50 replies to this topic

[TWoP Gadget]

While Patty works to clear Daniel Purcell of any wrongdoing in his wife's murder, Ellen and Tom head down to West Virginia in hopes of gathering vital information in the case against Ultima National Resources.

[revolva]

Patty is gonna tear Purcell to shreds for this...

[carrlos00]

I'm new to this show so... Really? Darrel Hammond? I mean, it would've worked for me but, really? Someone from SNL?

Did not see that one coming, Patty will be back, for sure.

[SassandtheCity]

The Darrel Hammond completely took me out of the episode as well and it cracked my shit up because it was the oddest casting choice. I knew Purcell had to screw Patty over or it wouldn't be interesting.

So did Purcell kill his wife and called the company to use them as a fixer for the situation?

[valny]

Yeah, seeing Hammond as a weasly guy on this show? Kind of took me out of it too.Especially when he put the chapstick on, like that was his "thing"/affectation that someone came up with for the character.

So are we getting closer to believe Ellen really did have someone in that apartment? Or we're not fully trusting of the show/writers yet? Because...trust no one. :)

[Elen]

Hey, Tom was actually fairly sharp this episode! Away from Patty I could see his talent.

Oh, Purcell. There is some ass-kicking coming your way from a Ms. Patty Hewes.

[Bullfrog]

I often wondered why Darell Hammond never left SNL to pursue other projects, but that time is long-passed. Now it's just weird.

I hope Patty eviscerates Purcell, even if she did use their son to manipulate him.

Is it just me, or is Ellen basically not even part of the show anymore? I've become much more interested in the flashbacks than the flash-forwards.

[Rollins316]

Hammonds did a guest spot on Law and Order Criminal Intent a couple of years back where he played a scumbag boss who successfully drove an employee he wanted to get rid of, to suicide. So seeing him play a bad guy on Damages isn't that big of a stretch actingwise. Hammonds can definately pull off the bad guy vibe.

valny, they've downplayed the whole flash forward plotline these last couple of episodes.

That said, I have to wonder now if we are getting set up for a MASSIVE swerve of sorts as far as the evil corporation conspiring to destroy Patty and the notion that the FBI agents Ellen is working with turning out to be fakes, using Ellen and her desire for revenge to continue to hurt Patty in some manner for the polluting company.

[voiceover]

I am so loving Glenn Close & William Hurt together. I was thinking, during the father/son reunion, "Ohhhh, how nice! I'm actually smiling! it's sweet! they never did that last season!"

I am an idiot.

And let me join in the "Eeyeeuuwww!" chorus on the Darrell Hammond casting. If they were going to put him in this, he'd be more believable as a straight man -- I don't mean sexuality-wise, I mean...not as Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet.

edited to add: Hopper played a violent sexual deviant in that movie, and I'm just getting that character vibe from Hammond.
I'll try and come up with a better explanation -- that's just my knee-jerk reaction to him tonight, especially when he made such a business out of the lip balm.

Edited by voiceover, Jan 29, 2009 @ 1:19 AM.

[MBenzN]

I'm still enjoying these episodes. I wish we'd get some more forward movement on the future sequences though.

And let me join in the "Eeyeeuuwww!" chorus on the Darrell Hammond casting. If they were going to put him in this, he'd be more believable as a straight man -- I don't mean sexuality-wise, I mean...not as Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet.

Wha...?

[AresCupid]

Is it just me, or is Ellen basically not even part of the show anymore? I've become much more interested in the flashbacks than the flash-forwards.

Second that, I'm here to watch steely Glenn Close, not self-righteous mouthpieces.

I'm so sick of William Hurt hogging the camera! Why did they give him the sample? Even if he had facilities of his own Patty must know by now he's too shitty to depend on even during a good day.

What actually shocked me about that twist which we all expected was that Patty alone didn't plan around it, but I hope she kept some blackmail ready for the occasion. How could she not suspect he'd react to "rewarding him" with a visit from Michael the same way he reacted to the picture 10 years ago? Regardless if his motives were already set in stone with or without Michael, Patty is losing her touch.

Was that the first time the inside of a courtroom appeared on Damages?

I hope at least Tom and Josh will spark some HoYay once they can get away from the smell. "No one is alone."

Edited by AresCupid, Jan 29, 2009 @ 2:34 AM.

