Damages

Lately, I haven't been able to get enough of Damages. I don't think it's the best show on FX, and I think that each season as a whole tends to be of higher quality than individual episodes, but that doesn't make it from completely messing with your mind. And I mean that in the best way possible.



This episode picks up where the last one left off, with a multitude of plot-lines being covered in just under 44 minutes. The most intriguing one is the one involving Patty Hewes and the mysterious Daniel Purcell, who's transformed in one episode from a grieving husband to an ambiguous man who appears to be playing both sides. William Hurt is an incredible actor, as you'll probably find me saying a lot as the season moves forward, and in this episode, he runs the gamut in terms of emotions; one second, Purcell is filled with a fiery rage and the next, he's teary-eyed, struggling to talk coherently. Hewes seems to be interested in his case, but I wonder how long it'll take her to realize that he's screwing with her.



As for the whole FBI plot, I hope the writers sweep it to the side for the time being. I feel like there's a lot more to be focused on besides the relationship issues of a couple of unknown government agents. I did enjoy the scenes between Rose Byrne and Timothy Olyphant, mostly because it introduces us to a surreal side of his character, one who has a Frobisher shrine in a closet filled with shotguns and pistols. It'll be interesting to see what exactly his relationship with Frobisher is.



This was also the first appearance of Marcia Gay Harden, who didn't do too much and didn't impress me nearly as much as Hurt did in his first scenes. However, it's early in the season and her final scene with Hurt was superb in leaving us salivating for more. And how creepy was that final scene, with Purcell frantically digging a hole in the ground, throwing something in it and lighting it on fire?



Pretty good follow-up to the premiere, and if the "six months later" scenes are any indication of how intense stuff is going to get, than the upcoming episodes will most likely be as intense and incredible as anything the show has done up until this point.

Damages just hooks you in and leaves you staring and drooling, unable to take your eyes off the screen every single week. The addition of William Hurt to the cast is already paying huge dividends as he is giving performances that should bring Damages more Emmy recognition come September. He just completely escapes into his role and is one of the most intriguing characters on television.



I am not a fan of Marcia Gay Harden, but I will admit to being surprised when the final twist was revealed in the concluding moments of this episode. We also have to question why Wes Krulik had a Frobisher shrine in his apartment.



Damages makes you pay attention to little details, and leaves you on the edge of your seat every episode. There's not much else you can ask for from a television series.

Patty takes Purcell's case. He tells her about a toxicity study of a chemical compound he conducted which yielded very negative results, which were suppressed by his firm. Patty initially transfers the infant-mortality case to Tom but then asks him to reject the case to help her in the Purcell case. Ellen tells Wes about her visit to Frobisher, upon which he advises her to stay clear of Frobisher. Wes is revealed to be following the Frobisher case very closely, including David's murder. Patty deliberately leaks information from her office to find out that Ultima National Resources is behind creation of toxic compound. This is a great drama series which strong stories get better and better like in this episode Wes being some undercover dude investigating into Frobisher and the ending where Purcell. good episode.

Does the FBI have any idea who they're up against? Seriously, you manufacture a case with the idea that Patty Hewes will absolutely, positively have to take it, and first thing out of her mouth is "Gimme $60,000!"



Never mind the fact that that was as subtle as a paintball in the chest. There's a zillion ways she'd have been able to give the "client" that help without being remotely improper, up to and including a grant through her new foundation, or even a personal advance with no connection to the case at all. She murdered someone's dog to get them to testify, fer chrissakes! She knows how to cover stuff up.



Next time they should just send the woman in with a T-shirt saying the word "BAIT."



I'm fairly certain Patty has other photos of someone we know keeping a secret. Ellen spends an awful lot of time sitting in the backseat of people's cars.



I loved the creepy Obsessive Armoire, Wes and Ellen's common interest and the bedroom stuff that's on the way. They're both pretty intense characters so I'm looking forward to their eventual hookup.



I also enjoyed Purcell's initial interview with the cops, which was as believeable as a horoscope. ("I saw the door was unlocked"?) Patty's got him pegged. But that moment with his daughter was touching. I hope they're able to tie the wife's murder to Evil Incorporated. ;)



This show rocks. Other shows should be written this well. :)

Patty believes there is more to the Daniel Purcell case than a simple murder, of course there is! Conspiracies! Espionage! Dangerous, powerful and evil energy companies! Patty Hewes of course says 'bring it' and strategizes to expose them. Meanwhile we have William Hurt lying to Patty about his liaison with Marcia Gay Harden (who might rock in this role, but I'm not sure just yet). Ellen continues her attempt to take down Patty by trying to turn Tom against her. It doesn't exactly go according to plan, and the infant mortality case set up backfires on her and her skeevy handlers. Plus, Timothy Olyphant has a gun closet!! Oh and Tom gives Ellen the gun she uses 6 months later??!

More Thoughts on 'Burn It, Shred It, I Don't Care': - I missed Arthur Frobisher in this one

- Am I the only ones suspicious of those handlers? And why do I care about their personal issues? Did not want to hear about that one agents' marital issues (although I'm sure it ties in somewhere)

- I knew Olyphant had an ulterior motive, but I didn't know it was related to Frobisher, I was sure it was related to Patty. But man is he looking good in this. - I was relieved that Tom escaped the trap, I like him!

- There seems to be a very good chance that Purcell might be Patty's son (Michael)'s father.

Bottom Line: What was Purcell burning?

Next week: Secrets are uncovered, one by Patty, another by Ellen



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