Damages - What Did You Think (NO SPOILERS PLEASE!!!)

PoochJD · 07-01-2008, 11:25 AM

Hi,

The new US legal drama "Damages" started the first of its 13 episode run on BBC1 on Sunday night, and I was interested in what everyone thought about it.

Now, before I continue, can I please ask two things of you all:

1 - Please DO NOT INCLUDE ANY SPOILERS for episodes that have not been aired on BBC1. Thanks!

2 - For those who may not see the Sunday premiere, and are watching or recording the Friday night repeats (also on BBC1, around 11:35pm), please DO NOT INCLUDE ANY SPOILERS related to plot-lines, from episodes that have not yet been repeated! That way, no one finds their enjoyment of the show curtailed. Character discussion should be okay, but keep the details ambiguous please. Again, thanks!

Well, I saw episode 1 last night, and enjoyed it. Not sure of what to make of Tate Donovan's character yet, and Patty seems good. Hopefully we might get to meet her kid as well in a future episode. Liked the fact that the show was from FX, and so the language - whilst not explicit - wasn't all cosy and toned-down.

But the theme music/opening credits were awful. Does anyone know if the PIlot Episode has different theme music and/or opening credits to the rest of the series, because they don't work, and they don't seem to be at all related to the show's main themes of greed and corporate corruption.

Other than that, a good 8/10 from me.

Just so everyone knows: the series has NOT been cancelled, and was only meant to be 13 episodes per season long. Seasons 2 and 3 have already been officially confirmed, so let's hope the BBC continue with this show, for the entire duration it is made!

Pooch

ukbootlegs · 07-01-2008, 11:56 AM

the music remains constant on all episodes

I must admit, I enjoyed the show so much I downloaded them all last year after a recommendation.

Prior to this show, I was never a fan of Ted Danson's acting but I thought he was great in this.

Shocked by his silver hair tho

Razor · 07-01-2008, 12:45 PM

Excellent show with loads of twsts and turns. Well recomended. 9/10

BISHI · 07-01-2008, 12:53 PM

I'm reading a book by Gore Vidal at the moment and this is exactly how he describes the legal/ corporate system in the USA working. Excellent show which I am hooked on after the first episode. I just hope the rest of it is this good .

enablerbro1 · 07-01-2008, 4:14 PM

A great show that was only enhanced by the shock appearance halfway through when Ted Danson's syrup is revealed to actually be Paul Daniels and the diminutive Debbie McGee in a true Scooby Doo moment of epic proportions.

I jest.

krish · 07-01-2008, 6:56 PM

its an excellent show Pooch ... and I concur with what Razor, enablerbro et al say

enablerbro was also trying to say 'that's magic' but not 'you're going to like this, not a lot'

*dazza1011* · 07-01-2008, 8:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krish

its an excellent show Pooch ... and I concur with what Razor, enablerbro et al say

enablerbro was also trying to say 'that's magic' but not 'you're going to like this, not a lot'

i dont think its a syrup anymore as he took it off in cheers years ago.

and it looks the same on Curb your enthusiasm

i was going to download this when it came out in the US but decided against it, bit peeved now as it looked as though it could turn into a good series and its also in HD. kind of reminded me of Murder One for some reason ( dont know why ).

but glen close was good as always

Starburst · 07-01-2008, 8:56 PM

If I had known it would have been this good I would have downloaded it

Praise enough I think but I'll stick with the BBC HD screenings now, some good characters and no doubt more twists and turns than a twisty turny thing.

enablerbro1 · 07-01-2008, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krish

its an excellent show Pooch ... and I concur with what Razor, enablerbro et al say

enablerbro was also trying to say 'that's magic' but not 'you're going to like this, not a lot'

Exactly what he said.

raigraphixs · 08-01-2008, 10:50 AM

Excellent first episode

, if it can maintain that feel i watch it every week. (13 episodes).

Razor · 08-01-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raigraphixs

Excellent first episode

, if it can maintain that feel i watch it every week. (13 episodes).

It gets better as is goes along. Your in for a treat mate.

andytabor · 08-01-2008, 10:31 PM

if anyone missed it, the first episode is up on itunes as a free download.

Starburst · 08-01-2008, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andytabor

if anyone missed it, the first episode is up on itunes as a free download.

Never acquired any itunes video so I'll give it a look and see how it compares to other sources

krish · 08-01-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andytabor

if anyone missed it, the first episode is up on itunes as a free download.

i.e. [here] <---- click (593.7 MB)

PoochJD · 09-01-2008, 10:30 AM

Hi,

No downloading needed folks, as BBC1 and BBC-HD are repeating every single episode of DAMAGES on Friday nights, at 11:35pm, for free, un-DOGged, and in higher quality than any download can do!

Pooch

Starburst · 09-01-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoochJD

Hi,

No downloading needed folks, as BBC1 and BBC-HD are repeating every single episode of DAMAGES on Friday nights, at 11:35pm, for free, un-DOGged, and in higher quality than any download can do!

