Martin Short, For the Win

I must confess, I didn’t think Martin Short had such a serious performance in him. ¬†As one of the funniest actors around, Short exhibits unexpected depth and sadness in his portrayal of Winstone on Damages. ¬†The season closed out last night with an episode that felt a little like they rushed the closer, to me. ¬†What’s great about Damages probably isn’t the writing so much – but it’s the acting.

That there isn’t a lot of rape, child molesting, serial killing, child rape, serial killing molesting, body dissecting, panty sniffing – it’s a wonder that the show even ran for three seasons. ¬†But since we might be dealing with the end (I really hope not – it was one bright spots for me during an ordinary week of mediocre television), let’s look at the Emmy possibilities.

In the leading role categories, we’re looking at Glenn Close, Rose Byrne, and Tate Donovan. ¬†All three are revelations each and every week. ¬†Donovan, in particular, came into his own in this last season. ¬†Rose Byrne doesn’t get a lot of credit because she’s no match for Glenn Close — but this season she’s worked it alone much of the time. ¬†I don’t know if she shows as much variation as the other two, but the show wouldn’t be the same without her.

In the supporting categories this season, there are so many great ones the whole category could be filled with characters just from Damages alone.  At the top of the list is Martin Short, followed by Lily Tomlin, Campbell Scott and of course, my favorite character of the whole series, Ted Danson as Frobisher.

Danson started his career as a serious actor before going into comedy. ¬†He’s wonderfully creepy in Body Heat, for instance. ¬†But his Frobisher reaches a whole new level of creepy — and this season he’s attempted to transform himself into a good guy, though the fiend still lurks beneath the surface.

So, for Damages, we’re looking at Dramatic Series, Lead Actress (for Close most likely) and maybe Lily Tomlin and Martin Short in the supporting categories. ¬†One can dream anyway. ¬†Here’s to great television, campy though it be.