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Hercules Finds For DAMAGES And Says It Could Be FX’s Best Series Ever!!!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
I am – Hercules!!
A legal thriller from writer-producers Todd & Glenn Kessler (“The Sopranos”) about a law-school grad who finds herself caught up in a new firm and a case that could get those closest to her killed, “Damages” might be the best series ever offered up by FX.
And as much as I love AMC’s “Mad Men,” “Damages” is also probably the best new show of the summer.
Probably. We’ve only seen the first two episodes, but they’re plenty propulsive, and full of the kind of confidence certain to carry many if not most through its first season’s 13 installments.
“Damages” will remind many of “Murder One,” because it’s enormously compelling and because it deals with a single case over the course of a season. It’s not a murder case, but many livelihoods are involved.
It stars Rose Byrne (“Attack of the Clones,” “28 Weeks Later”), Glenn Close (“The Shield”), Ted Danson (“Body Heat”), Tate Donovan (“The O.C.”) and Jamie Bamber’s magnetic blonde sister Anastasia Griffith, who appeared in the little-seen remake of “Alfie.” Like her brother, Griffith is a half-American Britisher but musters a flawless American accent.
She’s as good as her more famous co-stars, who here are very good indeed.
But what matters Herc’s opinion?
USA Today gives it three and a half stars (out of four) and says:
… From her opening appearance as Patty Hewes, New York's toughest, smartest, most famous attorney, Close makes it fabulously clear that the star and the material are perfectly aligned. Outmaneuvering an opponent and then parrying his insult with a far more devastating reply, Close needs only a few moments to convey her character and hook you into her. …
TV Guide says:
… Close, who spent a memorable season on The Shield, is in top form in Damages, a classic FX melodrama that frames its dark story in a sinister Hitchcockian mystery involving ambitious law-school grad Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne), whom we first see emerging bloody from an elevator. …
The Los Angeles Times says:
… Great dialogue, perfect delivery. Close is a big old-fashioned American movie star (thank heavens there are a few of them left), and in "Damages" she proves that genus is just as flexible as its British cousin. Like Helen Mirren and Judi Dench, her performance illuminates rather than outshines with its high wattage. …
The Washington Post says:
"Damages," making a sensational premiere tonight on the FX network, thoroughly justifies adding yet another high-powered law firm to the prime-time population. The firm is not only high-powered but it's also "high-stakes," we keep being told -- and so is the show. "Damages" is also emphatically, and almost torturously, high-tension, and the pilot script is one of the most artfully crafted since the debut back in the 20th century of "The Sopranos." ...
The Houston Chronicle says:
… FX has landed the next in a continuous line of can't-miss shows. Based on the first two episodes, Damages may be the best of a ballyhooed bunch that includes The Shield, Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me and The Riches. …
The Seattle Post-Intellingencer says:
… could be the most meticulous and calculating show on television, constructed from perennially appealing television elements … The co-creators and writers, Todd and Glenn Kessler and Daniel Zelman, obviously have a talent for marrying challenging story to the high-level aesthetics of superior television, like artful cinematography and its enthralling plot. … "Damages" may be the best series in what's shaping up to be a bumper crop of high quality cable, and that's not a light statement. No piece is out of place here; the writing, the plotting, everything is in tune. …
The Portland Oregonian says:
… "Damages" promises to be long, complex and dark with bleak, absurd comedy.…
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says:
The idea of Glenn Close facing off against Ted Danson in a drama series - she as an aggressive litigator, he as the corrupt tycoon she's determined to bring down - sounded so intriguing that I couldn't wait to see "Damages." By the end of the second episode, the two hadn't even met. But this FX cable series is so suspenseful, twisted and sometimes downright terrifying that I barely noticed. …
The Orlando Sentinel says:
… the most striking thing is this vehicle's frame. Here's a legal thriller with the depth and structure of an engrossing novel. You probably wouldn't want to live in this dark, nasty world. But it's a fascinating place to visit …
Variety says:
… despite smart dialogue and foreshadowing of conflict, there are doubts as to whether this is just another fictionalized legal show where the behavior is so unethical everybody should be disbarred by episode three.…
10 p.m. Tuesday. FX.
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If its on FX, I'll watch. Unless its called 'Dirt', or was that short lived comedy about anorexia, or something. Yeah anyway, The Shield, Rescue Me, Nip/Tuck, The Riches, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, THIEF, its all good.
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The comparison to Murder One (season one, at least) also raises hopes this Damages will deliver.
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but will give this a chance or two. looks interesting enough to earn that chance viewing.
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I love Close, but isn't the concept here much like "murder one?"
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...that I love it! I may have to refer to myself that way in future. :^)Also, Rose Byrne is dreamy.
