http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/08/01/Damages-Jesus-Mary-and-Joe-Cocker.aspx Pre-credit sequences are always chock-full of interesting information. That’s usually where the hook is set for the newest episode, or a good joke is set up, or in the case of DAMAGES, a useful tip is given to the audience. This week’s gem: Don’t miss with Lady Liberty. Even at bookend size, she packs a hell of a wallop, as David Connor (Noah Bean), fiancé to erstwhile protagonist Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne), discovers as his last lesson in this life. Also, put screens on the windows of your Manhattan apartment, ‘cause those damn pigeons get everywhere. The noose is nowhere near tight, but there is a sense of fate slowly circling these characters. Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson), the corporate mogul who is facing a massive stock fraud suit, is feeling the strands curling around him; his wife is pressuring him to settle the case, and the strain on his family is starting to eat at him. Katie Connor (Anastasia Griffith), Ellen’s future sister-in-law, is being haunted both by a business agreement with Frobisher and past indiscretions that are coming to light as part of the case. Patty Hewes (Glenn Close), the lead litigator pursuing Frobisher, is pulling on more strings than an orchestra, but even the puppet master has weaknesses; troubles with her son are sneaking past her armor and bleeding her mojo slowly away. Of course, Hewes has more mojo than any three bloodthirsty litigators, so she’s likely got the sauce to finish the case. A good serial drama usually has more than one plot and set of pieces happening at any one time, because hey, life is pretty damn complicated and rarely do events happen in a nice linear stretch. DAMAGES is on track to have enough pieces for a couple of mere mortal dramas. Hell, just keeping track of all the balls Patty is juggling would be enough for a regular show, and that doesn’t count the other major characters and their assorted baggage-strewn subplots. Of course, this only works if the acting and writing are up to snuff, because nobody would give a rat’s ass if the writers and actors couldn’t carry it off. en-US Critics Rant info@criticsrant.com Subtext Version 1.9.4.0 http://www.criticsrant.com/images/default_gravatar_bullhorn.png http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/08/01/Damages-Jesus-Mary-and-Joe-Cocker.aspx 77 60 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/08/01/Damages-Jesus-Mary-and-Joe-Cocker.aspx#1102 I like It. I like just about everything Glen Close is in. gfieldmama http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/08/01/Damages-Jesus-Mary-and-Joe-Cocker.aspx#1102 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 21:39:41 GMT