Glenn Close is back as Patty Hewes, in FX’s smart and stylish turbulent drama that pits the high-stakes litigator against her conflicted novice acolyte Ellen Parsons, played by Rose Byrne.
Close and Byrne, courtesy of FX
The series possesses high-end production values in its new second season, continuing the quality established in season one with a fantastic art department headed up by art directors Fred Kolo and Luke Cantarella and production designer Edward Pisoni. Set decorator David Schlesinger's keen eye for the details and the dressing of Hewes and company's interiors add to the experience.
David Tuttman continues his fine work as DP, and costume designer Frank Fleming outfits the actors in amazing clothes, made for Manhattan high-stakes action. Also of note is makeup artist Randy Mercer and hair stylist Diane Sikes fantastic work for the principals – Glenn Close and the entire cast’s makeup and hair is spot on and terrific.
Close won the best drama actress Emmy in September for her portrayal of diamond hard über-lawyer Patty Hewes who weaves her webs of intrigue and Machiavellian plays within her firm and beyond.
This show is smart, written with precision and it is no wonder that the American production has found an enthusiastic home in the United Kingdom, with the BBC announcing that they have secured the second season for fans across the pond.
The good news is that FX has already confirmed a third season.
The second season of "Damages" begins Wednesday (10 p.m., FX), but the deeds of the first season lurk in nearly every scene.
Initially we were introduced to Wall Street mogul Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson) a villainous pariah of sorts who survives a gunshot from an ex colleague.
Hewes defeated Frobisher and is the toast of the legal world. Her new junior partner, Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne), has the heaviness of knowing that Hewes tried to kill her. Now she is an FBI informant. She is a fast learner, masterfully absorbing the morally ambiguous world of Patty Hewes.
During this same time Daniel Purcell, (John Hurt) is back in Patty’s life throwing Hewes into a new legal battle and grand conspiracy emanating from a murder case. Their history is a balled-up cryptic one, and Byrne is unraveling the strings.
Kudos to executive producers and showrunners Todd Kessler, Glenn Kessler and Daniel Zelman for making one of the most complex and electric characters ever for the deserving Glenn Close. She is radiant and riveting as Patty Hewes.
FX again rises to the top of the heap in sheer abundance of great programming, whether it is a top notch drama like “Damages”, or the recently wrapped and returning “Sons of Anarchy,” to the long simmering “Rescue Me”, or the flat-out gut-busting adult-tinged humor such as “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” or “Testees.”
Bravo to John Landgraf, Nick Grad, Eric Shrier and Danielle Woodrow at FX; keep em' coming.
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