DAMAGES: New York Sucks
February 19, 2009 by Kath Skerry
I promised that I would try to share my thoughts on last night’s episode of DAMAGES at some point today. I didn’t say that they thoughts would be well written, coherent or worthy of your time. Score one for the small print!
So last night we had a whole episode without Daniel Purcell and I have to say that I didn’t miss him all that much. While I recognize William Hurt as a fine actor, I’ve felt that his presence this season has slowed down the pacing of show. He has a very laid back way about him and doesn’t demand my attention like Ted Danson’s Arthur Frobisher. Is the character or the way the actor chooses to play it, I don’t know, but I know it’s not working for me.
What did work for me was an episode was Ellen and Patty going head to head over Patty’s new best buddy Arthur Frobisher. That press conference scene in which Patty calls Arthur her friend turned my stomach. My saving grace was my conviction that Arthur is using Patty just as much as she is using him. She took everything from him and he’s out for revenge. I’ve said it before but it’s worthy of saying again – the twosome of Glenn Close and Ted Danson is brilliant. Such a treat to watched them play against one another.
All four pounds of Rose Byrne held her own against Ms. Close last night as well. I don’t know if it’s her physical frailty coming through but I worry that Ellen Parsons is going to break soon. Her extended glances as Patty makes me feel like she’s on the verge.
Speaking of being on the verge…of death – we have dear old Uncle Pete. Faced with selling out Patty or risking life in prison, Pete took Door #3 and tried to off himself using his wife’s pills. Did anyone else think that Pete was at first trying to kill of his wife or was that just me? I haven’t seen next week’s episode yet so I don’t know if Pete lives or dies, but I think he’s going to squeak it out at least until he’s able to warn Patty. He is a loyal man.
Overall an ok episode. A few weeks back I thought the show was really starting to hit its stride, but I think the cast of characters is too big and the story too fragmented. It’s time to put a little excitement back into the show.
Am I being cranky or are you with me?
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You’re not alone…it’s just not the same as last year….they really need to step it up if you ask me.
I remain confused by the storyline from last season…I just don’t remember Frobisher’s connection to the ‘thugs’ and why they killed David or do we even know? This is making it hard for me to keep the current and past thugs straight. Two plots but not coming together completely for me. I used to like W. Hurt but he is just bugging me so missed him not but grown up mean Sam Malone is awesome. I too thought Pete was euthanizing his wife and that was deliberate misdirection. One more confusing bit…why do the traders hang with the same hooker or was that a different hooker? And if the oood looking guy (forgot name) from grief counselling is one of Frobisher’s thugs, why does he have a shrine to him in his closet? I think it is all just a bit too confusing for me right now.
There are spoilers from last year below.. but im not sure whose watching 2 without having seen 1 anyway.
Lisa – The bearded thug guy was Frobisher’s main henchman last year, and, along with the other (now dead) cop, killed David last season. I’m not quite sure, but I think they were also helped by the creepy landlord guy.
As to the WHY, they killed David because he wouldnt give up the location of the tape that his sister Katie dropped off at his apt, Gregory Molina’s video confession, linking him – Ray Fiske – Geore Moore – etc etc. He was beaten to death with the ugly statue of liberty figurine he & ellen got as wedding present, which coincidentally was the actual location, their secret spot they also hid their wedding vows. Bearded Guy (whose an internal affairs cop right?) left behind his flashlight, but was able to re-enter the crime scene and get it back right under Ellen’s nose in the finale, which is also the first time we find out he was a cop AND a murderer..
– Wes (grief counseling guy) isnt Frobisher’s guy. We dont know why he has so many pictures of arthur, we dont know why so many guns, we dont know if he has actual feelings for Ellen (in future, when they’re seen sleeping together), but ya it is confusing, but be patient, we’ll obviously be filled in by season’s end. Anyway, Wes appears to work for Bearded Guy. Sorry, cant remember his name, if we do know it. Bearded Guy is hired assassin basically, who is now concerned about being exposed, and has hired Wes to help him plug the leak. I doubt Frobisher knows anything about Wes, and also doubt that Bearded Guy knows everything there is to know about Wes either..
Sorry to ramble, hope that helps.
Alex – I owe you a virtual tall latte, good draft beer, or glass of wine or whatever beverage of your choice – thank you!!!!!! I watched S1 but I could not remember all the details. So we think ‘beardie’ has gone renegade? I am enjoying the show but the old loose ends were making me crazy.