First episode of Matlock was very good

Is there an explanation of why they used the last name "Matlock" ?

It’s a play on the old show even though it has nothing to do with it.

I like it a lot

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Well, I went to read an article that shared the spoiler….and so I ain’t gonna comment no more about that.

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I just googled and read it. Well hot damn. I may be watching ol Ozempic Bates new show after all.

I just read the wiki. Sounds interesting.

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Is there an explanation of why they used the last name "Matlock" ?

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The twist at the end of the first episode explains the name.

Agree with the OP that it was a great first episode.

I wasn't expecting to like it. . . but, I did. A lot.

I convinced my wife to watch this because of the mid-level hype on this show, and it didn't live up to said hype. A strong start and an interesting finish to the episode, but the loooong middle was generic television with sanitized sets, minimal background players, and bland dialogue/delivery. I didn't care about any of the characters other than it was interesting to see Lloyd Bridges and John Ritter's sons in a series.

Let me know if it's a different series after the "big reveal" or if this was just the common "pilot that doesn't really represent the quality of the series" trope.

For now, we're going back to streaming Homicide Life on the Street and letting Mrs. Matlock go on with her business.



(But it's always great to see Colleen Camp in something. Even as a big ole gal she always provides a fun performance.)

The wife was bored the other day so she watched the first episode while I was at work. I came in around the end of the 2nd episode, then watched both as she did a re-watch.

I was thinking this was going to be more "let's make this a woman" dreck, but as others have stated the only real tie to the original Matlock show is the name and the show itself (vague to avoid spoilers).

Because I knew what was going on, the swerve in the first episode wasn't a shock but I can see how it could be to an average viewer looking for Andy and his shtick.

The only thing that really stood out was how horribly they cast the former married couple. Pasty, WASPy white guy who is laid back and congenial, the ex is a darkly black woman with a severe look who is a demanding career-focused perfectionist. Both in looks and behavior these two are so polar opposite that the combination comes across as unbelievable (well beyond the level of suspension of disbelief required for any show).

The second episode was pretty good. Not really thrilled with the whole "computer whiz child" shtick (it's tired) but I understand it. I would rather see her having to struggle a bit more against tech, but it's a minor gripe. The episode itself was about deepening her identity and the tension on it was well done for network faire (especially the end).

In this dry period of entertainment, this show is a nice diversion and serves to help fill the time between new episodes of Penguin.