Damages (2007–2012): Season 5, Episode 1 - You Want to End This Once and for All? - full transcript

Previously on Damages:

WILLIAMS: Bloody, half naked,

wandering the streets at 7:00
a.m.ORTIZ: Just your type.

All we found on her was this.

"Hollis M. Nye,
Attorney-at-Law."

I want to help you, Ellen,
'cause I know you didn't do it.

I am Catherine's legal guardian.

To get custody, you're
going to have to prove

that I perpetrated fraud.

The fraud you perpetrated
was convincing the state

you were a fit mother.



We'll get you a list
of our witnesses.

I thought about you
when you were gone.

I'm not really in the... best
state of mind these days.

Whenever you feel like it...
If you ever feel like it

and you're interested, I'm here.

She wants to get out
from under my shadow,

but she'll never be able to.

I've always wanted
to find a woman

who could step into my shoes.

I am offering my hand, Ellen.

You chose winning
over everything...

Your husband, your son, me.

All you have in your
life is your next case.

I'm not interested.



You are an ungrateful child

and you are in for
a rude awakening.

Our list of witnesses.

♪ Little lamb ♪

♪ When I am through with you ♪

♪ There won't be
Anything left ♪

♪ When I am through with you ♪

♪ There won't be
Anything left ♪

♪ When I am through with you ♪

[CREAKING]

I need that research,
Bill. Got it right here.

[CREAKING]

Good afternoon, Ms. Hewes.

You're sitting in
Grandma's chair.

Well, you can get off now.

Get off Mommy's chair.

You're not my mommy.

And you're not the one
who's supposed to be there.

You're no one's mommy.

Get off.

You're no one's mommy.

Get off.

You're no one's mommy.

Get the fuck off!

Patty.

[HEWES GASPS]

HERNDON: Patty.

You all right?

Yeah.

Oh, okay.

This real estate contact
told me that Ellen

has recently pulled the
trigger on a new office,

and word is that a few
clients have approached her,

and she turned them all down.

Of course she did.
She's waiting.

HERNDON [CHUCKLES]: For what?

For a case big enough
to put her on the map.

Now, look, this obsession
you have about this girl

is a distraction.

All she's trying to do
is get on with her life.

Now, you forget about her.

I can't.

Why not?

Oh, because she's going
to testify against you

in Catherine's custody case?

Ellen wants to hurt me.

Ah, come on, big deal,
she can't hurt you.

What are you worried about?

She knows things.

What do you mean,
she knows things?

Oh.

Well, that's a very
different story.

SANCHEZ: So I just want to say

congratulations to both of
you, and especially you, Tony.

Come on, everyone here knows
that Tony has been trying

to date Cheryl for...
Since tenth grade.

[LAUGHTER]

Somehow, after 15 years,
you got her to marry you.

I don't know how
you did it, man.

You... you, my friend,
you're a lucky man.

OTHERS: Yes. SANCHEZ:
Raise your glasses.

Here's to persistence.

Thanks, bro.

[CHEERING]GUEST: All right.

[OVERLAPPING CHATTER]

Thanks, man.

Hey, congratulations.
Thanks, Parso.

That was so beautiful.

Another bourbon? No, I'm good.

Uh, I've got an early start,

but, uh, the next
round is on me.

It's already taken care
of. Congratulations again.

Hang on a second.

Hey, you're not sticking around?

No, I should... I should
probably take off.

I, uh, I'm sorry we
didn't really get

to talk that much tonight.

That's all right. Next time.

At some point we should get
dinner, you know, sometime...

or something.

Yeah, okay.

No pressure.

Whenever... totally up to you.

All right.[PARSONS LAUGHS]

It was really good to see you.

[ENGINE STARTS]

NEWSCASTER: Global trade
has grown dramatically,

but the Panama Canal,
one of the most...

[PARSON GASPS]

[BOTH CHUCKLING] That
is about to change.

The expansion of
the Panama Canal

is one of the largest
construction projects

in the world right now... A
multibillion-dollar effort

that will add a third
channel to the waterway...

allowing massive cargo
ships from China...

