Damages returns to our screens on July 13 for a fourth season and after tackling the world of Ponzi schemes in the Bernie Madoff like case last year, the central story this season will revolve around the murky world of private military contractors. We are lucky to have Damages back as FX cancelled the series, but Direct TV saved the show for another two seasons, so we will get to see Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) embroiled in another case or two that will feature many a twist and turn.
At the heart of the case is John Goodman who plays the head of military contractor (think Blackwater) Howard Erickson, who is named in a wrongful death suit by Patty Hewes' law firm Hewes and Associates who are renowned for taking on the big firms. To complicate matters further one of Erickson's employees, a former decorated soldier Chris Sanchez (Chris Messina, Six Feet Under, Julie & Julia) happens to be an old school friend of Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne), something that I am sure Patty will use to her advantage. As with all seasons of Damages the ensemble cast features some familiar and brilliant character actors, this year including Dylan Baker (The Good Wife, Kings) as someone who has a lot to gain from this case and will be involved throughout, Judd Hirsch (Numb3rs, Taxi) who is Patty's former mentor who has hit rock bottom and Griffin Dunne (After Hours) who plays a foreign news correspondent.
The dynamic of the cast has been shaken up as Tom Shayes (Tate Donovan) was killed last year, so it will be interesting to see how this will change the contentious relationship between Patty and Ellen. Both have had turbulent personal lives that have been directly impacted on by their professional lives and I can't see this season being any different as secrets are likely to be exposed once again. From the promos it certainly looks like there will be heartache, tears and romance for Ellen this year, will we get to see her crack a smile amongst all the misery?
One thing that is currently unclear is whether there will be the same non linear format that has become a staple Damages feature, where they intercut between past and present until the two time lines merge. Whilst I have liked this manner of storytelling in the past with this show, sometimes it can feel a tad contrived so I hope that they will do something with this to change it up a bit.
Below are two new promos for season 4 (with Rhianna on the soundtrack, which sounds a little out of place) and it looks like we can expect some great stuff between Glenn Close and John Goodman, who follows in the brilliant footsteps of other formidable opponents such as Ted Danson, Zeljko Ivanek, Lily Tomlin, William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden, Campbell Scott and Martin Short (this show really does score some stellar actors).
Are you looking forward to season 4 of Damages? Let us know what you hope to see happen this season in the comments below.
