Rose Byrne’s Dark, Ruthless FX Legal Thriller Series Redefined the Genre on Television

Legal dramas have existed on television for nearly as long as the medium has existed, but the genre reached new levels of popularity in the ‘90s thanks to the success of series like Boston Legal and The Practice. Although the conventions of a courtroom setup make perfect sense for dramatically satisfying television, it was rare for a show to have the time to depict the nuances of an intensive legal case, as most procedurals picked up with a new investigation with each episode. The underrated FX thriller Damages changed the formula for courtroom dramas, as it took an entire season to flesh out all the efforts of both the prosecution and the defense of a specific case. Although the show’s excellent writing put it in a class outside of its own, it was a terrific leading performance by Rose Byrne that gave Damages such momentum and emotional integrity.

Damages aired at an important period within the history of FX, a network that was increasingly proving itself capable of delivering the type of gritty, star-studded programming that would have otherwise been exclusive to HBO. Although FX had scored a major victory with the police procedural The Shield, the show’s conclusion in 2008 meant that it needed another exciting genre series to pick up the mantle and prove the network’s capabilities. Damages had all the components of a “prestige television” show, even if it aired several years before the term was coined, because it featured meticulous writing, in-depth storylines, and a wealth of interesting guest stars. However, it was the dynamic chemistry between Byrne and her co-star, Glenn Close, that made Damages such a game-changer, and why it still holds up as a highly bingeable series today.

What Is ‘Damages’ About?

Byrne stars in Damages as the brilliant law school graduate Ellen Parsons, who gains the respect of Patty Hewes, a steely and ruthless lawyer played by Close. Although Ellen admires the fearsome reputation that Patty has built up for herself, rumors circulate about the shady techniques she used to get ahead. The tension in Damages rests within the push-and-pull between Ellen and Patty, both of whom have to both deceive and work with one another in order to get what they want. Patty’s techniques might be brutal, and at times legally questionable, but she’s been so successful that it’s hard to argue with her process; Ellen believes in the tenants of the law, and tries to avoid falling under Patty’s corrupting influence. Their relationship quickly evolves beyond a simple dynamic of a protégé and a mentor, as both characters are forced to face existential questions about the paths they travel. Patty recognizes that Ellen will never be willing to simply be a pawn in a scheme, and that she may have to yield some power; Ellen learns that she may have to use some of Patty’s tricks in order to win cases, even if that means exposing herself to a darker side.

The notion of devoting an entire season to a single case was groundbreaking, and allowed for Damages to get into details of the legal process that weren’t generally depicted on television. Although the gathering of evidence and acquisition of witnesses was a laborious process in its own right, Patty and Ellen also had to manage a narrative that contributed to their public perception, and Damages was more than willing to point out how sexism within the media coverage put additional burdens on both characters. Damages also added famous cast members to each season that revealed deeper layers to its characters by forcing them to interact with clients and rivals whose values diverged from their own. Patty is able to reveal the true hatred she felt for billionaires when she’s hired to take down the corrupt businessman Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson) in a class action lawsuit, and Ellen is exposed to the human costs of her work when she forms a romantic relationship with the veteran Chris Sanchez (Chris Messina).

‘Damages’ Was a Legal Thriller Ahead of Its Time

Damages used clever techniques to keep its audience engaged, as each season incorporated a flashback structure that teased future events; the first season was particularly exciting, as it foreshadowed an incident in which Ellen would be accused of committing a crime. Damages always had multiple investigations going on at once, as it was at the end of the first season that Ellen is hired to go undercover to report on Patty’s corrupt activities; however, the show also allowed for standalone episodes that gave juicy roles to its venerable ensemble of guest stars, which included such high-profile names as Timothy Olyphant, John Goodman, Dylan Baker, Martin Short, Ryan Phillippe, Marcia Gay Harden, and William Hurt, among others. It’s difficult to overstate how unusual it was to see A-list stars appearing on a premium network show, as Damages aired before the notion of “prestige streaming” made it more common for film actors to appear on the small screen. However, the writing on Damages was good enough that anyone who appeared on the series was better for their involvement.

Damages was a show that rejected the notion of retaining a status quo, as the dark relationship between Patty and Ellen grew more complex with each subsequent season. Although the show reached its apex in its fifth season, which saw Ellen and Patty representing opposite sides in a particularly controversial case, Damages was able to retain a consistent quality throughout its run, despite being released on a regular schedule. Close had found a new act for her career on television after earning rave reviews for her season-long guest role on The Shield, but it was Byrne’s breakout performance that gave viewers a character they could root for. Beyond how impressive it was for a novice actress to hold her own against some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, Byrne was able to develop an exciting arc for Ellen, who evolves significantly over the course of five seasons. Damages may have laid the groundwork for much of the high-profile television that followed it, but it still feels as fresh as ever, and certainly deserves to be binged by those who didn’t experience it the first time.