Television Review: Damages
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this legal thriller contains
several bloody scenes, including one of a man who's been
brutally murdered. The camera lingers on his slashed, mutilated
body, as well as the blood-smeared walls that indicate a
violent struggle. One scene shows a dog with its throat cut
lying in a pool of blood. At least one sex scene; it shows very
little but is very intimate, with close-ups on slow kissing and
skin. Several characters seem good but turn out to be bad.
Overall, the series is dark and tense -- not great for kids.
Families can talk about winning at all costs. Is winning a goal
in itself? Can you think of an example of something that's
worth winning no matter what the cost? What drives people to
compete? Is it ever OK to use people to accomplish a goal
without their knowledge?
This cinematic legal thriller captures the dark, fascinating world of big-time litigation. Glenn Close stars as Patty Hewes, a cutthroat attorney at the top of her game who faces off against allegedly corrupt billionaire businessman Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson). In the middle is beautiful, brilliant young lawyer Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne), whom Patty chooses to mentor.
From the start, viewers know something terrible happens in the end. But the primary narrative occurs in the past and unravels a mystery that is as twisted as it is compelling. The first few scenes show Ellen running out of a fancy New York City apartment building streaked with blood, wearing underwear and a trench coat. The shell-shocked look on her face suggests she's seen or done something horrifying. Only later do viewers see the gruesome scene she's fled.
With high production values, top-notch actors, and a juicy mystery, DAMAGES watches like an hour-long film that keeps viewers itching for a sequel. Luckily for fans, the tense and sometimes frightening episodes keep coming. With several bloody scenes, including a lingering close-up on a brutally murdered victim, as well as some highly intimate moments, Damages is best saved for after the kids are in bed.
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