Damages “Burn it, Shred it, I Don’t Care”
Original Air Date: Jan 14, 2008
Tom R - TwoCents Staff Writer
tom@thetwocents.com
Interesting how in the world of this series, the present is more stylized than the past. Last year, there was this somber, grey-heavy, almost washed out tone as Ellen tried to piece together what had happened to her. This season, the more confident, elegant Ellen is surrounded by shades of blood red. The symbolism is almost too much, but they’re smart enough to keep those scenes short. A little punch goes a long way.
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[photo: FX]
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Damages
ReplyDelete“Burn it, Shred it, I Don’t Care”
Original Air Date: Jan 14, 2008
Tom R - TwoCents Staff Writer
tom@thetwocents.com
Interesting how in the world of this series, the present is more stylized than the past. Last year, there was this somber, grey-heavy, almost washed out tone as Ellen tried to piece together what had happened to her. This season, the more confident, elegant Ellen is surrounded by shades of blood red. The symbolism is almost too much, but they’re smart enough to keep those scenes short. A little punch goes a long way.
The balance this season is between two conflicting cases: The FBI’s infant mortality case and the Daniel Purcell matter. As Purcell has a sugar attack during questioning, Patty rushes to his side. She realizes she can’t help him, since she’s not a criminal attorney, but she’s quick to pick up that he’s hiding something, and that there’s more to the case than his wife’s murder.
Turns out the research data he sent to Patty (data that inspires the title) proved that a chemical compound was toxic. His firm, however, doctored the results so the compound could be released, and threatened him into silence. Unfortunately, he does not know which company commissioned the study. Patty allows it to leak that she has the documents, which sends a message to Claire Maddox (Marcia Gay Harden). Her presence helps to pinpoint the client, but no one is aware of her prior relationship with Purcell.
Meanwhile, Patty is handing the FBI’s case over to Tom. The agents think they can make it work by luring him into a bribe, busting him and getting him to roll over on Patty. Unfortunately for them, Patty has the conference room bugged, and she calls Tom in on the Purcell matter just before he can hand over the bribe money.
Wes gives Ellen the news about Frobisher’s release, but nobody knows where he’s been released to. He and Ellen continue to discuss forgiveness and revenge, and we find out more about Wes and his obsessions.
Purcell is featured in the first flash ending of the season, burning or burying something or someone. Those of you who have seen these endings know what I mean…You don’t get to see exactly what’s going on…Just enough to know someone ain’t quite right. Always makes me want to get a DVR to look at it frame by frame, just in case I might see something.
I really like the way that the writers are spreading the suspicion around. There really is enough for everyone, even the FBI guys. It would be so easy to put this on auto pilot, letting Patty transform into a cartoon villain, wringing her hands and letting loose with an evil cackle. But putting Patty briefly to the side doesn’t diminish her star power, and they know it. Everyone realizes this is Close’s vehicle. Nice to know that, like Patty, she doesn’t always have to be the hub. It’s fine to sit back and watch things unfold. When the moment is right, look out!
So there’s my two cents…I’d love to hear where your thoughts. Drop in your comments or send me a note at: tom@thetwocents.com.