IR TV Review: MATLOCK - EPISODE 2 (“Another Matlock”) [CBS-S2]
"Matlock" as it progresses into its 2nd episode of its 2nd season is how it looks at behavior. With the "Another Matlock" episode, the perspective is actually retroactive. The episode makes reference to the TV show which is its inspiration but Maddy Matlock (Kathy Bates) acknowledges it in actual verbal form saying she uses some of Ben Matlock's processes from the show in reasoning to get to her point. As with most procedurals, the case of the week is also running as the bigger concept is going on, specifically Matty trying to out par Olivia (Skye P. Marshall) in trying to expose the head of their firm in terms of unethical practices (one of which had repercussions on the death of Matty's daughter) some years back. While this element is of importance, it almost distracts from the interests of the week. Matty loves practicing law no matter what. The moments Bates has with her husband Ed (Sam Anderson) are the best parts of the show because they feel real, even if she is making him do something to help her case Ed has his own mind but he understands where Matty is going.
The concept also of their grandson comes into play as well as the intention of his drug-addled dad coming back into his life and the give and take of the grandparents that requires (especially with the mom passed). The case of the week again is interesting for the play of how Matty and her team go about it because it is about engaging behavior as a consequence, not as a frontal assault. Maddy uses both a reluctant witness and her defendant (who doesn't want to return to court) in how to bait the would-be defendant in cross examination, all the while realizing that her current judge for this case can recite cases from the old Matlock. There is a lot of back and forth threatening between Maddy and Olivia which is not as dynamic as one would say "Castle" was. Their underlings in Billy and Sarah understand the back and forth done with a bit of lightness as all good supporting actors do but that said, because of recent developments, that quipping will be lost. B-
By Tim Wassberg