[SANCHEZ PANTING]

[PARSONS SIGHING]

Everything okay?

Everything is significantly
better than okay.

[PARSONS LAUGHS]

[PANTING]

Can I ask you something?

Yeah.

Where the hell are we?

[PARSONS LAUGHS]

This is my new office.

You might want to
invest in some walls.

Walls are overrated.

You hungry?

What are you doing
for breakfast?

Oh, shit.

Sorry, I have to be
in court this morning.

You trying a new case?

No, I don't have
any clients yet.

It's something else.
I'm a character witness.

For what?

I'm testifying against Patty
in a child custody case.

I don't get it.

Patty took her granddaughter
away from her son.

Now he wants her back.

Were you subpoenaed?

No.

I volunteered.

I'm looking forward to it.

[OVERLAPPING CHATTER]

The equity long-short guys

have been the darling of
your newspaper forever.

Well, hell, no, I'm not bashful
about the Fund's successes,

an-and you shouldn't be either.

All I'm asking for is a little
positive press from you.

That's all I'm
saying. Thank you.

Can you think of anyone

more useless than a
financial reporter?

Not off the top of my
head. You wanted to see me?

Some more information is
gonna be coming your way.

I see. So...

Usual protocols. It
stays on this floor.

I do not want it going wide.

Of course.

Is there a problem, Naomi?

No.

We're up 22% in a
shitbag economy.

Our strategies are
paying off. Be happy.

[PHONE RINGS]

I got to take this.

But I'm taking you
to lunch today.

Steak, sushi, you
think about it.

Bruce Davies.

Fuck GenCorp.
Wouldn't go near it.

[WOMAN AND MAN MOANING]

McCLAREN [OVER TV]: I've been

which is natural for me.

I grew up all over the world.

REPORTER: But you are
an American citizen.

McCLAREN: Technically.

REPORTER: The American State
Department said your Web site

is directly responsible
for the deaths

of three diplomats in Iraq.

McCLAREN: Untrue.

Still, if you're leaking
stolen information.

I don't leak anything.

I provide a safe haven
for whistleblowers

who want to get
information to the public.

[NOVAK GRUNTING]

REPORTER: What about your
personal life?[NOVAK MOANING]

one when you live in shadow.

[NOVAK PANTING]

McCLAREN: I receive
a lot of threats.

Governments and CEOs
throughout the world have...

Turn it off... condemned my
Web site and its mission.

Do you recognize... You
haven't seen the whole cut.

I don't need to.

PBS wants to air
it in the States.

Do you approve? No.

I don't like how I come off.

I think you come off
great.[KNOCK ON DOOR]

SIMON: Channing?

She called.

Did she make a decision? No.

She wants to have a
conversation, face-to-face.

Fly her over here.

She won't come.

She doesn't want to cast
suspicion on herself.

She said it's time-sensitive.

Make arrangements.
We're going to New York.

I don't think that's wise.

She'll come through
for us, Rutger.

Trust me.

I'd prefer to be the
one to talk to her.

And we're gonna need to
find ourselves an attorney.

Whatever you think is best.

Just make arrangements.

I respectfully request
that Ms. Parsons be removed

from the witness list and not be
allowed to testify, Your Honor.

MARSDEN: Ms. Parsons is a
legitimate character witness.

She can attest to Ms.
Hewes' fitness as a parent.

Ms. Parsons is
single and childless.

She doesn't know the first
thing about motherhood.

MARSDEN: That's irrelevant.

Ms. Hewes regularly brought
my client's daughter

to the office.

HEWES: Ellen Parsons was an
associate in my law firm.

She signed a confidentiality
agreement, Your Honor.

She can't testify to
what she witnessed...

Or claims she witnessed...
While working for me.

MARSDEN: You have the discretion
to decide that, Your Honor.

ELLIS: All right, look.

This weekend's Columbus Day,
and I'm going apple picking.

I will take your briefs
with me and think about it.

Thank you. Thank
you, Your Honor.

Sorry, Ms. Parsons, I'm afraid
you won't be testifying today.

