It looks set to be another bloody season of Damages if this new cast promo poster and video are anything to go by. Damages is a show that has never been timid in the portrayal of violence that can taint corporate business and season 4 looks set to take this to the next level when Patty Hewes (Glenn Close), goes after a private military 'Blackwater' type company.
Early promos for this season have hinted at the extreme lengths this season will go to and this new cast photo and promo video further reiterate this notion. The new promo is missing the somewhat jarring Rhianna track that has been used on previous promos, which was more distracting than complimentary of the images that were being shown from the new season. This new promo has corrected that misstep and keeps the creepy redacted element over the writing, which instantly provokes a feeling of mystery and intrigue for this season. The lengths that these companies will go to and what can happen to someone in modern day warfare is further accentuated in this promo, as we see what looks to be Chris Messina who plays former soldier and friend of Ellen's (Rose Byrne), Chris Sanchez undergoing some pretty rigorous and painful torture.
John Goodman as the head of the military contractor looks menacing in this trailer and he doesn't appear to be a man who will have his personal and business convictions easily swayed. He clearly believes that he is in the right and invokes the idea of God to further prove his point saying: "The pain you will endure will bring you closer to God." Religion looks like it will prove to be important element of this season as there are images of people praying in this clip.
Alongside aspects of religion are war, terror, sex and violence and this could be Damages most controversial season yet with all these factors combined. The cast promo poster (for a bigger version click on the picture) demonstrates these potentially incendiary aspects, particularly with the hooded figure and Dylan Baker menacingly holding some tooth extracting pliers (that is never a good sign). The scales of justice are clearly disrupted due to the presence of blood which is also prominent in the foreground of the picture. None of these aspects point to a happy season but in the world of Patty Hewes and the cases she takes on this is really not an option.
Are you looking forward to the return of Damages? Let us know your thoughts about the new promo video and poster in the comments below.
Season 4 of Damages premieres July 13, 10 P.M. on DirecTV.
What a corny poster (a skull and bloodied scales of justice … really?). I've been looking forward to the new season for an eternity, but the promos are making me feel a bit apprehensive. Since I watch "Damages" because of the smart writing, Glenn Close's acting and the twisted relationship between Patty and Ellen, I really hope the show doesn't suddenly become too overloaded with testosterone. "Damages" has always been wonderfully unique and the possibility of it suddenly becoming like a bunch of other shows (in which violence = drama and the writing is less subtle and complex) makes my heart sink. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.