As I mentioned last Friday, I’ve gotten a tremendous amount of enjoyment from the first season of Damages. Even during its most implausible moments, the Glenn Close legal drama has showcased several Emmy-worthy performances and delivered scads of wicked twists (most of which I never saw coming). Yet while last night’s hour provided a satisfying conclusion to the season — or perhaps, the entire series — I wasn’t completely blown away, either. For that, I’m blaming three things: The baby, the shooting, and the pen light.
Indeed, saddling the audience with a last-minute revelation that Pattylost her newborn daughter back in 1972 seemed like a cop-out, a bizarreeffort to redeem our steely, win-at-any-cost heroine when, really, welike her just the way she is. So what if Patty committed blackmail,bribed a district attorney, and ordered the (unsuccessful) killing ofher young associate? She scored a $2 billion settlement for Frobisher’semployees, and delivered that death-blow to her nemesis — "If I don’thear from you by the end of the day tomorrow, I’m gonna treat somefriends of mine at the justice department to dinner and a movie" –with a nifty, self-satisfied twinkle. (By the bye, thank heavenstwo-faced Larry blurted the final settlement figure during thatdeliciously cruel scene where his cohorts cut him out of the proceeds;for a minute, I thought the writers were going to leave the number toour imaginations, which would’ve been unacceptable.)
Unfortunately, Larry popped up again later in the episode, gunning downFrobisher in the middle of the open field from which he’d hoped torebuild his company. (You know there’s probably a diamond mine or oilwell smack in the middle of it.) While we may never know if TedDanson’s corporate devil lives or dies, I’d have far preferred to seehim thinking standing there grinning, convinced he’d never see theinside of a jail cell; it would’ve made Patty’s subsequent handoff ofthe smoking videotape to the D.A. all the more mouth-watering. I alsowish the pen-light subplot was left on the editing-room floor; teasingus that Ellen (Rose Byrne, pictured) might find it and finger David’s killer,only to get a last-act shock that Frobisher’s goon is actually an NYPDdetective, pushed the episode one extra twist past my threshold ofdisbelief.
On the plus side, though, I loved revisiting that scene where Ellenconfesses to Patty that she regrets what they did; with just a slightwidening of her eyes, Close tipped us off to Patty’s nefariousintentions. I’m not sure I completely buy that a powerful litigatorwould’ve risked a murder rap to silence a possibly untrustworthyunderling (why not offer her a fat bonus check to buy her silence?),but hey, nobody ever said Damages was the most realistic show ontelevision. One thing I know, Close’s Emmy reel ought to include that perfectly timedpause between Ellen thanking Patty for clearing her of murder charges,and Patty asking, "Now, where’s the tape?"
And while I’ve never been the biggest fan of Byrne, her somber momentsitting alongside David’s coffin definitely broke my heart a little. Personally, Iwouldn’t want to hinge an entire second season on Damages‘ finalzig-zag — with Ellen agreeing to return to Hewes & Associates as aruse to help with the FBI’s secret investigation — but it could makefor a juicy little subplot if FX decides to gamble on quality overratings, and renew the series.
But here’s my question to you, Damages fans: Do you want FX to pick theseries up for a second season, or is it better to stop now, after 13terrific episodes, and leave it at that? And if the show comes back fora second season, should Patty get a brand new mega-case, and abrand-new associate as her chew-toy, or is there more juice left to besqueezed from the Patty-Ellen-FBI-Frobisher lemon?
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This show was one of the most enjoyable I have watched in a long time. I hope they come back next season. I feel they left just enough out there to pick up story lines, but if not, it was certainly worth watching.
Thank you FX
I want a second (and likely final) season. I’m sure that Frobisher probably died, and Ellen won’t have that course of action to pursue, which will open up an opportunity for one last season long case in which Ellen tries to keep up with Patty and keep the FBI informed of what’s going on.
I really enjoyed this series and would love to see it come back. Far fetched or not, I was always surprised by the twists and turns. Damages and The Riches both had season passes on my Tivo. As for the baby — Patty will never be a sympathetic character after she had a dog killed in the first episode.
I love this show! I think the writing is excellent, the acting is superb, especially Glenn Close, and the different plot twists kept me hooked. I even enjoyed seeing Tate Donovan again. I hope FX brings this show back for another season, I would love to see how Ellen spins this, now that she’s working with the FBI. I want to see if/how Patty Hughes gets brought down. I think they could still keep the Frobisher thing going. My guess is that he’s not dead. And even if he is, there are still enough seedy characters in his corner to keep things going. I hope FX doesn’t just toss this to the side, like they did with Thief starring Andre Braugher, which was also excellent.