[TOILET FLUSHES]

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

WILLIAMS: You have the right
to speak to an attorney.

You're aware of that?

I don't need an attorney.

You make me come to
you, and you're late?

I was stuck in a meeting.

[EXHALES] So, I have
a proposal for you.

Hmm, what's that?

One weekend every three months.

One weekend.

It's generous.

You haven't a legal leg to
stand on, so just take it.

What happened?

Until today, you've
refused to move an inch;

now suddenly you're
making an offer?

Michael, I have
real cases to try.

I can't waste my time on this.

No. You're afraid.

[HEWES LAUGHS]

Of you?

[LAUGHS]

No. You don't want
Ellen to testify.

You're worried about
what she's going to say.

What does she know
about you anyway?

One weekend every three months.

[MICHAEL SIGHS]

Not good enough.

It's better than
you'll get in a trial.

Ms. Hewes?

Yeah? A Rutger Simon
called for you.

In regard to what?

Channing McClaren
wants to meet with you.

I'm grateful you
came, Ms. Hewes.

I've been following your career.

Likewise.

So you know what I do?

Of course.

What can I do for you?

I'm going to be receiving some
sensitive information soon.

I'll need a civil attorney.

What kind of information?

I can't tell you that.

Can you give me
the general area?

I just said I can't tell you.

Don't waste my time.

It's about Wall Street.

A rather large investment
bank has been misbehaving.

How large?

The institution's
over a century old.

Its assets are
worth $500 billion.

And you think as soon as
this information comes out,

someone's going to sue you?

It happens every
time I post a leak.

I've been living in Europe
for the past decade, but...

now I need an American attorney.

I appreciate some of
your work, Mr. McClaren,

but I'm not sure I
approve of your methods.

My methods?

HEWES: The hacking world's
like the Wild West,

and you're the
self-appointed sheriff.

Who's policing you?

I don't need policing.
I expose the truth.

By stealing secrets?

I'm flattered by
your interest, but...

you and I aren't a good fit.

Don't be stupid.

You need me.

Do I?

More than I need you.

You're an old woman.

You have just a handful
of productive years left

until my generation unseats you.

You may dislike
my methods, but...

with me, you'll stay relevant.

I'll take my
chances without you.

But if you're looking
for an attorney...

This is the best one I know.

Thank you for flying over,

but I prefer to talk
directly to Mr. McClaren.

Channing thought it was
best you deal with me.

[SIGHS]

They got another tip.

This one's gonna
make them billions.

How high up the
ladder does this go?

I can't say. I only know
what happens in Fund 23.

My supervisor runs
it as he sees fit.

You can stop him. You
have the evidence, right?

Fund records, trades,
account information?

I have access to everything.

Good.

I do this, they're gonna
shut the Fund down.

I won't have a job.

We can guarantee your anonymity.

Your name will be removed.

I have a daughter.

She's applying to college.

I don't know if I can be in
the middle of all of this.

I understand.

Not everyone can
handle the pressure.

But if you do want
to move forward,

use this to encrypt your data.

There's instructions in here,

how to upload everything
to our server.

If you decide you can help us,

these codes are good
for the next 48 hours.

So, why would you turn
down McClaren as a client?

I don't like him.

Well, what the hell does
that got to do with anything?

This kid's the new wave.

He's an international
phenomenon.

He's arrogant and
he's dangerous.

[HERNDON GROANS]

[PHONE RINGING]

Huh. HERNDON: What?

What is it? [SIGHS]

The judge is going to let
Ellen testify against me.

So, now you got to
protect yourself.

You got to forget about
your granddaughter.

Oh, come on, you
don't want her anyway.

She's just another distraction.

I sent my kids to
boarding school.

I gave them to someone who
knew what to do with them.

Michael has no idea what
it means to be a parent.

Do you?

You tried it once.
It didn't work.

Now you got to move on. You
got to focus on your career.

Take McClaren as a client.

If you're so worried that
Parsons gonna hang you in court,

then you got to suck it up and
give your son back his kid.

I was thinking about you.

Are you sure you
want to get involved

in Patty's custody battle?

Seems a bit personal.