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The Trailer looks excellent, but this series have to hold it's quality for a bunch of seasons before it can be even compared to series like Rescue Me or the Shield that is after 6 years still the most compelling drama on TV.
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the shield is FX's series. maybe that changes in the future, but for now, its the shield.
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lmao.................
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and Ted "Creepshow" Danson. Come on, lets embarrass the cast instead (though Ted has nothing to be embarrassed about with Creepshow).
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aka Tate "briefly dated Jennifer Aniston" Donovan.
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Maybe wait a few seasons before declaring - yet again! - that a new show is the "[Whatever channel's] best series ever." Besides, "The Shield" is not just the best show on FX, it's probably the best show on TV, period. Good luck to any show that tries to top it.
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You've coined a phrase I will never forget (and will most likely appropriate at some point).
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In fairness, I have not seen the show yet, but I doubts it.
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Like others have said, 6 excellent seasons >>> 2 good episodes.
/talkback -
...on judging any show "best ever" anything after only seeing two damn episodes, especially when you look at some of the quality shows that FX has put out over the past several years. But of course Herc doesn't watch any of those other truly qualiuty fx shows, so we get to put up with this kind of over the top bullshit anytime he 'discovers' some new show. God I wish Glen was still running coaxial.
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Not to be un-original but i agree with the masses. The Shield IS the best series on television. To make a statement that Damages has the potential to be better than The SHields first season, that might work. We all have to remember though, that as 6 years have come and gone, the shield has progressively gotten better with each year, so obviously Damages wont be able to touch The SHield for quite some time! ALSO kuddos to palewood, im so tired of people talking about nip/tuck being the FX signature series. Anybody who watches BOTH shows will deft. agree The SHield takes the cake!
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Really liked it, and am looking forward to this too. I guess cable is the place to go for dramas these days.
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Is definitely "The Shield". "Rescue Me" and "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" are a close second. Either way, I'm probably going to check out this show since Glenn Close's acting on "The Shield" was top-notch...
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Jul 24, 2007 10:49:37 AM CDT
Sorry, Herc, but you haven't got the best track record
by feckdrinkarse
Does anyone remember the Andy Barker, P.I. debacle ? *Shudders*
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does Herc have a grudge against USA or what? This sounds like an interesting show and I'll watch, but we get talkbacks for this, for fliping Saving Grace, for SPIKE's new miniseries, but not one for the new season of Pysch or for Burn Notice! I'm loving Burn Notice, and it's has the Bruce in it...The Bruce as a druken gigolo ex spy. And Gabrille Anwar as a slutty spy. Anyways, what up Herc, I'm beginning to think you really are a chick
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I'm watching Burn Notice and taping Mad Men. Sure, you could tag Burn Notice as just another private eye series, but the ex-spy angle, with the continuing mystery of the reason behind the "burn" gives it a nice twist. And its nice and light and enjoyable. Does every drama on cable have to be dark and twisted to get noticed?
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There rest of the shows are just minions. And the only law firm I can stomach is Wolfram & Hart. Damages will be a joke and it sure as hell won't even be second best.
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Rose Bryne's character has a great, loving boyfriend, who has supported her ...and she cheats on him with a guy from her new job. And its all portrayed as being understandable because she's a woman, and like, its really hard being a woman. Etc.
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...I'm tired of the formulaic ripped-from-the-headlines, come across a case at 9:01 and have it all solved-up by 9:54 lit-dramas...bring on DAMAGES!!!
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...is the best show on FX until the apocalypse. Case closed.
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That's all I got.
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when I think of Teddy Danson. And to say it's the best show on FX is stupid. You've seen two episodes. Nip/Tuck and Rescue Me have been on for years. Why don't you wait a few weeks before crowning it 'best ever' cowboy.
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top-notch shows. Lets wait and see about this one.
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Herc, it's i before e except after c
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The Shield pwns
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The Shield is definitely the best show on FX, and in the running for the best show on TV. Herc's opinion that this is the best show on FX is to be taken with a dumptruck full of salt given that he watched the first episode of The Shield and didn't get it.
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....so they can stop showing the same teasers/ads for it over and over and over and over and over and over and over again during "rescue me".
seriously they show isn't even on the air yet and i allready kind of hate it, because it seems EVER break during "rescue me" has to have a 30 to 60 second spot pimping this fucking show. enough allready -
thanks man for the support. I haven't had the chance to catch Mad Men yet, but I hear it's good. I can't understand why people here aren't giving any notice to Burn Notice. I know that it, like Pysch and Monk, is a little lighter show. But you know what I like sugar sometimes, I like cotton candy. And Bruce just cracks me up on it. I know I can't live in a world that is dark and twisted all the time, I need a little light a little fun.
