41 replies to this topic

[TWoP Gadget]

While Claire Maddox risks everything to oust CEO Walter Kendrick, Ellen discovers a dark secret about Patty's personal life.

[Bullfrog]

I just have to say that if Ellen did shoot Patty as it now appears she did, I feel a warped sense of pride in Ellen.

[geekchic9]

I felt a sense of pride when I realized that Ellen timed her entry into Patty's office so she could be there when Patty first saw the pictures of Phil and his mistress.

[BoobTubeJunkie]

I felt a sense of pride when I realized that Ellen timed her entry into Patty's office so she could be there when Patty first saw the pictures of Phil and his mistress.

Yeah, I don't know how she did that, but it was awesome. I was grinning right along with her when she walked out. Yet at the same time, I still felt bad for Patty. And to me, that is one of this show's greatest strengths. I can both hate and sympathize with all of the characters. And another example of that tonight was Claire. When she pulled that "What, you mean lil' ol' me be in charge?" thing with second-in-command guy (Mitch?) I cheered. Yet I also cheered when Kendrick pulled the rug out from under her. And I HATE Kendrick.

I just don't see how they're going to wrap all this up in two more episodes. I'm probably forgetting that I felt the exact same way last season, but it just seems like there are so many loose ends this time. Plus, how do we get from "the present" to one month later in only two episodes? It seems like we'll have to skip a lot of time to get there. Oh well, I can't wait to see it all go down.

I almost forgot... where was Werner arresting Ellen there at the end? It looked too bright to be her apartment, but how would she have gotten past him after possibly shooting Patty?

[Ganymedeone]

Moved along nicely tonight. I love how the shooting scene continues to unfold each week. Glenn Close was amazing as always, but the family scene with her being aware of the affair , and the scene with Ellen near the end were Emmy winning. So controlled...yet not. Cannot wait to see how they tie all this up.

[bumblehare74]

I just have to say that if Ellen did shoot Patty as it now appears she did, I feel a warped sense of pride in Ellen.

I don't think that is what is happening. I know that is what the writers are suggesting, but I really don't think that is what is going on. Patty always gets the last word. Patty won't let anyone betray her. Her betrayers always pay a price, even if it pains her to do so.


I liked last nights episode a lot. A lot of things going on without showing the viewer everything that is going on ahead of time. They lead us all to believe that Claire was going to go in and take over with her power play. Yet we as the viewer and Claire find out at the same time that the best laid plans don't always come to fruition.


Phil talking to his step-son about relationships right after Patty finds out about Phil's affair. That was a great scene.

Edited by bumblehare74, Mar 19, 2009 @ 7:10 AM.

[spec]

I love that Claire! Having her team up with Patty - Perfect! (and my guess!)
Agreed....warped or not, having Ellen watch Patty's reaction to those pic's of her cheating shithead hubby was great. Loved the fact that Patty "leaked" the pics to the press. Here's a big fuck you husband and your career.
I tend to think the shooting is a set-up to flush out Frobesher, the dirty cops or to have Claire on the case as an insider. I'm loving this tangled mess just pissed we only have two more epi's.

What is with William Hurt? Does he have a pulse? Claire could get a better response from her laptop!
Finally realized where I've seen the sleezebag dirty detective before....he's the T-Mobile dad. Nice.
Glenn Close definitely brings it in every epi!

Edited by spec, Mar 19, 2009 @ 7:34 AM.

[justjoan123]

If I could summon up any sympathy or even interest in Ellen I would probably have admired her timing in being present when the LyingCheatingHusbandCreeping Envelope 'o Evidence landed on Patty's desk. Since I cannot, all I wanted to do was press an "Eject" button and get her out of the damn office, sans smirk. Ellen is a Black Hole for me, the least sympathetic relict of a sweet, dead fiancee ever. On the other hand, Marcia Gay Harden, whose amazing talents have previously been underutilized in embarrassingly one-sided seduction scenes (MGH feels William Hurt up, MGH feels herself up, MGH feels waiter up, etc.) is now coming into the light as a worthy partner to Patty Hewes. I can't wait for Season 3, when they will no doubt open a joint practice and devour Manhattan.

