First of all, can we discuss Karen Darling’s (Natalie Zea) dress at Nick’s birthday party? Yeah, I know Simon Elder was all like "my new fuel can solve the energy crisis," but the greater scientific achievement was how that hella deep neckline plunge did not result in a wardrobe malfunction. No wonder all time and sound and breathing seemed to stop when she and Nick (Peter Krause) swept past each other with that meaningful glance. Sure, he’d seen her in her birthday suit (that + grappa = very thoughtful gift) earlier in the day in his office, yet somehow that the sight of her in that dress was significantly more scandalous.
Yet as much as I love love love Karen Darling — I can almost hear her responding with a curt "Wow. Thank you. I think you’re really neat, too." — does anyone else find it totally obscene that she and her father have devised a corporate espionage scheme against Mr. Elder that involves her having sex with the guy? (Perhaps she’s Tripp’s favorite because, like him, she’ll do anything to help the family business.) That final confrontation between Karen and Simon — the one where he kept referencing her "Daddy" — made me shudder a little, although I appreciate the fact that the writers remain staunchly ambiguous as to whether Karen’s feelings for Simon are, in fact, real (see: returned vial of fuel) or if her character is a terrific actress with ice running through her veins (see: stolen crystal swan). And I was glad to see that crystal swan incident meant Simon doesn’t quite have the emotional and intellectual advantage he thinks he does. Team Karen!
Yes, my "Team Karen!" t-shirt even applies when it comes to thedarlingest Darling trying to wreck Nick’s marriage. Yet while I growtired of hearing Lisa grumble about the tug-of-war for Nick’s soul, Idon’t think she deserved such an outpouring of indignation after hecaught her smooching Jeremy on the sidewalk (although seeing him punchJeremy’s lights out in front of Tripp, then shrug it off like he’d justdropped a legal brief on the floor, was hilarious). I mean, how manytimes does a woman need to be stood up by her husband before she getssloppy drunk and does something rash? You could argue that the "willNick choose his own family or the Darling family?" conundrum is thevery heart of Dirty Sexy Money, but it bores me to tears when Nick andLisa debate it in the confines of their cozy (but decidedlyunglamorous) abode.
Oh, speaking of sloppy drunk wives…goodbye Ellen (Bellamy Young). I hada sneaking suspicion the wronged political wife was on her way out(permanently) when she began the season turned up to 10 on theplastered/angry-o-meter. Where else could she go but down? Down to thebathroom floor, apparently, exiting the series not with a bang, but atile-enhanced thud. How harsh was that scene with Clark opening thetrunk, revealing the tip of Ellen’s stocking-clad foot? Well, about asharsh as Tripp’s comparison of his daughter-in-law’s death to the lives lost whilebuilding the Brooklyn Bridge. I just hope the body count for Patrick’sSenatorial aspirations doesn’t also include the fabulous Carmelita(Candis Cayne); the show needs her (and her husky voice) back — stat!
With so much drama packed into just an hour, you knew some characterswere going to have to be shunted aside, and in this case, Letitia,Jeremy, and Lucy Liu’s mystery lady (not to mention Nick and Lisa’sperpetually absent daughter Kiki) paid the price. Still, Letitia’sfinal act arrest means Jill Clayburgh will hopefully (finally) havesomething interesting to do (aside from clutching a rocks glass) nextweek, Brian’s response to Tripp’s request that he have a sit-downchat with his frequently intoxicated sister-in-law (“Why? You need meto get her recipe for Long Island Iced Tea?”) was my fave zinger of theepisode, and Liu’s limousine sex scene was, um, pretty racy for ABC, no?
What did you think of the season premiere? Is it time for theshow to wrap the mystery of Dutch’s murder and move onto anotherscandal? Do you think Karen is really falling for Simon? And will (orshould) Nick and Lisa’s marriage survive?
More on ‘Dirty Sexy Money’:
Behind-the-Scenes Photos from the ‘Dirty Sexy Money’ set taken by series star Glenn Fitzgerald
Behind-the-Scenes Video with Peter Krause, Natalie Zea, and Blair Underwood
The season 1 ‘Dirty Sexy Money’ finale recap
Comments (1-30) of 72 Add your comment
I love this show!!! I hope the low-end ratings don’t mean an early cancellation!
I love this show!!!!!
I heart DSM and the Darlings! Hopefully the show will stay on long enough to figure out who killed Dutch and who wins in the whole Simon/Karen double crossing scheme. Bring back Carmelita and give a little closure on the other twin (Samaire Armstrong)!
This show is wonderful. I finally have something to watch again!!!
I have to admit that I love Nick and Lisa together. I also LOVE Brian’s major tude! I don’t think television has had such an angry man of the cloth.. he’s hilarious!
I adore this show!!! Jeremy Darling is my favorite!! And I loved Nick punching Jeremy (that was classic)
What I was not okay with was the death of Patrick’s wife. She fell in an argument, he had nothing to be afraid of. Just call the cops and be done with it!
I thought the show got good ratings last season?
This show is great but if the numbers are bad this is going to be cancelled. This show must cost a fortune to make.
Please get people to watch this show!!!!!
what is everyone talking about the ratings being low? I must have missed that….lisa needs to be shot- stat
I wish they kept Julia instead of Jeremy, I’d rather watch her than Karen, and Julia (or was it Juliet?) was the only likeable Darling…
BEST. EPISODE. EVER.