[Absurdist]

I'm confused. When we first realized that Michael was Daniel's son, did Daniel and Patty not have a conversation that led us to believe that Daniel didn't know? Because I swear to dog that the "ten years ago" scene this episode punched a big hole in that plot point.

I, too, was not surprised by Darrell Hammond playing a weasel, because I figured that was a track he was on after playing one on L&O Criminal Intent. Why not, if he does it so well? It was more chilling than Stephen Colbert's murderous turn on CI...

And really, did it need to be said that Daniel was about to lose his balls to Patty's teeth pretty darn soon? Just the smoke coming out of her ears as the left the courthouse was evidence enough.

I'm still anticipating discovery of the way that Second Amendment Nutjob Man is going to get ol' Froby. At least we're going to find out what the hitman has been up to for the last six months next ep.

Edited by Absurdist, Jan 29, 2009 @ 2:56 AM.

[Pinwiz]

I love the titles to the episodes, especially this one.

Patty is PISSED, and that's always fun to watch. Plus, they know that they have a potential case in WV that will help fuel the rest of the season and make Ellen waver from her revenge.

It's time for things to start exploding. They've set the pieces into place now.

[L star]

Patty is PISSED, and that's always fun to watch.

Word. That's what I'm most excited about after this ep. I don't think we've ever seen Patty so blindsided. And in court! William Hurt was a lot better this week. I'm beginning to really see the screwy dynamics and chemistry between them that are messing with Patty's head so much. I can't tell if she actually can't read his agenda or if she just keeps getting so caught up in all her personal shit that she's letting it blind her to it. I'm thinking the second and I hope his turn tonight takes care of that.

I loved the Michael/Danny convo but I get the feeling that it's going to come back to bite Patty in the ass. Particularly if Michael finds out that Danny tried to see him. I hope we find out what she had on him to force him to give up the custody fight, particularly since even after he was cleared she still seemed to think he killed his wife. And it appears that he did kill his wife?

Didn't Michael call Phil dad last season? I know he did in this season's premiere. He called him Phil about four times tonight.

Last week Phil seemed as oblivious as Michael to all the extra drama Patty had going on because Danny was involved. This week, she talked like he'd known all along and only Michael hadn't. I would have traded some of the ten minutes of Patty staring to hear their convo because last season I thought they had a good marriage but if there was this much Danny drama ten years ago and she cut him out of it all, that opinion changes. And if he did know, his lack of reaction to Danny showing up again is weird considering how protective he was when anything was going on last season.

Stupid question: was that the water sample Danny was pouring out at the end? As in, the only one they had?

I should have known it was coming but I was still surprised when the inmate stabbed Kevin Walker. I think it was the noise it made.

Reporter guy is HOT. More please. The rest of the environmental/Claire Maddox/Lost guy storyline still confuses me.

Is it just me, or is Ellen basically not even part of the show anymore? I've become much more interested in the flashbacks than the flash-forwards.

ITA and it's fine with me. Until Patty becomes a lot more involved in the FBI case I don't care. I loved when she told Ellen to just do what she was told. I love when she does stuff like that and I never have any sympathy for Ellen's pissed off face. She seems to constantly forget that she's like a year out of law school and Patty is her boss.

[amabele]

I love how they established that Patty still didn't trust Daniel by having her ask for a line-up when even the detective seemed conviced that they got the right guy!

I also wanted more about the Phil/Patty/Michael/Daniel backstory like L Star. If you think about it, in the "10 years ago" flashbacks, Phil has just recently moved in with Patty, so I can understand why she thought introducing Daniel to (7-year old) Michael was a bad idea. I hope Phil knows about Daniel.

Oh, and I could care less about Ellen. More Patty, please.

[shegunner]

Why did they give him the sample? Even if he had facilities of his own Patty must know by now he's too shitty to depend on even during a good day.

You'd think if they planned to take that sample to court (or before a judge) they would have needed an INDEPENDENT analyst to have performed the work. Most likely she thought to have Purcell do the analysis first and then build their case around that and get an independent analysis later. But Patty should know not to trust Purcell or anyone. I think she has just gotten too filled up with herself and let her guard down.

She's in full-on punisher role now though. Love it.

[PostcardtoaLake]

Yes, the show is back! Finally, this episode looks more like Damages season 1 - all that passion, tension, and suspense I've been hoping would reappear.

