The OFFICIAL Damages: Season 3 thread

[Shwicaz]

...and so it begins....hoping that more people hop on board the show.

this year, the show moves to Monday. It will premiere on Monday, January 25 @ 10 p.m. This year we have added Lily Tomlin, Campbell Scott, and Martin Short to the cast.

The first promo is up...it reminds me of how much I really enjoy the music on the show....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUZ4aOO3yYc


Can't wait to see what's in store this year....so many loose ends to tie up. I haven't heard anything about a 4th season, so maybe this will be the year that EVERYTHING is wrapped up. (although I wouldn't mind another season, because watching Glenn Close and Rose Byrne plot and plan is just GREAT television).

So, where's my peeps that love the show....will you be watching again this year?

[PhoenixFactor]

I totally love this show and will be watching every monday night. I too heard this might be the last season. I don't think it needs to be though. the puzzles to this show are so satisfying. I find it more interesting than lost in that regard because you almost always get your answers here within the season.

[FrnkCastle]

Count me in too! The first two seasons were fantastic. I was sad to see Glenn Close leave the Shield but her performance on Damages has been great. Rose Bryne is great opposite to Close. I never heard that is was getting a third season so seeing the preview above was a nice surprise.

[Criden]

Hey Ron! I had a lot of fun discussing the show with you last season. Last season was so convoluted, though. I loved it, and it was great, but it was just extremely difficult to follow as cogently and fully as I would have liked to be able to. So, this season my girlfriend and I decided to "wait for the trade." We're going to rewatch the first two seasons, and then start watching Season 3 when it's wrapped (probably in late March or thereabouts). When we watched the first season, it was on your recommendation, just before the second season started (this was right around this time last year, come to think of it), and we loved watching it all at once, so we're going to do the same this year. I hope to catch up on all of the thread's discussions after the season's over with and then hopefully I can chime in with some thoughts of my own. Enjoy the season! :)

P.S. I'm pretty sure the main actors are signed on for 5 or 6 seasons or something like that, and they seemed to renew it for a third season based on good DVR numbers, so hopefully they can continue to renew it based on that kind of stuff next year if the regular ratings don't improve at all (but hopefully they will!).

[LenNWallace]

I'm in, too. The addition of Short to the cast doesn't sit too well with me, but I think even this show and the writing could surpass this guy's crap and antics, especially if they can keep him sedated.

[dougmac]

Hey Ron! I had a lot of fun discussing the show with you last season. Last season was so convoluted, though. I loved it, and it was great, but it was just extremely difficult to follow as cogently and fully as I would have liked to be able to. So, this season my girlfriend and I decided to "wait for the trade." We're going to rewatch the first two seasons, and then start watching Season 3 when it's wrapped (probably in late March or thereabouts). When we watched the first season, it was on your recommendation, just before the second season started (this was right around this time last year, come to think of it), and we loved watching it all at once, so we're going to do the same this year. I hope to catch up on all of the thread's discussions after the season's over with and then hopefully I can chime in with some thoughts of my own. Enjoy the season! :)

P.S. I'm pretty sure the main actors are signed on for 5 or 6 seasons or something like that, and they seemed to renew it for a third season based on good DVR numbers, so hopefully they can continue to renew it based on that kind of stuff next year if the regular ratings don't improve at all (but hopefully they will!).

Close and Byrne are only signed through this next season (and Close would only sign on to season 2 if 3 was guarenteed to happen, that was why it was renewed the DVR number are FX trying to convince people it's worth watching). Olyphant is gone to do his new FX show.
I can't believe it hasn't caught on like the Shield did and Sons of Anarchy has (neither of those started with a big audience but word of mouth really helped them). It's super great quality perfromances for anyone who thought of checking it out but hasn't yet, and you can catch up easily enough.

[dougmac]

...and so it begins....hoping that more people hop on board the show.

this year, the show moves to Monday. It will premiere on Monday, January 25 @ 10 p.m. This year we have added Lily Tomlin, Campbell Scott, and Martin Short to the cast.

The first promo is up...it reminds me of how much I really enjoy the music on the show....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUZ4aOO3yYc


Can't wait to see what's in store this year....so many loose ends to tie up. I haven't heard anything about a 4th season, so maybe this will be the year that EVERYTHING is wrapped up. (although I wouldn't mind another season, because watching Glenn Close and Rose Byrne plot and plan is just GREAT television).

So, where's my peeps that love the show....will you be watching again this year?

it also added 24 vets Sarah Wynter and Reiko Aylesworth and also added Keith Carradine

[Shwicaz]

I totally love this show and will be watching every monday night. I too heard this might be the last season. I don't think it needs to be though. the puzzles to this show are so satisfying. I find it more interesting than lost in that regard because you almost always get your answers here within the season.

Last year, the ratings went down considerably (not sure if people abandoned it, decided to wait for DVD, or what). As much as I would love the show to go on forever, I would be happy with three GREAT seasons.