It's already personal
between me and Patty.

Testifying against her
is the least I could do.

SANCHEZ: What do you mean?

Patty's... done certain things.

Like what?

It's probably better
if I don't tell you.

Okay.

The woman belongs in prison.

SANCHEZ: So go to the police.

The things I know about
her, I-I can't prove.

I don't have any hard evidence.

It would just be my
word against hers.

Well... all I'm saying is,

you're trying to move
your career forward.

Patty's very powerful.
She could hurt you.

I hear you.

You're not the first person
to warn me about Patty.

Detectives. Come in.

Hi. It's been a while.Yeah.

Thanks, uh, thanks
so much for coming.

ORTIZ: We have the
evidence you asked for.

I appreciate it. You were lucky.

Uh, usually when
a case is solved,

uh, this stuff gets
shipped upstate.

You really didn't
have to bring it down.

I was happy to come pick it up.

Well, we were glad
to hear from you.

We were wondering
how you were doing.

Oh, good. Thanks.

Uh, Detective Ortiz and I
talk about your fiance's case

all the time.

It's good to see you're well.

Thank you.

Anyway, this evidence, um...

[CLEARS THROAT] we bent
the rules to get you this,

so can you give us a
heads-up when you're done?

Yeah, of...
Absolutely, of course.

You take care.

If you need anything,
you let us know?

I will.

[CAR ALARM BLARING IN DISTANCE]

You're special, Ellen, but that
will only make the fall harder.

There won't be room
for you and Patty.

With Patty Hewes,
there's only Patty.

She'll see what I see,
and she'll own you.

[♪♪♪]

[DOOR OPENS]

Ms. Hewes...

Ellen Parsons is missing.

Oh.

Any idea where she's at?

[TYPING]

[TYPING]

[DOOR OPENS]

Mom? Hmm?

I'm gonna go meet
some friends downtown.

All right. When do you
think you'll be home?

Not late.

I have my interview at City
College in the morning.

All right. Have fun.

Yeah. Bye.Bye.

I love you.

[CHUCKLES]

[DOOR CLOSES]

[SIGHS]

[TYPING]

Princefield, one of
the country's largest

and oldest investment banks
is the latest institution

to find its secrets splashed
across the Internet.

Company documents posted by
cyber-hacker Channing McClaren

suggest that Princefield's
Fund 23 reaped massive profits

from a widespread program
of insider trading.

Government agencies
have already called for

a full investigation.

Insider trading?
How did this happen?

I don't know.

But it fucking happened.

Channing McClaren got a
hold of all of our records.

Did you have anything
to do with this?

Of course not. It
seems like everything

came out of your
goddamn computer.

That's not possible.

I don't know what you
fucking did, Naomi,

but we're all dead.

You, me, every
trader on this floor.

I suppose I should
feel insulted.

What are you talking about?

"Personal e-mails reveal
trader's sex-capades."

Apparently, you threw a hump

to every Wall Street
executive but me.

In an unusual turn for
Mr. McClaren's organization,

however, the leak also contained

graphic and sexually
explicit content

belonging to a Naomi Walling,
a Princefield employee.

Hundreds of personal
e-mail messages containing

intimate details appear to
romantically link Ms. Walling

to several high-level
Wall Street executives.

The inclusion of this personal
content calls into question

Mr. McClaren's ability to
disseminate sensitive material

and directly contradicts his
principle of not identifying

whistleblowers who
contribute to his site.

Why would McClaren want to air
this woman's dirty laundry?

I told you I didn't like him.

What, do you think he
did this on purpose?

No. It's got to be, um...

It's got to be a screwup.

Regardless, there is a very...

interesting case here.

You gonna want to sue McClaren?

How the hell did this happen?

And why won't you
assholes call me back?

Mom?

I heard.

I can't talk about
this right now, Rachel.

Mom... Mom, are you okay?

I can't.

[PHONE RINGING]

[PHONE CONTINUES RINGING]

[SIGHS] Hello.

Hello. This is Patty Hewes.

