"Damages" Season Finale: "The Next One's Gonna Go in Your Throat"

I've just got a half hour before this week's episode of "Lost," but I wanted to take a brief moment to share my thoughts on the season (and possibly series) finale of FX's legal drama "Damages." Spoilers after the break -- don't click through if you don't want to know.

"Damages" hurts my brain -- but in a good way

I present that there is no more maddening show on TV than FX's twisty legal drama "Damages." In today's serial-mad TV landscape, I've grown accustomed to complex shows with lots of plot twists, characters who aren't what they seem and long, complicated storylines that seemingly last forever.
But "Damages," which starts its third season Monday at 10 p.m. on FX, makes me particularly nuts. Every season is so layered with flashbacks, flash-forwards and so-called "present day" scenes that it makes the head throb. Unlike "Lost," which has a reason for its time jumps, "Damages" just feels like it's messing with you.
But that's OK. I don't mind being messed with if I get to spend another season in the company of the gloriously amoral, uncompromising and fabulous Patty Hewes (Glenn Close), one of the meatiest female characters on TV. Over the past few seasons, Close's Patty has become an intriguing mix of crusading attorney and lonely career woman. She's not afraid to get nasty and sink to incredible lows to get her job done. But she's not too callous to feel wounded when she's betrayed. Close's Patty feels incredible human -- which is good, as much of the show that surrounds her is ridiculous.
As in previous seasons, the storyline this season is broken into two parts: a "now" and a "later." In the "now," we see Patty and her sidekick Tom Shayes (the underrated Tate Donovan, who might finally get his shot at Emmy nod based on the two episodes I've seen) representing a group of people swindled in a financial fraud perpetrated by the Bernie Madoff-like Louis Tobin (Len Cariou). Patty is trying to figure out if Tobin's family was in on the scam, and if they still have any money lying around. Her arch nemesis is Tobin's shark-y attorney, Leonard Winstone (a surprisingly convincing Martin Short). Meanwhile, Patty's former protegee, Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne) has left Patty's firm and is pursuing her legal career elsewhere.
As often happens on "Damages" we soon learn that things will go quickly awry for Patty and company, as we see a series of flash forwards to "six months later." As they do every season, these flashes show us a series of catastrophes. In this case, the future involves a car crash, a body in a dumpster and at least one secret relationship.
As we leap back and forth in time, the poor viewer tries futilely to figure out just what the hell is going on. The show, as always, gives maddeningly few clues. More than once, I grimaced while watching the preview episodes. Yet, they were still vastly entertaining, mainly because of the actors.
Every season, the show surrounds Close and co. with a great supporting cast of famous faces. This season we have not only Cariou and Short, but also Lily Tomlin, who plays Tobin's shady wife, and Campbell Scott, as Tobin's conscience-ridden (but still creepy) son. So far, Scott is the standout as Joe Tobin, a man for whom the trope "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" was seemingly invented. Scott is always excellent, but here he presents an intriguing mix of vulnerability, rage and confusion (not unlike Ted Danson in season one). He's great to watch, as is Short. Dramatic performances by comedians can sometimes feel like stunts, but Short's performance is intelligent and perfectly calibrated. His Winstone is charming, bracing and not worth trusting even a little bit.
Byrne remains the show's weak link, but her performance gets more confident each season. She's still a little overmatched in her scenes with Close, but that's probably for the best. The whole point of Patty is that she's unstoppable, even in the face of great odds.
What's at the heart of this season's many mysteries? Who knows? And, as long as the journey is full of fun, interesting characters, who cares?

