DAMAGES 3.3 - "Flight's At 11:08"

WRITER: Mark Fish
DIRECTOR: Tony Goldwyn
GUEST CAST: Debra Monk, Ben Shenkman, Gordon Clapp, Mädchen Amick, Maddie Corman, Darren Goldstein, Larry Keith, George Morfogen, Michael Pemberton, Jennifer Roszell, Rebecca Schull & Miriam Shor

[SPOILERS] This wasn't bad, it just lacked enough bite. There was only one storyline that made an impression -- the Tobin family's attempt to fly Danielle Marchetti (Mädchen Amick) out of the country before she's implicated in their family's scandal, with the added complication she's suffered head trauma after being accidentally struck by Joe's (Campbell Scott) car, and could die if she boards a plane. Fortunately, most of the supporting plots leaned on that central dilemma -- with Tom (Tate Donovan) trying to find Danielle at her home, unaware she's being hidden inside by Joe and his family's lawyer Leonard (Martin Short), while Patty (Glenn Close) tried to convince the District Attorney to stop Danielle leaving the country, despite the fact he has no evidence to make such a move.

It was also interesting to see Ellen's (Rose Byrne) family, too. She returned home to spend some time with them, passing up the opportunity to help Patty trace Danielle, and it became clear that the Parsons aren't exactly highfliers. In fact, it's difficult to believe these are Ellen's relatives -- as their lives are crushingly normal and shot through with problems. Her father's a stubborn dolt whose temperament stains the atmosphere, her sister's just split from her husband and appears to be a junkie (Ellen discovers a crack pipe), and it's easy to see why Ellen wanted to leave them behind and make something of herself. When faced with an evening reminiscing over family home videos of a rose-tinted childhood that's a faded memory for her, she's soon on her phone wanting in on the Tobin case.

Overall, "Flight's At 11:08" was an enjoyable watch, and it was good to see Joe becoming more of a villain via his decision to put the delerious Danielle on a plane journey that would kill her, particularly in light of the understated reveal that Danielle was once Joe's lover before she started secretly seeing his father. Campbell Scott's particularly good at playing someone who believes himself to be a good man (and perhaps always has been), but is now being placed in situations that require him to act very selfishly, with bleak consequences for his soul.

This was also the first episode I can remember that didn't feature any of the show's signature time-jumps, which I heartily approve of. If there's no need to use them, don't use them.

Finally, I know I'm not covering this show in the greatest of detail, but these brief Damages reviews haven't inspired much comment. So, a question: are people watching? Is it a show you watch, but don't feel the need to discuss? Or is this season slipping by unloved on BBC1, its reputation sullied by the thorny second season?

Asides

-- Was I alone in knowing that glass of unmelted ice cubes would be the giveaway that Danielle was present in the house, way before Tom? It was so signposted it was more a surprise that he didn't twig until much later.

-- This episode was directed by actor Tony Goldwyn, recently seen in the Last House On The Left remake, but perhaps most famous as the villain from Ghost.

-- I was so relieved we got more Mädchen Amick because her character survived that collision last week. Hopefully she'll be around a bit longer.

-- Damages' great casting continues, with Sarah Wynter (best known as Jack Bauer's girlfriend in 24's second season) debuting as another of the Tobin family's aides. You may also remember her as the unforgettably brash Aussie girlfriend of Jemaine in season 2 of Flight Of The Conchords.

10/11 MARCH 2010: BBC1/BBC HD, 10PM