[THUDDING, PARSONS SIGHS]

[INDISTINCT, DISTANT SHOUTING]

[SIGHS]

[THUDDING, GLASS BREAKING]

[COMPUTER CHIMES]

[COMPUTER CHIMES]

[TYPING]

[COMPUTER CHIMES]

[SIREN BLARING IN DISTANCE]

[FIRE TRUCK HORN HONKING]

[DOOR CLOSING]

Channing.

So, why didn't you take
credit for High Star?

Why do you want to know?

Howard Erickson's in
prison. You filed the case.

But Patty Hewes got the glory.

Why did you contact
me, Mr. McClaren?

I assume you've seen the news.

Yeah.

This kind of thing has
never happened to me before.

What kind of thing?

Someone's personal information
being posted on my site.

Naomi Walling was
a whistleblower.

She came to me with
revelations about Princefield.

I would never expose
one of my sources.

And I have no interest in
attacking her personal life.

Then how did Ms. Walling's
information get out there?

I don't know, but it is very
bad for my organization.

We're still trying
to figure it out.

Do you think
Walling will sue me?

Quite possibly.

But do you think she'll
have a case against me?

It depends on the details
of what actually happened.

Okay, stop. Listen, what I'm
asking you is, will she sue me?

Mr. McClaren, I don't
know what she'll do.

You're not wrong
to fear a lawsuit.

You need a lawyer.

Is that why I'm here?

Yes.

I'd like to hire you.

Well...

I'm interested...

but I-I just went out on my own.

I doubt I have the
resources that you'll need.

No, resources aren't a problem.

I have sponsors, donors
with deep pockets.

I'm just curious, but...

Why me?

You came very
highly recommended.

By whom?

Patty Hewes.

Patty gave you my name?

She thinks you're a
very skilled attorney.

Well, um,

Mr. McClaren, I'm going to
have to think about this.

Of course.

I look forward to
speaking with you.

[TYPING]

Uh, can you just wait
here for a second?

Of course.

Mom, Patty Hewes is here.
She wants to talk to you.

I don't want to
talk to any lawyers.

She called. She called.
She... I asked her to come.

She said that she
could help you.

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

Please leave. I'm sorry you
had to waste a trip up here,

but I don't need an attorney.

Mom, listen to what
she has to say.

I understand how you must
be feeling right now,

but you have a good case.

Channing McClaren
violated your privacy.

The information that was
leaked came from your files.

Either you provided
it willingly,

and he was to leaveout your
personal information...

I asked you to leave.

Or he hacked in and stole
everything from you.

We're through here.

What are you afraid
of, the bank?

McClaren?

Don't make me call downstairs.

You are under tremendous
scrutiny right now.

It seems as though there
is nowhere to turn,

but you are being very foolish.

I don't want any
more media attention.

Suing him will
only make it worse.

Everything is gonna get
worse, no matter what.

The bank is gonna
blame the fraud on you.

McClaren is gonna throw
you under the bus.

And day after day, the vultures
in the press are gonna have

a feeding frenzy
over your reputation.

Please...

Mrs. Walling, let
me protect you.

Donald, there's a woman
here that won't leave.

Yes, call the police.

Please think about
what I'm saying.

I'm... I am so
sorry, Ms. Hewes.

She's just upset.
She didn't mean to...

Your mother's not
thinking clearly.

She needs help.

So when she calms
down, you talk to her.

I will.

Okay.

Channing McClaren?

That's great.

He's exactly the kind
of client you need.

Yeah, except Patty
recommended me to him.

Oh. Shit.

You think she's
fucking with you?

Somehow.

If I accept the
job with McClaren,

I'll be playing right
into Patty's game.

So, what are you going to do?

Any idea what she's up to?

My mother won't listen.

I couldn't change her mind.

Do you know if the
personal things

that have been written
about her are true?

She had affairs, if
that's what you mean.

My father left when I was seven.

She's had problems with men,
but she didn't deserve this.

No, of course not.

But why are you here, Rachel?
What do you want me to do?

Punish McClaren.

I can't if your mother isn't
willing to be a plaintiff.

Then... I'll sue him.

