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After the latest episode of Matlock ended with another challenging cliffhanger, I have to talk about Kathy Bates’ performance

Online Niel November 9, 2024

Warning: spoilers for Matlock Season 1, Episode 5 – “Claws” – I’m in the game. If you haven’t caught up with this latest case file, you’ve been warned.

Not many weeks left for TV schedule 2024so your favorite shows are probably about to drop some huge reveals as we head into the holidays. While we’re still a little out of the break between the old year and the new year, CBS’ Matlock just dropped another challenging cliffhanger into his world Kathy Bates‘ legal eagle.

I don’t think I’m surprising anyone by saying that it’s an absolute delight to have weekly doses of an Oscar winner of Bates’ stature on TV. However Matlock Episode 5, which is called “Claws”, actually gave us such an emotional moment that it once again proved why CBS hit record is one of the best shows on television right now.

Leah Lewis looks at Piper Curda in conversation in Matlock - S1, E5 — (Image credit: CBS)

Matlock’s Latest Challenging Cliffhanger And Why It Means Trouble

In this week Matlockthings got pretty personal, leading to some lighter plot moments and darker moments of emotional trauma. We’ll start by focusing on the former, as “Claws” saw a simple act of kindness turn into a potentially huge liability.

Matchmaking was the name of the game this week for Team You Three as Matty (Kathy Bates) managed to set Sarah (Leah Lewis) up with Jacobson & Moore’s dreamy and feisty IT tech Kira (Piper Curda). This action further fueled Madeline Kingston’s efforts to penetrate the law firm’s security in hopes of exposing of Matlock big bad? You bet.

However, this was not just a setup on behalf of Ms. Kingston, who learned how to access Jacobson & Moore’s servers using a biometric key she obtained by playing the “helpless old lady” act. Sarah actually relaxed a bit after a wonderful lunch with Kira. However, this love connection inspired Billy (David Del Rio) to set up Matty Matlock on the dating site Senior Sweeties.

While Matty’s fictional husband is dead, Madeline is very much married to the lovely Edwin (Sam Anderson). This isn’t where chaos really reigns though, as the end of “Claws” sees Matty get a ping on her profile; which Edwin finds hysterical. At least until Madeline reads the message that was sent to her:

Madeline Kingston, is that you? I can’t believe it.
Matlock – S1, E5 – “Claws”

Uh, and I can’t stress this enough, oh. Just when you thought it was safe to let your work friend trick you into creating a dating profile, Matlock left us with a fantastic new trap that could further complicate Madeline’s double life.

Aaron D. Harris Kathy Bates and Sam Anderson all look concerned as they sit down to dinner together in Matlock - S1, E5

(Image credit: CBS)

Could this mysterious person be an old flame, or worse, someone who remembers her from her days as a lawyer? And if the latter is true, do they know any of Jacobson & Moore’s top brass with a chance of disrupting the illusion that he’s Matty Matlock (as in the TV series)?

These worries couldn’t come at a worse time for Madeline’s family, but at the same time, they also come at the right time to balance out the heavier parts of this week. Matlock. Which brings us to discuss Kathy Bates’ latest triumph in this CBS reboot.

Kathy Bates stands across from Andra Nechita with a look of understanding in Matlock - S1, E5

(Image credit: CBS)

Kathy Bates’ performance in this week’s episode reminds me why I love Matlock

The line between Madeline Kingston’s personal and professional life has gradually blurred over the past two episodes. of Matlock The latest cliffhanger sees the plot drive the tension back to work as ‘Claws’ sets up a potential stumbling block for the future. However, our case of the week also allowed Matty, and by extension Kathy Bates, to really dig into the emotional meat of this cleverly crafted human drama in a legal process.

With this week’s case involving abuses in the prison system and a star witness forced to reoffend in the name of having his credibility violated, Ms. Kingston is reminded of her own daughter’s failed struggles. Placing this motivation alongside growing tensions with her husband Edwin, of Matlock the personal drama hits some emotionally tough notes.

Kathy Bates cries as she hugs Andra Nechita on a couch in Matlock - S1, E5

(Image credit: CBS)

Seeing Madeline cry as she hugs Katya (Andra Nechita), the nail technician whose testimony is vital to the case at hand, was a tear-jerking moment. As we saw in of Matlock pilot pre-twisther past experiences lead to a moment of vulnerability where our new favorite lawyer identifies with the person she’s helping to defend.

That Matlock was originally sold as a sassy year-long legal drama, CBS’s strategy to hide the twist it paid off with hidden depths that blossomed weekly. Along that journey, Kathy Bates’ performance grew richer, as did the rest of the cast’s portrayals. With Matlock already renewed for season 2I really hope this trend continues as it will keep me even more invested in the fate of the show.

Although I am always afraid of Madeline Kingston do what find the real culprit behind hiding the Welbrexa documents because that week’s episode is sure to be intense. Twice if of Matlock friendship arc involving Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) turns out to be a red herring. I don’t care what the ladies say…they’re friends!

Skye P Marshall and Kathy Bates listen intently at a nail salon in Matlock - S1, E5

(Image credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS)

No matter what happens, Kathy Bates is a performer who can go from sassy to heartbroken without missing a beat, and anyone who crosses her is sure to draw my and others’ ire. Matlock fans. If you want to keep up with Madeline Kingston’s double life and maybe even find out who this mysterious suitor might be, be sure to tune in to CBS every Thursday at 9pm ET.

Next week’s case is called “Sixteen Steps,” and who knows what kind of implications that vague name may have for the future. And don’t worry, if you miss the live stream, anyone has a Paramount+ subscription will be able to catch the previous night’s episode the next day. As always, this is the point where I declare court adjourned, with that OG theme music slide whistle sending us off on a high note!

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After the latest episode of Matlock ended with another challenging cliffhanger, I have to talk about Kathy Bates’ performance

Matlock’s Latest Challenging Cliffhanger And Why It Means Trouble

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After the latest episode of Matlock ended with another challenging cliffhanger, I have to talk about Kathy Bates’ performance

Matlock’s Latest Challenging Cliffhanger And Why It Means Trouble

Online Niel

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