By Brandon Nolta
Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne) is really having a crappy life right now. In the present timeframe, she’s sitting in Riker’s Island, arrested in the murder of her fiancé David (Noah Bean), and wondering where the hell she’ll get $1.5 million for bail (or at least the 10% needed to spring her loose). In the past timeline, where the bulk of DAMAGES takes place, Ellen and Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) are fighting an uphill battle with a suit wherein their prime witness Gregory Malina (Peter Facinelli) has vanished from mortal ken.
Meanwhile … Remember that mysterious badass (Peter Riegert) who’s been floating around? He’s a former SEC investigator, who was the point man on the first investigation into Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson) and who seems to have decided that evil flat out pays better. There’s about two characters in this show that only play for one side; I’m still not sure just who they are, but I’m pretty clear on who they’re not. At least, this episode.
Despite the swirling vortex of b.s. that surrounds the characters and situations, this is the first episode in the series where it feels like things are narrowing to a point instead of spreading out into an all-encompassing entanglement of lies. The gaps between the timelines are narrowing, and there’s a sense of convergence between the plots. More to the point, Ellen has finally been allowed to become the character she’s been set up to be; Byrne has slipped in the flash and steel that everybody kept saying was there all along, and it’s a welcome change.
Along those lines, we get to see something just as unusual, and just as welcome: Frobisher’s attorney Ray Fiske (Zeljko Ivanek) actually turns out to have traces of humanity left within his withered soul. It’s to Ivanek’s credit that these flashes of evidence that he’s not actually the devil’s advocate are believable, even though he does tend to look like he’s had a visit from Dr. Herbert West. Watching old pros like Ivanek and Riegert tear into despicable characters and still find worthwhile aspects to them is a pleasure.
Notice I haven’t mentioned Ms. Close much so far. That’s not an accident; this episode has very little to do with Patty directly, although she still sits at the center of the maelstrom like Lucifer brooding in Hell’s briefest corner. Close gets a few nice moments, including a shocking glimpse of what appears to be a beachside breakdown. In some ways, seeing the ferocious Ms. Hewes crouching in terror on a beach chaise is far more disturbing than anything else we’ve seen, up to and including the abrupt departure of Mr. Malina via an early morning hit and run. That also includes seeing Mr. Danson banging a witness preparation expert on his desk: Danson is still a handsome fellow, and the age-appropriate lady he’s enjoying congress with (Donna Murphy) is attractive, but some things you just don’t need to see.
Anyway, faithful viewers, we’re coming up on the end here pretty quick. A few more breakdowns, some transgressive sex, and at least one violent confrontation and everything should be in sync. Start placing your bets now.