I’m actually a little mad…I TOTALLY called Jill Clayburgh as Nick’s daddy-murderer at the beginning of last season, and now it’s probably not really her. Crap. And I can’t support Nick and Karen. I just can’t. I almost quit watching last season over it, and I don’t want to have to again.
Loved this episode. Wonder who is really playing who with the Simon/Karen situation. I do hope that the show survives because it is very entertaining. As far as Nick and Lisa, I don’t really care either way but don’t want Nick and Karen to end up together either.
I hope Carmelita does not return for a good long time. S/He is not a very good actor, and I find her character off-putting and annoying, and she bogs down the better stories that Patrick could have, especially now in light of his wife’s disappearance.
So, is Juliet Darling the new Chuck Cunningham or what? I hope they explain her disappearance somehow. She needed to go, but at least tell us why.
This really is one of the best shows on television, so let’s hope it lasts a good long time. And Karen Darling is my BIG TIME TV CRUSH! Natalie Zea is too hot for words.
First of all, don’t fret. People, we live in the age of DVR. Not everyone who watches is watching when it is broadcast, so those “ratings” numbers don’t tell the whole story. This show is too good to go. It has major faces, a great story line, (which in answer to the question should not be resolved anytime soon) and a lot of opportunity to get beyond the box. For example the lady GaGa tie in which I hope you’ve seen by now. if not: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pk2HT0jLFA
My prediction? The audience, even for the broadcasts, grows steadily this season.
I also love Nick and Lisa~ There would be no conflict if he wasn’t married to Lisa. I like the conflict of his home life and his work life. Lisa keeps him morally grounded.
Is is just me? Because I don’t think that Karen is that pretty at all. She’s way too thin and her cheeks are all sunken in. Lucy Liu is a welcome breath of air. She’s gorgeous.
What the hell?! Lucy Liu moved from “Cashmere Mafia” to this show just so she could be a slut who throws herself at some ugly guy who looks gay to begin with? It was an insulting portrayal. Has she no dignity?
Loved the repeat of the show’s beginning at the very end. It answered a lot of questions. And I wasn’t expecting Letitia’s arrest. What a surprise! Looking forward to next week’s episode.
I so enjoy this show!! I loved the ending and can’t wait for next week!
I rather enjoyed this premiere. I felt bad for Ellen, though. Not a great way to go. Still, I’m glad this show is back on. And yes, I do think it’s odd that Karen and her father devised a espionage scheme against Simon that involves her having sex with the him. Tad bit creepy.
I loved the premiere! Karen and Brian are my favorite Darlings. Both had awesome roles last night! I want Karen and Nick to get together; I can’t stand Lisa. I thought she and Jeremy were cute though. No way Tish killed Dutch. I can’t wait to see how the Simon/Karen double cross turns out! I love this show!
what is with Karen’s bangs? Is it cause last season she looked the best on Samantha Who? What is it with ABC shows and the arrest of old women. First Claire Meade on UB now this. I miss Julia Darling. Stupid drug addiction!!
I really like the show, but I’m not hopeful after seeing the numbers. That said, having Brian leave the church was a dumb move. Nothing funnier than seeing a minister threaten people.
Love this show. Karen and Brian are my favorites, too.
I like Jeremy’s infatuation with Lisa – it showcases his flightiness and makes him more grounded at the same time. Anyone that uses the term “chillax” is ok with me.
Can’t wait to see where they go with some of the story lines this year. Hope the ratings get better and it stays out of danger.
I do agree that Tripp whoring out his daughter is a bit much.
Can someone remind me what happened to the other Darling daughter? I think she was played by Samaire Armstrong.
A way for the producers to blow smoke over Ellen’s death … have her duped in by Lisa when playing long distance. Those two look so much alike that if it wasn’t for short hair/long hair, I wouldn’t have been able to tell them apart.
I LOVE this show – it has all the ingredients to keep me (and hopefully others) interested for a while. I love the one line zingers, the intricate plots and mafia-esque family above all else concept.
On a side note, even though Karen Darling is my FAVORITE, I absolutely hate her bangs.
THIS PREMEIR BLEW ANY OTHER OUT OF THE WATER. GREAT CAST, (STRAUSS)
wow!!!!!
LOVE KAREN!!! Brian is also my favorite. Those two are the best. I like Jeremy but without his twin he seems lost. Seeing him at that bar drowning his sorrows didn’t look right. He should hav been talking to Juliet about boring, bland Lisa. I know for a fact that smart Karen is not going to let Simon Elder win. Karen is too smart for that. Love the angst between Karen and Nick. Those two have awesome chemistry. The only reason to keep boring bland Lisa on the show is so Nick and Karen don’t hook up right away. I still would like to see Lisa die in a freak accident. I was hoping a cab would hit her while she was running across the street. Loved seeing Brian Jr. again. Last season Brian and Brian Jr. was so cute together. Don’t miss Brian’s wife though. Hope she stays away. GO Karen!
I missed Juliet Darling. The twins need each other. And I dont know why I dont like Lisa. Its not that I think Karen is any better for Nick or that I even want to see it happen but Im tired of hearing Lisa cry at night about their marriage. Woman- make a move! Get on it and stop having so many talks!