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RSSBecause we know Patty . . . a look at the second season premiere of 'Damages'
One of TV's best and most terrifying villains is back.
Glenn Close returns as lawyer Patty Hewes in Damages, which begins its second season Wednesday at 10 p.m. on FX.
I'm thrilled to tell you that the show's unique story telling device is firmly in tact. The new season picks up soon after last season ended. To refresh your memory -- Ellen (Rose Byrne) learned that Patty had tried to have her killed and that Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson) was responsible for the murder of her fiancé. In the final moments of the season, Ellen agreed to be an informant for the FBI who is plotting to bring Patty down.
More nefarious good times ensue almost immediately. The opening scene is instantly intriguing and perplexing. What makes Patty such a great villain is that unlike other TV villains, she always seems human. She's not indiscriminately evil -- she's evil with a purpose and in a great juxtaposition for her character, she fights legal cases for the underdog. William Hurt joins the cast as Daniel Purcell, an old friend of Patty's who needs her help. Daniel is at the center of this season's mystery, which like last season will unfold over a six month time period of dizzying, intriguing and often shocking flash backs and flash forwards.
Marcia Gay Harden (who looks as fabulous as Glenn Close does) comes on board as a lawyer Claire Maddox and Timothy Olyphant joins the cast as Wes Krulik, a man Ellen meets in a grief support group. There's not much else I can tell you without spoiling the show for you. But be prepared for shocking reveals, double-crosses upon double crosses and check your disbelief at the door. There are a couple of scenes where I had to talk myself down -- like, "Amy it doesn't matter that this defies logic. The show is so much fun, just go with it."
It's great to have Ted Danson back as Arthur Frobisher, even if it does seem in early episodes that they brought him back because he was a fan favorite. And my verdict is still out on William Hurt -- I think he's fine in the role but I was expecting more -- some sort of big chills (sorry couldn't resist) when he and Close have their first scene together.
After you watch the season premiere of Damages, let me know what you think.
Where Have I Seen Them Before
Dennis recognized Stephanie Niznik, Nina on Everwood, as the lawyer opposing Eli on Eli Stone. It's been a busy time for Niznik, who also played the mom on Life is Wild, she was also an inmate on last night's episode of NCIS.
Kathleen Gati has also been busy. She was on double duty last night playing Irina on Leverage and Mariska on The Mentalist. I remember Gati the most from playing the Russian president's wife in the fifth season of 24.
Tiffany was excited/traumatized to see Adhir Kaylan, sweet Raja on Aliens in America as a doctor in the season premiere of Nip/Tuck.
Joanna Cassidy is Andrew's future mother-in-law on Desperate Housewives. Cassidy was Beverly Bridge, one of Denny's many wives on Boston Legal, and Margaret Chenowith on Six Feet Under.
Robin recognized Zack Ward as the lottery winner who was killed on Cold Case. Robin remembers Ward from his guest appearance as a half demon/half human on Charmed. I remember him from playing the younger brother on Titus.
Ask TV Gal
I wondered if you knew if Law & Order: Criminal Intent was ever coming back on USA. I swear it was advertised a couple months back and I thought I had missed the first episode because it was in TV Guide on a Friday night at 9:00 or 10:00, but I have not seen it again. I know Chris Noth left and was replaced by Jeff Goldblum and there was some ink about it for a while, but lately nothing. Can you solve this mystery, Amy? Kim
Kim, you are not going crazy. You did see the show advertised a few months ago. The new season of Law & Order: Criminal Intent was supposed to premiere on Thursday, November 6 but USA changed the date and has moved the premiere date to the vague Winter 2009. Since we are in Winter 2009 now I expect we will know the date of the season premiere soon. And you are right, when the show does return Jeff Goldblum joins the cast as Detective Zach Nichols, Detective Megan Wheeler's (Julianne Nicholson) new partner.
Lipstick Jungle? Is this show cancelled or what? After Friday's episode, the preview they showed for next week billed it as the season finale, not series. The episodes have been really good now, so I hope it continues. Is there a definite answer yet? Patrick
Alas, this falls under the "or what" category. While NBC hasn't officially cancelled the show, it does indeed look like this Friday's episode (at 10 p.m.), entitled La Vie en Pose, will be the last we see of the series. NBC hasn't ordered new episodes and has given over five hours usually reserved for prime time dramas to Jay Leno beginning in the fall. So it is highly unlikely that NBC will pick up the show for a third season. But here's one bright spot. Robert Buckley, Kirby on Lipstick Jungle, will be on the last two episodes of Privileged this season. He'll play a magazine editor.
Some Fun Links
Salma Hayek guest stars on this week's episode of 30 Rock and you can get a sneak peak here and hear her talk about being on the show here.
The first season of The Secret Live of the American Teenager is out on DVD and you can see some of the special features available on the DVD by clicking here.
That's all for today. I'm back on Friday with quotes of the week and to talk about the new season of 24. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Talk to you on Friday.
Amy Amatangelo, TV Gal ®
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Michael O'Neill was the nasty Judge Roy trying to launder money with Nate on "Leverage". Michael was the head of President Bartlet's Secret Service detail on "The West Wing"
I'm looking forward to the new season of Damages. I almost gave up on the show in the very first episode. However, I stuck with it and that really paid off once I got used the complex flashback/flash forward way of storytelling. Good to know that a network is still interested in producing interesting, quality scripted television and taking chances.
Last night's Scrub's were great. I haven't watched the show in years, but I'm back on board after these two very well done episodes. The first had me laughing my arse off while the second hit just the right emotional chords without going overboard. Good stuff!
Only observation/question... did Zach Braff look a little pale in these episodes? I thought Scrubs resumed production again during last summer, no? Was Braff shooting a movie while shooting Scrubs that required him to grow the beard and look like he had to avoid a little sunlight? Or was he that pale last season? Just curious.
One thing that really confuses me -- how can networks like FX, TNT, USA and AMC afford to produce very good-to-great scripted series like The Closer, Damages, Leverage, The Shield, Burn Notice and Mad Men but ABC can't find a place for Eli Stone and Pushing Daisies within their vast family of cable outlets?
Yeah, we only get 13 to 16 episodes of Pushing Daisies or Eli Stone instead of the standard 22, but so what? I'd rather have these shows on the air with shorter seasons than cancelled.
"[I]t doesn't matter that this defies logic. The show is so much fun, just go with it."
Sorry, but it did matter to me last season. There were too many plot holes and too many leaps of logic. I'm willing to suspend my disbelief, but it's hard to suspend when the show is obviously trying to go for a gritty and realistic feel. As another critic said, Damages is a dumb show that likes to pretend it's smart.
I'm as confused as you are, Confused. USA bills itself as "characters welcome" - well, hello? Pushing Daisies, Eli & Dirty Sexy Money are stuffed full to overflowing with kooky characters. I don't know why USA or one of these other networks doesn't snatch up at least one of these shows.
I'll always remember Zack Ward as Scut Farkus in "A Christmas Story".
I'll always remember Joanna C***idy as Jo-Jo from "Buffalo Bill".
I was going to say that I remember Zach Ward as the "kid with yellow eyes" on "A Christmas Story" too!
I was going to say that I remember Zach Ward as the "kid with yellow eyes" on "A Christmas Story" too!
Contrary to the article about Joanna C***idy in "Where Have I Seen Them Before"....Alan Shore of Boston Legal did not have many wives. He had only one wife in his past, who died.