Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 5 of Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock. Preview — Matlock Season 1 Episode 5: Claws Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 5 of Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock.

Preview — Matlock Season 1 Episode 5: Claws

Sarah Fields Matlock, Previews

A new case blurs the line between Matty’s undercover persona and her real-life tragedy on Matlock Season 1 Episode 5, “Claws.”

On Matlock Season 1 Episdoe 4, “The Rabbit and the Hawk,” the pressure of Matty’s undercover mission threatened her marriage for the first time. After taking Alfie’s involvement in the mission too far, Matty and Edwin had a huge fight. Edwin revealed to viewers what had been hinted at all season.

Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 5 of Skye P/ Marshall as Olympia Lawrence and Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock pictured from left to right.
Matlock — Claws -– Pictured (L-R): Skye P. Marshall as “Olympia Lawrence” and Kathy Bates as “Madeline Matlock.” Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

He wasn’t initially on board with Matty’s plan to infiltrate Jacobson Moore and still had plenty of reservations about the whole thing, particularly where it involved Alfie. 

Lucky for Matty, the two were able to make up by the end of the episode and get on the same page because Matty will need her family’s support to get through Olympia’s latest case. 

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On “Claws,” the team takes on a class action suit involving misconduct and abuse of prisoners by prison guards. But the case close hits close to home when their lead plaintiff relapses, bringing back memories of Matty’s daughter and her struggle with addiction. 

Elsewhere in the episode, Matty plays matchmaker for the very prickly Sarah. Will we be seeing the beginnings of a new ship?

Check out the photos and promo video below for a preview!

Episode description:

A big class-action case against the prison system hits close to home for Matty when its lead plaintiff jailed on drug charges, relapese. Also, Matty plays matchmaker with Sarah and a girl from IT.

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Written by: Michelle Leibel
Directed by: Marie Jamora

Photos from Matlock Season 1 Episode 5:
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 5 of Aaron D. Harris as Alfie Kingston.
Matlock — Claws -– Pictured (L-R): Aaron D. Harris as “Alfie Kingston.” Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 5 of Sam Anderson and Edwin Kingston.
Matlock — Claws — Pictured (L-R): Sam Anderson as “Edwin Kingston.” Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 5 of Skye P. Marshall as Olympia Lawrence.
Matlock — Claws — Pictured (L-R): Skye P. Marshall as “Olympia Lawrence.” Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 5 of Jason Ritter as Julian Markston.
Matlock — Claws — Pictured (L-R): Jason Ritter as “Julian Markston.” Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 5 of Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock.
Matlock — Claws -– Pictured (L-R): Kathy Bates as “Madeline Matlock.” Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 5 of David Del Rio as Billy Martinez and Leah Lewis as Sarah Franklin pictured from left to right.
Matlock — Claws — Pictured (L-R): Leah Lewis as “Sarah Franklin.” Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 5 of David Del Rio as Billy Martinez.
Matlock — Claws — Pictured (L-R): David Del Rio as “Billy Martinez.” Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 5 of Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock and Sam Anderson as Edwin Kingston pictured from left to right..
Matlock — Claws — Pictured (L-R): Kathy Bates as “Madeline Matlock” and Sam Anderson as “Edwin Kingston.” Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Still from Matlock Season 1 Episode 5 of Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock.
Matlock — Claws — Pictured (L-R): Kathy Bates as “Madeline Matlock.” Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Promo video:

YouTube video

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What are your hopes for this episode of Matlock? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Matlock airs Thursdays at 8/9c on CBS and streams the next day on Paramount+.

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Sarah is an obsessive geek who likes to get into the weeds and over think things. She is passionate about Sci-Fi and comics and is a giant classic film nerd. Sarah cares deeply about media representation and the power of telling diverse stories. When she's not writing or watching her favorite shows she spends her days working in the non-profit world trying to make life a little better for those that need some extra help.