Count me in too! The first two seasons were fantastic. I was sad to see Glenn Close leave the Shield but her performance on Damages has been great. Rose Bryne is great opposite to Close. I never heard that is was getting a third season so seeing the preview above was a nice surprise.

Rose Byrne was a nice surprise for me. Had never heard of her until this show. She is really believable as Ellen. And easy on the eyes.


Hey Ron! I had a lot of fun discussing the show with you last season. Last season was so convoluted, though. I loved it, and it was great, but it was just extremely difficult to follow as cogently and fully as I would have liked to be able to. So, this season my girlfriend and I decided to "wait for the trade." We're going to rewatch the first two seasons, and then start watching Season 3 when it's wrapped (probably in late March or thereabouts). When we watched the first season, it was on your recommendation, just before the second season started (this was right around this time last year, come to think of it), and we loved watching it all at once, so we're going to do the same this year. I hope to catch up on all of the thread's discussions after the season's over with and then hopefully I can chime in with some thoughts of my own. Enjoy the season! :)



Thanks, man. I had a ball last season 2. But i definitely understand why you would be doing 'the whole season at once'. I agree that last season got a bit convoluted, but it ended well, so I am hopeful that this season will have more of that season 1 shockiness. Maybe it was because we were used to the storytelling format (the back and forth), as well as knowing there is always a twist (by now) that caused the unhappiness. In the first season, it was all new and well..shocking. I felt I spent more time guessing what the 'shocks' would be in season 2, than waiting for them to shock me.

I'll be glad to chat with you when the season is over.


I'm in, too. The addition of Short to the cast doesn't sit too well with me, but I think even this show and the writing could surpass this guy's crap and antics, especially if they can keep him sedated.

Short isn't a favorite of mine either. Then again, I never liked Ted Danson, until he played Frobisher (he's such an utter bastard, but kind of likeable in an odd way...until you hate him 10 seconds later) ha ha. Looking forward to seeing what he is up to this season.


Close and Byrne are only signed through this next season (and Close would only sign on to season 2 if 3 was guarenteed to happen, that was why it was renewed the DVR number are FX trying to convince people it's worth watching). Olyphant is gone to do his new FX show.
I can't believe it hasn't caught on like the Shield did and Sons of Anarchy has (neither of those started with a big audience but word of mouth really helped them). It's super great quality perfromances for anyone who thought of checking it out but hasn't yet, and you can catch up easily enough.

Not a fan of Olyphant's character. So, if he gets ganked early on, or something, I will be very happy. I didn't like Ellen's murderd ex-fiance, David, any better. don't know why.


it also added 24 vets Sarah Wynter and Reiko Aylesworth and also added Keith Carradine

OOh, thanks for that. Kieth Carradine? Really? interesting....I have no clue who the other two are, as I've never watched 24. :Oops:

[Big McLargeHuge]

I'm a big time fan of the show. I'm really excited most about the Campbell Scott addition to the show. I do agree that season 2 was pretty convoluted in the way they presented all of the mysteries, but I was never really confused. Like Criden said, it wasn't really cogent. I also liked all of the HBO refugees from last season: Olyphant, John Doman, and Clarke Peters. I'm hoping they stick with the flash-forward cliffhangers, because that's what really sold me in the beginning. At first I thought it was just going to be your typical law drama, but the flash-forwards with Ellen's fiance's murder just made everything that followed so much more sinister.

Although as much as I enjoyed season 2, I still really miss Zeljko Ivanek :(

[Shwicaz]

Although as much as I enjoyed season 2, I still really miss Zeljko Ivanek :(


TOTALLY!


Oh, and is it just me, or does Martin Short resemble John Edwards in the promo?

[Mikie]

I love this show! Can't wait to see where it goes this season!

[LenNWallace]

Read up on the overarching plot of what this season is going to be about, and I'm pretty stoked for it. Tonight's going to be great.

[LenNWallace]

Episode one down. A lot of interesting developments, to say the least. I won't spoil yet until more people have seen it, but I'm fuckin' chomping at the bit to talk here. It ends on a hell of a doozy.

[Shwicaz]

The episode is downloading from i-tunes right now. IT will be all set to watch when I get home from work this afternoon. Will chime in then.

[Big McLargeHuge]

Veeeeerry intrigued by the first episode. At first, the flash-forward hook didn't appear as strong as the previous seasons, but the way it unfolded along with the revelation at the end definitely caught my attention. At first I was disappointed by the Tobin family, since they didn't seem to be a good foil for Hewes, but judging by the flash-forwards, things must escalate very quickly. The only two characters that seem to be overtly sinister is Marilyn Tobin and their lawyer.

I'm very excited for Tom's character arc this season, since it appears that he was the only one close to Patty that hasn't been irrevocably changed or "damaged"...heh. I always wondered why he, above all the other characters, seems to still be morally and mentally sound.