Loved the courtroom scene, Patty is angry and that's how I like her.

And well, well, well.....they went and gave Tom a personality.

[MyEyesSee]

Patty is PISSED, and that's always fun to watch.

Oh hell yeah. I was rubbing my hands together thinking, "I pity the fool" 'cause it's on now. Can't wait.

[crazykathat1]

I knew Daniel would destroy the sample! But I'm sure Patty's got a spare. Surely she has...

Love seeing Patty as vulnerable. Even the best have their moments. When the wicked drop their guard, they fall into a mess! She's so mortified. Fierce acting after that courtroom scene. She is going to destroy him!

Props must go to William Hurt. His acting was impeccable this week, and showed off the sheer intelligence and mastermindery of his character. Wicked.

[kaisqr]

I didn't notice until my third viewing that the hooded guy in the swings was William Hurt. That scene was so blink-and-you-missed-it.

Overall, the episode was very Purcell-centric which is a downer since I think most of us want more Ellen and Patty scenes. However, I'm very interested with what the writers make of Marcia Gay Harden's character. How much (or how little) does she know, really?

[TheSeasAsleep]

Out damn spot, out! That spot, Mr. Purcell, will never out. The Macbeth reference might have been a bit heavy-handed but good catch, kaisqr, tagging Hurt as the hooded man.

Oh. Oh. Ooooh! There's about to be a bloodbath!!! Patty will destroy Purcell and that whole damn company backing him. That shell-shocked maniacal look Patty sported as she marched out of the courthouse was sick, presaged murder. There will be blood on the streets, and Patty won't stop until she's mowed down everyone who dared to manipulate her. If I were Ellen, I'd be real careful about my shenanigans right about now. Something tells me Patty's bullsh*t meter is about to go on high alert.

I still can't believe he got on the stand and did that. I can't believe he was stupid enough to drag Patty Hewes of all badass attorneys into this mess he apparently created. Yes, Patty is probably the only lawyer he knows who is clever enough to get him off for a crime he did commit. However, he also has to know she will not rest now until he is dead (wait, is she a Terminator now?), or a satisfactory approximation of dead. I hope he doesn't expect to live the good life after this, or *any* life after this. Still, it would appear Patty has met her match.

Their son, Michael -- in his soul must twitch Satan himself to have such parents! Speaking of Michael, yikes! I bet that's one reveal Patty wishes she could take back. How exactly is she going to explain to young Michael that she'll have to eviscerate Daddy Dearest now? He's such a sensitive soul in that "I'll burn the world down if I'm cross" kind of way. He may have found this side of reasonable in the interim months but I'm pretty sure it won't take much to stoke the fires.

A situation that can only make Patty doubly pissed. Oooh, Patty will be vicious! I know -- I'm relishing the prospect too much but I can't help myself. This season's going to be fun. And I thought Patty on the Frobisher case was a quintessential example of being on the warpath. Geez.

Aside from that I did like the little switch-around Ellen and Tom pulled with the water; too bad the fruits of their sly labor was poured into a pond. I did think the episode was shaping up to be subpar until they socked us in the mouth there, at the end. Good job, writers!

Edited by TheSeasAsleep, Jan 29, 2009 @ 11:17 AM.

[Bullfrog]

ITA and it's fine with me. Until Patty becomes a lot more involved in the FBI case I don't care. I loved when she told Ellen to just do what she was told. I love when she does stuff like that and I never have any sympathy for Ellen's pissed off face. She seems to constantly forget that she's like a year out of law school and Patty is her boss.

And wasn't the whole point of Ellen agreeing to come back to the firm so she could "use the firm's resources to prove Frobisher killed David"? Has she done ONE THING working toward that end yet? Eh, I don't really care, just sayin'.

I did not see the Kendrick-payoff coming at all, and definitely didn't see the hooded guy's face, kaisqr. Good catch! I did see the prison yard stabbing, but when they go to those obvious places, it makes me wish they had made a more interesting choice.

Yay more Marcia Gay Harden! I hope there is less WH and more Marcia-Glenn interaction in the weeks to come!

