We’re only a few short weeks off from the Damages Season 3 Premier, and everyone is wondering what do the writers have in store for the growing tug-of-war relationship between Patty and Ellen.
In season 1, we saw Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) through the eyes of Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne). The freshman season began with Ellen in jail. Then Damages took us back in time to unravel the mystery of how Ellen ended up there. Week after week viewers watched in awe as Patty pulled one string after the next in her puppet-theatre law office war against Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson). The only time you got a glimpse into Patty’s character was through the eyes of Ellen. Patty was evil and downright conniving. She even staged the firing of her right-hand man, Tom Shayes (Tate Donovan). The season concluded with the death of Ellen’s fiancé, the attempted murder of Ellen and Patty seemingly coming out unscathed in her takedown of Arthur Frobisher.
Season 2 exposed a broader side of Patty, while taking Ellen in a completely new direction. Reeling from the death of her fiancé, Ellen sets out to take down Patty. The only question is: does Ellen have it in her to kill Patty Hewes? The season opened up with Ellen confronting someone, the person and intentions were kept hidden from viewers. However, we all suspected Patty. Season 2 showed us that Patty could have good intentions – sometimes – despite her conniving and duplicitous exterior. Patty took down UNR, threw a wrench in a federal investigation and somehow earned Ellen’s respect back – though Ellen’s trust is forever lost. Once again, Tom Shayes was fired only to come back into Patty’s good graces.
Now we’re all left wondering, what’s next for Patty, Tom and Ellen in Damages season 3? Season 2 ended with Ellen supposedly starting up a new job. However, in Patty’s final conversation with Tom, she predicts that Ellen will be back working for the Hewes Empire. Nothing surprising there. The only question is how and why will Ellen return? Season 3 will most likely skip another war between Ellen and Patty. Been there. Done that. At the end of the day, Ellen somehow magically became Patty’s protégé, much to Tom’s chagrin. Hopefully, Tom can survive this season without getting fired. As for Arthur Frobisher, he has been lurking around in the Damages exterior, trying to rebuild his empire. Most likely, he’ll continue to take a backseat this season only to return in Season 4 to deliver a devastating blow to Patty.
Damages Season 3 Episode 1, “Your Secrets are Safe,” premieres Jan. 25th at 10PM E/P on FX. Campbell Scott and Martin Short sign on as series regulars, and Lily Tomlin and Keith Carradine appear as special guest stars.
Buy Damages: The Complete Second Season on DVD:
Pretty different serial. I really could not understand the tug of war between ellen and patty. however, waiting for the next season.