It's also great to see Campbell Scott get some ample screen time. I would say he's underrated, but that would require people to talk about him, which is a damn shame. He's quite good. Martin Short as evil lawyer man? Sold. Suffice to say, I'm excited.

[Shwicaz]

Lily Tomlin was awesome. I'd love to see more of her and Patty together.

Martin Short. Creepy, and spot on. I'd have never have thought it, but he was perfectly cast.

But wow. What can I say (and what can't I say) about those last 30 seconds?! As if the first few minutes weren't surprising enough, those last 30 seconds took the cake. So much going on here, so much to dissect. I will probably watch it again tomorrow.

I'll give it a few days to let others watch, and then I'll be back here for some in-depth, spoilery, goodness.

[Shwicaz]

uh oh:


FX saw its hot streak end Monday night when the season three premiere of "Damages" got off to a rough start.

Glenn Close starrer drew only 1.4 million viewers, down 17% from season two's debut episode. In the 18-49 demo, numbers were even more disheartening for the basic cabler: Skein took a 41% tumble as only 428,000 in the demo tuned in compared to 718,000 on Jan. 7, 2009.

"Damages" has twice been Emmy nominated -- and Close has scored two statues -- yet the show has always been ratings challenged. Net is quick to point out that many watch on DVR more than seven days past its original airing and later on DVD. In both instances, those viewers aren't accounted for when figuring out the total aud.

Series, which shifted to Mondays, was given a two-season renewal after season one, and a determination will be made following this season's 13 episodes whether the show will continue. Season finale is set to air in April.

[LenNWallace]

uh oh:

Weak...

[Big McLargeHuge]

:(

[dougmac]

I just watched it on the DVR and liked it. I wish they would stop jumping around in time though. Just tell the story straight. It may work out better this year than last year (it worked well season 1), but the show is strong enough to get away from the gimmick.

Also, I was wrong in my post before, Close and Byrne are signed through season 6 if it lasts that long.

[Shwicaz]

Man!

Michael Nouri had the line of the night. Talk about a swerve. I was expecting him to ask for the dog and boy was I surprised.

I really like him, and I think he is good for Patty. I think she knows it, too, but she is just too damn stubborn to admit it.

Speaking of 'swerves', I thought the cat was toast. :rofl:

Tobin jr. is not a smart man. :lol:

And I am assuming that Tom and Ellen were working together on something, not having an affair.

Did Tom jump off the bridge? Is it that simple?

[Big McLargeHuge]

Man!

Michael Nouri had the line of the night. Talk about a swerve. I was expecting him to ask for the dog and boy was I surprised.

I really like him, and I think he is good for Patty. I think she knows it, too, but she is just too damn stubborn to admit it.

Speaking of 'swerves', I thought the cat was toast. :rofl:

Tobin jr. is not a smart man. :lol:

And I am assuming that Tom and Ellen were working together on something, not having an affair.

Did Tom jump off the bridge? Is it that simple?



Another mighty fine episode. I especially liked the end bit with Ellen looking over the pier.

It looks like they're really starting to set things in motion, in particular the scene with Tom and his wife. How long before it's found out that Tom has a conflict of interest in the case and Hewes and Shayes goes back to just Hewes?

Maybe it's just me, but I've always gotten the feeling that Tom and Ellen were going to get involved, affair wise, so I'm hoping they stick with that :D

Also, it can't be as simple as Tom jumping off the bridge, because he had those stab(?) wounds. I can't imagine those wounds being inflicted after drowning. Ellen has to know that Tom drowned, so she's implicated somehow.

[Shwicaz]

Jesus.

Last night's episode was a 'quieter' episode. And I think it was great. There wasn't a million twists and turns, just some great, slow burning developments.

Glad to see Ellen's family again. But of course, in true 'damages' fashion, even the 'quieter' episodes managed to drop a huge bomb. I felt very sad by the end of the episode (and its reveal of one of the characters).

Wow. You KNOW this is going to play into the season somehow...just not sure how.

[Shwicaz]

the official F/X site has an 'episode/music guide'.

It allows you to find out who does the music for each episode and then download it from i-tunes.

I just downloaded Hellsong's amazing cover of Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It" from last night's episode. What a haunting version, and so different from what I am used to hearing.

[Shwicaz]

last night's episode left me breathless. It wasn't just the episodes cliff-hanger, but so many revelations this episode. so many deceptions. on so many levels. Wow. I am going to be out all day and night, but I will be back tomorrow to have some spoiler-ific discussions on the season thus far.

[Shwicaz]

OK, since the episode has aired about three times since monday, I think its safe to get into spoilers for the season..eh? since there are only three of us here, anyway, right? :lol:


Anyway, I don't think the final scene in this week's episode was indicating that Patty bumped off Tom. I think that is what they want you to think, especially since we know about Patty's past, and the hit she put out on Ellen.

That being said, I think that Patty could be reacting that way to a myriad of things like:

*Her divorce w/ her husband being finalized. They sizzle together. They aren't over. they can't be. SImply because I don't want them to be. :surrend:

*Her dog is put down. Maybe he really is sick not just depressed, and Phil puts the damn thing down because he knows how hard it will be on Patty.

