Review: New take on classic 'Matlock' series is tasty, thanks to Kathy Bates

"Matlock" is the potato chips of new television series. You get a taste and, before you know it, half the bag is gone.

Key is Kathy Bates as Madelyn Matlock, a 70-something attorney who's trying to get a job at one of the most powerful law firms in New York. Her secret is to fly under the radar. She does it to get into the building, then the boardroom, then onto a key case. Most people, she explains, look past her. That allows her to use old-fashioned wiles on new-fangled clients. In the series' opener, she puts the skill to test on a case about police corruption. A little accent here, a little charity there and she's in.

Bates is so good at duping others you'll wonder if she's playing you, too.

Thanks to a great script by Jennie Snyder Urman, this "Matlock" makes you forget the old one. In the process, she ticks off a list of other classic TV shows. It's a clever trick that diverts while embracing. At the firm, Matlock is given two newbies that help her research cases and bring home results. David Del Rio (as Billy) is particularly good at playing Matlock's game. He fills her in on the relationship dynamics and explains why their boss (Skye P. Marshall) is so demanding and driven. She was married to one of the firm's leaders and doesn't want his nepo-baby edge to hurt her trajectory. The ex (Jason Ritter), however, has his own agenda and, yes, can fall for Matlock's charms.

In the opener, we learn plenty about the senior citizen's past. She shares tidbits like so many butterscotch drops and sweetens plenty of pots.

But, as you'll learn in other episodes, there's more to the story than meets the law firm. Marshall and Ritter are seemingly adversaries; Beau Bridges (as Billy's dad) could be, too. While cases get the Matlock treatment, those around her learn more about her family and motives. They also discover she should be given her due, particularly when she can draw out witnesses, uncover evidence and work under a tight deadline.

While the new "Matlock" has a tinge of last year's "So Help Me Todd," it also boasts an extra layer that makes it every bit as intriguing as "Only Murders in the Building."

As good as Kat Coiro's direction is, much of this works because Bates is so charmingly sly. Better than many of her recent roles, Matty lets her bring a lifetime of skills to one character. She delivers and makes the series interesting for the whole family. It's not just a CBS standard; it's a CBS game changer.

A twist at the end of the pilot should get regular viewers to stay alert as other cases unfold. But don't be surprised if she pulls another surprise when you least expect it.

"Matlock," the 2024 edition, is better than you think and a real gift for broadcast television viewers.

Bruce Miller is editor of the Sioux City Journal.

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