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Matlock – Season 2, Episode 1 The Before Times

Play trailer Matlock – Season 2, Episode 1 The Before Times Aired Oct 12, 2025 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 6 Reviews
Matty questions the paternity of the man claiming to be Alfie's father; the team takes on an arson case; Olympia tries to protect Julian's involvement in the Wellbrexa case.
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Matlock — Season 2, Episode 1

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Cast & Crew

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Kathy Bates

Madeline "Matty" Matlock

Skye P. Marshall

Olympia

Jason Ritter

Julian

David Del Rio

Billy

Leah Lewis

Sarah

Kathy Bates

Executive Producer
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Matlock — Season 2, Episode 1

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Critics Reviews

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Noel Murray New York Magazine/Vulture Oct 13
This episode’s case-of-the-week is both entertainingly batty and thematically relevant. Go to Full Review Megan Vick Collider Oct 25
8/10
The level of scheming is absolutely next level in this episode. Go to Full Review Shelby Elpers Fangirlish Oct 15
Matlock Season 2, Episode 1, “The Before Times,” crashes into the action caused by the cliffhangers in the legal drama’s two-part season finale. Go to Full Review Mads Misasi Tell-Tale TV Oct 14
3.5/5
Kathy Bates makes these stressful situations seem as easy as breathing with her ability to portray Matty as the trustworthy person she’s presented herself as all this time. Go to Full Review Jack Ori TV Fanatic Oct 13
4.8/5
Episode 1 brought new challenges at home and work for Maddy, and I was here for every extremely emotional aspect of these conflicts. Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Oct 13
4/5
Matlock returns for season 2 with its second season premiere “The Before Times,” showing that the Kathy Bates-starring reboot has not missed a beat. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Episode Info

Synopsis Matty questions the paternity of the man claiming to be Alfie's father; the team takes on an arson case; Olympia tries to protect Julian's involvement in the Wellbrexa case.
Director
Gina Lamar
Executive Producer
Kathy Bates, Jennie Snyder Urman, Joanna Klein, Eric Christian Olsen, John Will, Kat Coiro
Screenwriter
Jennie Snyder Urman, Nicki Renna
Network
CBS
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Oct 12, 2025