* um...yeah....


How awesome is Lily Tomlin??? I am going to see her do stand up in a month, and I can't fucking wait. Even Martin Short (who I hate as a comedian) is doing excellent in his role.

And I almost died when I realized that Ellen's sister is the same woman who played the dude/chick who was dating Hedwig and wanted to be on the Polynesian cruise version of 'Rent' in that film. Her eyes gave her away, but I still think of her as that russian drag queen or whatever he/she was...

It's amazing.

[Shwicaz]

WOW!

Last night it was quite evident that whatever happened to Tom, it isn't going to be what we may have thought it was initially, or even what we thought three weeks ago.

I have all sorts of theories swirling around in my mind. Did Tom 'drown' himself, knowing he was dead anyway, so that his family could collect some life insurance?

Who is the person that hit Patty? What's up with Wiggums? And what secret could he possibly have that would bury Winstone? Is it just that he is a white trash guy who lied and said he came from money? Is it as simple as that? Winstone has a very fragile psyche, and mommy issues (as evidenced by this episode, as well as the night he spent with the prostitue rubbing his head, as a mother might a child...no sex involved)

It appears that Ellen has learned the manipulation game very well, and it is fun watching her think she is one-upping Patty in that game. The smirks and smiles as Patty realizes that Ellen is using the 'talents' she picked up from her make me laugh.

Their relationship is sort of twisted, the way she is using Alex to make Ellen realize how much she misses working for Patty. Can a desk job at the D.A. with no leeway to do your own thing compare to high priced litigation, Chanel bags, and the thrill of the hunt?

Ellen wants back in, and Patty knows it, she's just waiting for Ellen to realize it herself.

7 Episodes in, and the majority of the peices and the players are in place, its just a matter of figuring out the timeline, and where all the places fit.

Throwing a wrench into my works, are Tobin's crazy sister...and now the new information on Wiggums.

Looking forward to seeing more of Patty's son and (soon to be ex) husband. But I also have to ask: Will we see Arthur Frobisher this season? Ted Danson was at the season 3 premiere party, but with only 6 episodes left, I wonder if/how he will make his presence know....

[Natty P]

I haven't seen this yet, but have heard nothing but superlative praise.


Also, the girl in it might be the most attractive girl I've ever seen. I've wanked it to her in Troy.

[Big McLargeHuge]

Brother Mouzone and The Greek were in this episode. By my count, that's 5 alumni from The Wire that have played villains. Then you can add Seth Bullock and Uncle Junior to the mix. Great episode!

[Shwicaz]

Brother Mouzone and The Greek were in this episode. By my count, that's 5 alumni from The Wire that have played villains. Then you can add Seth Bullock and Uncle Junior to the mix. Great episode!

That's my next show to watch. Everyone has been raving about it.

The cast blows my mind. The woman who plays 'psycho' sister was in a small indie film I saw at the Boston Film Festival. She played a homeless junkie. The film (and her performance were riveting).

the (now dead) Ms. Marchetti was in Stephen King's Sleepwalkers way back when...Martin Short is really surprising me with this performance.

There is something going on there, and I am dying to find out what.

[Shwicaz]

I haven't seen this yet, but have heard nothing but superlative praise.


Also, the girl in it might be the most attractive girl I've ever seen. I've wanked it to her in Troy.

I assume you are referring to Rose Byrne...yes, she was perfectly cast.

[Natty P]

I assume you are referring to Rose Byrne...yes, she was perfectly cast.


I'm DEFINITELY not talking about Glenn Close. I think I'd rather go gay than sleep with her.

[Big McLargeHuge]

the (now dead) Ms. Marchetti was in Stephen King's Sleepwalkers way back when...Martin Short is really surprising me with this performance.

Sleepwalkers?! Wowwee, blast from the past.

[FrnkCastle]

This season has been so crazy and kind of confusing but is slowly making sense. This show does a great job of telling a interwoven story that, again, confuses and makes sense at the same time.

[Shwicaz]

Well, last night brings us back full circle to season one....Patty's daughter...her death....is there something wrong with Patty? That hole in the wall was so symbolic of 'imperfection'...very clever way of the writers to use that whole thing while asking about the gentic past of Patty and her family.

It's those small touches that make the show more powerful. And Tom's death ended up just as I kind of thought, at this point. But I still dont' know who stabbed him, or how he got otherwise perferated.

Leonard Winstone is turning out to be interesting w/ his fingers in so many plot points, it just boggles the mind.

[Shwicaz]

So many little things last night that are driving me mad?

Who is the woman in the kitchen? Why is everyone dreaming about their past? Was Patty's sister molested/abused by her dad? Remembering her mom's comment from last week (i think) where she referred to not 'being able to protect her'...but she never mentioned from what.

