Damages - Season 3

[Geck]

Anybody watch the season 3 premiere of Damages last night?

I got hooked on season 1's dense plotting and endless twists and turns, sold almost entirely by Glenn Close and Ted Danson's powerhouse performances. Season 2 lagged a bit in the middle with some boring stories and a dull-as-dirt William Hurt, plus stretching believability with everybody and their dogs having at least 14 secret agendas, but it finished strongly.

Season 3 seems off to a good start so far. I'm still not sold on some of the new casting choices (I have a hard time taking Martin Short seriously especially), but I'm intrigued by early developments in the plotline. The big case this season revolves around a Madoff-esque fraud scheme. But I'm sure the details of this will fall secondary to the web of character manipulations that always spins out of control on this show.

The episode ended with a pretty bold move, that unfortunately was telegraphed out a bit too much to really hit the shock effect they were going for, but I still like seeing shows that take chances. And lots of puzzles already. I'm always impressed with how many balls the writers on this show juggle simultaneously while still resolving everything in a sensible and satisfying fashion by season's end. Here's hoping they can pull it off again.

 

[Agent Richard07]

I'll be watching this on Sunday. I saw a clip of Martin Short last week and I can't wait to see him in a serious role. It won't be odd for me, it'll be different.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I still haven't gotten to season 2. I loved the first season but then Željko Ivanek's and Ted Danson's characters were killed, leaving only Glenn Close as a reason to keep watching. Rose Bryne is cute but not that great of an actress and Tate Donavon is just...there. As a result, I wasn't all that excited about season 2 and I've never liked William "dull as dirt" Hurt (to borrow the OP's apt descriptor). However, I had read that Danson returned (don't tell me how Frobisher is still alive) and now I find out that Martin Short (and Lily Tomlin!) are in season 3! Fuck, yeah! I need to get back into this show.

And anyone who can't take Martin Short seriously in a drama needs to check out his guest appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He's downright chilling.

 

[Geck]

Željko Ivanek was actually one of my least favourite parts of season 1, as it took me 3/4 of the season to get over that awful accent he was putting on. I agree Rose Byrne is fairly boring, though she puts a little more life into her performance in season 2. Unfortunately she also starts to look like an anorexic bobble-head doll. There are other great season 2 performances though from Marcia Gay Harden and Timothy Olyphant (who may return this year as well, and who is about 15 years older than I thought he was. Damn.).

Season 3 also has Keith Carradine, which elates me.

 

[Agent Richard07]

Just saw the season premiere. I didn't like all the time jumping, but I did like Martin Short and the Bernie Madoff-like lawsuit. That'll be good. The ending had me on the edge of my seat too...

Spoiler: the shocking ending.

I was affraid that the body would be Ellen, but was relieved to see that it was only Tom.

 

[Yeoman Randi]

I loved Season one. That was great television! Season two didn't bowl me over. I found it ridiculous to think that Ellen would forgive and forget. But i still watched....i didn't think i would tune in to season 3, but i did. Hoarders was boring me to shit, so I turned it on and was intrigued....not hooked....but intrigued.

Count me in on someone who will be interested if Timothy Olyphant comes back!