Screen Queen TV reviews: Matlock, The Day Of The Jackal, Bribe, Inc., Outerbanks and Jamie’s Comfort Food

Matlock

Monday, 8.40pm, Ten and 10 Play

Being small and inconsequential is my superpower — I’ve used my size and benignly well-meaning face many times over the years to gazump people into giving me what I want.

Most of the time, I use my powers for good — catching flies with honey and all that — but occasionally I’ve had to bust it out in a work capacity. It’s constantly surprising to me how many people (incorrectly) assume that just because I am short, middle-aged, blonde and friendly, that I’m a walkover; that they can steal my ideas in meetings, talk over me, dismiss me outright or — and this one is my favourite — condescend to me.

I delight in proving them wrong.

Which is maybe why I enjoyed the first episode of the new Matlock spin-off series so much. It’s all about the brilliant septuagenarian Madeline Matlock (no relation to the Eighties TV lawyer), who returns to practising law at a slick New York firm after a 30-year break.

“Madeline sees being middle-aged as a secret weapon for flying under the radar”, says an official release, and though I wouldn’t say being 75 qualifies as “middle-aged” (we’re all living to 150 now?), it pretty much covers it.

Madeline, played to perfection by Kathy Bates, is able to achieve much by blending in and being underestimated, and honestly: goals.

But the best part about this legal drama is its overarching narrative, and in the closing moments of episode one there’s one heck of a twist.

Quite frankly, it’s brilliant, and not at all what I was expecting from this unassuming made-for-free-to-air drama. Which I guess is the whole point.

Underestimate this show (and me) at your peril!

The Day Of The Jackal

Thursday, streaming on Binge

Eddie Redmayne is an A-list Hollywood star, but I reckon I could walk past him in the street and not bat an eyelid. He has one of those “everyman” faces and an ability to shapeshift into every role — truly a gift. And one his gun-for-hire character in this series also shares. He dons disguises galore and jetsets off around the world on top-secret assassination missions totally unnoticed, until a tenacious MI6 agent, played by Lashana Lynch (she’s sensational), starts to piece things together and sets off on the chase. Based on Frederick Forsyth’s seminal novel, this is a spectacularly good modern adaptation. Get ready to hear (and see) a lot more Eddie.

Revealed: Bribe, Inc.

Sunday, streaming on Stan

“We all know, or at least we suspect, that some shady things happen in business deals around the world,” says investigative reporter Nick McKenzie, who is presenting this expose into “one of the biggest bribery scandals” in oil and gas. And hoooo boy, this one goes deep. Worth a look.

Outer Banks S4, pt 2

Thursday, streaming on Netflix

This show about a group of teens living in Outer Banks, North Carolina, is not even a little bit on my radar. But my teenage niece assures me all her friends are watching, so I’m heading right back to the beginning to check it out. Gotta be cool with the kids! Part two of the latest season drops this week.

Jamie’s Comfort Food

Tuesday, 8.30pm, SBS Food

I’m all about comfort eating, so you know I’ll be dipping my sticky mitts into this series, dedicated to “those simple, delightful guilty pleasures we all love”. If you’ve ever wanted to know how to make the ultimate sticky toffee pudding, this one’s for you!