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Nip/Tuck is a show that I never thought in a million years that I would ever watch. It's good, but as for it being FX's signature series? No. The Shield has been far more consistent in its high quality than Nip/Tuck has over the years. I won't say that The Shield is the best show on TV period (ever heard of The Wire, people?) but it's damn good. I just wish there were more episodes a year! This season went by way too fast.
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I think not.
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The Shield is the best show on FX. No contest. As for Damages, the promo they've been whoring out on FX is interesting, if not a little bizarre. I set my DVR to record it and I'm looking forward to it. If it's good FX will completely own the summer, what with this, Rescue Me, and Always Sunny.
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she could play.....his sister!
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Wasn't he on a TV show once?
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Yeah, it was "Becker." Why wouldn't you note that, Herc? Who doesn't know Mr. Danson as TV's funniest, curmudgeonliest, doctor?
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Okay, I'm done...
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I've been inundated with commercials teasing and promoting if for the past couple of months so I hope it's the best damn thing FX has ever aired. I'll find out in 2.5 hours, west coast time.
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Time for the good ol' series kiss of death.
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Bring on the constant Nip/Tuck ads since that's likely going to start up once Damages finishes it's run. Last seasons ad with them working on a Venus Demilo was pretty cool, and there's something about this season's Hollywood Sign/"Wicked Game" ad that I think is great.
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Actually pretty entertaining when the adults are on screen. Damaged set- "Kids be quiet.Real actors with talent are filming."
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The show that gets the biggest ratings on fx is Nip/Tuck.
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That was a pretty good first episode, I have to say. I loved the twist at the end when Glenn Close opens her 'present' - it was almost as badass as Vic Mackey casually shooting Terry in the face in the Shield pilot, but badass in a different kind of way. I can see they're going for exactly the same kind of moral ambiguity that exists in the Shield - Glenn Close's character will do borderline unspeakable things all in the name of "justice". What is in the water at FX? They are DOMINATING every other network hands down in terms of quality.
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No doubt the Shield is tops, but Damages started out well. With the exception of Dirt, FX has had an amazing run, though I have to say that Nip/Tuck lost my interest after the first season and a half. N/T may get the best ratings, but it became apparent that it's more an outrageous soap without network restrictions, rather than a character study like the other FX shows.FX may over-promote their own shows, but they turn out to be worthy of it.With the promising Mad Men, and the light fun of Burn Notice, who says summer TV is the slow season?
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Wait a minute. Wasn't BLADE on FX? Because before we sing too many praises of the channel and their programming choices, let the record show that was utter unwatchable shit. Talk about a crap show!But this first episode of DAMAGES was great, and there's no question that Glenn Close really is an old style movie star who just "brings it" every time, a true professional. So here's hoping they keep the storyline and scripting up to par and keep the momentum going on this thing.In fact, given how Lindsay Lohan was likewise all over the news today -- for all the wrong reasons -- it made me think a moment about these two. Lohan has repeatedy been droning on and on in the media that she desperately wants to win an Oscar and prove what a great actress she is. Too bad she's a total waste of space at this point, who's all but thrown their career away. Once she gets out of her next stint in rehab...and at this point, most likely a prolonged stint in jail as well...Lohan should really ditch her worthless druggy, tramp friends and learn from the best, and start emulating the career and public persona of someone like Close who has always been -- like Meryl Streep -- a real class act.Oh, and to The Selecter above, I agree about BURN NOTICE. That's really turned out to be a really solid and fun summer show as well.
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Plus to be honest I thought it wasn't too bad of a show at all. I think the only snafu for FX is Dirt, which nobody seems to really care for.
Couldn't stomach watching it myself after they had ads for it every other commercial. -
The only reason people hate DIRT is it shows us the REAL face of hollywood. The substance abuse, the cowardice and the backstabbing. It shatters your illusions and reminds us "stars" are just people and not their "roles'.
My family and I loved DIRT and hope for the magic 100 episodes.
Damages was a tad slow, in the beginning. Sure it developed characters and relationships well. But it initially left one thinking another dull lawyer show. Possibly due to all the quirky tv that has been the trend lately.
Then the deeper plots started kicking in, until the stunning dock scene.
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did it really need Close to be so manipulating that she would hire someone just to get their friend for a witness. made you hate her character, when you had been enjoying her character up till that moment.
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Better than THE SHIELD, RESCUE ME and IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA? Strong words. Also, seriously, what the fuck happened to the RESCUE ME talkbacks? RIP, Chief.
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granted it's a strange combo after watching Eureka, but I enjoyed both.
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Close good, supporting players bad. Critics must be very lenient this summer.
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I think he played a barkeep once.
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I liked the first episode of "Damages," and thought Glenn Close really shined bright. The writing was crisp and the fractured timeline threw serious portent on a series-ending showdown. The moral amibuity kept things interesting too.