[CHUCKLES]

Your mother is the
one who was wronged.

Unfortunately, I can't
bring a suit on your behalf.

So, McClaren destroys
my mother's life,

and he gets to just walk away?

I'm afraid so.

Ms. Hewes, I'm
worried about my mom.

She's had problems before.

What kind of problems?

Anxiety, depression. She...

It's not good. I've
seen how dark she gets.

Well, I can give you the
name of a good psychiatrist.

But if she doesn't
want to file a suit,

there's nothing else
I can do for her.

Mm.

Rachel?

[SNIFFLES]

If there are new developments,
if your mother changes her mind,

I promise you, I'll
be here to help.

Yeah.

SECRETARY: Yes, I have
documents right here.

Yes, you can send a courier.

So much for that.

Thank you. Have a good day.

The kid said her mother
battled depression.

With any luck,
she'll off herself.

Then you'll be back in business.

[SIGHS]

[SIGHS]

[SOBBING]

[SIGHS]

[SIGHS]

[CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING]

Tomorrow's the big day.

Ellen Parsons is
going to testify.

She'll see what I see,
and she'll own you.

It's done.

[DISTORTED SCREAM]

[WINDOW SHATTERS]

[SOBBING]

[♪♪♪]

I could put this gun to your
head and get you to say it,

but I don't want
it to be that way.

You know what I want to hear.

I told Pete...

to have you killed.

[♪♪♪]

Am I correct that
directly out of law school

Patty Hewes hired you
to work at her firm?

Yes.

And you've worked with her
on and off for four years?

Yes.

During that time, would you say
that you got to know her well?

Very well.

Broadly, how would you
describe her character?

[INHALES SHARPLY]

Your Honor...

I respectfully request a
stay in these proceedings.

Why?

I believe neither Ms. Parsons'
state of mind nor her testimony

can be considered
impartial at this time.

What makes you say that?

Ms. Parsons and I will soon be
engaged as opposing attorneys

in what will be a highly
publicized lawsuit.

What kind of lawsuit?

Last night a woman
named Naomi Walling

tragically took her own life.

[GASPS]

[MUFFLED YELLING]

[MUFFLED YELLING CONTINUES]

[MUFFLED GRUNTS]

Shh...

[MUFFLED GASP]

This morning I was contracted
by Naomi Walling's daughter

to pursue a wrongful
death suit on her behalf.

And who is this lawsuit against?

Channing McClaren...

whom I believe is Ms.
Parsons' only client.

I'm not going to haveanother
case tried in my courtroom.

If this is accurate,
Ms. Parsons,

then it's one or the other.

You can either testify
against Ms. Hewes

or try a case against her.

What's it going to be?

I'd like ten
minutes to consider.

Looks like you have
a decision to make.

Whatever you're going
to say on the stand

won't help Michael win custody.

But I'll say it anyway.

It'll be on the record...

and the public will know
the truth about you.

McClaren said you
recommended me.

Do you think he
would have hired you

without my recommendation?

I haven't accepted
the job, Patty.

What are you waiting for?

You can either get
up on the stand

and trumpet my secrets
to the world...

or you can do what
you really want to do.

And what is that?

Come after me where it counts.

Prove yourself in
a case against me.

You hate me?

You want to end this
once and for all?

Now's your fucking chance.

[TOSSES KEYS ON DESK]

Mr. McClaren. It's
Ellen Parsons.

I want the job.

[COOING]

Detective, I don't know what
you're hoping to learn from me,

but I'm supposed to be
in court right about now.

We know.

Ellen Parsons was scheduled
to testify against you today.

Can't imagine you're
too pleased about that.

Know what she was
gonna say on the stand?

No.

And if she's missing...

[COOING]

[WINGS FLAPPING]

I guess we'll never get
a chance to find out.

[WIND WHISTLING]

[BIRD COOING]

[♪♪♪]

♪ When I am through with you ♪

♪ There won't be
Anything left ♪

♪ When I am through with you ♪

♪ There won't be
Anything left ♪

♪ When I am through with you ♪

[BOWLING BALL
ROLLS, PINS CLATTER]