It’s no secret that the ratings for Glenn Close and her Damages TV show have not been very good for awhile. If the series hadn’t gotten a two-season renewal, it likely wouldn’t have gotten a third year at all. Tonight’s episode marks the last of the season and very well may be the last of the series — but not if the Sony studio has their way.
There’s been talk of Sony trying to find a partner like DirecTV to share Damages’ production costs with FX. Unfortunately, the series is expensive and the ratings aren’t good so it’s a harder sell than others. It seems hard to imagine that a buyer could be found but Sony says that they’re continuing to try to make it happen.
Sony maintains that international sales of the show will play a key factor in keeping the show going.
According to the NY Times, Sony makes about $2 million an episode from international sales.
Zack Van Amburg, president of programming and production for Sony Pictures Television, said, “International is critical for these shows,” he said. “Five years ago broadcast shows were more valuable. They were thought of as better-produced and of higher quality. Now cable shows have gone out and performed well.” Van Amburg also says that the series has been a labor of love for the studio.
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If Sony isn’t successful, it sounds like Damages fans will be getting some degree of closure. After wondering for an entire season, viewers will find out how Tom Shayes (Tate Donovan) died. Of course, they aren’t the only ones who were kept in the dark. Donovan didn’t find out until shortly before he was to shoot his death scene for the finale.
Damages series co-creator Todd A. Kessler says that, because of the format of the show, the season (or series) finale will have closure. He said, “Each season is one case, so the nature of our storytelling is that the story comes to an end. Tom’s death will forever change Patty Hewes’ life and Ellen Parsons’ life, and in many ways, that is where the emotions of this season end.”
If the show does continue on, Patty will be affected by Tom’s death but, co-creator Daniel Zelman believes, “There’s some question as to whether Patty is capable of taking the full amount of responsibility that she probably should take. Because if she did, she would have to stop. That’s a question we have to answer: Is she capable of taking responsibility or is she stuck in a place where no matter what the consequences are, she has to push forward and hold on to her power?”
What do you think? Would you like to see Damages continue on? If it doesn’t, are you satisfied with tonight’s being the last episode?
Image courtesy FX.
Please, Sony, don’t give up. Damages is such a fantastic show. I haven’t missed an episode in three seasons and I long to see how the characters’ lives move forward.
Damages is one of the best television shows there is! I look forward to it each week. The acting and the storylines are phenomenal.
Wow, Please don’t go. I was on the edge, breath held, for the Season finale. DIdn’t even realize I was holding it, I had to remember to breathe! This is some of the finest acting on TV. It must stay.
Damages is a truly good show and feels a huge void that’s missing in television. In addition, you get a chance to see some seasoned, well-trained actors do a great job translating good and crafty writing. Unfortunately, it’s underappreciated. I hope it doesn’t get cancelled. I’ll be left with nothing worthy to watch.
PLEASSEE DON’T END DAMAGES! WITH ALL THE ‘REALITY CRAP’ ON TV
NOWADAYS, I CAN’T WAIT TILL MONDAY NIGHT TO WATCH DAMAGES.
I AGREE WITH ‘DAMAGES FAN’ – PATTY IS VERY COMPELLING. YOU
WANT TO HATE HER…YOU ALSO FEEL SORRY FOR HER…THEN YOU
THINK MAYBE YOU’VE MISJUDGED HER. GLENN IS GREAT AND THE WRITING IS PHENOMENAL!
PLEASE ! ! !
Why is the series drawing such low ratings/viewership? It has mature story lines, great writing, good acting, good chemistry, compelling and relevant stories. It has attracted veteran talent like Glenn Close, Ted Danson, William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden, Mario Van Peebles, Dominick Chianese, Keith Carradine, Michael Nouri, so what is the problem? Isn’t it a shame that they can’t/won’t just sell the show to a bigger network (Showtime, HBO). Is this even an option? I mean could it be that FX is too small to carry such a show and the ratings are more a reflection on FX’ market size… Read more »
The question is can Glenn Close carry the show without the benefit of a class A list of ensemble actors. Ted Danson, Martin Short, Lily Tomlin, and Tate Donavan salaries must constitute anywhere from 33 to 50 percent of the cost. Can they maintain the quality without that level of talent? I don’t think so, so let it go peacefully into the night.
Damages must continue, please!!! It is brilliant, Glenn Close is pitch-perfekt in this role and the writing is fantastic. Please, DirecTV :).
I’d been fearing this the moment the first season ended. It’s been really good (season one), fair-to-confusingly dull (season two) and above average (season three) but hasn’t found a big enough audience. In many ways I wished they would’ve at least set up an actual closing story as far as Ellen’s future with Patty was concerned (having her walk ambiguously off the dock after having the “make a choice” speech was delivered isn’t closure, no matter how you veil it).
I want “Damages” to continue because Glenn Close is a PHENOMENAL actress and Patty Hewes is the most compelling character I’ve had the pleasure to watch in a very long time. I don’t care what the story lines are about … it’s the characters that keep me enthralled. Glenn and Rose are perfect together.
My wife and I thought this season was much stronger than season two. We would love to have Damages continue for season 4. The idea of having one case for the year works well & there is still the loose ends of what will Patty do (face responsibility for Tom’s death & that of her daughter Julia–if she did it could destroy her); also, what will Ellen’s character choose to do?
Don’t cancel the series!!!!!
I love Damages. It’s a great show and it smartly written. Especially now since the 3 mainstream channels (abc, cbs, nbc) only air reality programs. I don’t watch the mainstream channels anymore.
Damages is among the two best shows on TV. RENEW IT!!
I truly enjoy Damages each week. Although I have yet to watch the recorded season finale tonight, I am sure it will satisfy my curiousity on how Tom died. The way the show is set up with flashes forward and back makes the show that more entertaining. Sure hope it will return next season with an all new case for Patti!