It’s been a helluva good season of Damages so far, don’t you think? All it was missing, really, was that white-haired prince of darkness, Ted Danson as Arthur Frobisher. And here he was this week, the new-new-new Frobisher, who’s experienced an “epiphany,” an “environmental enlightenment.” The former self-described “greedy monster” is now preaching the gospel of “wind” power, and he’s not just talking about his own grinning gabbiness. No, in Damages‘ ever-clever reconfiguration of the real world into its furtive fiction, Frobisher is pushing a T. Boone Pickens-like wind-farm plan to meet our energy needs.
In a delightful twist, Frobisher never even shared a scene with Glenn Close’s Patty Hewes or even overlapped into one of Damages‘ current plot-lines. No, Arthur was busy wooing investors and celebrities to his noble cause, handing out copies of his newly published memoir, My Long and Windy Road (hah!), and cozying up to a comedy-movie superstar, Terry Brooke, played with a raffish moustache and scruffy stubble by Craig Bierko.
When Bierko/Brooke suggested that Frobisher play himself in a movie, Danson/Frobisher took a funny poke at his own appearance: “On camera, I look like Frankenstein.” Yes, but a very handsome version, Mr. Frobisher: Boris Karloff as a dashing star, without the bolts in the neck.
As far as the show’s main story goes: Those three-months-future flash-forwards — it’s gotten so I regret ever complaining about their profusion at the start of the season — I now look forward (so to speak) to more scenes with Tom Noonan’s always wonderfully off-beat cop and more of the puzzle pieces fall into place. (You just knew Martin Short’s terrifically malevolent lawyer Lenny Winstone was going to be a bad guy, but he’s exceeded all expectations for squirrelly behavior.)
And I think every little showdown between Patty and her son Michael’s girlfriend Jill is pure sadistic pleasure. Increasingly, Damages is a mosaic of excellent moments that’s cohering to form a big picture of avarice, agony, and evil.
Are you enjoying Damages this season? Were you as glad as I was to see the return of Ted Danson?
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It is so much fun to watch Danson and Close who are so good at their jobs. The scene where Patty found out about Michael’s baby was awesome. I love love love this show. PS Martin Short is a revelation- who knew?
The best CHUCK ever last night and no recap?
I watch both back to back and while I agree that last night’s Chuck was awesome, ‘Damages’ deserves the attention more.
I agree, LMSTV. The look on Patty’s face as RB’s character told her about her encounter with Michael and his Cougar is an Emmy moment. And, I don’t believe for a second that Ms. Cougar will slink away with no $$. Short and Tomlin should also be nominated for their work. I am really enjoying this season.
loved him on cheers and firemenmatch
I’m loving Damages this season. And I have to say, it’s amazing to watch Martin Short and Lily Tomlin play such dramatic roles. For two actors who’ve spent their entire careers being funny and making people laugh, it’s incredible to watch them pull off the drama. They are even more talented than I originally thought. This show and this cast are wonderful.
I 100% agree. The acting on the show is always fantastic. But Short and Tomlin have really been a revelation. Particularly Short … he’s sooo creepy!
I completely agree! Short has be a great little surprise. There should be an Emmy for someone in this cast SOON!
I absolutely agree. I said that exact thing to my husband regarding “Who knew?” about Martin Short and Lily Tomlin and the irony of such funny people playing such unfunny roles. and yes…this show or someone on it or someone who writes it needs to get an Emmy!
LOVE IT!
I also love that FX reruns it right after so if I think I missed something I can watch it again.
And yes, I have to watch it again every week to pick up more clues and because it is so delicious!
In my weekly lunch discussion here at work I was saying how much I miss Ted Danson. I was so happy to see him last night. I wonder where the show is going with his story line but I am sure we will see more of him next season. Oh and Martin Short is starting to get creepy. I can’t wait to find out about his dark past.
I love cheers
Check out Bored to Death too. He’s on that if you really miss him!
Not that last season was bad, but I DO think the main plot of season 2 was twisty and confusing to a fault.
