DAMAGES… You Got Your Prom Date Pregnant?

One of my favourite things about Damages is the show’s theme song. The banging tune and the “when I am through with you…” lyric just seems to set my mind up for the show. It sort of prepares me for the 45 minutes of back-stabbing and scheming that is Damages’ main themes.

In fact I like the song so much that I wanted to know not only who performs it, but also what the entire song might sound like.

Good thing than that there is a wonderful sight called Google, which when prompted correctly can find you almost any answer. And this is what I learned:

The song is performed by a band called The VLA who began in New York, but moved out to Hollywood to see what they could do in sunnier climes. The took their name The VLA from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in New Mexico (why is anybody’s guess). And other than their song When I am Through With You being chosen as the theme to Damages, very little has happened to them.  I do think though that if they continue to plug away and produce sounds as pleasing as their Damages theme, than good things will be on the horizon for these boys.

Speaking of good things… as Season 2 begins to wind down, I have a feeling that good things will be on the horizon for lovers of this NYC legal thriller. And with only four more episodes remaining in the current series I feel that now is the time to start really paying attention to twists and turns, because riding this roller-coaster of series with your eyes closed certainly is not the way to enjoy the ride!

Recap: Series 2, Episode 9 – You got your prom date pregnant?

• Phil insists that Patty is paranoid in her belief that the government are trying to get her to drop the lawsuit against URN. Whilst Ellen tells the FBI that she doesn’t suspect Patty to be involved in Uncle Pete’s death, Krulik looks to use Ellen to gain access to Katie. Tom’s sister, Justice Department lawyer Cynthia Shayes, fails to uncover any information about the government’s case against Patty and Ellen presses the FBI about the lack of any documentation. Patty turns her attention to Lonnie, the prostitute involved with the trader behind the market manipulation scheme to benefit URN. At first Lonnie is reluctant but then cooperates with Patty.Meanwhile, URN boss Kendrick presses Patty’s husband Phil to consider taking the Energy Department post. Convinced of an investigation, Patty approaches the FBI direct and Krulik learns that Ellen has come across information that could prove dangerous for them and is told to kill her.
• If you missed this episode it is available on the BBC iPlayer
• Episodes 1 -9 are available to download on iTunes at http://www.itunes.com/tv/damages

• In this week’s exclusive podcast interview, we spoke with Glenn Close who told us if Patty is becoming suspicious of her husband Phil and what it’s like to work with William Hurt.  Rose Byrne told us if Ellen is starting to move on from David. For non-iTunes users, you can see the podcast interview using this link and for iTunes users, use this link.

• Next week: Is the game over for Ellen? And will Patty finally drop the lawsuit against URN?

DAMAGES… New York Sucks. They had to tweeze that out of my kidney.

Work (the kind I do to make ends meet) is taking it’s toll. I just don’t have time to watch TV at the moment. A very bad thing for a telly addict. It is also a bad thing for you if you popped over last week to find out what happened on Damages. Sadly I had no time to watch it!

Good thing than for my V+ Box, which allows me to record it in crisp clean HD quality!

Ahh the joy of technology, it allows me to bring you two weekly recaps of everyone’s favorite, time-shifting, New York based legal drama starring Glenn Close!

Recap: Series 2, Episode 7 – New York Sucks.

• Ellen’s hopes of a resolution to her fiancé David’s murder are dashed when the policeman Katie Connor recognized is found dead. Ellen also is shocked to learn that Arthur Frobisher is the new client in the shareholder lawsuit against UNR.

Then one night working late, Ellen sees Uncle Pete coming out of her office. The FBI is also interested in Pete’s activities and through them we learn that Pete is Patty’s real uncle. The FBI also discover that Pete has a lengthy criminal record for petty offenses, though nothing since he started working for Patty 20 years ago.

The FBI nab Pete in a sting operation and give him a choice; provide information they can use against Patty or go to jail leaving his dying wife to cope alone. Pete is genuinely torn at the prospect of betraying Patty and pretends to go along with FBI – but in fact has his own way of extricating himself from the situation he finds himself in.

• In this week’s podcast, Glenn Close discusses working on a TV show in this age of rapid media change. Rose talks about how Ellen is dealing with her grief. For non-iTunes users, you can see the podcast interview using this link and for iTunes users, use this link.

Recap: Series 2, Episode 8 – They had to tweeze that out of my kidney .

• With Uncle Pete in hospital recovering from his suicide attempt, Patty is spending a good deal of time at his bedside. In flashbacks, Patty remembers her family situation and the important role Pete played in protecting her from her hard-drinking and abusive father. Meanwhile the FBI still plan on putting pressure on Pete if and when he comes out of the coma.

Pete gets a surprise visit from Patrick, the man he hired to kill Ellen. Arthur Frobisher comes under pressure from the henchman he hired to ransack Ellen and David’s apartment. The spectacle wearing goon is concerned that Frobisher’s continued cooperation with Patty Hewes will lead him to reveal his role in David’s death.

