What I’m Watching: Damages

Damages: Season 4, Episode 7 “I’m Worried About My Dog” (B+)

Things are certainly getting intense as we have some unexpected developments and surprising character interactions. Howard’s dream with his sons meeting a doomed Chris paved the way for some extensive contemplation on Howard’s part, but it’s all too clear from his visit to Afghanistan that he’s no longer interested in protecting his former employee. The reveal that Jerry’s prisoner is the young boy from the flash-forwards doesn’t necessarily tell us much, especially because Chris may not in fact be the one all bloody and dead who’s found by Ellen just one month from the current time. Howard’s interrogation of Chris was a fearsome scene, since Howard so rarely lets his emotions get the best of him and does the dirty work himself. The quick introduction and murder of Bill’s CIA contact was rather frightening, especially since it wasn’t even Jerry who was directly responsible for getting him killed. Patty settling her other case to get the French government to give up important information related to Howard and High Star was a big surprise, but what a strategic move on her part! The most shocking moment of the episode was when Ellen called Patty just so that she could talk directly to Jerry. While their plan to turn him is hopeless, he did manage to panic pretty quickly and tell his CIA buddy to cut Howard loose should send things in a rather interesting direction. Michael’s proving to be rather persistent in his efforts to undermine Patty and get to know his daughter, and I’m very worried that it’s going to get her terribly distracted from what’s truly important here.