Warning: Contains spoilers for Matlock episode 2, “Rome in a Day.” If it’s not up to date, you’ve been warned.
2024 TV schedule jurors, the courtroom is finally back in session. With Matlock’s recent return, the game is finally on between Kathy Bates’ Madeline Kingston (aka Matty Matlock) and the forces of Jacobson & Moore. As she continues to win lawsuits by day and plots revenge for her dead daughter by night, a pattern seems to be forming.
The twist in Matlock’s first episode seemed to establish what seems to be a key part of the CBS show’s episodic format, but I’m worried that approach will overstay its welcome. That concern is even more important to consider now that CBS’ first-year drama has been renewed for a second season. Let’s talk about this in more detail as we discuss how “Rome in a Day” continued this pattern and why it matters.
(Image credit: CBS)
Kathy Bates’ Matlock enters season 2
Friends and readers, stock up on your favorite Werther’s Originals versions, because a press release from CBS Entertainment announced this new and happy news about more legal transportation and trade. Matlock’s performance over the first two episodes clearly impressed network executives, so a statement was released confirming the renewal for season 2, courtesy of CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach’s sentiments: Ta.
This reimagined “Matlock” was conceived by Jenny Snyder Urman with a brilliant surprise plot twist, and the first episode brought to life by the incredibly talented Kathy Bates. As soon as we saw it, we knew we were getting something very special. Audience reception and critical acclaim were overwhelming. I can’t wait for the second season to start.
Amy Reisenbach, President of CBS Entertainment
Eye Network’s gamble appears to have paid off, citing viewership numbers that actually increased between the initial premiere period about a month ago and this week’s follow-up episode. Viewers want more Matlock and it’s a beautiful thing to see. But now that we’re at least two seasons into telling this story, we’re wondering how the “twist of the week” structure should be carefully considered if this story is to become a true Blue classic. Let’s talk about what there is.
(Image credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS)
How Matlock’s Twist of the Week formula seems to work
Matlock’s overall story is sure to have some close calls, as Madeline Matlock’s false identity is carefully crafted with the help of her grandson Alfie (Aaron D. Harris). . Ms. Kingston is essentially playing a game of double agent, not only helping the good people at Jacobson & Moore, but also helping herself with their resources.
The latest subterfuge involved a fake driver’s license and was pivotal to this week’s case because Madeline’s height helped debunk her opponent’s claims. But her driver’s license also lists the address of an apartment in Queens, so it looks like junior partner Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) is about to see through Matlock’s titular character’s big lie.
(Image credit: CBS)
Of course, this week’s Matlock ended with a closer look at Madeline’s mind games. The end result was Alfie getting a passcode to Olympia’s cell phone. This was what he was asking for throughout the episode. Returning to Ms. Matty’s question to HR about the refundable dinner allowance, all that was needed to further spread the widowed and lonely Ms. Matlock’s lie was a deliberately forgotten bag of Italian food.
I swear, the heist movie energy this show has is energetic and I love a good rug-pulling ending. I also admit that the moment I saw the driver’s license in court, I thought this was the beginning of things unraveling.
Of course, we still know a lot about the crafty Madeline Kingston. So maybe we have something heading in our direction that helps put these twists into perspective, at least in terms of how the show plays out week-to-week. But that being said, I have some thoughts as to why this should probably be a single-season device, at least from my current perspective.
(Image credit: Brooke Palmer/CBS)
Why I’m worried Matlock’s twist is going too far
Twisted people are unpredictable beasts, and hiding the truth under people’s noses always works. As a fan of the Saw movies, I can tell you that after years of surprises, I spent a lot of time guessing what the big reveal at the end would be. That habit started to change course with Saw X on my timeline, but it’s still a prime example of what I fear.
I don’t want to spend the entire episode working up to the “plot” because it distracts from the incident at hand. After all, what good is a Matlock series where the events of the week are just an afterthought? I say this knowing full well that the original Matlock set itself up in that regard. Masu. And if anyone doubted that particular formula, young Alfie’s description at the end of the pilot firmly planted it.
It’s like Matlock. They almost lose, but they win.
Alfie (Aaron D. Harris), Matlock, Episode 1 – “Pilot”
This kind of approach worked wonders for the old-school “incident of the week” format that creator Dean Hargrove devised for the version starring Andy Griffith. With CBS evoking and reimagining its meandering action in the pilot, that very meta-style moment of exposition is nearly identical to what was mentioned this week about Matlock changing networks mid-air. This is another question regarding the new Matlock and I’m waiting for an answer in the near future. (And no, that nightmarish opening of “Rome in a Day” doesn’t count when we get a new version of the OG theme song.)
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to tell the powers that be at Matlock how to do their jobs. On the more positive side of things, we see how all of these reveals intertwine to form a larger conclusion throughout the course of Season 1’s action. While I’m cautiously wary of this plot device, I still completely agree with Madeline’s weekly presence as part of “Team You Three.” As long as the twist on CBS’ reimagined hit drama makes sense, I’d like to have the lawyers consider this matter as if it were on the docket, pending further evaluation.
If you’re ready to jump on the Matlock ’24 train, don’t worry. You can watch both previously aired episodes with just a Paramount+ subscription. And thankfully, the long wait for Matlock episode 2 won’t be an issue this time around. “A Man Named Greg” will air on Thursdays at 9pm ET. Until then, cue the whistle of the OG theme music slide as the court is dismissed!