[Bullfrog]

I wonder what the purpose was of Patty making Ellen come over just to see her so unglued? I understand Patty's need to have Ellen drop everything and run to her at any hour of the day, but that particular interaction seemed awkward and pointless ... yet I am too suspicious to believe it was just filler.

[LeDucDiableBleu]

I loved GC's delivery of the line "Michael's with his...geriatric girlfriend." That was just perfect comedic timing to me. I'm starting to think Ellen and Patty are going to work together considering Ellen said "maybe we're both the vindictive type."

I think E&P say "so it's just the two of us" because they know corrupt FBI guy is watching. They're setting something up. There's definitely a third person there. I also think Ellen shoots the surveillance equipment. But I still don't know where the blood comes from. Very difficult to guess what's going on.

I think this ep kind of missed some opportunities to build the tension and anger between the Ellen/Patty/Tom triangle. I'm not seeing how it could escalate to Tom giving Ellen a gun to shoot Patty yet. It seems like a big stretch to cover in two episodes. But I'm still loving this show.

[SassandtheCity]

I really enjoyed all the manipulation that was going on within the episode and I particularly loved the expression on Ellen's face when Patty told the reporter to interview her because she knew all of her secrets.

I have to say that some of the costume continuity sort of sucks this year because I was confused when things were happening because Claire was wearing that black poofy outfit but Ellen changed outfits like twice within the same day if you go by the episode since she had a black dress then the purple dress she wore when she apologized to Patty and also wore when she was at Patty's apartment.

Another episode, yet another opportunity for William Hurt to melodramatically take off his glasses.

[txhorns79]

I almost forgot... where was Werner arresting Ellen there at the end? It looked too bright to be her apartment, but how would she have gotten past him after possibly shooting Patty?

Yeah, I thought that was weird too. How far could she have possibly gotten? I still don't think Patty is the one who is shot. It's just my opinion, but even with adrenaline rushing, if someone had shot me, I would think I would not be stopping to put on my coat, I would just leave the room.

MGH was awesome tonight, and I too would love her to join Patty's firm so they can take on the world together, like a law firm version of Cagney and Lacey.

I wonder what the purpose was of Patty making Ellen come over just to see her so unglued? I understand Patty's need to have Ellen drop everything and run to her at any hour of the day, but that particular interaction seemed awkward and pointless ... yet I am too suspicious to believe it was just filler.

I thought it was for Patty to let Ellen know that she knew who was behind the pictures and to tell her to cut the crap, and get back to work. What I was confused about was when Patty was talking about Ellen's temper getting the best of her earlier in the episode. Ellen has a temper?

[Absurdist]

SUPER-DELICIOUS!
*giggle*

[peeayebee]

I just have to say that if Ellen did shoot Patty as it now appears she did, I feel a warped sense of pride in Ellen.

I don't think that is what is happening. I know that is what the writers are suggesting, but I really don't think that is what is going on.

I think it's something else, too. For one thing, when Werner arrested Ellen, she looked completely innocent. I don't know what went on in that room with her and Patty, but I don't think Patty was faking her fear and tears. She wasn't in on some con with Ellen. Maybe there was already a dead body in the room when Patty met Ellen in the room, and Patty touched it (or Ellen made her touch it), which is how blood got on her. I figure she collapsed in the elevator out of shock. As for who or what Ellen shoots? I don't know, but not a live person.

Is anyone suspicious of the Uncle Pete's replacement? I didn't get a good look at the actor, but he looked familiar. I think he's a mole from either the FBI or Calder Security.

[returnnative]

Boy, was Glenn Close on tonight; she did such a great job of acting tonight. I liked the one scene where Phil was speaking to Michael about his relationship with Jill and Glenn Close looks into her wine glass with melancholy as Phil continues to speak about relationships.

