Those everyone agrees are terrible and easily opposed? From where I see them, the Sackler family, their enablers, and their competitors are on the run. Those who profit from the opioid epidemic have contributed to hundreds of thousands of deaths in the United States. And with series like Netflix's "The Fall of the House of Usher" and now CBS's "Matlock," they are shown as the truly destructive force they are.
"Matlock" uses this premise to great effect. Kathy Bates harnesses her formidable powers as Madeline "Mattie" Matlock, the protagonist, this time with a hidden (and righteous) agenda. Bates's Matlock knows what people see when they look at her, if they look at her at all. She is invisible to many, underestimated by almost everyone, considered a harmless (and kind) old woman. She has some of those qualities, but she is also incredibly cunning, able to use those expectations to her advantage wherever she goes. She also knows how to laugh at herself, which makes the series extremely entertaining.
Creator: Jennie Snyder Urman
Stars: Kathy Bates, Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter
I don't want to confuse you: this is a CBS legal drama with all the trimmings. In each episode, we revisit Matlock's personality and reconnect with the supporting characters. The repetition is annoying if you're binge-watching, but if you watch it in weekly installments, as intended, it's less irritating; it's simply part of the formula.
And a twist (which I won't spoil here) revealed at the end of the pilot works. It exposes the artificiality of some legal dramas without ever abandoning its source material. And while the plot is complex, Bates has plenty of room to have fun, solving crimes while joking about being broke and winning over just about everyone with her down-to-earth charm.
It helps that she's surrounded by a diverse cast of lawyers who know exactly what show they're on. Her partner, Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), is a strong counterpart at work and a potential ally for Matlock. She has access to privileged information, but she knows that, as a Black woman, she'll always be something of an outsider in the legal profession. Matlock's two colleagues, Billy (David Del Rio) and Sarah (Leah Lewis), have a good time. They're hard workers who can't match Mattie's cunning, but they can match her charm. They also have technology on their side, using the internet in ways that astonish the septuagenarian. And let's not forget the intergenerational jokes (and there's a reason they're repeated).
Still, the essence of the series lies in its exploration of the opioid epidemic, and that's where it surprises. Mattie, the Bates actress, and the series creators never waver (at least not in the six episodes that were released to critical acclaim) in viewing those struggling with addiction as human beings worthy of compassion. At one point, they even use similar language, calling a woman facing addiction "a person who deserves dignity and respect."
Along the way, Mattie brings a wealth of wisdom to the subject, turning the series into a powerful tool for countering some of society's less charitable assumptions about addiction. I'm not going to say it never becomes preachy, but it rarely does. And when it does, it's easy to forgive because showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman, of the phenomenal "Jane the Virgin" (and its star, Mattie), clearly have good intentions.
This seriousness, combined with Bates' performance and the show's strong, consistent use of humor, makes it a solid choice. "Matlock" isn't exactly a throwback series, but it offers the comfort of solving at least one complex problem in 42 minutes. The fact that it's both funny and heartwarming along the way adds even more charm, especially as the suspense builds. Playing with our expectations of a recognizable character like Matlock, CBS's new legal drama pays homage to the original while creating something entirely new.
Six episodes screened for your review. Premieres on CBS on Sunday, September 22.
Comments
Post a Comment