The only thing I didn't buy was Rose Byrne as the young female lawyer. She did fine in the role, I suppose, but I'd like to see her display a more aggressive A-type personality that all fast-risers need to keep rising. She was far too passive and full of goodwill for me to believe Glenn Close would see her as important. Maybe this dynamic will change, especially with the "twist" at the end.
I'll definitelty watch next week. -
You know its ok to say something sucks- they'll still send you the screeners
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Nothing great but I'll give it a couple more eps.It felt like a dark version of Ally Mcbeal.Dark as in theme not race though I'm sure the lead will eventually have a black best friend.And what was up with that ending it was straight outta Alias.No wonder Herc liked it.
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...you're going to isolate yourself from the Talkbacks even more by constantly, but delicately, mentioning how meh the other f/x shows are. These are all boys and/or man-childs who worship asshole male characters like Tommy and Vic and Christian. They represent what they WISH they were; badass take-no-shit alpha-males. While they put women up on a pedestal as being smarter and deeper, and doing everything for their families, because all this makes them well-rounded. You should stop Herc before they cry. Good call on DAMAGES.
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Dude, Burn Notice is the best of the fucking summer bunch. Brucey Campbell in the drunken fat slob bestfriend role is reason enough to watch this shit. But the rest of the show happens to be balls out fun. Plus Gabrielle Anwar is like a fine bottle of Pinot, it gets better with age.
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also has gotten a lot better, especially in terms of the dialogue. There's a good zap2it article here: http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2007/07/eureka-when-it-.html
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With some Grishamesque conspiracy thrown in for good measure. Watchable, but a little dull IMO.
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At least not from the commercials. I missed the show, but did hear this on the commercials:
Random Guy: "If you were a man I'd kick the crap out of you!"
Glenn Close: "If you were a man I'd be worried."
Cue rim shot and bad writing award (aka The Studio 60's)
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a movie than a TV show. I saw the first episode last night and loved it.
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This may be a great show, but when will all you networks learn that there is a sizable portion of the country that will have nothing more to do with any freakin' lawyer shows. Most people don't like lawyers and don't relate to them on any level. There's a lesson that should be evident in this post-Lost age. We want fresh concepts (no cop or hospital shows either for crying out loud!). Even the western eventually had the decency to died out when it was done to death.
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Bruce Campbell, Cool ass kicking spy, Hot as hell ex Anwar. Its got funny and action.
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EvilWizardGlick - Dirt is the "True" face of hollywood?!?!?! bahhahahahahahha. I laugh. that was the single most unrealistic show ever. I can guarantee it.
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Glenn Close is outstanding, and I really like Rose Byrne and Anastasia Griffith (Jamie "Apollo" Bamber's sister), as well.
As for Burn Notice, it's excellent, too. Donovan, Anwar, Campbell, and Gless are all great. -
I have to add to the chorus about EUREKA. I totally love that show. It's got a great cast and is smart and fun, and I don't know why people don't rave about it more. Last season was a fantastic setup, and I love that they're now using the seeds they planted to expand the storylines and motivations even more, giving the characters and town an even richer texture. Seriously, a nice job all around and a good example of how to do a Sci Fi show RIGHT. So given how geeky a site this is, why can't we get a 13 week talkback for EUREKA?On the other hand, I will say this: everything SciFi Channel has shown so far regarding FLASH GORDON reeks of a total shitfest that we'll all be holding a cloth to our faces over, as we desperately try to not gag as we reach for the TV to quickly turn it off and spare our eyes. Seriously, that thing looks like an all-new low in SciFi Channel programming, and reading about "how" they're reimagining the Flash Gordon universe only makes you want to hurl even more...
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I love Murder One, it's amazing. If this show is like that then I'll definitely be watching. I just hope it's not retooled after the first season with the lead actor being recast...
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All the hype paid off. I'll stick around for the next 12 episodes. One thing I don't understand yet. In the present we see Ellen running out of Patty's apartment covered in blood wearing that green jacket. In the past this is the same apartment complex that Ellen met Patty to get her documents signed. If Ellen's fiancee was killed at their shared residence, how the hell did she end up in her current situation where Patty lives?
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is excellently and carefully and wonderfully crafted work. It's an example of cast and crew executing to the highest standards. Damages doesn't match up technically with Mad Men but it tells a much more gripping/engaging story with an Oscar worthy performance by Close. The only problem with both shows...? No Cylons.
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Ellen appears to have been bloodied as a result of being beaten up, and thrown against a large glass window, so that blood is probably hers, not her fiancee's. Patty's fancy apartment likely has such large view windows. We'll know for sure by the end of the season.While the big questions will be wrapped up by the end of the season, I doubt we'll see a major cast change, since it's Glenn Close's vehicle. IIRC, Murder One was recast because of behind the scenes turmoil with Daniel Benzali. But that first season had a great cast.
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