Those canned interviews with the reporter in the beginning were funny especially the one with Tom. My favorite part:

Tom: In my first year working here, my wife became pregnant with our first child.
Reporter: That must have been tough
Tom: Absolutely, Patty's very demanding. Oh yeah the baby too.

What I was confused about was when Patty was talking about Ellen's temper getting the best of her earlier in the episode. Ellen has a temper?

I believe this refers to earlier in the episode when Ellen storms into Patty's office and demands to know why Patty took the PI off the Frobisher/Calder security case. Patty explains that the priorities have shifted and UNR is the main priority and if she doesn't like the decision she can quit. Seriously watch Ellen's reaction after those lines she looked real intimidated after that verbal smackdown.

Rick, the dastardly cop, only had one scene. Not as evil as in previous weeks but I swore when the head of Calder Security was walking away that Rick would threaten him in some way; however, he didn't and I am surprised a little.

Ellen is once again sharing secrets with Katie. That is going to come back and haunt her at some point in the next two eps.

I'm still not sure what happens at the end with Patty and Ellen. I agree with most that a third person is there. All in all, a solid episode with some great one liners, enough to keep me watching till the end of the season.

[Counse]

I'm still not sure what happens at the end with Patty and Ellen. I agree with most that a third person is there. All in all, a solid episode with some great one liners, enough to keep me watching till the end of the season.

At first when the FBI guy runs into the elevator and goes, "my informant just shot Patty Hewes. . ." I thought to myself, "well, there goes the 3rd person theory." But then it just seemed to cut and dry. We see Ellen shoot, Patty bloody and collapsing and then Ellen arrested. And one thing I've learned watching this show this season, it does not do cut and dry. So something else went down. Besides, Ellen's a crack shot. . .given how close she was sitting to Patty and how she got a chance to aim and shoot twice. . .if she really was trying to shoot and kill. . .Patty would be DEAD and not stumbling around.

What is the point of Michael? He seemed a waste of time amidst all the manipulations of this episode. Also? His hair freaking bugs me. Is he actually wearing a layered shag 'do?

I don't know what's going on with all these intrigue and double-crossing and I really don't know how they're gonna wrap it all up in 2 episodes/hours.

I miss Wes. I need my regular dose of prettiness. Although when I saw him in the previews I was like 'No! Wes! Don't be a dumbass!'

[txhorns79]

His hair freaking bugs me. Is he actually wearing a layered shag 'do?

I'm kind of thinking Patty and Michael get their hair cut at the same place, because they have almost the exact same look going on.

I believe this refers to earlier in the episode when Ellen storms into Patty's office and demands to know why Patty took the PI off the Frobisher/Calder security case. Patty explains that the priorities have shifted and UNR is the main priority and if she doesn't like the decision she can quit. Seriously watch Ellen's reaction after those lines she looked real intimidated after that verbal smackdown.

I remember. To me the line sounded like Ellen had an ongoing temper problem, and I guess she comes off more annoyed with Patty than angry in their fights, and of course Patty is always ready with the smackdown to put Ellen in her place. But that is kind of why I like Patty, her attitude is basically "this is my firm, if you don't like, go f yourself."

I'm very interested to see how Tom goes from his super kiss ass mode in this episode to being banned from the firm in what must be less than a month at this point.

[Amos Tupper]

OMG! There is so much to clear up on this show in the last two eppys. Word on the street is that the finale will be 90 minutes.

Let us see about the dangling plot threads that need to be resolved . . .

*What did Tom do to be kicked out of the office and why did he give Ellen the gun?
*Who did Wes shoot in the car?
*WTF is going on with Ellen and Patty in the room?
*WTH was Daniel's involvement with his wife's death? Did he actually kill her?
*What is in the file Pete's wife gives to Ellen?

What else am I missing???