I really enjoyed the finale, and I’m conflicted about whether I want the show to come back. I think they set up a good potential arc for the second season, but in general, I think TV would be better if there were more series that were DESIGNED to end after one season. You can enjoy a serial drama, and get a real payoff (unlike the first season of Lost), not have to worry about it getting canceled or renewed, and the writers don’t have to come up with ridiculous plot twists to make the plot drag on for another season. They would also get more movie actors like Glenn Close to sign on for a single season.
Here’s what I think:
the baby — allegorical tie between losing baby & losing Ellen/daughter she never had. guilt over decision to kill Ellen.
penlight: v. disappointed, as thought goon reveal was that he was actually writer James Frey!
next season: yes, even with mack truck sized holes in plot, the performances were stellar.
I thought it was a good finale, and a clever way to set up season 2. Rose Byrne really rose to the challenge in my eyes over the course of the season. So much so, that I’m seriously questioning whether Byrne’s/Ellen’s lameness at the beginning of the season was intentional. Because Byrne is now somewhat more formiddable, I wouldn’t mind watching her and the FBI try to take down Patty as the basis for Season 2, and I find it a more preferable option than another token case like Frobisher’s to tie everything together (since Danson, Ivanek and everyone else involved with the Frobisher case was so good.)
That being said, I completely agree with Slezak about the baby and the shooting. The revelation about Patty’s baby was mostly pointless to the plot last night and tried to redeem a character that doesn’t need redeeming, and the shooting lets Frobisher off a little easily. (“Easily” being relative since I’ve never been gut shot in the middle of a field.)
the finale was awesome! i loved every minute of it. they really surprised. how refreshing to have a show surprise you. i was convinced we knew everything after the last two weeks but that was not the case! and even though they threw in a few random plot threads, the were intriquing. i really enjoyed this show and will be very sad if it’s not renewed for a second season. so much garbage on tv. this was quality television. great acting. good writing.
Amanda, that’s an excellent point about maybe having TV producers come up with series (not miniseries) that are just designed to run for one season, whether it’s 24 like a standard network drama, or 13 like “Damages.” I also absolutely agree that they would attract more excellent talent like Glenn Close.
Ready for Season 2
I loved this show …. excellent writing and acting, even the cinematography was first rate. Personally, I’d love to see Ellen take down Patty in Season 2 …. and let’s have another complicated case and move off Frobisher. And this series better come out on DVD … I’d buy it in a heartbeat!
I think a second season would be great, but I’m certain that the show runners would want to include the same past / future dual story, which might not necessarily work again. I’d like to see the series skip forward several months (maybe even a year or five) and see a far future storyline with Tom driving the firm, Ellen possibly still working with him, and Patty on the outside but clawing back in.
Damages definitely deserves a second season. Last night was a good balance between closing the old loops and opening new possibilities. The most promising development is to consider Ellen Parsons as a woman bent on revenge rather than a naive newbie.
I had to laugh–yes, the hitman is James Frey! I always wondered if they casted him villainously on purpose.
Biggest complaint: the Frobisher case, who the heck cares!!! Yes, Frobisher was an interesting character as embodied by Ted Danson, but the actual case and what transpired in Florida was an utter snooze and not enough meaty drama to sustain 12 weeks. Next time give us a case that is compelling even before people start to get killed in the aftermath.
The fractured time sequence worked pretty well but was relied on to cover up the banality of the case. I did love how it all came together with Ellen, Uncle Pete, and Patty crying at the beach house, and the beach discussion with Patty and Ellen at the end.
Remember Glenn never saw the daughter who died right before birth. The baby died in 1972. How old is Ellen?
This was one of my favorite shows of the summer. Glen Close was of course fabulous but I really was impressed with Rose Byrne and Tate Donovan. Rose would have to be included in any additional season. I liked Jason E.’s idea about jumping forward and having Glen trying to claw her way back in..also thought it might be interesting to put Rose and Tate in a romantic situation..they seem to have chemistry. I liked the suspence and the cinematography…eariness of the way this was filmed. Much of the time, Glen seriously looked scary…her eyes looked black during that scene of her crying on the beach and it gave me the creeps. Agree that the baby thing had nothing to do with anything..I had expected more about Patty’s son…what is his deal? Definitely emmy worthy acting here…loved Ted Danson too!
So is the hitman James Frey in actuality? Sorry to be so dense. I would like to see the show back too. I agree that there is no need to make Patti any softer: she is like the Tony Soprano of lawyers… we love to hate her… and hate to love her.
Patty’s daughter would’ve been 35 had she lived. I doubt it’s Ellen. Her character is most likely in the late 20s.
no, that is not James Frey…Didn’t you catch him on Oprah?