FX announces mid-season schedule; also gives an end date to my suffering

Is there anything more terrifying than the unknown? I don't think so.
For months, I've been wondering when exactly FX would end its plastic surgery drama "Nip/Tuck," a show that I've continued watching, despite the fact that I no longer really enjoy it. Now I finally know -- March 3, 2010. Whew.
That's a relief. Now I know there's only a few more months that I have to endure the show's bizarre character changes and increasingly distasteful storylines (seriously -- was anyone begging for a Matt McNamara prison rape arc? Hasn't the boy been through enough?). The show's final season starts Jan. 6. Now, it's currently in its penultimate season, so that means there will be little break between its two seasons, giving me little respite before the sprint to the finish line. But I don't care -- as long as it ends soon.
In other FX mid-season news, the new animated comedy Archer debuts on Thursday, January 14; and the third season of the Emmy and Golden Globe award winning drama Damages starts on Monday, January 25. The new sitcom "Louie" with Louis C.K. is slated to start in spring and the Timothy Olyphant series "Justified" starts some time in March.
One last note: "Justified" was originally called "Lawman." As far as I know, no one has actually come out and said that the name was changed to avoid confusion with the A&E reality series "Steven Seagal: Lawman." If no one has mentioned it yet, let me be the first to start this rumor.

I Screen's totally unscientific, most likely incorrect Emmy predictions!

