bereavement) which deserve and demand a deeper context. So either you feel that it is a comedy turning preachy and loaded, or you feel that issues deserving a serious treatment become trivialized and deprived of substance.

This unstable mix of comedy, suspense, legal and drama, which seems to be in fashion lately in entertainment industry (see Elsbeth, which has also derailed), is simply not my thing. Or, at least, it needs to be done in a better way. Very sorry for Kathy Bates, which is immense and a delight to watch, but she cannot rescue the show on her own and by herself.

I was looking to try a Kathy Bates program with a largely overly sentimental but I discovered I was wrong. It took until the last ten minutes to know what this wonderful show was about under the surface. I hope it last well beyond Mattie getting the information she is looking for. Many new faces and some old favorites in different style roles. I'm sorry that this initial showing is a one off but I'm glad not all the good new stuff is on Sunday CBS during football season. I will be looking forward to more episodes on Thursday nights. I'm just glad that it's not on opposite my 911. Kathy Bates deserves to make the full ten episode run no matter what. I look forward to the final resolution of Mattys background espionage.

If you are thinking you are going to watch a retread of the old Matlock series, you are in for a big surprise. My The writing is on point and you will not see the twist that happens at the end of the first episode coming; as always, it is hard to take your eyes off Kathy Bates- she commands the screen as few actresses have ever been able. Give it an hour, just one hour. I have to imagine that the second episode takes a hard right in have a very different direction. I was skeptical when I first heard about the show. I was so glad I was bored on a Saturday night and decided to watch the the premier of the show. And come on now, it's got Beau Bridges. We can go home when he's part of the cast.

This is a charming and interesting take on a legal series. Casting of Kathy Bates and Beau Bridges is classic CBS, and while this doesn't ask much of you, it's a fun and easy watch. Yes, there's a twist at the end, which will give the series some sorely needed depth.

Kathy Bates plays the titular character, Matlock, a post-midlife lawyer who hasn't practiced since 1991. She boldly maneuvers her way into a trial period with a law firm, and set out to make herself useful in order to gain employment. Obviously, everyone doubts her abilities and thinks she's too old, and she seeks to prove them wrong.

I really want to like this show but it really needs more meat to it. I would say first problem is the writing. The weekly episode is glossed over and not very deep just so they can spend the final moments reminding the audience the reason for the whole deception to begin with. Second is the direction of the other two females. Their characters come off as cartoonish. Always loud and high strung and lacking any real emotion. This isn't against the actress themselves but I am assuming this is the direction they are given. Some of the sets seem exactly that ..sets. The lighting is flat. Overall not a very rich feel to it. I tune in each week for one reason and one reason only but I don't know if I can keep it up. I think Kathy Bates deserves better than this.