Damages is an American legal thriller television series created by the writing and production trio of Daniel Zelman and brothers Glenn and Todd A. Kessler. The plot revolves around the brilliant, ruthless lawyer Patty Hewes and her protégée, recent law school graduate Ellen Parsons. Each season features a major case that Hewes and her firm take on, while also examining a chapter of the complicated relationship between Ellen and Patty. The first two seasons center around the law firm Hewes & Associates. Later seasons center more on Patty and Ellen's relationship as Ellen begins to distance herself from Hewes & Associates and begins an independent career.
Episode 1
Attorney Patty Hewes hires a new associate, Ellen Parsons, to help her as she tries to ruin Arthur Frobisher. Hewes represents a group of employees that are suing Frobisher after he sold his company, leaving the employees devastated. Ellen is unaware that her best friend, Katie Connor, is working for Frobisher.
Episode 2
Ellen convinces Katie to testify against Arthur Frobisher, which has him considering drastic measures. Patty begins to question if Katie is giving honest and accurate testimony.
Episode 3
Patty receives a mysterious threat at her office that could destroy her case against Arthur Frobisher. Ellen continues to struggle with the demands of her new job at Hewes and Associates.
Episode 4
Katie is getting ready for her upcoming deposition in the Frobisher case while Gregory withholds information that could be even more important that Katie's.
Episode 5
Tom Shayes considers his options as Patty continues to strain to keep her clients happy. Arthur tells Ray that he needs to put more pressure on Patty to make the case go away.
Episode 6
Patty tries to find out what Gregory knows about the case. Arthur Frobisher tries a new strategy to save his family and his money. David and Ellen have strains on their relationship as Lila tries to reenter David's life.
Episode 7
Tom and Ellen think that Patty is trying to control them so they decide to make an alliance and keep information from her. Patty must keep Gregory Malina secure until his deposition because her case will fall apart without it.
Episode 8
Ellen gets some bad news from her parents. Arthur Frobisher and his team do everything they can to keep things going their way while a witness remains missing.
Episode 9
Patty Hewes and Arthur Frobisher continue to struggle for dominance as the deposition nears.
Episode 10
Ellen tries to get herself back into the mix as Patty and Frobisher fight it out at the deposition.
Episode 11
Patty offers Ellen her job back, however, Ellen declines but volunteers to keep helping Patty with the Frobisher case. Lila is back, and bringing more havoc into David and Ellen's lives. Patty uses the newly acquired evidence to blackmail Ray, and offers him an ultimatum.
Episode 12
Patty finally posts bail for Ellen as Frobisher learns about a tape made by Gregory Malina that could ruin him.
Episode 13
The first season ends with Ellen talking Patty into defending her in exchange for the Gregory Malina videotape.
