Ray Donovan proves different from rest of television
Justin Freemyer
Mesa Legend
Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore
Are you tired of seeing the same old superhero shows? Zombies? The boring reality show? Liev Schreiber plays Ray Donovan on Showtime, a transplanted South Boston thug who works at a Los Angeles law firm as a fixer for Hollywood’s elite. Donovan can make their problems go away but he can’t get rid of his own. The Irish-American anti-hero deals with a very dark past including troubled brothers and a former convict father named Mickey, played by Academy Award winner John Voight who was just released from prison after 20-years. Mickey moves to Los Angeles with an agenda of his own and poses a potential threat to Donovan’s career in LA. Ray Donovan debuted on June 30, 2013 in the US this past August Showtime announced the American criminal and family series has been renewed for a 5th season.
For the past three seasons the show has averaged between 1 and 1.5 million viewers per episode. Not to mention the 5 Emmy nominations it received this year, including Outstanding Lead Actor, Supporting Actor, Directing and Sound Mixing. The Simpsons Hank Azaria won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor Award for his appearance on the series as LA FBI agent Ed Cochran. The series currently holds a 77 % rating on Rotten Tomatoes and received very favorable reviews all across the board. The show has also earned a Critics’ Choice Television Award for Most Exciting New Series after its first season.This show is a must see as the characters go through some interesting situations, including from Donovan purchasing an NFL team, to his family hiding from the Russian mafia.
The show takes viewers to scenic places in Los Angeles such as Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, and Union Station. This show delivers as the characters evolve throughout the show, with all the drama unexpected turns and lots of an action, it’s like a ride you don’t want to get off of. It’s easy to root for Donovan as he takes care of business, Donovan is an unbreakable man. Donovan’s methods are resourceful and has takes a no prisoners approach. Any means necessary as far as getting the job done, even if it means taking a life. With such decisions comes a price for Donovan, his conscience and almost his own life and the safety of his family.
A mercenary at best that leaves the viewer chomping at the bit for Donovan’s next adventure. If you haven’t seen the series yet, be warned that there may be potential spoilers moving forward…
Season one starts with Donovan’s father, Mickey, gets being released from prison and shoots a priest. Mickey then heads to LA to reconnect with his 4 sons; Terry the oldest, (Eddie Marsan), a former boxer with Parkinson’s disease, Bunchy (Dash Mihok), a sexually anorexic and alcoholic, and Ray’s half-brother Daryell (Pooch Hall) also a boxer and limo driver along with Donovan’s half-brother. Mickey is welcomed with open arms from everyone except Donovan. He stills harbors some bad feelings from the past. Donovan also wants Mickey to leave and forbids Mickey from seeing his wife Abby (Paula Malcomson) and two kids, Conner (Devon Bagby) and Bridget (Kerris Dorsey). Mickey finally ties up a loose end that sends a curious Boston Globe reporter to LA to get the scoop on the Donovans. Business and personal life comes clashing for Donovan when his daughter becomes involved with one of his clients, a young rapper.
This season also sheds light on why Mickey was in prison for 20 years and Ray’s mission to send his father back to the east coast. Season 2 picks up on the fall-out of Mickey’s issues and the pushy Boston Globe reporter looking into his past. While daughter Bridget deals with a tragedy that puts her life in danger. Connor starts taking after his father. Also Donovan deals with an overachieving FBI agent (Hank Azaria) who is hot on the heels on Mickey Donovan and his wife Abby have intimacy issues, leaving Abby with wondering eyes. In Season 3, the series opens with the death of Donovan’s younger sister, Bridget. She died when the Donovans lived in Boston. Donovan switches careers, from being a for-hire fixer to an elite employer for a power businessman, Finney (Ian McShane). Katie Holmes also guest stars as Finney’s daughter and gets Donovan in on a lucrative deal to the purchase an NFL franchise.
Mickey and Darryl starts looking into small -time robberies, prostitution and drug deals that eventually lands Terry in prison. This leads Mickey in a sticky situation with the Armenians, which puts Donovan and the entire family in danger. Connor gets more rebellious And Bridget gets into a relationship with her teacher through a mutual connection. Season 4- Jumps into to an injured Donovan seeking salivation for past crimes and a reconnection with his broken family. Mickey has relocated to Primm, Nevada and is still up to his typical behavior. Abby gets some life changing news and holds the information from Donovan. Bunchy and Terry have new leases on life. So if you looking for something that keeps you at the edge of your seat, let the Donovan clan keep you entertained. Ray Donovan Season 5 is scheduled for release summer of 2017. There are talks of creating a spin-off from the show.
