Somehow though, it's not. The first season, even if I thought it wasn't well plotted, at least sucked the viewer in. This season, I guess we're supposed to be wondering (at least initially) who Ellen's holding hostage. The basic problem though is that I just don't care. Please remember, Patty Hewes (Close), Ellen's boss, tried to have Ellen killed in season one, and we're supposed to believe that Ellen is still working at the firm (in order to send Patty to jail). Quite obviously Ellen is under a lot of stress (she's also still mourning the death of her fiancé); why should we at all be surprised that she snaps at some point?
I really do like that the whole thing is starting a little more slowly this time out, hopefully it'll mean that the producers don't lose track of all the bits and pieces, as they did last season. But, while the acting is still stellar, after two episodes I just don't know why I should care at all about the case and the people. Not a single one — save Tate Donovan's good guy Tom Shayes — is remotely believable, nor are the situations as presented.
Equally unrealistic, and premiering the night before Damages is FX's Nip/Tuck. That series though has the advantage of never really pretending to be believable. McNamara, Troy, and the rest of the gang are so foolish (and always have been) that even when they wallow it's fun to watch because of how over the top the wallowing is.
I'll probably stick with watching both shows through their whole seasons (mercifully, they should be short seasons), but I don't really consider either "appointment television." Now Scrubs, which is starting its new season this Tuesday on ABC, I have a date with.
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