[Pinwiz]

I also wanted more about the Phil/Patty/Michael/Daniel backstory like L Star. If you think about it, in the "10 years ago" flashbacks, Phil has just recently moved in with Patty, so I can understand why she thought introducing Daniel to (7-year old) Michael was a bad idea. I hope Phil knows about Daniel.

I totally missed that. I was wondering why Daniel was calling Phil by his first name, but this makes sense if he's a later addition to the family.

[SassandtheCity]

This episode title makes me hopeful that every year Damages will have a title referencing some sort of junk food.

I've so pumped for some sort of act-off between Glenn Close and Marcia Gay Harden since she'll make for a far more interesting sparring partner than Rose Byrne.

[amabele]

I also wanted more about the Phil/Patty/Michael/Daniel backstory like L Star. If you think about it, in the "10 years ago" flashbacks, Phil has just recently moved in with Patty, so I can understand why she thought introducing Daniel to (7-year old) Michael was a bad idea. I hope Phil knows about Daniel.

I totally missed that. I was wondering why Daniel was calling Phil by his first name, but this makes sense if he's a later addition to the family.

Earlier this month I was wondering why Michael was calling him "dad" and someone pointed out that he has always referred to him as his dad. Heh. Coincidentally, this past weekend I watched "And My Paralyzing Fear of Death" for the first time and, answering a question from Michael's school counselor, Phil let us know that they had been living together as a family for 12 years.

[lolligager]

Holy Hell Patty is going to "F" Purcell up! My eyes about bulged out their sockets when he screwed her in the court room. The evil she is going to release on him is going to make Frobisher look like a tea party. And I can't wait!

I'm not all entirely certain that was the real sample the Purcell dumped into the pond. That stuff is supposed to be highly toxic, killing livestock and giving people luekemia and he's knowningly dumping it in his backyard???? That didn't make sense to me.

[Rollins316]

And wasn't the whole point of Ellen agreeing to come back to the firm so she could "use the firm's resources to prove Frobisher killed David"? Has she done ONE THING working toward that end yet? Eh, I don't really care, just sayin'.

Ellen used the firm's resources to find Frobisher after he was shot, but was pretty much SOL as far as having ZERO clue or evidence regarding who Frobisher employed to carry out the murder. And after she attempted to confront an incoherent Frobisher in his hospital room, she lost track of him as far as Frobisher leaving the hospital and currently being MIA.

[Fairfax22032]

I really wonder whether the sample Purcell dumped in the lake is "the" sample - Patty seems too sharp for that. Plus, would the sample even be admissible given the dubious chain of custody? How would you confirm that this sample came from the coal mine in WV and not simply concocted in the lab? I don't know that simply having a bottle of contaminated water is by default a smoking gun.

[returnnative]

Wow! This was far better than last week's episode. I agree that William Hurt was great here. Does anybody think that there are too many plots for this season? I guess that's why the Frobisher angle has been pushed to the side to some extent. I wonder whether or not Daniel was plotting his revenge against Patty for a long time. Anyone recall that she embarrassed him ten years ago at that deposition. He got revenge by making her look like a total fool in that courtroom. And he got a chance to talk to his son which was probably what he wanted in the first place. I get the feeling that the wife's murder and everything else were set up by Daniel.

[txhorns79]

I really wonder whether the sample Purcell dumped in the lake is "the" sample - Patty seems too sharp for that. Plus, would the sample even be admissible given the dubious chain of custody? How would you confirm that this sample came from the coal mine in WV and not simply concocted in the lab? I don't know that simply having a bottle of contaminated water is by default a smoking gun.

Each person who handled the water would testify, or sign an affidavit as to the chain of custody. The assumption would be that they aren't all just lying under oath. Though count me as someone who does not think Patty gave the whole sample to Purcell. She would have someone she trusts more than him also testing the water.

I half expected Purcell to burst into flames from the look Patty gave him after he testified. Glenn Close can sell rage like it's no one's business. I know Purcell got a pay off, but I also wonder if he isn't getting some kind of revenge on Patty for keeping him from Michael for all those years.

However, I'm very interested with what the writers make of Marcia Gay Harden's character. How much (or how little) does she know, really?

I think she suspects a lot more than she actually knows.

One thing with the scene with Tom, the reporter and the local police. If I saw a police car and a truck full of locals like that blocking my path, I might just risk it and keep on driving, if it was possible to get around them. They didn't seem like the type to just take the water and leave.