Absolutely give Damages a second season. Other than Chuck and 30 Rock, this is the only show I HAVE to watch. I’d like some new characters and a new case, but Ellen and Frobisher have to remain a part of the show. I was glad to see Nye wasn’t evil.
I noticed last night how the Alias analogy put on PopWatch when Damages premiered really came into being. Now Ellen’s a double agent trying to bring down her cold, calculating boss after a hit on her and the death of her fiance. All we need are some daddy issues and we have a lawyer version of Sydney Bristow.
Definitely want a 2nd season. It would be great to see all Patty’s bad deeds come back to her.
Good finale. I, too, thought the penlight issue was superfluous as was the whole sub-sub-plot about Patty’s son. And the Patty daughter thing wasn’t necessary either. Everything else was tied together nicely. Question: Did Patty know that Ellen was still alive before she left for the beach house? I don’t recall. Everyone notice Mario Van Peebles as one of the FBI agents in the car? I noticed her directed some of the episodes, too.
A second season that focuses on another case while Ellen tries to bring Patty down? I think that can work.
Nobody I know watched this show, but I’m glad to see others out there enjoyed it as much as I did (aside from silly plot lines). I would watch another season, but I agree it’s probably best to leave it at one or two. The only way I could see extending it (beyond wrapping up Patty Hewes’ story with the FBI) would be to move the story completely to another law firm. The show is called Damages, not Hewes and Associates, so it’s possible it could focus on a different set of crazed lawyers out for justice. That would open the door for another set of great actors to do a season or two and then move on.
Ted Danson added so much to the show, and so did Zeljko Ivanek, you’d have to work hard to find a replacement. The show reminded me a little bit of Murder One, where the payoff was rewarding because of the surprises along the way. That show lasted for a second season as well, but only after a total cast overhaul and change in direction. Maybe Damages can make it too, but if not, so be it. Between this and the Shield, I’d definitely like to see another FX/Glenn Close pairing.
No second season. My vote.
I went into last night’s finale thinking, “it better be worth all the time I put in” because let’s face it, not every episode was incredibly riveting. But i absolutely loved everything about last night’s conclusion–from Ellen and Katie’s graveside convo to the multiple time jumps. But my ABSOLUTE favorite moment was when it was revealed that Gregory’s tape was inside the statue all along. BRILLIANT touch that I didn’t see coming–see you for season two!
Did anyone else wonder about that date, 1972? Besides being the year Patty lost the baby, wasn’t it the year Frobisher left the girl to die?
Also, did anyone find “Patty” an odd choice for a name of a character like that?
Loved the whole season and loved the final episode. About the baby… this might be a little out there but the part when Patty shows Frobisher the tape and he asks why she hates him so much – could it be that he was the father of the baby? That was 35 years ago, Patty wasn’t a lawyer then, he might not remember her – maybe it was a fling and the death of the baby made her want to get him back? I don’t know, just a thought!
I definitely want a second season. But It needs a different twist and feel. Don’t try to catch lighting in a bottle twice. Instead of one big case, make it two smaller ones, plus the FBI subplot, some office intrigue, and all the personal baggage as filler. That will provide plenty of chances to work the relationships and double-crosses. I think Patty could be our next Tony Soprano. But in a nice Skirt and Pumps !
This show didn’t have enough story to sustain itself over one season let alone two. Every episode leading up to the finale was merely biding it’s time waiting for the conclusion. I’ve seen enough pointless reminder shots to last me a lifetime. Damages should have been a four hour miniseries not a 13 episode season.
I loved the show and want it to return. For my money the only FX series that comes close to it is “Rescue Me”. “Dirt” and “The Riches” are both awful, and “Nip/Tuck” hasn’t been worth watching since season two. Anyway, two comments: (1)we don’t really know for sure that Frobisher is dead, so that door was left open and (2)if the old lawyer’s intent was to have Ellen spy on Patty for the FBI, why did he try so hard to talk her out of working for Patty in the first place?
I read somewhere this show was already renewed for a second season.
Though the ending was a bit of a let-down for me (I almost would have rather seen the trial), and the baby stuff came from out of the blue and felt wierd and extraneous (like the whole David stalked by Lila subplot) and the whole Patty’s son plotline was sort of left in the air, it is the only I either watch live or if I’m not home, the minute I get home. While both Glenn Close and Ted Danson do deserve emmys, don’t forget Zeliko Ivajek (Ray Fisk). And as far as Arthur Frobisher, I would think he lives. Isn’t it likely he had a cell phone in his pocket and could call for help. The bullet wound was to the stomach – which could go either way as far as being fatal, depending on how fast he gets help. Larry did not wait around to see if he actually died.