Ray Donovan – “Ding” Retrospective. Moving Forward.

Season 3, Episode 2

Airdate: Sunday, July 19, 2015 at 9:00 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

“You like a little blood, don’t you bitch? Does it turn you on—hurting people? … What’re you gonna do? Call your daddy and have him sort this out for you?” – Ray Donovan

I have completely fallen in love with that big lug of a dog Abby (Paula Malcomson) brought home in last week’s season premiere, “The Kalamazoo.” I wish the pooch would have at least growled at Ray (Liev Schreiber) when he approaches a sleeping Abby in “Ding,” but he’s too much of a sweetheart. Ray is right to be concerned about Abby given her recent bout with alcohol. I understand Abby regrets her affair but burying herself in the bottle isn’t the right way to behave. As parents, we are supposed to teach our children right from wrong. The old saying, “Do as I say, not as I do” doesn’t provide the proper kind of role model our children need. Still, Abby shouldn’t have to explain to Ray why Bridget (Kerris Dorsey) invites her father to come home for dinner. No matter what is going on between Abby and Ray, their children should always come first. It takes an amusing scene with Conor (Devon Bagby), plus the promise of a delicious meal, to get Ray to even consider Bridget’s request. Shame on you, Ray.

Nothing like a good prison fight to show who’s boss.

Prison life isn’t easy on anyone but especially someone with Parkinson’s. Everyone’s out to get the underdog, especially the members of the Aryan Nation who give Terry (Eddie Marsan) the nickname “Ding.” I cheered for Terry when he defends himself like the great boxer he once was against prison inmate/bully Garth (guest star Brionne Davis). I knew Garth wouldn’t forget Terry’s stunning right uppercut, and I was right. Terry should have listened to Dr. Cooper (guest star J. Marvin Campbell) and the prison guard (guest star Skipp Sudduth) because what happens out in the yard during the rematch is going to cost Terry dearly.

With that pimp Gary (guest star Chris Browning) dead, Mickey needs to get with the times if he wants to take over Gary’s prostitution business at the motel. Ginger (guest star Fairuza Balk) provides a helping hand by introducing Mickey to the internet sex trade, which Mickey promptly turns over to Daryll (Pooch Hall). But Mickey has bigger plans in store for the prostitutes, one that involves using Daryll as his muscle. Let’s hope Mickey isn’t biting off more than he can chew.

Liev Schreiber as Ray Donovan and Wole Parks as Carl in Ray Donovan (Season 3, Episode 02). - Photo: Michael Desmond/SHOWTIME - Photo ID: RayDonovan_302_4014.R

Ray has his hands full trying to get Carl to accept the deal being offered.

Paige Finney (special guest star Katie Holmes) calls Ray with a job offer she says her father Albert (special guest star Ian McShane) knows nothing about. After introducing Ray to Zack Davis (guest star David Cubitt), the owner of a local football team, Davis offers Ray “tickets on the 50-yard line for life” if he can fix the mess their starting quarterback Troy Landrieu (guest star Beau Bonness) has gotten himself into. Troy’s problem revolves around a threat made by Carl Lafell (guest star Wolé Parks), a Navy Seal with a good reason to be angry. What makes this plot point interesting is the way Ray relates to Lafell’s situation, having been there himself.

What I don’t understand is since Paige is a rich woman in her own right, why does she get herself and Ray involved in something so insidious? Ray doesn’t like to be played, which is exactly what Paige does. The scene inside the bathroom, where Ray threatens Paige, spotlights the extremely palpable chemistry between the two. I’m even more certain this week than I was before that this relationship is going to turn into a romantic one. Truth be told, I don’t think ‘romantic’ is the right word to use. I think Ray and Paige’s connection is going to become serious very quickly, and will be filled with hot, steamy sex with one of them dominating. Just who will be in control during their times together remains to be seen as Paige is just as domineering as Ray. I wonder whether this will affect Ray’s decision regarding Albert’s plans for their future together.

Bunchy’s crush on Teresa (guest star Alyssa Diaz), one of the Isadores training at the gym, gets in the way of good business when he decides to “work something out” with them so they can continue training without paying their membership dues. Teresa isn’t the kind of girl Bunchy should be with, especially because she thinks nothing of taking advantage of him. I wonder, though, whether the idea Pablo (guest star Martin Garcia) comes up with to make money for both the troupe of Isadores and Mickey will work or whether he’s taking advantage of Bunchy too.

Other Observations

If you recall Father Romero’s (guest star Leland Orser) actions in “The Kalamazoo,” he behaved quite strangely. Still, it surprised me to see him, sans collar, attending one of Bunchy’s SNAP meetings as a survivor of priest abuse. To top it off, now he wants a membership to the gym so he can brush up on his boxing skills. What the hell is this man’s story? Who is he really, and what does he hope to gain in the grand scheme of things?

Shree Crooks as Audrey and Pooch Hall as Daryll in Ray Donovan (Season 3, Episode 02). - Photo: Michael Desmond/SHOWTIME - Photo ID: RayDonovan_302_2481.R

You can tell by Daryll’s face he can’t believe the words coming out of Audrey’s mouth!

Guest star Shree Crooks does another amazing job with her portrayal of Audrey this week. When I first saw Audrey in “The Kalamazoo,” I thought she was a sweet little girl with an awesome talent. Audrey shows her true nature in “Ding,” not only with the insults she hurls at Daryll but with the way she speaks to both him and Mickey. I see great things ahead for this young actress.

It saddens me that my supposition about Lena (Katherine Moennig) leaving Ray’s employ is spot on. I just never guessed who she’s going to work for. I don’t like where this is going. Ray, Lena, and Avi (Steven Bauer) always made such a great team and I hate to see them broken apart like this. I understand why Ray is furious with Avi but at some point, he needs to accept the fact that Avi was trying to protect him.

Memorable Line

Mickey: “Failure is a part of life but when God closes a door, he opens a window.”

Audrey: “Fuck you, Mickey.”

Guess you can’t play Shirley Temple after all, Audrey. Nice little foot stomp, though.

Overall

Writer William Wheeler provides the audience with interesting and sharp dialogue in “Ding,” while director Ed Bianchi’s expert use of camera angles, lighting, shot choices, and overall direction of the actors are what make this episode special. In the beginning scenes of “Ding,” Ray is working the punching bag at the Fite Club. At the end of “Ding,” Ray is the punching bag. He obviously thinks he deserves some kind of punishment. Add to that the way he pushes Lena away and it is apparent Ray doesn’t want to be close to anyone anymore. He is burying his feelings deep down inside. I hope this plot point isn’t carried out too much longer because Ray certainly has suffered enough. Something tells me, though, Paige will play an important part in keeping Ray’s mind otherwise occupied, don’t you agree?

What did you think of “Ding?” Leave me a comment below or tweet me @SeasideTV. Let’s discuss!

Stay up-to-date with the series on the official Ray Donovan website: http://www.sho.com/raydonovan.

LIKE Ray Donovan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RayDonovanOnShowtime.

Follow the series on Twitter @SHO_RayDonovan. And follow cast mates Liev Schreiber (Ray) @LievSchreiber, Pooch Hall (Daryll) @iam_POOCHHALL, Dash Mihok (Bunchy) @dizmihok, Devon Bagby (Conor) @DevonBagby, Kerris Dorsey (Bridget) @kerrisdorsey, Steven Bauer (Avi) @thestevenbauer, Kate Moennig (Lena) @katemoennig, and Eddie Marsan (Terry) @eddiemarsan.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!