Can't stop watching Damages

Damages (Season 2) remains one of the most watchable, addictive shows on TV. Though Glenn Close gets all the attention (deservedly, she's amazing) and you can't take your eyes of her, she owns every scene she's in, there's more to the series. First of all,there's probably nothing on TV that has such a complex and constantly surprising plot (excepting obvious stunt series like Lost, which I don't watch). It's amazing how many elements are included in each episode, and it takes a ton of concentration just to follow what's going on and try to keep it all in your head. You can't, really, and I'm not sure the writers can, either - I sometimes have the uncomfortable feeling they're winging it. Nobody wants to believe that! We want to believe that the guys who write this show, this kind of show, are totally in control all the time and know exactly where they're heading, that we're in good hands, but it's not always true, often not true (think Mulholland Drive for example - clearly had no idea what would happen from scene to scene). The season one recap took more than 15 minutes! But we wouldn't pay such close attention if it weren't so exciting and interesting - watching Close's devious mind at work: she's a tort attorney, class actions, who goes after the bad guys but will stop at nothing, literally, to win her case. Even at end of season one we're not sure how culpable she might be - in a murder, and one attempted murder - though we know she drove one man to suicide through blackmail threats, and may have ruined other innocent lives as well. Season 2 opens w a very funny stunt cast with Regis and Kelly Ripa. After first episode, I'm back in the mode - suspicious of everything and everyone.