Now the revelation that Ellen may be adopted...or something.....intriguing looks at the characters that go beyond the main storyline. Really dragging me in deeper this season.

3 episodes left. How is it possible for everything to be wrapped up????

[Shwicaz]

Tell me someone other than me caught last night's AMAZING episode...?

[LenNWallace]

Tell me someone other than me caught last night's AMAZING episode...?

I'll let you know my thoughts once I catch up on this week's and last's.

[Shwicaz]

Wiggins. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Lily Tomlin is one cold bitch.

how in the blue fuck are they going to wrap up all these plot lines?

Frobisher? Wes? Wiggins? Tobin? Shayes? Who hit Patty? Who attacks Tom? Was it suicide? What's up with the interior decorator? Et tu, Equus? (what the fuck is up with them horses?) I mean, really, that's only half the shit they have to cover in the finale. It's going to either be really amazing, or the corniest diarrhea since "The Queen of the Maize" Festival.....

[LenNWallace]

Wiggins. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Lily Tomlin is one cold bitch.

how in the blue fuck are they going to wrap up all these plot lines?

Frobisher? Wes? Wiggins? Tobin? Shayes? Who hit Patty? Who attacks Tom? Was it suicide? What's up with the interior decorator? Et tu, Equus? (what the fuck is up with them horses?) I mean, really, that's only half the shit they have to cover in the finale. It's going to either be really amazing, or the corniest diarrhea since "The Queen of the Maize" Festival.....

I'm intruiged as well. Last night's episode was hard, because the writing has really made you start rooting for Tom, despite knowing what's just about to happen to him. Really fucking sad.

[FrnkCastle]

This show is so great and so intense. I caught up on 3 eps this week and have last nights ep to watch. Such a good show and it is such a mind fuck. I love it!!

[LenNWallace]

I wonder if Wes is actually going to show up again with Olyphant doing Justified now? All this stuff from the past with Frobisher seems to be hinting at the direction of another season that may tie things up. I just hope to God that FX can give it to them.

[Kirblar]

I wonder if Wes is actually going to show up again with Olyphant doing Justified now? All this stuff from the past with Frobisher seems to be hinting at the direction of another season that may tie things up. I just hope to God that FX can give it to them.
Wes was shown in the preview, I think.

[FrnkCastle]

Well, that was a great penultimate ep! The last few seconds were amazing. Can't wait for the finale and possibly another season!!

[dougmac]

Wes was shown in the preview, I think.

it kind of looked flashbacky though

[dougmac]

I wonder if Wes is actually going to show up again with Olyphant doing Justified now? All this stuff from the past with Frobisher seems to be hinting at the direction of another season that may tie things up. I just hope to God that FX can give it to them.

They're tryingto work out a deal with Direct TV like NBC did with Friday Night Lights where it would air there first and then hit FX a few months later. Hopefully it works out. I can't believe this show never found a bigger audience.

[dougmac]

Sleepwalkers?! Wowwee, blast from the past.

She was Rory's stepmom on Gilmore Girls too (I feel comfortable admitting this on this board).
She actually works a lot.

[WhindamPryce]

I feel that the last few eps have just been plodding along. The bit with Ellen's babysitter was pointless. And no matter what they do I just can't bring myself to give a shit about Frobisher or his actors. It just feels like dead weight to me. And now the revelation about Martin Short? Way out of left field. I get why they did it (to break up the Tobins), but it was just WTF! Patti's horse thing seems to not be going anywhere either. :(

[dougmac]

I feel that the last few eps have just been plodding along. The bit with Ellen's babysitter was pointless. And no matter what they do I just can't bring myself to give a shit about Frobisher or his actors. It just feels like dead weight to me. And now the revelation about Martin Short? Way out of left field. I get why they did it (to break up the Tobins), but it was just WTF! Patti's horse thing seems to not be going anywhere either. :(

The babysitter thing was pointless so far, but this show is great at planting seeds for later so it may come back to be big.

[WhindamPryce]

The babysitter thing was pointless so far, but this show is great at planting seeds for later so it may come back to be big.

IF it comes back. Has it been renewed yet? I remember reading that since the ratings were low the only reason Glenn Close renewed for a second season was if FX ensured a third season. Although, yes, you're right. With only one episode left (right?) there are just way too many dangling threads, so a fourth season may be coming up.

[Shwicaz]

I feel that the last few eps have just been plodding along. The bit with Ellen's babysitter was pointless. And no matter what they do I just can't bring myself to give a shit about Frobisher or his actors. It just feels like dead weight to me. And now the revelation about Martin Short? Way out of left field. I get why they did it (to break up the Tobins), but it was just WTF! Patti's horse thing seems to not be going anywhere either. :(

The thing with Ellen's babysitter was NOT pointless. the name of the episode was called 'All that crap about your family' and if focused on the 'family'. Not just in the sense of Ellen feeling like her family is so different from her that she had to seek out a woman who she thought might make her feel like she belonged, but the family of all the characters, whether by blood or by bond.

