In the 1995 series, Daniel Benzali starred as Teddy Hoffman, head of a legal firm. The (first season of the) show was unusual in that it took an entire season to tell its story, and the crime and the people surrounding it were worth the wait. Lots of red herrings, true, but lots of opportunities for the characters and the case to develop. Though it wasn't a huge hit, it was fascinating - high concept TV that worked, at least for me.
Why am I bringing this up? Because I've thought of that show many times in watching Damages. Glenn Close, of course, is superb as the uber-manipulative head of her own firm; you don't admire her as much as watch with grim fascination as she plays people and situations like chess pieces. But the pleasure of the show isn't only the acting; the writing, particularly the way the dialog captures the personalities of the characters, is phenomenal. It's very far from predictable TV; it's complex, but so well done that the complications get resolved. Lots of people to note, of course: Rose Byrne, as foil to Glenn Close, is brilliant; Tate Donovan is great, and it's good to see Anastasia Griffith do so much with her part. But Ted Danson as Arthur Frobisher is wicked good. It's said that you have to have a proper and powerful villain to have a good story, and Danson is a revelation here: he plays the bad guy as if unaware of how ruthless and evil he really is, and surprised, always, that people don't just like him. Now, for me, later seasons didn't hold up quite as well, but the first set a supremely high bar. All in all, though, this is one of the best shows available.
Why am I bringing this up? Because I've thought of that show many times in watching Damages. Glenn Close, of course, is superb as the uber-manipulative head of her own firm; you don't admire her as much as watch with grim fascination as she plays people and situations like chess pieces. But the pleasure of the show isn't only the acting; the writing, particularly the way the dialog captures the personalities of the characters, is phenomenal. It's very far from predictable TV; it's complex, but so well done that the complications get resolved. Lots of people to note, of course: Rose Byrne, as foil to Glenn Close, is brilliant; Tate Donovan is great, and it's good to see Anastasia Griffith do so much with her part. But Ted Danson as Arthur Frobisher is wicked good. It's said that you have to have a proper and powerful villain to have a good story, and Danson is a revelation here: he plays the bad guy as if unaware of how ruthless and evil he really is, and surprised, always, that people don't just like him. Now, for me, later seasons didn't hold up quite as well, but the first set a supremely high bar. All in all, though, this is one of the best shows available.