In a flash forward to three months in the future, Pete’s wife gives Ellen a folder she found with Ellen’s name on it.

• In this week’s podcast; Glenn Close talks about uncle Pete (again). Rose discusses whether Ellen believes in the “new Arthur Frobisher”. Also both Glenn and Rose discuss why they chose to act in Damages. For non-iTunes users, you can see the podcast interview using this link and for iTunes users, use this link.
• Next Week: Patty blames the FBI for what happened to Uncle Pete and decides to wage war with them. When Tom is told that the firm is under investigation, he tries to find out more about the case through his contacts, only to discover that there may be a bigger conspiracy behind the FBI’s interest in Patty and her firm.
• You can catch-up with this weeks episode with the BBC iPlayer by clicking here.

DAMAGES… A Pretty Girl in a Leotard.

Sometimes when watching Damages I think that the writers are just making the storyline up as they go along. Take this week’s episode for example; no less than three characters from season one who I had forgotten about re-emerged, and in less than half an hour became an integral part of the story again.

Not that I am complaining, it is these twists and turns, that make this show so much fun to watch, and the turns on the journey is why I am such a fan of this New York legal drama.

And if you feel you are losing the plot, don’t worry, every week I will continue to provide you with a handy re-cap and any other Damages related trivia I might discover.

Series 2, Episode 6 – A Pretty Girl in a Leotard.

• Patty uses the media to lower UNR’s stock. In retaliation, they sue her with defamation charges. Patty has an unlikely aide at her side in secrecy. Ellen goes back to David’s apartment for the first time in months and deals with the repercussions and a new surprise waiting for her.
• If you missed this episode it is available on the BBC iPlayer
• Episodes 1 -6 are available to download on iTunes at http://www.itunes.com/tv/damages
• In this week’s exclusive podcast interview, Glenn Close talks about how Patty uses the media to fight cases. Rose Byrne discusses how Ellen and Katie’s relationship has changed since David’s murder, and Glenn and Rose discuss the most enjoyable aspects of season two. For non-iTunes users, you can see the podcast interview using this link and for iTunes users, use this link.
• Next week: As Patty and Frobisher team up to bring Kendrick down, Ellen gives the FBI a new lead that could bring Patty down. And Patty provides Ellen with a lead that could tie Frobisher to David’s murder.

Re-cap information provided by TV.com

Faces: GLENN CLOSE

I can’t believe it! I am watching Damages with Mrs W on the Sunday night, and we get chatting about the show, and Glenn Close in particular. During the conversation I discover that Mrs W cannot name even one film other than Fatal Attraction that Glenn Close starred in… NOT ONE!

So being one who likes to help those unfortunate souls with no knowledge of the less useful things in life, such as the life of a five time Oscar nominated actress, here is my handy guide to the talent that is Glenn Close.

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A Quick Guide the life and times of Glenn Close:

• Born in Greenwich Connecticut, 19 March, 1947.
• Her parents where both physicians, and at one time operated a clinic in the Congo, where her father served as Mobutu Sese Seko’s personal doctor.
• Glenn Close is the second cousin to actress/model Brooke Shields.
• Her professional acting career began in the 1975 TV movie The Rule of the Game.
• Best known as a screen actress Glenn Close’s career took off when she appeared in her first Hollywood feature, The World According to Garp, which saw her nominated for an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category.
• Ms Close continued to star in quality films during the eighties, and received four more Oscar nominations before the end of the decade. Nominated for her roles in The Big Chill (1983), The Natural (1984), Fatal Attraction (1987) and Dangerous Liaisons (1988)… sadly none of those nominations resulted in a statue for her trophy case.
• The 1990s saw Glenn taking roles in quality films such as The Paper, Mars Attacks! and Air Force One (starring with my cousin Wendy Crewson).
• Close’s acting career has not been limited to the silver screen though. Glenn Close also has a very impressive list of television roles,appearing in series such as Will & Grace, The West Wing, The Shield and Damages.
• In addition to her work on the big and small screen, Glenn Close is also a successful stage actress, and singer, winning three Tony Awards for her work in The Real Thing, Death and the Maiden, and Sunset Boulevard.

Glenn Close Trivia:

• Glenn Close received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier this year on the 12th of January.
• Glenn Close was actually the fourth choice to play the role of Alex in Fatal Attraction behind Debra Winger, Barbara Hershey, and Miranda Richardson.
• Glenn keeps all her costumes after filming.
• In Greystoke: the Legend of Tarzan, Andie McDowell’s voice was replaced by that of Glenn Close’s in the soundtrack.
• In 1984, became the third actor to receive an Oscar, Emmy and Tony nomination in the same calendar year (for The Big Chill, Something About Amelia, and The Real Thing respectively).

Click here to download Damages from iTunes.

Faces: ROSE BYRNE

Australia has given us a lot; shrimps on the barbie, Fosters, the cool box, a regular whipping in the Ashes, Neighbours and the bizarre freak of nature that is the duck billed platypus.

