Matlock is a legal drama series that was released on September 22, 2024. The series timeslot premiere is scheduled for October 17, 2024 on CBS. The series is not to be confused with the 1986 mystery legal drama, Matlock.
Matlock is about Madeline Matlock, a lawyer who saw a ton of success come her way in her early years. Years later, Madeline decides to enter the workforce once again as a senior citizen.
While trying to secure a job at a renowned law firm, Madeline demonstrates how her demeanor as an old lady often helps her go unnoticed, which along with her tactics helps her win cases easily.
Madeline gets assigned to Olympia, a senior attorney. Olympia is a lawyer, hungry for justice, and is also in the middle of a divorce with her ex-husband, Julian, the son of the firm's head.
As Madeline impresses her colleagues, they remain unaware of her true motives. The series cast features Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock, Jason Ritter as Julian, Skye P. Marshall as Olympia, and David Del Rio as Billy. With a surprise ending in the pilot, let's recap the first episode.
Disclaimer: The following article consists of spoilers from Matlock Episode 1. Reader discretion is advised.
What happened in Matlock 2024 Episode 1?
As the pilot begins, people around Madeline Matlock treat her kindly. While she struggles to find her purse, a businessman in a hurry pays for her coffee. She also gets buzzed into a building by another woman while struggling to get through the security.
With her hands full, a receptionist allows Madeline into the firm's office. As Madeline finds her way into the office without any ID or authorization, she throws away her coffee and pulls out a map of the office.
She finds her way to a meeting full of lawyers. In the meeting, Olympia is trying to close a case where she is asking for 4 million dollars in damages. At the same time, Julian prides himself on getting 19 million dollars out of Peabody.
Suddenly, Madeline interrupts the meeting and states that she can get a higher amount out of Peabody as the maximum he can go for is 23 million dollars. It is then revealed that the man who paid for her coffee was Peabody who unknowingly uttered the amount in the coffee shop.
After playing her cards right, Madeline states that she has been trying to get an interview for the vacant associate position but has failed to get an interview due to her age. After she reminds the firm that discriminating against her age is illegal, she demands the job as she knows what Peabody is willing to pay.
Madeline is offered a two-week trial job by Howard, the firm's owner. She is sent to work with Olympia who is not happy about having Madeline on board. Determined to prove her worth despite of her age, Madeline meets her colleagues Billy and Sarah.
She begins with the case of Raymond Harris who was falsely been convicted of r*pe and murder. Having been recently exonerated, Raymond hires the firm to get him his compensation. To do so, the firm needs to find the corrupt police officer who falsely accused Raymond.
With the city backing down on its original compensation offer for Raymond and reducing it to $241,280 from 2 million dollars, Raymond's daughter, Jordan asks Madeline for advice. Madeline calls the police's offer insulting and encourages Raymond to go to trial. Jordan convinces Olympia to take the case further.
Before the trial starts, it is revealed that Madeline has returned to law as she is in dire need of money. Her late husband has left her knee deep in his gambling debts which is why she needs the money.
The pilot also reveals that Olympia and Julian are parents to twins and are in the middle of a divorce. Madeline also quickly finds out that Olympia is romantically involved with another lawyer called Elijah from the same firm and Julian is in the dark about them dating.
As the trial begins, Olympia is skeptical of putting Raymond on the stand due to his prior convictions. Madeline who is trying to make her place in the law firm finds a crucial piece of evidence: Carlin, a prostitute who was assaulted by the same murderer as the victim in the case.
Carlin refuses to testify in court initially, as she is now sober and has a family who might be potentially harmed due to her involvement in the trial.
Madeline understands and decides to not pursue Carlin anymore which prompts Olympia to blame Madeline for ruining the case and telling Madeline that she does not have it in her to be a lawyer.
Madeline after being encouraged by her other co-workers Billy and Sarah decides to approach Carlin again, but this time with another strategy. Madeline meets Carlin alone and tells her about her daughter who died of a drug overdose which leads to Carlin letting her guard down and agreeing to testify in court.
Carlin reveals a crucial piece of evidence which is a 911 call made by a restaurant owner on the same night the murderer attempted to r*pe and assault her.
The conversation which was recorded by the police was never logged in the precinct and Detective Ferguson indicates that this might be due to someone trying to bury evidence to get Raymond falsely convicted.
The call is submitted in court as evidence and the jury calls for the State of New York to compensate Raymond with 20 million dollars. Raymond finally wins the case and Olympia recognizing Madeline's help and her abilities, offers her a permanent role in the law firm.
The ending of Matlock 2024 Episode 1 explained
The pilot ends with a shocking twist where almost everything we have learned about Madeline turns out to be a lie. After Madeline gets invited to drinks by Sarah and Billy, she takes the bus to get back home to her grandson.
Madeline gets down after one stop and enters a limo where she is greeted by the driver as Mrs. Kingston. Madeline/ Mrs. Kingston puts a ring and arrives in her mansion where her husband, who seems very much alive, and her grandson, Alfie, welcome her.
Madeline finally lets the cat out of the bag for the viewers when she reveals her true motive behind joining the firm. The firm represents pharmaceutical companies that Madeline is on a mission to destroy.
When her husband comments on Madeline's tired appearance, she looks over to a board that has Howard, Olympia, and Julian's faces. She speculates one of the three to have concealed the documents that could have removed opioids from the market.
Determined to take her revenge, Madeline hatches a plan to put one of the three in jail as she blames them for the death of thousands of people including her daughter.
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