Ellen's father is an ass-hole. The mother is put-upon, her sister is a mess. She was getting hammered on all sides to help her sister. Her sister was pulling the 'you never were there for me' crap to cover her own guilt. Even ellen's mother was begging her to help out... what were ellen's sister's words to ellen...? "you are a Parsons". Looking at that gene pool, it seemed like Ellen didnt' want to believe she could be part of such a mess of a family. The baby-sitter was a way out...a hope that maybe this 'mess' of a family wasn't hers at all, and therefore, she was not obligated to do anything for them.

On the flip-side, you have Patty, who's 'family' is completely gone, and she is befreft. She has lost her husband, she has lost her son to another woman, she lost Uncle Pete, Ellen left her, and Tom betrayed her. She has no family any more.

And of course, the 'family' aspect played into the Tobin plot, the discovery of the parentage of Tessa Marchetti, and the grandmother setting up the murder of her grand-daughter by not telling her son that he is tessa's dad.

So, no, I wouldn't say it was pointless at all.

As far as the Martin Short thing coming out left field...no it didn't. We have met "MR. Wiggums" (martin's dad) in previous episodes. When Ellen's bag was found by police, it had a fingerprint on it from a con man from back in '84 named 'wiggins. I think they were trying to get you to thing that "leonard winstone's" dad was involved, but I guessed back then, that it was Martin Short who had changed his name to avoid any connotation with HIS family.

It had been set up in previous episode's more than once. Especially in the conversation to Winstone had with his dad when he found out that mom died. His dad mentioned about 'the family business' and said the name "LEONARD WINSTONE" as if it was dirty-- a lie, or a slap in the face to his father, which i was.


I am loving the horse thing, even though I am not sure where its going.

[Kirblar]

Someone's suggested that Keith Carradine's character doesn't actually exist- which would be kinda crazy, even for this show. :lol:

[dougmac]

The thing with Ellen's babysitter was NOT pointless. the name of the episode was called 'All that crap about your family' and if focused on the 'family'. Not just in the sense of Ellen feeling like her family is so different from her that she had to seek out a woman who she thought might make her feel like she belonged, but the family of all the characters, whether by blood or by bond.

Ellen's father is an ass-hole. The mother is put-upon, her sister is a mess. She was getting hammered on all sides to help her sister. Her sister was pulling the 'you never were there for me' crap to cover her own guilt. Even ellen's mother was begging her to help out... what were ellen's sister's words to ellen...? "you are a Parsons". Looking at that gene pool, it seemed like Ellen didnt' want to believe she could be part of such a mess of a family. The baby-sitter was a way out...a hope that maybe this 'mess' of a family wasn't hers at all, and therefore, she was not obligated to do anything for them.

On the flip-side, you have Patty, who's 'family' is completely gone, and she is befreft. She has lost her husband, she has lost her son to another woman, she lost Uncle Pete, Ellen left her, and Tom betrayed her. She has no family any more.

And of course, the 'family' aspect played into the Tobin plot, the discovery of the parentage of Tessa Marchetti, and the grandmother setting up the murder of her grand-daughter by not telling her son that he is tessa's dad.

So, no, I wouldn't say it was pointless at all.

As far as the Martin Short thing coming out left field...no it didn't. We have met "MR. Wiggums" (martin's dad) in previous episodes. When Ellen's bag was found by police, it had a fingerprint on it from a con man from back in '84 named 'wiggins. I think they were trying to get you to thing that "leonard winstone's" dad was involved, but I guessed back then, that it was Martin Short who had changed his name to avoid any connotation with HIS family.

It had been set up in previous episode's more than once. Especially in the conversation to Winstone had with his dad when he found out that mom died. His dad mentioned about 'the family business' and said the name "LEONARD WINSTONE" as if it was dirty-- a lie, or a slap in the face to his father, which i was.


I am loving the horse thing, even though I am not sure where its going.

good point about the babysitter, I hadn't given it that much thought but you are definitely onto something.
As for the Martin Short stuff, they had been leading to that for weeks.
I hate that I haven't been able to keep up with this thread because I have been stuck watching the eps off the DVR, usually 2 or 3 at a time.

[Shwicaz]

Someone's suggested that Keith Carradine's character doesn't actually exist- which would be kinda crazy, even for this show. :lol:

I was wondering that this week.

Every time they meet, it is Patty alone. But, she did get an architect's name from that prisoner, so if he doesn't exist, there would have to be a compelling reason.

What's up with the bloody feet and the horse? Was Patty raped by a stableman back in the day? it's weird, but compelling.

[Big McLargeHuge]

I have to imagine that the Frobisher stuff is going to come back next season as a big subplot. It's crazy how everything is converging and surely the last episode is just going to be straight up madness. Tom with a wrench!

[Shwicaz]

son of a bitch. Once again, i-tunes doesn't have the episode up yet. (they have had them up by 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning for the WHOLE season...)

