Damages: Season 2 [DVD] [2009]

I enjoyed the first series of DAMAGES and knew I had to watch the second. Yes, I enjoyed this one too but there was something missing this time around. For a start, I'm not totally convinced that Rose Byrne has the ability to play the pivotal role of corporate femme fatale Ellen Parsons. Much of what happens in this series revolves around her one way or another, but she doesn't actually DO much, apart from put on those glassy eyes once every now and then. One minute super-smart Patty has Ellen sussed, the next she's underestimated her. And at the end of the day, Ellen is no match for Patty, even if that's not how things work out here. Then there's The Case - the big one being Patty's attempts to bring down UNR (a kind of Union Carbide, but in Virginia), who she reckons are responsible for poisoning the local populace with a chemical called Aracite. So Patty's planning a class-action suit on behalf of all the many plaintiffs, but we see relatively little of them (in order to personalise the story, win more audience empathy) and instead we get the more simplified focus of Patty vs UNR's arrogant CEO Walter Kendrick (played by John Doman, well-known for his role as a senior cop in THE WIRE). There are occasional appearances by Arthur Frobisher (played by Ted Danson) as a carry-over from the first series but ultimately he's little more than cosmetic dressing and not central to any of the main stories.

The central theme within Hewes & Associates is that Ellen is collaborating with the FBI because she has a personal vendetta hanging over from series one - that Patty arranged to have her killed. This was strained as a concept stretching 13 episodes and although it had some twists and turns, there wasn't enough meat on its bones, partly because Rose Byrne, excellent actress though she is, seemed slightly out of her depth up against ruthless, stone-hearted Patty Hewes. Meanwhile Walter Kendrick in this role lacked the anti-hero likeability of Ted Danson from the first series, while key figure William Hurt (as Daniel Purcell) was consistently a nuisance, for being (imho) miscast.

But I liked it. And that's because Glenn Close carries it. She is quite perfectly cast and she has made Damages what it is and as good as it is. She is magnetic in every scene and has the star-quality to be so. She makes some of the peripheral characters - not least new partner Tom Shayes - appear weak and breakable, and I would have thought that such a ball-breaker as Patty Hewes wouldn't have chosen such partners in real life.

One of the surprise newcomers who made a good impression on me was Timothy Olyphant (as Wes Krulik), Ellen's new lover and I liked the uncertainty he portrayed as to which way he would ultimately swing - and we didn't find out until the very last minute.

The script is generally tight and economical, full of intelligent touches and with some interesting spin-off threads such as Patty's relationships with her husband and son. I don't think Series 2 has done any harm to the product's brand image and I will be one of millions eager to see where things carry on in the third series. I also appreciated the high-definition broadcast, which made for an enhanced viewing experience.

Not knowing what to expect, I thoroughly enjoyed Season 1 as it's not the kind of drama I normally watch. I got Season 2 despite reading some reviews that it was not as good as Season 1 and had a muddled plot. Upshot of this - I watched the entire season in a weekend. Having finished an episode I couldn't leave any time before wanting to watch the next episode. I love the way they give you glimpses of what happens in the future, but they do it in such a way that you totally get the wrong idea about what is about to happen. Yes, the plot was more complicated than Season 1 and there were more characters, some of whom dissappear for a couple of episodes at a time, but that made it all the better for me because I love having to concentrate on what is going on and how all the pieces gradually come together. Having a couple of the actors from The Wire feature was also a masterstroke. I only have one minor criticism. In order to wrap everything up and conclude the story I felt a couple of the characters towards the end said and did things that didn't (to me) totally fit in with the character they had played up to that point. Only a minor criticism to what was compulsive viewing.

One word of advice going in to Damages Season 2... on no accounts watch it without having seen Damages - Season 1 [DVD] [2007]. Arguably every bit as good as the first season, we are once again embroiled in the law firm of which Glenn Close plays the matriarch, Patty Hewes. Well, maybe that's inaccurate to call her a matriarch, after all, this is one of the ballsiest characters on the small screen at the moment. And, this time around, we get to see more about how this character ticks. Yes, there is a similarly convoluted plot with reveals and surprises, and once again an interestingly casual use of chronology to tell the story in the way that reveals most about the characters, rather than purely serving the storyline... however, with the addition of an excellent William Hurt, we peek under the hood of Glenn Closes character in a way that was only hinted at in the first season. It's a brave and effective move, justifying what could have felt like a somewhat redundant second season. All the characters from season 1 turn up at some point or other.. though Ted Danson's character feels rather awkwardly shoehorned in this time, and his character arc as he attempts spiritual enlightenment feels weakest. In addition to Danson, we have an always excellent Timothy Olyphant, Marcia Gay Harden and able support from Tate Donovan and even Mario van Peebles amongst others.
While Glenn Close once again anchors the season, making it must see, the series loses its step with Rose Byrne as Ellen Parsons, around whom the plot revolves. The character calls for a tightrope of vulnerability and toughness, balanced between poised composure and damaged soul... someone able to hold their own with Glenn Close. Whether it's the writers, or her acting talent, her character fails to consistently hit the mark, and you sometimes wish her scenes could end and move on to the other more engaging characters. Happily, they normally do.
All in all, if you liked season 1, then you should enjoy this at least as much. If you didn't see Season 1 - it's not too late to catch up.