Intense Finale Proves Network TV Can Still Deliver High-Concept Procedurals While Perfectly Setting Up Season 2
Endings are always tricky to land, but Matlock proves why it has been the number one new series on network TV via its season 1 finale. It’s no secret that when news of the Matlock “reboot” first came about, it was met with skepticism. With such a talented cast attached to it, spearheaded by Kathy Bates, Matlock quickly shut down criticisms when it revealed the truth about its premise. Ultimately, Madeline Kingston mined inspiration from the Matlock show to seek revenge against a law firm that hid documents that could have prevented the opioid crisis that killed her daughter.
The Matlock pilot reveal generated massive buzz, and rightfully so. It was enough for people to start paying attention, including me. Over time, while the show’s main focus has always been on Bates’ character, the stellar Matlock ensemble provides the support that made the show a runaway hit for CBS. All the work boils down to how the Matlock season 1 finale wraps things up, especially with the promise that the main Wellbrexa culprit will be unveiled in the capper.
Matlock Season 1 Finale Makes Season 2 All The More Intense & Exciting
Madeline & Olympia Will Have To Make Big Decisions
CBS was setting up the Matlock season 1 finale for a couple of weeks before the actual two-hour send-off. It started with Olympia finally learning the truth about Madeline. Somehow, even though it was previously confirmed that everything will unravel in the last couple of episodes, I’m impressed the show has been able to execute its twists so effectively. That results in an already tense tone coming into “Tricks of the Trade – Part One” and “Part Two,” and the super-sized special makes the most out of it. Matlock season 1 ends with two big cliffhangers.
Firstly, Olympia finally learns that Julian did actually hide the Wellbrexa document, but only after she exonerates her ex-husband to Madeline. Secondly, Madeline and Edwin are in conflict about whether to trust Olympia when they are interrupted by the surprise arrival of Alfie’s biological dad. I am sure both plots will drive the narrative for Matlock season 2, but even without the guarantee of a sophomore year, these cliffhangers pay off two of the biggest overarching narratives in Matlock season 1.
Seeing Madeline and Olympia’s dynamic turn contentious in the last few episodes has been heartbreaking, but it allows Matlock to tap into a unique pairing that’s rare in network TV nowadays.
The show has effectively resolved the mystery that motivated Madeline’s revenge plan (as promised), but in a more subtle way, the introduction of Alfie’s father keeps Ellie and her story relevant to the project. They set up a more complicated relationship between the pair in season 2. Seeing Madeline and Olympia’s dynamic turn contentious in the last few episodes has been heartbreaking, but it allows Matlock to tap into a unique pairing that’s rare on network TV nowadays. Aside from that, it also allows Bates and Skye P. Marshall to flex their acting muscles.
Elsewhere in the jam-packed finale, we see an intense confrontation between Senior and Julian after the latter advocated for Olympia to become partner. This highlights how ruthless and manipulative Jacobson Moore’s top honcho is, which makes Julian a more empathetic character after her ex-wife catches him hiding the Wellbrexa file. Throughout Matlock, Julian has been a relatively good character, which is why it’s so difficult to paint him as a villain given his transgressions.
Matlock Season 1 Finale Proves Network TV Can Still Deliver High-Concept Procedurals
Matlock Has Stayed True To Its Premise Despite Its Procedural Format
In line with the show’s procedural aspect, the Matlock season 1 finale’s big moments are grounded in Sarah’s first case. Born out of her eagerness to prove herself, she is unexpectedly forced to argue for her illegal client in court after he finds himself charged with murder. Drawing parallels with Olympia and Madeline’s trust crisis, Sarah’s case is between two feuding friends. I understand that Matlock‘s season 1 finale wanted to mirror what’s happening with its main characters, but I find this aspect of the ending weak and uncompelling compared to everything else happening during the two-hour event.
I was initially worried that it would lose steam after season 1, but after the finale, Matlock season 2 looks more exciting.
Despite a thin case to close out Matlock season 1, the show has long proven that it can come up with interesting weekly cases and seamlessly incorporate it into its bigger plotlines. Procedurals tend to be low-concept, which means that their storytelling appeal relies on character development over time instead of a unique narrative background. This is the reason why network endeavors tend to run far longer. CBS, however, proves that high-concept shows can also be procedurals. I was initially worried that it would lose steam after season 1, but Matlock season 2 looks more exciting than ever.