Last episode didn't go up till sometime in the afternoon. and the finale isn't posted yet there, either. I have a doctor's appointment after work, so I won't even be able to watch it till about 6 pm tonight.

I will avoid this thread till then. Any of you already catch the ending? Weigh in, and I will discuss tonight.

[FrnkCastle]

Well, that was a pretty good season finale and I haven't heard if the show is coming back. If it doesn't it served as a great series finale as everything was wrapped. Seriously, they tied up all the loose ends.

Glenn Close was incredible again as Patty. She is so cold, almost dead inside. I still feel bad for Tom, happy to see his homeless come thru for him a couple times in the end.

[bartleby]

Supposedly the cast was told today that the show has been officially canceled.

[Big McLargeHuge]

Supposedly the cast was told today that the show has been officially canceled.

Not much of a shock, but still :sad: :-x

[dougmac]

Supposedly the cast was told today that the show has been officially canceled.

I wasn't crazy about the finale, it felt like they felt forced into making it a series finale.
I will miss this show though and I am disappointed it never gained the audience it deserved.

[Kirblar]

I wasn't crazy about the finale, it felt like they felt forced into making it a series finale.
I will miss this show though and I am disappointed it never gained the audience it deserved.
That's all on the writers- they wrapped up loose ends that didn't need to be.

[Shwicaz]

That's all on the writers- they wrapped up loose ends that didn't need to be.

I much prefer them trying to tie the show up, knowing the ratings were in the toilet, and trying to give the characters plots (as well as the viewers) some sort of closure.

Did it feel rushed? Yes, but I bet it was, so I don't mind.

It's better than leaving things unresolved and never getting the chance to tell them. (in my opinion)

Better to have 3 complete seasons than an unfinished series.

[Kirblar]

I much prefer them trying to tie the show up, knowing the ratings were in the toilet, and trying to give the characters plots (as well as the viewers) some sort of closure.

Did it feel rushed? Yes, but I bet it was, so I don't mind.

It's better than leaving things unresolved and never getting the chance to tell them. (in my opinion)

Better to have 3 complete seasons than an unfinished series.
There was absolutely no reason to have Frobisher caught. I preferred Ellen letting it go, rather than become Patty.

[Shwicaz]

There was absolutely no reason to have Frobisher caught. I preferred Ellen letting it go, rather than become Patty.

I would have liked to see Ellen's reaction to Wes stepping up like that.

I would have liked to find out more about Ellen's whacked out family.

I would have loved Frobisher to be free being the unchanging asshole that he is.

I would have loved to see Patty seduce Ellen. For real. Why the hell didn't the two of them just hop into bed together for Christ's sake. The sexual tension between the two of them was insane, especially this season. I didn't think they could top their relationship last season. If I was a lesbian I would be in HEAT from these two powerful, ambitious women. :lol:

But damn, I sure as fuck am going to miss this show. I don't watch many shows. But Damages was an awesome viewing experience. The guesswork alone...every time you thought you had it figured, something else would happen.

Well, thank goodness I still have Mad Men and Breaking Bad. Beyond that (and The Closer), I don't watch anything else anymore.

[Shwicaz]

HOLY SHIT!

CROSS YOUR FINGERS FOR 2 MORE YEARS OF DAMAGES!!

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118019298.html?categoryId=14&cs=1


'Damages' creators sign Sony deal
Show's fate still undecided, but answer should come soon
By STUART LEVINE

"Damages" creators Todd A. Kessler, Daniel Zelman and Glenn Kessler have signed an exclusive two-year deal with Sony Pictures Television.

Their KZK Prods. will continue to be based in New York. Trio is waiting to hear whether the Glenn Close starrer will return for a fourth season.

The third season finale of the Sony-produced drama aired April 19. FX is expected to make its decision in the next few weeks. DirecTV has flirted with the idea of partnering with FX on the show, similar to the deal it has with NBC and "Friday Night Lights," but the financial arrangement would have to be right.

Kessler told Daily Variety if an arrangement can be made for a fourth season, the exec producers wouldn't have any difficulty putting a storyline in motion.

"We originally planned out five or six seasons between Patty (Close) and Ellen (Rose Byrne), about the relationship between mentor and protege," he said.

Zelman added that he and his colleagues have ideas for other shows going forward if "Damages" isn't renewed, and they would consider pursuing a comedy as well.

"We're taking meetings about what we really want to do next," he said. "There's no lack of ideas but we have to choose where we want to put our energy."

"Damages" was twice nominated for the drama series Emmy and Close won the lead actress trophy the past two years for her work on the show.

In addition to writing "Damages," the trio have also helmed several episodes.

[LeggoMyEggolas]

HOLY SHIT!

CROSS YOUR FINGERS FOR 2 MORE YEARS OF DAMAGES!!

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118019298.html?categoryId=14&cs=1

This would be awesome.

[Kirblar]

Honestly, I would rather see a new project.

Nothing against the show, but I felt they were struggling to make the format work in season 2, and the end of season 3 really did feel like an appropriate place to end it.

