Media Maven Musings

I know this isn’t a show I write much about, but as Damages freshman season draws to a close, I thought I would check back in with you all and give you and update on how this show has been progressing.

While it can’t compare to the suspense of Dexter, Damages is definitely the most complex and intriguing mystery currently on cable television, without a doubt. All season long, we’ve been getting bits and pieces from the past, the present and the future, each moment dropping in another tiny fragment of the elaborate puzzle. We’re so close to finding out how all these pieces fit (one more episode before the finale) and the tension is growing to new heights. Let’s take a closer look into last night’s episode and see where we’re at, heading into the final two eps:

1. Poor, poor Ray. Easily my favorite character on the show, Ray hit rock bottom this episode. Patty’s got him by the balls, he feels overwhelming guilt for his part in Gregory’s death (how powerful was that kissing scene? When Ray’s hands were shaking? Loved it.), Matthew Ross/Jack McCall/Lawyer guy is taking over Ray’s case, and Ray feels he has nowhere else to go. Rather than throw the case, he takes his own life, right in front of Patty. It takes the phrase “sticking it to the man” to a new level. Ray, I will miss your good heart, you southern drawl, and the way you call Frobisher “Art.” May we meet again in another life, or at least a flashback or something.

2. Ellen/David. I LOVE what the show has done with these two. In the beginning, I hated them both. Ellen was a personality-less biatch and David was her lame boy toy. Now? I’m rooting super hard for them both, though we all know what happens to David. How does this tag team go from planning a seating chart to calling off the engagement within the next 2 episodes? Ellen doesn’t even work for Patty at this point, so how does it escalate to severely and so quickly? I must know!!

3. Patty – Another perfect red herring. The blood on her shoe is Ray’s. Was Patty even at the apartment with Ellen or David? Is she totally innocent? My gut tells me no, but my gut is also very hungry.

4. Tom – is a pansy. All he wants is to suck some praise and approval from Patty’s teat. Grow a pair, Tom.

5. Katie — She’s back! Why? Does she have something to do with the attack on David or Ellen?  Or is she just there to promote cigarette smoking?  What is this, Mad Men?

6. Lila — My guess? Lila kills David. The whole “you don’t love me I’m a psycho so I’m gonna kill you even though I love you my life is so hard ahhh” thing, ya know? Although I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing her in that prize piece she sent over to the apartment.  No siree, I would not.

7. Frobisher – Where was he? Ted Danson is too good not to be featured prominently in every episode. How many boring flashbacks of Gregory and Ray talking did we need? And Frobisher was only in one scene?! Luckily, seeing as how both Ray and Greogry are dead, this shouldn’t be much of a problem going forward.

Patty’s got Frobisher cornered.  Moore is dead, Ray is dead, and Gregory is dead.  BUT, she doesn’t have Gregory’s tape!   That tape is clearly going to be the focus of next week’s episode; will Art kill to get it?  Will Patty?  Will Ellen?

I’m guessing this season is going to end with a huge bang.  No Heroes-style meltdowns here.  Only full steam ahead from here to the end.  If you haven’t been watching for a while, jump back in now because the next to eps are guaranteed to be off the hook.  But will Arthur Frobisher, or is he guilty as charged?

Grade: B (It’s tough to judge individual episodes because the entire series is a cohesive whole, which I love, but taken out of context, this episode was good, definitely not great.)