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“Damages” Season 2: The seductive beauty of corruption

Happy Happy Joy Joy! Damages returns in January and that means Season 2 promotions start during November sweeps, as in, now.

I know the promotional poster is kinda creepy, but I understand how Glenn Close can get in your head like that. She is truly stunning, especially in a power suit. Just. Wow.

Season 1 of Damages took a while to really hook me, but by the final episode, I was an addict. The show started with Ellen (Rose Byrne) finding herself at the scene of a brutal crime for which she is the main suspect.

The plot unspooled by traveling back and forth between past and present, showing us a range of characters with decidedly impure motives and values that shifted with circumstance. At times I got a little lost in the complexity, but I was riveted to my couch every Monday night.

Damages became one of the first two cable series to be nominated for a Best Drama Emmy (the winner, Mad Men, was the other) and Glenn Close won Outstanding Lead Actress for her portrayal of Patty Hewes.

At the Television Critic’s Association press tour in July, we learned that Marcia Gay Harden is joining the cast, giving us yet another high-powered woman attorney to lust after admire. The producers like us; they really like us.

As further proof of FX’s goodwill, the network has released a 10-minute “catch-up” video for Season 1, and three promotional spots for Season 2.

I don’t know about you, but I’m giggling with glee. Are you as excited as I am about the next season of Damages? Any predictions for how Ellen will get back at Patty for trying to kill her? Can you believe how hot Glenn Close is at 61?

  • the linster's blog
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  • Stacey's picture

    Thanks!

    Thanks for the heads up! I adore this show, very creepy, but very well written. So, It's not coming back until July????
    the linster's picture

    January

    January 7 is the Season 2 premier.
    Gina's picture

    YAY!

    I am so excited, this quickly became one of my favorite shows last year :) It was so intelligent and well written and best of all, has GLENN CLOSE!

    I didn't like the last promo though....it seemed a bit out of character with the show because of the escalator and the dresses. And I miss Patty's old hair, this new hair makes her look kind of harsh.

    D's picture

    Thanks for the update...

    I really liked finding this show last year- can't wait to get it back!  I don't know anyone that watches it (despite my relentless campaign to convert others...) so I will enjoy talking about it here, if there are updates. 

    BetweenThaLines's picture

    woohoo!

    I can't wait! Seriously, OMG, I'm so excited! *squeels* I love Glenn so much, and it's awesome there's going to be another strong female character. I must say that it took me while to get hooked as well, but damn, that show is good! Counting down already...

    http://www.youtube.com/BetweenThaLines

    Emma's picture

    Rose <33

    I still don't understand why I'm not watching this show. I mean it has Rose Byrne in it, that should be reason enough, and Glenn Close too. That woman is amazing.

    I think if I start watching I'll get addicted. (Duffy's song "Stepping Stone" in last promo <33)

    ___//♫♪ let your girlfriend do what your boyfriend can't

    HotHandle's picture

    Rose Byrne is hot...

    and I love the way she and Glenn Close play off each other.  Perfect cat and mouse.

    I think Ellen is going to slowly destroy Patty, first her career, then her family, her finances, and finally her life.  The slower it unfolds, the more gut-wrenching and suspenseful it will be.

    Marcia Gay Harden is a nice addition too.  Will her character work with Patty or against her?

     

    the linster's picture

    Marcia Gay Harden

    We know Harden will play an attorney. One source said that her character will be up against Patty in the season's big case. I can't find confirmation, but wouldn't that be a nice match-up?
    cosmiccowgirl's picture

    So excited!

    I hope Rose doesn't destroy Patty. Horrible as it sounds, I'd sort of rather see Rose eventually be corrupted and become Patty.

    I'm so excited about the show coming back, but I watched the first season in one long marathon on DVD, so it will be weird to have to wait a whole week between episodes. It seems like that will dilute the intensity and make it harder to follow, but I hope not.

    Also, why is Ted Danson still on the show? To me his plot seems over. He was GREAT in his role (and I have never liked Danson before), but I think they need to move on to a new case and not keep spinning out the Danson one.

    the linster's picture

    Ted Danson

    According to interviews I read, Danson will be in the next season, but that doesn't necessarily mean that his character, Arthur Frobisher, survived. Danson may be there to provide flashback material, since last season's trial was so important to this season's dynamic between Patty and Ellen. Nobody's saying for sure. The show definitely will have a new center, though, and a new case.
    Jessa's picture

    can’t wait.

    Is it just me or does the bit with the escalator in the third promo seem weirdly sexual, it totally does.
    sugarboogar22's picture

    Can't wait!!

    I just hope that FX doesn't distroy this amazing show like they did Dirt. Fingers crossed *hope hope hope*
    Teresa Ortega's picture

    Escalator sex

    Yes, I found the escalator scene totally sexual. I hope we get some more of that love/hate hate/love intensity.
    Paperback-Writer's picture

    YES! YES! YES!

    I'm so excited that the premiere is only a couple months away! I didn't didn't get into this show until they did a marathon in September ,and I was so disappointed I'd have to wait until January to see it.

    I love Rose Byrne and Glenn Close's dynamic. That kind of weird homoerotic love/hate relationship is usually only shown between two powerful men.

    I love how nobody's a nice guy, and I hope, like other posters, that Rose's character ends up becoming a Patty Hughes rather than destroying her.

    You never know what's going on. I hope this season is just as convoluted and smart as last season.

    Also, will Patty's assistant be in here? I love him!

    meridian_charmer's picture

    blew my mind

    I watched the entire first season over 2 days a month ago.  I couldn't stop! I was terrified and fascinated. The writing is awesome (how do people come up with these insanely twisty, smart, complicated plot concepts?), the acting amazing. I can't wait for season 2!

    Paradise is exactly like where you are right now... only much, much better. ~Laurie Anderson

    godsbedamned's picture

    It's a great show

    I've also tried to convert people but failed. They don't know what they were missing. This is such a clever show. And, the acting, for the most part, is great. I love the relationship between Patty and Ellen. Also, you never know what peoples' motivations are. Fascinating stuff.
    avalaurent's picture

    I love Damages!

    I watched every episode like a fiend last year and I've been waiting for the new season patiently, so I'm ecstatic it's almost here! 

    It's going to be interesting to see how Ellen chooses to play this season as an informant.  I think she'll struggle more than she suspected with taking Patty down, especially as Patty's weaknesses are revealed, along with reminders of all the reasons Ellen wanted to work with her in the first place. 

    Last season was epic, so I just hope they can top themselves.  I also hope Ellen decides to use her looks to her advantage, perhaps with a female client.  Rose Byrne is ridiculously beautiful.

    "Deep down, I'm pretty superficial"  -Ava Gardner