[WhindamPryce]

I'm actually fine with the show ending the (clumsy) way it ended. They tied up everything. Plus Tom was killed off. He was a humanizing aspect for Patty. He's a big loss.

I wasn't sure how they could mine the Patty/Ellen relationship beyond the first season. But they did. I don't know if it can go any further than this though, especially since Ellen decided not to work for Patty at the end of S3.

Yet another season of "one big case told through flash-forwards and backwards" would just be stretching it.

[Shwicaz]

And Damages is saved by DirecTV. 2 more 10 episode seasons starting next year!

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/07/directv-damages.html

[dougmac]

And Damages is saved by DirecTV. 2 more 10 episode seasons starting next year!

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/07/directv-damages.html

only if you have Direct Tv though. It's a shame they couldn't work out a deal like they have with NBC for Friday Night Lights.

[Kirblar]

And Damages is saved by DirecTV. 2 more 10 episode seasons starting next year!

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/07/directv-damages.html
Honestly, I thought the S3 finale worked very, very well as a series finale, to the point where I really didn't want to see the show come back.

[Shwicaz]

I can see that, Kirblar.

But there are so many other things left unexplored (her relationship w/ her son, her husband, Ellen's family situation, Ellen's reaction to Frobisher/Wes' arrest, etc. Plus whatever new cases come along. )

I'll be sticking w/ it till the end.

[LenNWallace]

I can see that, Kirblar.

But there are so many other things left unexplored (her relationship w/ her son, her husband, Ellen's family situation, Ellen's reaction to Frobisher/Wes' arrest, etc. Plus whatever new cases come along. )

I'll be sticking w/ it till the end.

Likewise. The writing and format of the show just fascinate me to no end from the standpoint of a writer. I'm glad I'll get to see more, even though I too thought that the ending for last season would have made a pretty good swan song.

[LenNWallace]

It's not exactly season 3 news, but TV Guide confirmed that they've cast John Goodman as the villian for season 4.


John Goodman has joined the cast of Damages as Season 4's new villain, TVGuide.com has confirmed.

Goodman will play the CEO of a mysterious military contractor who is put on trial in a wrongful death suit.

Check out the rest of today's news

"John Goodman's phenomenal body of work speaks for itself. And we've been huge fans of his for years," executive producer Todd Kessler told USA Today, which first reported the news. "It's a real thrill to be adding an actor of John's extensive range and talent to the cast of Damages. We can't wait to pit him against Glenn Close and Rose Byrne in our fourth season."

The 58-year-old actor, who has starred in The Big Lebowski, Blues Brothers 2000 and Roseanne, most recently appeared on HBO's Treme. Previous antagonists for Patty Hewes (Close) include Ted Danson, William Hurt, Martin Short and Campbell Scott.

The fourth season of Damages will air exclusively on DirecTV. It is slated to premiere this summer.
This is great news for me, Schwicaz, and the 5 other people in the world who watch DAMAGES.

[bartleby]

This is great news for me, Schwicaz, and the 5 other people in the world who watch DAMAGES.

Make that two, now that it's exclusively on DirecTV.

[dougmac]

It's not exactly season 3 news, but TV Guide confirmed that they've cast John Goodman as the villian for season 4.


This is great news for me, Schwicaz, and the 5 other people in the world who watch DAMAGES.

I'll be watching if they release it online or on DVD, but no Direct TV for me.

[Shwicaz]

yeah, DirecTV fucked me with their stupid policies.

Basically, we had DirecTV for 6 years. about 3 years into it, they sent us some complimentary HD box upgrade 'for being a loyal customer who pays on-time', etc.

It sat in a box for years. Then one day, I found it, and decided to throw it on, I called them to do the special over the phone calibrating they do. and everything was fine.

6 months later, i decided to get rid of my tv entirely, and felt I was paying too much (about 60 bucks/month to watch the 5 shows I liked all year).

I called to cancel, and they told me that when I activated the new hd box upgrade, that automatically changed my plan, so I was locked into ANOTHER 2 YEARS simply by activating it.

I was incensed. I canceled the service and paid a penalty for it.

3 months later the 'we want you back' letters started, offering me a year at $30 less than I was paying. Too late, I was gone, and I ain't going back.


That being said, if it hits itunes or hulu, etc. I'll gladly watch it. otherwise, I will wait for the DVD and watch the entire season in on satisfying 3-day weekend chunk.

:)

[LeggoMyEggolas]

Count me in the iTunes/Hulu/Live/PSN method as well. :)

[Thudpucker]

I marathoned this show over the holiday vacation. Lawyer shows and police procedural shows are hard sells for me so it took awhile for me to get around to this one.

Loved the first season, it was excellent. Season 2 and 3 were ok but not as good, the formula becomes strained after awhile.

The acting stays fantastic all 3 seasons though, brilliant performances all around. Especially Ted Danson, he was one of the most believable TV villians I've ever seen.