Australia has also given the world a whole great big pool of acting talent; Russel Crow, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts and Damages actress Rose Byrne.

So if you are a fan of Damages, talent, or just Australian beauties here is the skinny on Rose Bryne, definitely an actress who’s star is on the rise.

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Rose Bryne Facts:

• Born 24th July, 1979.
• Raised in Balmain a suburb of Sydney, Australia.
• Rose began acting at the tender age of eight, joining the Australian Theatre For Young People.
• In 1999 Rose studied at the Atlantic Theatre company, a theatre company developed by William H Macy and David Mamet.
• Rose made her film debut in 1994 in the little known Australian film Dallas Doll.
• In 1995 Rose made her television acting debut in the Australian soap Echo Point.
• In 2002 Rose broke into the Hollywood acting scene with a small role in a big film Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
• 2004 was the year though that Rose established herself as a Hollywood actress of note, starring alongside Brad Pitt in Troy, and  with Josh Hartnett in Wicker Park.
• Rose’s other film highlights include roles in Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette and two Danny Boyle films, 28 Weeks Later and the excellent sci-fi film Sunshine.
• In 2005 Rose starred in the wonderful BBC mini-series Casanova alongside acting greats like David Tennant, Peter O’Toole, and Rupert Penry-Jones.
• Currently Rose can be seen in Damages, currently showing Sundays on BBC1 and on the big screen alongside Nicolas Cage in Knowing.

Click here to download Damages from iTunes.

DAMAGES… I agree it wasn’t funny

If you ever wanted to know what it would be like to be a time traveller, all you have to do is watch Damages. Take last week’s episode for example, I counted no less than four different time periods occurring in one episode, which can be a bit maddening at times, but it is also good fun.

And if you feel you are a bit lost in time, don’t worry, every week I will continue to provide you with a handy re-cap and any other Damages related trivia I might discover.

Series 2, Episode 5 – I agree it wasn’t funny.

• After Purcell’s public betrayal in the courtroom, Patty detaches herself from him emotionally, but remains determined to take on the UNR case. At the same time, she begins to be suspicious of Ellen and her possible involvement in the set-up of the infant mortality case. Ellen, sensing Patty’s growing distrust, tries a new tactic in order to keep from blowing her cover. The episode ends with the revelation of who Wes is really working for.
• If you missed this episode it is available on the BBC iPlayer
• Episodes 1 -5 are also available to download on iTunes at http://www.itunes.com/tv/damages
• In this week’s exclusive podcast interview, Glenn Close discusses Uncle Pete. Rose tells us if Ellen is starting to get scared, and we find out what it is like acting in a scene when you don’t know the outcome. For non-iTunes users, you can see the podcast interview using this link and for iTunes users, use this link.
• Next week: Convinced that she knows who is responsible for Christine’s murder, Patty uses the media to wage war. Ellen gets closer in her attempt to link Frobisher to David’s murder.

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DAMAGES… Hey! Mr Pibb!

After watching this episode I went to work the next day, my friend Jane at work is also addicted to this show, and of all the points to discuss from this episode, what does she ask me?; “what is Mr Pibb?”… that’s what she comes up with!

So for Jane and all you other people here in the UK who have never tried the delight that is Mr Pibb, let me tell you, Mr Pibb is a soft-drink made by Coca Cola in the US. It was first released in 1972 to try and rival Dr Pepper, but has never quite caused the stir Coca Cola had wished for. This is probably the reason why Dr Pepper is actually produced and bottled by the Coca Cola company in the UK, and also the reason why Mr Pibb is not available here.

But enough about Mr Pibb, you came here to read about Damages, so here is my weekly recap

Series 2, Episode 4 – Hey! Mr Pibb!

Kevin Walker confesses to murdering Christine but Patty is convinced that he wasn’t acting alone. Worried that Walker could cave under pressure, UNR’s CEO Walter Kendrick tells Claire Maddox to make sure that he never talks. Cleared of murdering his wife, Daniel persuades Patty to meet their son Michael. Reporter Josh Renton uncovers pollution of the water samples but Daniel surprises Patty by claiming no sign of toxicity – little does she know that Daniel has taken a bribe to torpedo her case.

• If you missed this episode it is available on the BBC iPlayer

• Episodes 1 -4 are also available to download on iTunes at http://www.itunes.com/tv/damages

• In this week’s Damages podcast interview, Glenn Close tells us about Patty’s doubts over Daniel’s involvement in the case against UNR. Glenn also speaks about how she collaborated with the writers and how the trauma Patty went through shaped her character. Rose Byrne discusses what type of input she has in the creation of her character and how meeting the FBI and a post-traumatic stress counsellor helped her role. For non-iTunes users, you can see the podcast interview using this link and for iTunes users, use this link.

• Next week: Will Patty back off from her case against UNR? Will Ellen prevent the government’s investigation of  her boss from being derailed and will Patty finally discover the truth about Ellen’s undercover investigation?