Pooch

Can't speak for anyone else just interested in the quality £1.89 buys you and quite frankly they can stuff it

If more UK channels offered HD (and in a more timely fashion when possible) there would indeed be less reason to acquire HD content from the US.

krish · 09-01-2008, 1:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starburst

Can't speak for anyone else just interested in the quality £1.89 buys you and quite frankly they can stuff it

Yup it was a rubbish low res big size m4v file

... doesn't even come close to a 350 MB avi

might look good on an iPod, but not much else

andytabor · 09-01-2008, 2:39 PM

yup i bought an episode of Lost a while back simply just to see what it was like quality wise and it is pretty rubbish, looks ok on an ipod but seeing as Damages was free it would be rude not to download.

getting back on topic i thought the show was good, watched half of it on my ipod touch on the way to work this morning and looking forward to finishing it tonight.

DRFielding · 10-01-2008, 1:25 PM

Well looks like I'm the first to post a bad comment, while I agree it full of twists, the reality is that it's just to unbelievable. Patty's carefully crafted plan relies on coincidence after coincidence, further more her plan revolves around the fact that she knows something even the star witness doesn't know she knows!!! Nobody as ever spoken to the star witness, nor as her name ever come up in the government or law firms investigations, yet Patty knows she is the key....how?, then there this convoluted plan to get her to talk, what's wrong with the tried and tested method of just going to see her and ask a few questions.....I'm sure there's lots more to be revealed over the coming episodes and will at lease watch this weeks episode before making my mind up whether it's worth the effort...

Razor · 10-01-2008, 2:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRFielding

Well looks like I'm the first to post a bad comment, while I agree it full of twists, the reality is that it's just to unbelievable. Patty's carefully crafted plan relies on coincidence after coincidence, further more her plan revolves around the fact that she knows something even the star witness doesn't know she knows!!! Nobody as ever spoken to the star witness, nor as her name ever come up in the government or law firms investigations, yet Patty knows she is the key....how?, then there this convoluted plan to get her to talk, what's wrong with the tried and tested method of just going to see her and ask a few questions.....I'm sure there's lots more to be revealed over the coming episodes and will at lease watch this weeks episode before making my mind up whether it's worth the effort...

Keep watching mate. All will be revealed. Its a great little show and one which will keep you guessing all the way through.

JayCee · 12-01-2008, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoochJD

But the theme music/opening credits were awful. Does anyone know if the PIlot Episode has different theme music

Talking of the music...did anyone else recognise the music played backwards during the sequence straight after the opening credits...the bit where the main character comes out of the lift?
Here's a clue...it's a John Carpenter film from the eighties.
I wonder if it's got any significance to the plot?

Starburst · 12-01-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayCee

Here's a clue...it's a John Carpenter film from the eighties.
I wonder if it's got any significance to the plot?

I've been racking my brains trying to place it and finally gave up, visited IMDB and the answer jumped out straight away, not sure how it would work in but anything is possible, well perhaps not

anjo · 12-01-2008, 7:31 PM

My partner and I both really enjoyed it. The BBC trailer for it was very poor IMHO and if I'd not read about it in the radio times and other places I'd not of watched it from their trailer. Some peeps will be missing a cracker methinks.

ash · 13-01-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krish

i.e. [here] <---- click (593.7 MB)

Why is it free?
And what else is free?

Starburst · 13-01-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ash

Why is it free?
And what else is free?

Promotional material, it's being broadcast on a "free" TV channel so they don't lose money and both itunes and the BBC benefit from getting at least the first episode into as many homes (or portables) as possible, longer term it may also help DVD sales.
In the US the release of the pilot for a new show on the broadcasters own website has become very popular, this isn't really any different.

There is always a song or two that is promoted and "sold" without charge, you still need an account though but from what I have read US itunes has more "free" video content than the UK, we tend to always be the last to the party but than again the BBC iplayer and 4oD is catching up.

ash · 13-01-2008, 1:51 PM

Cool thanks. I've watched it anyway, its great!
I am using 4oD and iPlayer as well, along with http://www.tvcatchup.com/

Battle · 14-01-2008, 6:49 PM

Heads up for those who dont watch the end credits but BBC1 have changed the date for next weeks episode (and I presume all future episodes) its now on on Mondays at 22.35 hrs - and the move also broke my series link so for those who just record the whole lot to watch later you will need to set up the series link again.

krish · 14-01-2008, 8:03 PM

I see Damages has just won Glenn Close a Golden Globe for best TV drama actress

ash · 14-01-2008, 8:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krish

I see Damages has just won Glenn Close a Golden Globe for best TV drama actress

Starburst · 14-01-2008, 8:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battle

Heads up for those who dont watch the end credits but BBC1 have changed the date for next weeks episode (and I presume all future episodes) its now on on Mondays at 22.35 hrs - and the move also broke my series link so for those who just record the whole lot to watch later you will need to set up the series link again.

Thanks for the info but if the BBC have done it right the link should appear later tonight (a week before it's due to become active), still double check of course