This year has been a GREAT return to form. The Tobin family storyline has been very well developed (Campbell Scott, Martin Short and Lily Tomlin have all been excellent), every scene between Close and Byrne is great (Bryne has especially raised her game.)
However, I also feel like Tate Donovan deserves special kudos this year. (Not just because of sentimental reasons stemming from his character being dead.)
Donovan’s always been solid, but when Emmy-time rolls around, he always gets overshadowed by the splashier names in the cast (like William Hurt last year and, I suspect, Martin Short this coming year.) I think Donovan has never been better this season and I hope he gets the recognition he deserves.
Also, as soon as I saw Ted Danson’s name in last night’s opening credits, I perked up. His character probably should’ve died at the end of season 1, but he was simply TOO good to let go. I don’t even care if the whole wind thing never overlaps with the Tobin case – I just want to see Handsome Club member Ted Danson do his thing.
Ceballos — agreed on all counts. If there was any justice in the emmys, this show would just take every single acting category.
It’s a wonderful season. I love all the twists. Bring them on.
I stopped watching this year. The back and forth in time started to wear on my nerves and I just didn’t care.
Finally, I’m so glad to see a recap for Damages! Have I not looked in the right area on the EW website? This is the best show on TV right now. Great story this season with a super cast. Definitely an Emmy for Martin Short!
I wonder with the reappearance of Frobisher if he was in any way involved in the crash with Patty. They kept showing the Statue of Liberty in the car that hit Patty and wasn’t that what killed David in S1?
This is just a fantastic season and I hope the series able to continue! When Ellen told Patty about her grandchild, the emotion displayed on Glenn Close’s face should automatically win her any and every award! And then later when she told the woman carrying her grandchild that she “doesn’t want the stick”…icing!
I thought the same thing Scott. It was those ugly bookmarks that David was beaten with!
Hmmm. Patty asked Tom to box up Ellen’s things from the office. I think she had one in her office and one in her old apartment. Curiouser and curiouser!
I saw that back in the first episode and freaked out…then they showed it again in this ep and I freaked out again, although it looks like an homage to David’s death, it looked more like a bobble-head doll lol
I was one who thought that we saw a Statue of Liberty bookend in the car after the wreck — but I agree with Wilson – it wasn’t a bookend – it was a bobblehead
Damages is such a fantastic show…I love when it gets the credit it deserves on ew.com. You think maybe we could squeeze out the Celebrity Apprentice weekly recaps to make room for regular Damages reviews? Cmon…you have to reward quality don’t you??
I need to make sure I’m hammering home this point.
Celebrity Apprentice = Garbage.
Damages = Television Art.
EW, you need to realize this if you’re going to stay relevant with us!!
Alas, it ain’t called Garbage Weekly (though it sometimes should be) or Television Art Weekly. It’s Entertainment Weekly. It’s a shame that more people are entertained by Celebrity Apprentice. EW will cover what entertains the most people, thus all the vomit-inducing Twilight covers and stories.
I would love LOVE to see Michael Douglas on Damages next season. Just imagine the possibilities of his storyline and the chemistry with Glenn. Glenn & Ted together are great but Glenn & Michael would be explosive!
Great call. Great, great call.
If Patty does lose her dog, she can get a rabbit!
Is there going to be a fourth season? I remember reading somewhere they were ending it at three. Or maybe that was just that they were renewing it through season three… anyone know?
Funny, I’ve always thought Ted Danson looked like Frankenstein’s monster, even in his “Cheers” days! He’s fine in this role, but I would rather he sat out this one and allow more time for the spectacular core cast — this year including terrific turns by Campbell Scott, Martin Short and Lily Tomlin.
We need more promotion of Damages. One of the best shows on television!
I think Arthur Furbisher is a modern day Gordon Gecko so that would be contradictory in terms so to speak. Still, seeing Douglas as a possible client would be intriguing.
Just a seamlessly entertaining thriller/drama. Character-driven with such rich, textured players and performances. It’s my favorite show. I welcome more discussion and analysis.