‘Damages’ is an Elevator Ride

By LillyKat
PTR Staff Writer

An elevator ride of suspense.

Steven Spielberg once used this phrase to describe why he enjoys the film, The Shining. It’s the idea that every twist and turn takes you slowly, steadily, methodically to the next level of anticipation and expectation. You know something is going to happen, but it’s held back in such a way that you find yourself wanting to get to the next floor as quickly as possible.

Damages is proving to be its own compelling elevator ride.

Penthouse anyone?

On this week’s floor, we find Patty Hewes still trying to get Florida Fling Gregory Malina to testify against Corporate Corruption Poster Boy Arthur Frobisher. Greg is in the crosshairs of not only Patty, but also of Frobie’s Mob Police (which was finally determined this week – it’s Frobie who has Greg being followed everywhere … duh … I should’ve known that) given the entire case now seems to hinge on what he is – or is not – saying.

But wait … remember all that talk about that so-called broker that Frobie had dealings with in Florida, and of whom would have authorized his sell off of his stock before his company tanked?

Greg: “Forget about the broker. It’s not about the broker.”

Next floor?

Not yet.

Seems Frobie is just getting way too impatient with all of New York City (and the entire United States) hating his guts for royally screwing his employees, so he convinces Lawyer Ray to get him set up to write a memoir about the “real” Arthur Frobisher.

Frobisher: “I’m not a monster. I don’t want to be remembered as such.”

Um, too late for that one, Frobie.

The one stipulation the publisher demands?

He has to talk about the current litigation.

Suffice it to say things do no work out well with Frobie and young pup ghostwriter, who I think was fired before he even really began to write much of anything (Frobie’s drunken rage at midnight at ghostwriter’s house not withstanding). I have got to hand it to Ted Danson – he is tapped into the utter despciableness of a holier-than-thou CEO thinking he’s still a good guy after he’s ruined the lives of everyone who ever worked for him.

And then there’s poor Lawyer Ray, who is so likable that you almost wish he wasn’t representing Frobie given Ray seems too much of a gentleman at times. But it’s all finally getting to Ray, too. He’s having nightmares about the secret he’s keeping.

Between him and Gregory Malina.

Whaaaaat?!?!

Next floor?

Almost.

Ellen and fiancé doc David are on somewhat shaky ground at the moment, given David is still holding a pretty strong grudge against Patty for completely messing up sister Katie’s world.

David: “I get Patty’s your boss. That doesn’t mean I have to like her.”

And so we remember that young hot-to-trot granddaughter of one of David’s patients?

Seems she’s got a serious stalker syndrome going on – faking her grandfather’s death to trick David into coming over to assess the medical equipment that would need to be sold on Craig’s List now that granddad is gone whilst conveniently stealing keys to David’s apartment all the while apologizing for “acting inappropriately” during their first meeting.

David is a bit gullible, and his eye does seems to wander a bit (seeing as this girl is offering it up to him on a platter), but he remains loyal to Ellen – something Patty tries to prod into controlling by placing seeds of doubt in Ellen’s mind:

Patty: "Most men can’t handle an ambitious woman. It may take a few tries, but make sure you find one who can."

Needless to say, stalker Lila shows up unannounced at David and Ellen’s apartment to watch both of them in a romantic bathtub make-up session …

Can we say Fatal Attraction?

I love this show.

Next floor, please.

New episodes air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on FX. You can also have fun visiting the Hewes and Associates Official Web Site.