Oct 19 2007 06:26 PM ET

Who's still watching 'Damages'?

Categories: Television

Damage_lIn the midst of all the new network fare that’s clogging myDVR right now — Moonlight: To watch or to delete? — there’s one drama that’sgot me so addicted, I prefer to watch it live: Damages. The weird thing is,though, I don’t know anyone else who’s got such strong feelings for F/X’stwisted legal drama. In fact, I don’t know anyone who’s watching it at all.

If you’ve been missing out on the series — and its Emmy-worthywork from Željko Ivanek, Ted Danson, and Glenn Close (pictured) — FX is running a 12-episodemarathon this Saturday, October 20, starting at 8 a.m. EDT (as a run-up to theOct. 23 finale). Otherwise, let’s dish our feelings on the show in aspoiler-sensitive arena — after the jump.

Okay, so all season long, I’ve felt ambivalent about Ellen’sdrippy fiancé David (Noah Bean), so it took me by surprise when his deathscene this week proved so heartbreaking. When those goons dragged him into thebathroom — then ominously shut the door — I felt both nauseous and choked-up.Which took some pretty remarkable writing, acting, and direction, considering we’veknown the guy was doomed since episode one. Also, this may be an admission ofhow gullible I am, but it never occurred to me — not even for a second — thatkindly Hollis Nye (Philip Bosco) might be in cahoots with Frobisher. Was his end-of-episodephone call a red herring, or is this dude truly, deeply eeeevil? Finally, it’sbeen fascinating to watch Frobisher’s descent from a conflicted man with theluxury of a conscience — remember when he railed against the idea of havingKatie killed off? — to a desperate, cornered animal who’ll (seemingly) doanything to survive this lawsuit. Danson was amazing this week in that scenewhere he brushed off Ray’s widow while simultaneously taking a cellphone call. 

That said, if Damages gets renewed for a second season —it’s still on the fence, according to John Landgraf, president of FX — I reallyhope the writers don’t try to simplify its format to improve ratings (an ideathat’s floated in this Los Angeles Times article). I’d be fine if Patty moved onto a different case — though I’d miss Danson — maybe even found another youngattorney to destroy, but Damages‘ greatest strength is in its protracted,sometimes far-fetched, but always riveting story arcs. I’d rather see FX pullthe plug after 13 episodes than turn it into a cookie-cutter, "trial ofthe week" affair. How ’bout you guys?

Comments (1-15) of 56 Add your comment

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  • DRS

    I absolutely love this show. It’s smart, the format is original and the acting is impeccable. In fact, I love it so much I almost wish that I had waited until FX ran the marathon so I didn’t have to wait a full week to get the next episodes.

  • Jeremy

    I agree. Damages has been fantastic. Smart and well acted. Can’t wait for the finale this Tuesday.

  • jina

    This show is one of the best I’ve seen. Everything they do is well done – writing, acting, camera work. I’ve been trying to get everyone I know to watch it instead of some of the subpar new network shows on. Hopefully, some will catch on with the marathon.

  • Tamara

    I’ve not checked it out yet, Michael. I will say that Moonlight DOES get better, although for me it’s really still a guilty pleasure. (And all for those 2-3 minutes of J Doh on my screen. Sigh.) I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on it, though… check it out this weekend, perhaps?

  • Deb

    Love this show. Haven’t missed an episode. It is like being at the movies, the acting, etc are that good.

  • kdl

    MY FAVORITE NEW DRAMA BAR NONE.
    I tivo, itunez AND watch it ‘live.’
    the only annoyance is the constant caddillacking of the show.

  • Jill

    I never watch it but my mom does. She says it’s fantastic and she’s totally hooked. Makes me wish I’d given it a try.

  • JMP

    I love this show. I am sad that I only know one other person who watches it — but we pour over the details of every episode each and every week. I really hope it comes back — although with the characters dropping like flies, I don’t know how they will do it. LOVE IT!!!!

  • erin

    This is a GREAT SHOW!!! i can’t wait for the finale!!

  • togirl

    ‘Damages’ is television at it’s best!!
    I wish the US would follow the UK model and just have one season of a terrific show and let it stand on it’s own..
    I too got chills when ‘David’ was actually killed this week in real time.

  • TVSlave

    I am watching this on my DVR – it is wicked good tv – Frobisher is a beast – but I am sure there are more surprises to come….every time I get comfortable with this show it slaps me up side the head. I hope it gets picked up for a second season. Glenn Close is just terrific and the supporting cast is outstanding…my new favorites – Damages and Mad Men.

  • AV

    You are certainly not alone. I haven’t missed an episode and since I don’t get FX in my bedroom, I take over the living room and force my roommates to watch as well, even though they have no idea what’s going on.

  • JYC

    Damages is my favorite show right now. But I do always feel like I’m the only one that watches this show. The acting and the storytelling keep me glued to the TV every Tuesday night.

  • Damaged

    My roommate and I have become obsessed with Damages, though we both think it is indefinably ridiculous. Before each episode, we each pick who name will be repeated the most (Frobisher is almost always the winner- does anyone ever use other people’s names this much?)

  • Katy

    I’ve been tivo-ing it each week even though I have nothing else to watch at that time. But I really love watching it at like 11 and being able to fast-forward quickly.
    I have no idea what’s going on with Nye! I was hoping he was a good guy. But it’s like all the people we thought were good were actually bad and vice versa. Rose Byrne though is so completely awesome. And I was smitten with David from the first episode on, so it really sucked to see him actually die. And when Ray shot himself! That was crazy!
    I don’t know if I want a second season or now. I don’t know if it could live up to the first season. It seems like it was a joining of all the right forces (actors, directors, writers, etc).

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