Edited by Amos Tupper, Mar 19, 2009 @ 6:29 PM.

[Rare Books]

To the above post, I would add:

*What is Lester's game and for whom is he working?
*What is going on, exactly, with the Escalade coordinates?
*What about Arthur Frobisher? Will he continue his coke- and hooker-induced descent or will his spiritual adviser lift him back up? (This is not a burning issue, but I want to know!)

[crazydaizy3]

"Michael is with his geriatric girlfriend and Phil is at a hotel."

Oh Patty Hewes, you are awesome.

*What is going on, exactly, with the Escalade coordinates?

I'm still not getting this at all. I don't understand what they could possibly be locations for so I'm definitely thinking it is not locations at all.

The fast-foward makes no sense. I can't forsee at any point, Ellen being a step ahead of Patty. Like she said in the promo, Patty is too smart; she is always a step ahead. How could Patty put herself in that position?

There is a ton to wrap up in two episodes. Should be interesting!

[LucyLu14]

The numbers in the Escalade where numbers Finn used to manipulate the energy market trading. Kendrick's company is creating blackouts, creating a false demand. This is actually based in fact, a few years back New York City had a big black out in the middle of summer and CA was having rolling blackouts all the time. This was done to price the fix the energy markets, Enron collapsed shortly there after. Coincidence, I think not.

Edited by LucyLu14, Mar 19, 2009 @ 9:05 PM.

[EastSideFluffy]

What is going on, exactly, with the Escalade coordinates?

We mostly know what is going on with the coordinates. Basically, Kendrick is coordinating brownouts in spots on the national energy supply grid that is controlled by UNR. He cuts power off to places and then raises the energy prices. The people in Idaho and where ever just think the brownouts are caused by strain on the grid, not by intential manipulating. Kendrick is leaking the info about the timing of the brownouts and the increased energy prices ahead of time to Finn Garity, who uses his knowledge of the future rises in profits to trade stocks and make himself and UNR big money. The cadillac is their way of exchanging the information without leaving a trail, since the existence of a trail is the only way they can be prosecuted for these crimes. This is my understanding of it all, anyway.

We don't actually know what the coordinates are (dates, times, locations) and how that guy who is everywhere (don't know his name, but the guy doing the selecting and vetting for Energy Secretary and who murdered the FBI agent) fits into the scheme exactly, other than being some middleman, etc. But, basically I think its safe to say that the coordinates are definitely the key to their very convoluted and brilliant insider trading and market manipulation scheme. It's probably how UNR's stock price was able to start to bounce back up after the merger.

That all said, I love Finn Garity. The guy cracks me up. I wish that character was on more.

I also have a feeling that there will be a fair amount of unresolved issues even after the finale. Like, I don't think the UNR case will be settled and perhaps still no answers on Calder Security. Just enough stuff will be tied up, but I imagine a lot of what we've seen is set up for some future seasons so there's a little continuity in villians between this season and next.

Finally, on a very random note - Remember in the very beginning of the season, Wes had that weird closet filled with Frobisher stuff, guns, etc? We still have no more insights into that, do we? That was weird then, but has become increasingly weird given what we've learned about his involvement with Ketchup.

[hardy har]

What is with William Hurt? Does he have a pulse? Claire could get a better response from her laptop!

For real. During the Claire/Daniel scene I actually thought he fell asleep mid-sentence. If he was my boyfriend I'd be screwing people all over Manhattan too!

Those canned interviews with the reporter in the beginning were funny especially the one with Tom. My favorite part:

Tom: In my first year working here, my wife became pregnant with our first child.
Reporter: That must have been tough
Tom: Absolutely, Patty's very demanding. Oh yeah the baby too.

I loved it because I'd bet my rent that when the article goes to print, this is why he gets banned/suspended/fired/whatever it is from the firm. It was the one thing that implied that Patty might not be the Bestest Boss Evah!

Edited by hardy har, Mar 19, 2009 @ 9:21 PM.