Sunday night at 8, CBS will host the latest installment of the Primetime Emmy Awards. Though there are some glaring omissions among this year's nominees (OK, one last time: No major nominations for "The Shield"? GRRRRR!!!!), I still plan to watch, and I've still picked my favorites. Of course, my favorites almost never win, but I dare to dream.
Below is my list of the nominees for all the major categories, along with my picks for who should win, and who likely will win. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Best Supporting Actor, Drama
Christian Clemenson, "Boston Legal"
Michael Emerson, "Lost"
William Hurt, "Damages"
Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad"
William Shatner, "Boston Legal"
John Slattery, "Mad Men"
Should win: Though this is a very strong category, it's a bit compromised by the fact the year's best supporting male dramatic performance, by Walton Goggins on "The Shield," wasn't nominated. Having said that, there are some great performances here, and it's tough to pick my favorite. I'd probably just barely go with Michael Emerson's always-perfect turn as Ben on "Lost" over Aaron Paul's wrenching work as a lonely drug dealer on "Breaking Bad." But it's hard to bet against Emerson, whose creepy stares and deadpan delivery are the best thing about many a "Lost" episode.
Will win: Unless the want to give William Shatner a winning sendoff following the final season of "Boston Legal," I'm guessing Emmy voters will back me up, finally rewarding Emerson.
Best Supporting Actress, Drama
Rose Byrne, "Damages"
Hope Davis, "In Treatment"
Cherry Jones, "24"
Sandra Oh, "Grey's Anatomy"
Dianne Wiest, "In Treatment"
Chandra Wilson, "Grey's Anatomy"
Should win: This is a hard category for me for a totally different reason -- I don't watch "In Treatment" or "Grey's Anatomy." So I'm going with Cherry Jones who, as "24's" first female president, actually managed to make the show's ridiculous dialogue sound less ridiculous.
Will win: A toughie, but Chandra Wilson is a favorite with critics and fans and her show is still popular, so I'm guessing Emmy voters will bless her with a statue.
Best Supporting Actor Comedy
Jon Cryer, "Two and a Half Men"
Kevin Dillon, "Entourage"
Neil Patrick Harris "How I Met Your Mother"
Jack McBrayer, "30 Rock"
Tracy Morgan "30 Rock"
Rainn Wilson, "The Office"
Should win: Though he's often overshadowed by co-stars Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan is an essential part of the "30 Rock" equation as lunatic comic Tracy Jordan. He's coming off of an especially strong season, and it's first nomination, so I'd love to see him win.
Will win: However, I'm pretty sure the Emmy will go to Neil Patrick Harris who, incidentally, is hosting the freakin' Emmys! He's a critic's darling, an industry darling, and he's funny. Sigh. Better luck next year, Tracy.
Best Supporting Actress, Comedy:
Kristin Chenoweth, "Pushing Daisies"
Jane Krakowski, "30 Rock"
Elizabeth Perkins, "Weeds"
Amy Poehler, "Saturday Night Live"
Kristen Wiig, "Saturday Night Live"
Should and Will Win: Though all her competitors are great, Amy Poehler is my bet for the win, as Emmy will likely want to reward what was more or less her "SNL" swan song. Also, the new mom performed on the show almost right until she went into labor. So I think an Emmy is the least we can do.
Best Actress, Drama
Glenn Close, "Damages"
Sally Field, "Brothers & Sisters"
Mariska Hargitay, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
Holly Hunter, "Saving Grace"
Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men"
Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer"
Should Win: A toughie. I think it's inexcusable that Kyra Sedgwick has never won an Emmy for her stellar work as Deputy Police Chief Brenda Johnson on "Mad Men," but I also love Elisabeth Moss's quiet, understated work as the talented, career-minded Peggy on "Mad Men." I guess, when you get down to it, I'm rooting for Sedgwick, but just by a hair.
Will Win: Again, the category is wide open, but voters rewarded Glenn Close last year for "Damages," and I expect they'll do it again. She's a film actress, which always catches voters' eyes. She plays a flashy character, and she's a gracious winner. All things Emmy likes. Sorry, Kyra, Elisabeth and company: I think Glenn's got this one.
Best Drama, Actor:
Simon Baker, "The Mentalist"
Gabriel Byrne, "In Treatment"
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
Michael C. Hall, "Dexter"
Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
Hugh Laurie, "House"
Should win: Look, I love Jon Hamm and Michael C. Hall, but Bryan Cranston is just The Man. His performance in "Breaking Bad's" second season was even better than his Emmy-winning work in season one. This is a career defining performance, and I'd love to see him collect another statuette...
Will Win: ... but I think voters are going to go with Jon Hamm. He's glamorous and his show has burst into pop culture in a way "Breaking Bad" hasn't. Hamm is a star and Emmy likes stars, regardless of their decision to reward Cranston last year. I think he takes it home.
Best Actress, Comedy:
Christina Applegate, "Samantha Who?"
Toni Collette, "United States of Tara"
Tina Fey, "30 Rock"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "The New Adventures of Old Christine"
Mary-Louise Parker, "Weeds"
Sarah Silverman, "The Sarah Silverman Program"
Should win: Can I just say that it's so nice to see the female-centered categories so full of quality nominees this year? It's a strong contrast to the Oscars, which often struggle to find enough actresses to fill the categories. Anyway, I'm going with Tina Fey who, even in an uneven season, was always a pleasure to watch as dippy but lovable Liz Lemon.
Will Win: The only thing I can say definitively here is that quirky category newcomer Sarah Silverman won't win for her work on her own Comedy Central sitcom (unless, of course, she does win. Emmy can surprise us, after all). Other than her, I think all the other nominees have a strong shot. But I think Emmy will go glamorous and pick Toni Collette, a former Oscar nominee who plays multiple roles on Showtime's "United States of Tara."
Best Actor, Comedy:
Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"
Steve Carell, "The Office"
Jemaine Clement, "Flight of the Conchords"
Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory"
Tony Shalhoub, "Monk"
Charlie Sheen, "Two and a Half Men"
Should Win: I love Jemaine Clement, but it's hard to top Alec Baldwin's oily, hilarious work as money-loving Jack Donaghy. He had another strong season, and I'd love to see him take it home.
Will Win: Everyone's gone gaga over category newcomer Jim Parsons, and Emmy does like to reward dark horses on occasion (case in point -- giving a statuette to Zeljko Ivanek over Ted Danson last year). But I think Baldwin will still win. Jack Donaghy is pretty hard to resist.
Best Comedy Series:
"30 Rock"
"Entourage"
"Family Guy"
"Flight of the Conchords"
"How I Met Your Mother"
"The Office"
"Weeds"
Should Win: Can I tell you which show I really, really, really DON'T want to win? "Entourage." This show is pleasantly amusing at best, and certainly not one of the five best comedies on TV. Other than that, it's hard, but I'm going to pick "30 Rock." Yes, the season was a little shaky at times, but there were so many great moments (Oprah! Kidney Now! "I want to go to there"!) that it can't be overlooked.
Will Win: "30 Rock," unless Stewie from "Family Guy" blackmails the Emmy voters into giving that series a statue.
Best Drama Series:
"Big Love"
"Breaking Bad"
"Damages"
"Dexter"
"House"
"Lost"
"Mad Men"
Should and Will Win: Again, the category is compromised by the omission of "The Shield." That said, it's hard to see "Mad Men" losing this one, despite the presence of the excellent "Big Love" and "Breaking Bad." And you know what? I'd be fine with a "Mad Men" win.