[DesiChick88]

I loved it because I'd bet my rent that when the article goes to print, this is why he gets banned/suspended/fired/whatever it is from the firm. It was the one thing that implied that Patty might not be the Bestest Boss Evah!

I don't know about that. I'd be surprised if the article came out at all after the leak of the pictures. You can't really be a power couple if everyone knows one spouse is cheating. Besides, even if the article did come out, I suspect Tom's comments would be the least of Patty's worries, regardless of how the reporter spins what he says. I'm guessing something happens to make Patty suspect he's talking to the Feds, and that's what leads to Tom being banned.

I LOVED the scene between Patty and Ellen in Patty's apartment when Patty confronted Ellen about sending her the pictures. Even though Patty looked like a complete mess, I was still terrified of her. She spoke with such menace. Glenn Close was phenomenal in the scene. I hope this episode is the one she submits to the Emmys.

[crazykathat1]

What do I feel like Patty and Ellen are working together, and that, if Ellen did shoot Patty, it was only a cover and wasn't intended to seriously hurt her... Just fool everyone else.

[khayman82]

I have a nutty theory. Maybe when Patty's helper monkey looked into Phil's finances, he discovered his UNR stock purchase. So Patty leaked the photos in order to squelch his chances of becoming energy secretary and having a big scandal tied to UNR take him down. Him not being energy secretary is a plus for Patty, since Lester (I can't remember his Damages name sorry) wanted it so bad.

Speaking of Lester, I'm kind of confused about how he's everywhere. Did he instigate the FBI investigation or is he just tagging along for dirt? I guess the latter, since he was already involved with Kendrick and co. with the energy scam before Patty entered the picture, so he would have to have been prescient to start the FBI stuff up?

edited to add:

*What is in the file Pete's wife gives to Ellen?

I thought they hinted it was proof that Patty ordered the hit on her. Or the name of the shooter guy or something related to it.

Remember in the very beginning of the season, Wes had that weird closet filled with Frobisher stuff, guns, etc?

I think it could turn out to actually be Ketchup's closet.

Edited by khayman82, Mar 20, 2009 @ 8:26 PM.

[spec]

For real. During the Claire/Daniel scene I actually thought he fell asleep mid-sentence. If he was my boyfriend I'd be screwing people all over Manhattan too!

Word!

[lovinbob]

I have a nutty theory. Maybe when Patty's helper monkey looked into Phil's finances, he discovered his UNR stock purchase. So Patty leaked the photos in order to squelch his chances of becoming energy secretary and having a big scandal tied to UNR take him down. Him not being energy secretary is a plus for Patty, since Lester (I can't remember his Damages name sorry) wanted it so bad.

I don't think that's nutty—or if it is, I'm nutty too. Whether or not she found out about his UNR stock, I think she wanted to punish him. And knowing Patty, I think she knew about UNR.

Do you think Patty knew Phil was Philandering the whole time and, as she said, was mad that he got caught (and, as such, embarrassed her)?

[shegunner]

Do you think Patty knew Phil was Philandering the whole time and, as she said, was mad that he got caught (and, as such, embarrassed her)?

Not necessarily. His getting caught and embarassing her was what pissed her off. If she had just found out, she might have picked a fight with him or maybe not. I guess she wouldn't care that much about what she didn't know. Plus, I don't think she knows about his purchase of UNR just yet.

This scenario underscores the fact that powerful middle aged men who make a lot of money are sought by women. Patty would know this and seems not to resent it at all. Good show, Patty! Bottom line, he messed up so he's out.

Does Patty actually like Phil? I don't think she likes very many people. Certainly not Michael - well, what's to like there?

[MariaArg]

I'm guessing something happens to make Patty suspect he's talking to the Feds, and that's what leads to Tom being banned.

My guess is that he has kept on seeing the hooker, and this might embarrass Patty or otherwise jeopardize the case. Legal ethics and that kind of thing.